Why do we still use amps?

[Ryan L.]

Didn't read the thread. Don't care. I like buying stuff and having stuff. So yeah that's why.

Ditto. I’ve done the ampless thing. Prefer to have an amp. So I’ll continue to have an amp.

 

[Mvilmany]

I don't know what you mean about it being too small...

View attachment 3601680

That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Wow, I just listened to that song, and the bass is freaking excellent! They really compressed the track for his vocal, though.

EDIT: I'll bet you anything that the reason the close mic didn't make it to tape was they shut off the bass in the PA. Roseland holds 3200 max, and a couple SVT's at that volume don't need to go through the PA. So he probably remembered to send the DI to tape and forgot to send the mic.

Personally, I'd have recut it and lied about it Great massive sound, and I'd try to duplicate it, but with a bit more bottom. He probably used a 58 to sing, and they do roll off bottom, especially at long distances.

I love that CD and the sound of the bass on this!

 

[DJ Bebop]

That sounds so-n-so OK to me, ive heard better and ive heard worse...not my cup o' tea but we all have our ideas of what is good or bad...I like transparent...I can play through a PA system for a rig and be happy but thats not for everybody........However, On rock stuff if given a choice, I like a little amp/spkr grit if available but its not a deal breaker or maker for me.....like i said earlier:"whatever makes ya happy".....my ideas for great tone below for comparison: not for everybody (I believe the second vid is dual tracked clean and amp)

Nate Phillips! Pleasure was a local band from here. I get together with the trombonist from the band.

Here's what our guys did to avoid carrying 2 guitar cabs and setting up the mics every time - it's a 2x12" iso cab for two guitarists. View attachment 3602445

My son was doing sound for a band the ran everything through the PA. No on-stage backline, big Roland V-Drum set, all IEM. Their guitarist rolled like that. There were a couple of times that he didn't bring the iso cab. Just a single 1x12 closed back cab with a moving blanket thrown over it

 

[KarateChris]

For me, most of the venues I play don't have a PA. If they do, it is good for vocals and acoustic/electric instruments. They don't have a backline either. As a musician, my job is to bring everything that is required for the show/performance. As the bass player, bringing an amp is part of my job.

However, I agree that 800+ watt amps are not necesary. If that much power is required then the venue will be providing a PA that can deal with running a DI for the bass. I have found that a 350 watt bass amp is loud enough for all of my needs.

 

[Novarocker]

I've seen a bunch of interesting bass rigs from touring artists - mostly in the rock / metal scene where the guys usually send some sort a direct signal to the front of house and use amps on stage.

My question is - why do so many guys spend the money on 800+ watt amps and 8x10" cabs plus go trough the effort of transporting it to gigs, when no one except the bass player actually cares. How many bands do you know that actually mic up their cabs and don't just go trough the DI of the amp in the end?

Here's a recent example, where the guy is sending 2 direct signals to the PA. Why not use the same setup + an IR loader to send the signal directly.


P.s. I don't use an amp, and my band uses an in-ear monitoring system.

First post and /end thread.

Because we like them

I'm sure it's been said. I love the sound of my amp and the feeling of pushing that much air. I dislike in ears an there's nothing wrong with you liking them and not using an amp. There's also nothing wrong with me or anyone else using one.

 

[DJ Bebop]

For me, most of the venues I play don't have a PA. If they do, it is good for vocals and acoustic/electric instruments. They don't have a backline either. As a musician, my job is to bring everything that is required for the show/performance. As the bass player, bringing an amp is part of my job.

However, I agree that 800+ watt amps are not necesary. If that much power is required then the venue will be providing a PA that can deal with running a DI for the bass. I have found that a 350 watt bass amp is loud enough for all of my needs.

Agreed.

I do have an 800-watt amp though but, it was bought because of the features (WD-800) I'm using it at 8 ohms at 400 watts most all of the time through a 1x12 cab. But if I need more, it's there

 

[Novarocker]

My apologies if I sounded a little pissed in my post. No hostilities meant.

 

[Raimonds]

My apologies if I sounded a little pissed in my post. No hostilities meant.

Nope, didn't sound offensive

 

[Raimonds]

I'll conclude this thread with the following reasons (from your responses) why you still need to take an amp with you:

1. You play a lot of gigs where relying on an adequate PA at the venue is not an option (restaurants, private events, etc.)
2. You like the sound and feel of big bass and sleep better at night, knowing that there's a kilowatt of power at you disposal at any time.
3. The front of house sound system in the venue is placed in such a way, that the audience can come so close to the stage that the PA speakers are shooting behind their ears.
4. You don't use in ear monitoring and need the amp for monitoring purposes.

