• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sub Placement - Stage or Floor - Does it Matter?

#21
Our church installed a brand new state-of-the-art JBL P.A. a few years ago and the "church sound specialist" who spec'd the install had the subs flown from the ceiling. It sounded horrific. After a couple of years they tore it all out, hired a real sound pro and the first thing he did was move the subs down to the floor. It improved the sound 100%.
 
#23
I should point out that even though I said that center clustering and ground placement was the better option, this is not always the case. That recommedation was based on jaywa's situation. Sometimes (more often then not) it is better to cluster to one side indoors to take advantage of boundary loading.

http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=398

The link is for horn loaded subs, but direct radiator subs can also benefit.
 
#25
Yeah... my church didn't consult a single working musician or pro sound guy when they did the install -- even though there were several very good ones who regularly attended and played in the worship band at the time. They went totally on the word of this "expert" and it was a complete fail. Brilliant.

:rolleyes:
 
#26
UPDATE:

Ran center clustered subs for three shows at two separate venues last Saturday thru Tuesday. Longer report to follow when I'm back on a proper computer but the short version is TWO HUGE THUMBS UP from everyone in the band and especially the BL. Thanks so much again for all the help.
 
#27
(Expanded) UPDATE (as promised above):

First Night
Outdoor, small town street dance, stage was your typical semi flatbed trailer which sits a good 4 feet off the ground if not higher. Got there, asked the BL if he was good with experimenting with center cluster subs, he said sure no problem. We laid all 4 subs end to end in the center and they just fit under the trailer so that worked out great. Then the tops got set on the "stage" 2 per side.

We soundcheck, everything sounds real good but the BL hasn't heard it yet. That happens when he goes out about 2 songs into the show and when he comes back onstage he points down to the subs and looks at me with a big grin and a thumbs up.

Second and Third Nights
Inside, a large 2-story bar (350 capacity I'm guessing) with a "log cabin" theme, i.e. tall ceiling, lots of wood and a stage about 2 1/2 feet off the floor. This time BL suggests we center cluster the subs again only this time we lay two of them end to end on the floor (right in front of the stage), and then one each laying on their sides on each side of the stage, with the tops stacked vertically on top of them.

This setup looked impressive and sounded even better... without question the best I've ever heard our P.A. sound. On top of which, the two subs on the floor made a nice "apron" that the hotties really seemed to enjoy dancing on (wonder why?...), and with the other two subs flanking the stage we got a whole lot of "thump" as a band that complemented our IEMs to give us truly great stage sound.

I apologize for not having actual photos, but I wasn't in position to take them. But if anyone has follow-up questions please feel free to post here or PM me directly.

Suffice to say we will be clustering the subs whenever possible going forward.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back