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Suggestions for boosting low end in FOH

SevenJacks

SevenJacks

Feb 13, 2011
201
59
Boston (North Shore)
www.thebridgeband.net
#1
Hi everyone,
Please forgive me for some noobish questions, as I've read many different threads about FOH sound trying to piece together information that would help my band out specifically, but I need more help.

Background:
We are a 3 piece that plays classic/current rock covers.
We play in small venues (up to packed bars of about 200 people).
I play an active Ibanez and go direct to PA through a Zoom B3.
FOH are 2 old Peavey '315s' speakers powered by a 600w Peavy amp. No sub.
Vocals, guitar, kick, bass go through FOH.

My problem:
Our low end is still a bit thin. Not terrible, but IMO the mix could be better.

My long term goals:
Add a sub and update our old PA to something higher quality and modern.

My questions for our current setup:
What can I do with the assorted volume/input controls, to get our low end up?
If we lower the guitar and vocal inputs to FOH and raise overall volume, will that help low end?
What can I use on a B3 that will boost my signal? Is that even my problem?
Do we mess with the EQ on the amp?

Any voodoo from all of you are welcome. Thank you for your time!
 
#2
In the end there is only so much you can do if your PA can't reproduce much low end.

I'd look into getting a quality sub (passive if you already have a powerful enough amp and
your Peavy tops are passive) for your bass and kick and later upgrading your tops as you can afford to.

Another alternative, and one I've used to good effect in small rooms, is to use a powerful rig and not go through the PA at all, or to just put a bit through with the lows passed completely.

For the second you'll want a lot of cabbage and a decent amp.
 
#4
I really like going direct with my b3 pedal. I do this at places that have a nice house PA with subs. Usually though we bring our own PA and use a bass amp. You have to get a bass amp or a sub.

amp:
1) easier. plug in and go.

2) no crossover needed


sub:
1) now you can mic the kick!! this is a big deal in my opinion.
2) you can still do it without a crossover as follows:

we run a totally separate "sub" system with a behringer pmp2000 (in bridge mode it's 800 watts) into a 15" 500 watt cab. all stuff we bought used. Most often only kick mic is plugged into it. We add bass to it as needed. Times when we've run the sub off of the main board with a crossover, getting all the channel eq's right has proved tricky, with low end feedback issues. I like having the kick and bass separate!
 

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