As for me - I'm ordering a Hotone Omni IR tp upgrade my pedalboard and staying ampless

 

[JimmyM]

I'll conclude this thread with the following reasons (from your responses) why you still need to take an amp with you:

1. You play a lot of gigs where relying on an adequate PA at the venue is not an option (restaurants, private events, etc.)
2. You like the sound and feel of big bass and sleep better at night, knowing that there's a kilowatt of power at you disposal at any time.
3. The front of house sound system in the venue is placed in such a way, that the audience can come so close to the stage that the PA speakers are shooting behind their ears.
4. You don't use in ear monitoring and need the amp for monitoring purposes.

As for me - I'm ordering a Hotone Omni IR tp upgrade my pedalboard and staying ampless

1, 3, 4. Yeah, pretty accurate.

2. I wouldn't say we all need a kilowatt. I regularly gig with 50w, sometimes even less.

As for you, everyone has to find their own way to happiness.

 

[PeteCarlton]

I don't know what you mean about it being too small...

View attachment 3601680

I've seen this picture before - still makes me laugh!

 

[Scott Purcell]

Cuz amps are cool!!!

 

[dpbass66]

There is no PA that is designed to capture precise EQ needs of bass, as would a dedicated bass amp and speakers. There is no PA that gives me the sound i get from my bass rig. Further, the exact sound i get for my bass affects my touch and technique on the bass, quite a bit. If you are going from fingers to slap to taking a solo, those are all different EQ settings, and volumes. I hope you have a really attentive sound-guy out front adjusting to your needs. As for power, for a large club gig (and larger) , 800 watts is just about enough. When you have a 1200w head, the point isnt that you are “using” all 1200w at any given point, its the headroom. If i play low volume, small venue gigs, i could use my same 1200w amp... just lower the volume. Nowadays, class D amps weigh 6-10lbs, so im not sure why one needs anything small (in terms of watts) any more. One good class D covers everything.

 

[David Lakin]

I play in a Bluegrass band and I always bring my GK MB112II everywhere. But, I also play every Sunday in a contemporary praise band. I send my bass signal from my pedalboard straight into the house. So, there’s room for both in my world.

 

[RickenCliff]

My back is killing me today from dragging my Mesa Boogie Bass 400 downtown for a show.

Absolutely 1000% worth it though.

I could run straight out of my board with a GED YYZ and Omnicab Sim, but........

I like when my bass tone punches you in chest.

 

[John sase]

I've seen a bunch of interesting bass rigs from touring artists - mostly in the rock / metal scene where the guys usually send some sort a direct signal to the front of house and use amps on stage.

My question is - why do so many guys spend the money on 800+ watt amps and 8x10" cabs plus go trough the effort of transporting it to gigs, when no one except the bass player actually cares. How many bands do you know that actually mic up their cabs and don't just go trough the DI of the amp in the end?

Here's a recent example, where the guy is sending 2 direct signals to the PA. Why not use the same setup + an IR loader to send the signal directly.


P.s. I don't use an amp, and my band uses an in-ear monitoring system.

The low E at c. 40 Hz produces a 50 foot wave out into the audience. There's the real bottom feel.

 

[Eli Freebairn]

My situation may be unique. I was the FOH and monitor guy for four years at the more popular venues in my city for original music. I've worked countless shows with bands that have been all IEM and without amps. These bands did not sound ideal close to the stage. I don't think people typically go to a show to stand in the back, but that's just my opinion. Having done that, I know that where I am playing it is better to have a rig so that people up front can actually experience the music. I am not playing music for people to passively listen to while grabbing a drink or a bite or whatever, I am playing music for people to experience something along with me. I also don't want to tone chase how my amp rig sounds in ampless world. I honestly doubt I will find something that sounds the way my pedals sound interacting with my Acoustic 370 into a 2x18 and 8x10.

 

[David Lakin]

There is no PA that is designed to capture precise EQ needs of bass, as would a dedicated bass amp and speakers. There is no PA that gives me the sound i get from my bass rig. Further, the exact sound i get for my bass affects my touch and technique on the bass, quite a bit. If you are going from fingers to slap to taking a solo, those are all different EQ settings, and volumes. I hope you have a really attentive sound-guy out front adjusting to your needs. As for power, for a large club gig (and larger) , 800 watts is just about enough. When you have a 1200w head, the point isnt that you are “using” all 1200w at any given point, its the headroom. If i play low volume, small venue gigs, i could use my same 1200w amp... just lower the volume. Nowadays, class D amps weigh 6-10lbs, so im not sure why one needs anything small (in terms of watts) any more. One good class D covers everything.

There’s no PA that is designed to capture precise EQ needs of bass...? Been to any concerts in a 20,000+ set arena? All of the bass you’re hearing is from the FOH. Any amp on that stage is for personal monitoring and/or product endorsements.

 

[ryco]

Pretty much a stage monitor. Once the signal is out to the soudguy, that aspect of sound is pretty much out of my hands. Do NOT want bass coming through my monitors - I just want vocals in my monitor - MAYBE kik & snare. My opinion might change if I was playing arenas or huge stages, but never had the pleasure, so no idea of what I'd want.