Oh, I would never consider having someone play my rig while a go out and around the venue to see how it sounds. That would be foolish. And I have been playing for more than a week, so I already know all that.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
The argument for (or) against mixing cabs - example: 115 & 410
- Thread starter WaynerBass
- Start date
- Status
Crossovers, direct power. BECAUSE different frequencies, consume different levels of current (watts) within the content of the signal.
Proof: when was the last time you saw a 300 watt 6" midrange speaker?
I will research that. Seems reasonable, but I can't buy it based on my experience.
Not sure why you've got such a 'tude, but whatever. Have fun out there and play what you like. I hope your mood improves.
So you are saying that my rig I used for 12 years and used for some multi-band shows for the back line that all the bass players that used it complimented me on was a bad idea?
I can read all of the threads.. but what this tells me is that science and the opinion of some TB'ers is that when Pro's like Flea runs 3 15" cabs and 4 4x10" cabs at every show, he is blowing up his cabs and sounding like a turd - or maybe the laws of acoustic science cease to exist when he's on stage.. idk - I posted an article and pictures to try to prove what is being done in a real world situation
First, Welcome to TalkBass @WaynerBass !!!!
Second, once you have been here long enough you'll realize which fights are worth picking and which ones aren't. Let me also be the first to direct you to the search function. If you were to search "mixing drivers" or "mixed drivers" you would find enough reading material to keep you busy for weeks.....and it still probably wouldn't satisfy you quest for a definitive answer.
That short version is this. Same cab times two almost always works well. Mixing cabs and/or drivers might work, but it might sound like crap and increase your chances of blowing the speaker in a single driver cab.
The other short point to not is that cab tuning makes much more of a difference in whether or not a cab will sound more boomy or more mid/trebley. In other words, a 15" speaker box doesn't "produce more lows" than a 2-10 or 4-10. In fact, quite often, the opposite is true. Speaker diameter has little or nothing to do with tone by itself.
It seemed counter intuitive when I first got here too. But once I opened my mind (and more importantly my ears) is started to make sense.
Enjoy your reading homework. I expect a report on my desk Monday morning.
Second, once you have been here long enough you'll realize which fights are worth picking and which ones aren't. Let me also be the first to direct you to the search function. If you were to search "mixing drivers" or "mixed drivers" you would find enough reading material to keep you busy for weeks.....and it still probably wouldn't satisfy you quest for a definitive answer.
That short version is this. Same cab times two almost always works well. Mixing cabs and/or drivers might work, but it might sound like crap and increase your chances of blowing the speaker in a single driver cab.
The other short point to not is that cab tuning makes much more of a difference in whether or not a cab will sound more boomy or more mid/trebley. In other words, a 15" speaker box doesn't "produce more lows" than a 2-10 or 4-10. In fact, quite often, the opposite is true. Speaker diameter has little or nothing to do with tone by itself.
It seemed counter intuitive when I first got here too. But once I opened my mind (and more importantly my ears) is started to make sense.
Enjoy your reading homework. I expect a report on my desk Monday morning.
Flea is lucky enough to be playing in big arenas where the FOH will carry his sound. For all we know, those amps are just for show.
From the sticky at the top of the forum:
Mixing Cabinets and Phase Response.
Mixing Speaker Sizes...Again
Mixing Speaker Cabs - Definitive Answer!
Mixing Cabinets and Phase Response.
Mixing Speaker Sizes...Again
Mixing Speaker Cabs - Definitive Answer!
Just because it works, does not make it a good idea.
I COULD play bass through a Fender Twin. will it work? YEP.
Before the advances, an AMP was an AMP, a Cab was a cab.
Marshall and Hiwatt was all that was available for loud amplification, that is what was used.
Again: Science. Progress. Improvement in tech
No he is running in to a massive PA with IEM's. If that rig on stage is on, it isnt making a damn bit of difference out front, and isnt actually what flea is even hearing on stage.
Damn it... Must resist posting.
Oh goodness, this again? Here is my takeaway: It's not a question of absolutes, it is a question of complexity. A system with multi-sized drivers can sound great but it is going to require a little more work to get you there. You need to test and find which drivers of what size work well together, make sure you aren't getting any weird phase cancellation issues (I don't even know what you do about that) and maybe you need to do some biamping and creative EQ'ing or implementation of crossovers or anything more than "plug and play" to get the system to sound the way you want it to.
The flip side to that argument is that if the solution to your problem is you need more speaker, the simplest way to get there is by doubling up on what you already have. You sure can mix and match, but it's probably a lot more work than just adding another of the same kind of box you already got.
I think either way works and which way you go just depends on how complex of a system you want to deal with. I'm not into complexity (and lord knows not smart enough anyway), so I just got another identical cab to the one I was already lugging around the problem was solved. No integration issues and no science needed, just an additional speaker cable to juice the new box up.
The flip side to that argument is that if the solution to your problem is you need more speaker, the simplest way to get there is by doubling up on what you already have. You sure can mix and match, but it's probably a lot more work than just adding another of the same kind of box you already got.
I think either way works and which way you go just depends on how complex of a system you want to deal with. I'm not into complexity (and lord knows not smart enough anyway), so I just got another identical cab to the one I was already lugging around the problem was solved. No integration issues and no science needed, just an additional speaker cable to juice the new box up.
It is hard not to keep posting in these types of threads isn't it
OR maybe most of that rig is for looks and he is running a preamp straight into the sound board and trying to make money by endorsing a big brand name company? Maybe? You don't actually think you are hearing a stock bass through a stock GK rig through the front of house PA, do you? Nah.
Odds are he's wearing in ear monitors. Even HE isn't hearing any GK all night.
Thanks, good info.
I understand the scientific theory, but in practice my experience has been different.
here's stage reality 
The Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't bother plugging in their guitars for the Super Bowl
and as far as "live amplification" look at what Geddy uses :/
Van Halen used to stack the 4x12's to the ceiling meanwhile, only one cab was active.
Endorsed artists "Claim" to use what is given to them, that is their job to promote sales of equipment.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't bother plugging in their guitars for the Super Bowl
and as far as "live amplification" look at what Geddy uses :/
Van Halen used to stack the 4x12's to the ceiling meanwhile, only one cab was active.
Endorsed artists "Claim" to use what is given to them, that is their job to promote sales of equipment.
It was a great idea. I tried each cab separately first. Then I tried both, It added a lot to the quality of the sound, so I bought both.
It amazes me how people can get defensive over the simple fact that in many cases, the way things are done can improve over time, as technology and understanding evolve. A car without antilock brakes and air bags that spewed lead fumes and got 12 miles / gallon was fine in 1970..........
Edit: I sincerely do not mean to be inflammatory, but just because something worked "well", doesn't mean it was optimal, or that there isn't something else that would have been even better. The grey zone is the subject here, not B/W
Edit: I sincerely do not mean to be inflammatory, but just because something worked "well", doesn't mean it was optimal, or that there isn't something else that would have been even better. The grey zone is the subject here, not B/W
Last edited:
- Status
