EBS_freak

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1382093412' post='2247762'] Hotels and function houses get a bit funny when their systems start dropping out....... I visit around 10-15 AV rental and toursound companies a week and I'd say 90% are running UHF.... [/quote] Oh no, I don't dispute that, I know UHF is common place. I'm surprised if rental companies are running digital over the 2.4Ghz band. I guess it depends which channels in the digital band that the band wireless systems are running on to how much disturbance they cause to wifi. Running channel 38 uhf or digital would make all these problems vanish surely? Of course, for most applications, UHF systems with a compounder are fine... it's just that being able to run a bass through a digital signal with no compounder is just so much better

[indent=1]Wait a minute... is this yet another....[/indent] [indent=1]Yes.... I think it is...[/indent] [indent=1][/indent]

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1382096463' post='2247838'] The thread isn't breaking down. I'm seeing lots of different opinions and helpful suggestions thank you very much! [/quote] Cool - it's not at the moment, but these thread usually end up in people pasting up what they use rather than posts from guys who've used a whole load of PA and compare the strengths and weaknesses. PA is expensive... so much consideration should be taken into account as to what you need. My recommendation for the AH desk is that it will basically give you everything you need in one package. Mixing, outboard, eqing, many monitoring options... and is going to give you everything you need to get a great sound in the most difficult of rooms. Speakers are defo worth auditioning - speakers, as you probably aware, have their own sound signature and some to the extent that you'll never be able to get to your liking. As mentioned above, I don't like the top end of the 450s. Many people may just accept this, know no better, or actually like the top end. That's the thing. Everybody hears different. I certainly would be going out trying out cabs at volume before dropping any further money.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1382096386' post='2247836'] I would have thought they would be found between the hind legs of a male dog? [/quote] Bum bum! Ha ha

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1382096020' post='2247827'] No, but we've been using Mackie SRM450's for years and they are excellent IMO, if a bit heavy. I'd be very surprised if anything Mackie makes is "dire", but perhaps folks can chime in with first-hand experiences. I have heard QSC K10's and they sounded excellent. [/quote] SRM450 MK1s were ok. MK2 not so. The trouble with the 450s to my ears is that they have a overly harsh top end... even worse on the Mk2s where they changed the amp. I wouldn't go as far as dire... but there are a lot better out there... but not necessarily as well stocked at dealers because Mackie has developed a certain market presence. I remember as kids people kooing over Technics. The opinion was that Techincs is top end hifi but in reality, there was a hell of a lot better out there at a similar price... it's just that Technics appeared in pretty much every electronics shop, catalogue, etc... whereas the competition didn't.

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1382094191' post='2247790'] This is very much the niche we've been wanting to fill with our first PA cabs but we haven't had time to get any to market what with all the bass cab stuff. I strongly suspect that a modern lightweight power amp with DSP driving two Big Baby 2s could outperform many top + sub rigs at a fraction of the size and weight. DSP could be used for room space correction as well as EQ and crossing over to an optional sub for bigger/outdoor gigs. Anyone local want to test such a rig once we have some time? [/quote] Sounds good - but the portability is lost with having seperate poweramps. Ideally you want your power amp in the desk or in the cabs. Guys looking for portability don't want the added baggage of having a seperate poweramp. Just my humble of course...

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1382094138' post='2247789'] We're now using Mackie active tops (not the DLM ones) and they sound the mutts nuts. We've also got active bottoms as well, but I honestly can't remember which brand, sorry. [/quote] This is where the thread is going to break down. It depends on the individuals definition of mutts nuts.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1382093740' post='2247779'] This is a good shout. I have considered keeping the Bose L1 plus its sub and using it behind the band - plus adding two Mackie DLM12 units on speaker stands as front of house. [/quote] You do realise that PAs behind the band is a really bad idea? The onset of feedback through vocal mics for starters is going to be pretty quick, even at minimal volumes. Get rid of the idea that Bose have sold you of having them next to you on stage. It just doesn't work at the volumes you will be trying to achieve.

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1382093153' post='2247754'] I'd be looking at the Mackie DLM series, or the QSC powered speakers. [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/dlmseries/lineup/"]http://www.mackie.co...mseries/lineup/[/url] [url="http://www.qscaudio.com/products/speakers/k_series/k_series_k10.php"]http://www.qscaudio...._series_k10.php[/url] [/quote] To be honest, this whole thread will likely end up in a load of people putting down a load of random PA cabs... of which there are loads... but in short, anything is going to kick those Bose systems for a pub band. So in short. Bose. Acoustic yes. Pub band no.

