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To Amp or Not to Amp

A

aslan_bass

Sep 3, 2013
3
0
Northern Ireland
#1
Hi guys,

First post here, just a thought I've been wrestling with for a while.
Is it still necessary to have an amp?
I have had the pleasure of using my setup through quite the amount of amplifiers in my day and I'm no longer too sure where I stand on this front.

I'm a big Nine Inch Nails fan and I found out that they run their entire live show through Mainstage. Seen them live last month, it was amazing!

So, what are your thoughts?
 
#2
Well, personal preference. For me, an amp/cab set up is part of my overall sound, including at least one board of pedals, and sometimes with a larger board, but always through my amp and cab. Some people prefer going DI to a full featured PA. In the end, it's just a matter of preference, and your own tonal goals.
 
#3
I seem to remember a rig rundown for Evan Brewer where he had switched to no amp. We use no bass amp at the church where I play. It's a personal decision. I find it awkward to play with just in ears, because I can't feel what I'm playing. You can definitely get away with it though.
 
#6
Whenever I can, I like running my bass through a pa simply for a more consistent mix with the band. I'm usually di from my head to the mains. But I like the feel of a cab on the stage as my own personal monitor. I don't see a reason to not have a cab set up even if you are using mains for the majority of the sound. Better to have and not need than need and not have imo.
 
#7
I get in my area 1% supplied FOH. The rest of the time I would have to patch into my own PA and expand the monitors capabilities to cover on stage bass monitoring. So beefing up the monitor system would be to replace a on stage rig. Either way I still have to supply an amp and speakers. The difference would be I have to go much further with the monitor system to keep it clean for vocals/guitars/keys.
 
#8
If you get to a gig and there is a PA capable of handling a bass and you have brought your amp you can use either.

On the other hand if you get to a gig and there is no PA you're screwed. As is the band and also the venue. You won't get asked back.

In my world, gigs with a decent PA are few.
 
#9
thanks guys, ive been looking around and another problem im having is I can either afford a GK head and I have some Peavey FOHs about the house, or i buy some studio monitors. Im not too sure what would be handier to me.

Also ,I dont have IEMs and relying on decent monitors in venues is never a good idea.
 

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