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1382093269' post='2247757'] Plus sticking the PA Behind the Band is not going to help....... [/quote] This is true... yet Bose seem to say it will cope with it. Yeah right. Even placing it infront of us, it was less than impressive

Bose. No, no, no. Cut your losses and invest in traditional PA. The Bose is exceptionally good for quieter acoustic setups but you'll never get the volume and control you'll need for a pub band. You'll spend more time fighting feedback than playing. Been there in a previous band. Nothing but headaches. Sadly, you won't get portable if you want to move some air - laws of physics. You can get light though. A bunch of people will no doubt chime in with what you can use... but in short, get a desk, some powered speakers... and if you can afford it, 31 band eq for every output (e.g. l/r front plus any monitors) to tune your PA to the room and fight your feedback. Good luck. If you are looking to spend money... Just as idea, you could get an Allen Heath QU16 with a pair of DB Opera 605s that would kick sh1t out of your Bose for less than 2800. Get a couple of subs and you got a serious PA and you could ditch your bass amp... or at least not rely on it for front of house. Mic up your bass and snare and your band is suddenly sounding a hell of a lot better than it is now.

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1382088523' post='2247658'] Mind you it does go awfully quiet when the batteries fail. That'll learn me........ [/quote] Beware the flashing red light!

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1382087893' post='2247645'] It's exactly this...... this is why a lot of the AV companies haven't gone digital yet and are still using UHF (Though the New Sony DWZ range is changing that) it's not so much interference with your system, the line 6 unit was prone to knocking out wi-fi and other networks in hotels/venues if used within a certain range. If you're just playing down the pub it won't matter so much [/quote] I'm quite surprised to hear this. I would have though AV companies would be running digital systems over channel 38. That's what I'm doing with the ULX-D. Mind you, that's some seriously pricey system and locked to ch38 so not so good for worldwide usage. I'd be taking the DWZ in those cases that I work abroad. The DWZ is astonishingly good - given their history in wireless transmission, I don't understand why anybody would go for anything else in that price bracket. Given the fact that their 1/2 rackmount and corresponding pack can do encryption also its a bit of a no brainer. Battery life is good too. In fact, the whole range is great - even the mic with the interchangable heads.

Good technique Mike. I also have a bass with a really high action which does a similar job. Practoce on that and then I switch to my normal bass... and pow. Similar principal to Bill Dickens Buddah Rope I guess.

Check sig ;-) And also www.thebeatfactor.com Shameless self promotion... But hey.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1381872145' post='2244933'] I think that is only on the Z Mode ones. The Classic one I had until very recently didn't have this feature. [/quote] Yup. You're quite right.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1381837782' post='2244318'] AFAIK, all of the Glockenklang preamps (including the Sandberg preamps) now have the passive tone control, with the exception of the stacked pot versions that Glockenklang do. [/quote] My, my. Pretty bass in your Avatar. What is that? Is that a Ken Taylor? Got any close ups?

In short, you can't make one solution fit all where std passive/active circuity is involved. Everything you do is a comprimise. It wouldn't surprise me if the current preamp is already set at that perfect comprimise point. I'd never buy an active bass wanting a quality passive mode... the two are mutually exclusive. Short of having two sets of wiring looms and controls in there, one for passive, one for active, I think you are a bit stuck.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1381835333' post='2244267'] Audere do one as well. [/quote] That's just reminded me. One of the maybe "ludicrous" (for lack of a better word) things about the Audere is the battery check thing when you first plug it in. Silent, flashy blue light and then the preamp becomes live. I wonder how many people have stepped on their leads, haven't done the cable loop around the strap trick, bent down, plugged it back in... and then waited what must seem like a life time for the preamp to kick in again?

I don't get how succesful an active/passive preamp can be... the pot values for active vs passive are wildly different - there's a pay off got to be made somewhere. I guess thats where some preamps have the "get out of jail free" by flicking a switch and wiring the pickups straight to the jack... but any tone shaping is always going to take a hit due to pot values... unless somebody can explain something I'm missing?

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1381833371' post='2244241'] I have one too. If you need help/info on wiring just ask. [/quote] I think I may be some way off yet as I've still got to build a bass to put it/them in! They were readily available at one stage via the Gallery but now they are like rocking horse sh1t... and Nico doesn't seem interested in making them available outside of Schack basses now (understandable). There are number of preamps that I really love - the GB bass processor (of course!), The Schack... and the other stunning preamp which actually works great with single coils (I'm more of a soap bar man), is the the preamp in the Yamaha BBNE2.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1381832042' post='2244213'] The Schack preamp is about the best I've ever come across, easily rivalling the JE for spectrum but is also more customisable (internal micro switches allow you fine tune it to your bass or taste) and more importantly for the OP will do complete passive control. Try finding one though. [/quote] I've been looking for years for them. I think I may have found one though (or maybe two!) - they are a very musical preamp with a stunning top end, especially with a set of soapbars.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1381775834' post='2243623'] The problem is with cabs, and user with those. Those amps can put out far more lows than cabs can cope with, giving the farting out and DDT light, and if its like the firebass, has various ways of scooping mids, like the contour control that is scooping them in the middle of its travel, so centring everything doesn't help. Consequently they eat cabs without appearing very loud if you don't look after the EQ. [/quote] I'm glad that my experience of running this amp counts for nothing. User error. Yup, that's me.

[quote name='Stealth' timestamp='1381791478' post='2243966'] Another broken barefaced handle ! [/quote]

The amp is probably your no 1 suspect. Those things are notoriously quiet despite their generous power rating. Remember volume measured in dbs not watts. Whole rehearsal sounds like a nightmare situation tbh.