Giacomo Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Hi folks! I've been playing electric guitar for the last 20+ years with all kind of combination, head+cab, combos, helix, fractal, kemper, Blueguitar, etc I'm currently using a Kemper Stage but I also have a Line 6 Helix HX Stomp for small venues (mainly use In Ear Monitors, but when needed I bring an Active FRFR - Yamaha DXR10). I started playing bass guitar more and more in the last year and in september I will start playing live in a 4 person band (guitar+bass+drums+voice) and I don't know where to start from. My current basses are an ACG Harlot headless and a PRS Grainger 5 with rosewood board. I was planning to use mainly the HX Stomp, alternatively use the Kemper but is this enough? When the PA is not good enough I see it can be a problem - is it enough to bring the FRFR with me? Plan B I have my eyes on a TC RH750, but can I use it directly in the PA (and get better tones than with my current rig) or it is non sense to use it without a cab? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 The DXR10 is very loud. Louder than many bass combos. I think you need to try it in a live environment. Do it when the PA is good enough but don't use it. Just use the DXR10 for a few songs. If it's crap then you can still go into the PA. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I'd happily gig with just the Helix and an FRFR, in fact I am considering selling my Aguilar DB751 and matching 4x10 cab! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I'm a Helix FRFR user, and I've stopped taking my FRFR cab (RCF745) to the bigger gigs where I know that the on-stage monitoring will be more than adequate. Even at the smaller gigs these days it's only used as a personal monitor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 ^^^ This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I've done both the Fractal and Helix racks into some bass-specific FRFR and found it overkill. I'm Stomp > QSC K12.2 these days and couldn't be happier. That DXR is an amazing little speaker by all accounts. Whilst I'm sure that, if any 10" speaker solution is up to the task it'll be that one, there are limits to what one small speaker can do for a bass guitar signal. If you're a reggae band, need huge walloping low end and rarely have PA then no, it'll not be enough. If you're in an indie rock band, playing with a pick, rounds and some grind to your sound and normally through the PA then it'll almost certainly be enough. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 ^^^ That. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 ^^^ the other 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomo Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Jack said: I've done both the Fractal and Helix racks into some bass-specific FRFR and found it overkill. I'm Stomp > QSC K12.2 these days and couldn't be happier. That DXR is an amazing little speaker by all accounts. Whilst I'm sure that, if any 10" speaker solution is up to the task it'll be that one, there are limits to what one small speaker can do for a bass guitar signal. If you're a reggae band, need huge walloping low end and rarely have PA then no, it'll not be enough. If you're in an indie rock band, playing with a pick, rounds and some grind to your sound and normally through the PA then it'll almost certainly be enough. that was also one of my doubt.. I might have to change the FRFR speaker to accomodate the bass, 10 inches is not enough for bass.. BTW, which presets are you using with the Stomp? any good one to reccommend? Edited August 3, 2020 by Giacomo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomo Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 hour ago, acidbass said: I'd happily gig with just the Helix and an FRFR, in fact I am considering selling my Aguilar DB751 and matching 4x10 cab! which FRFR are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Giacomo said: which FRFR are you using? None as yet. I use Helix into IEMs live, I will almost certainly invest in an FRFR when gigging resumes proper, definitely going to go for one of the Yamaha/JBL/QSC cabs 2 way cabs with a 15" driver for nice lows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 TBH unless you need the FRFR in order for the audience to hear your bass (you have no PA support for bass) or you regularly play with PA systems that have their foldback optimised primarily for vocals, then you might be better off with an FRFR cab that puts the emphasis on clarity rather than bass so that you can hear yourself without swamping the stage in unnecessary low frequencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 6 hours ago, Giacomo said: that was also one of my doubt.. I might have to change the FRFR speaker to accomodate the bass, 10 inches is not enough for bass.. Again, that very much depends. Plenty of people gigging with a single 1x10". Plenty of people gigging with no speakers, I do that all the time. Well, before, you know, the world ended. You've talked the instruments in your band which is certainly one factor but that leaves out so much other information. What's the PA situation? Genre? Volume? Size of venues? What amps are the other instruments using? 10 hours ago, Giacomo said: a 4 person band (guitar+bass+drums+voice) Could mean 'Death metal in large clubs: 100W Peavey through two 4x12" cabs, 22-piece Ludwig, double kick drum' or it could mean 'low volume jazz in wine bars and hotel lobbies: acoustic guitar through a Schertler combo and a 5-piece kit played with brushes'. 6 hours ago, Giacomo said: BTW, which presets are you using with the Stomp? any good one to reccommend? I'm afraid mine are all from scratch, but they're up on custom tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 On 03/08/2020 at 14:30, Giacomo said: that was also one of my doubt.. I might have to change the FRFR speaker to accomodate the bass, 10 inches is not enough for bass.. BTW, which presets are you using with the Stomp? any good one to reccommend? I use a BF One10 for most gigs. But we are an acoustic band with cajon rather than drums. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomo Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 I'm picking up one DXR12 this week end to check how it compares with my DXR10, if I'm not satisfied I'll try with a RCF 12 SMA I found in my area.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkelley Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 I'm Helix into whatever is around.... power amp from my bass head (so, clean power amp only) into my 112 bass cab with deltalite ii neo.... or my behringer B112D "1000 Watt" (actually more like 320 watts RMS, 160 continuous into the woofer, still very good and the woofer is very efficient) is my choice of the day (good sounding, very powerful, very good bass range, somewhat FRFR powered speaker.... kind of ideal for my bass/guitar/violin/keys/backing tracks/vocals portable requirements from helix or what not (has 2 inputs also). The yamaha is supposed to be amazing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomo Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 I found a 12 inches DXR12 and compared side by side with the DXR10, it's night and day, especially for bass guitar (I was mainly using the 10 with electric). 12 inches has less mids and if fuller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkelley Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Giacomo said: I found a 12 inches DXR12 and compared side by side with the DXR10, it's night and day, especially for bass guitar (I was mainly using the 10 with electric). 12 inches has less mids and if fuller probably louder, too, with the same amplifier power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) My solution is the "bargain basement" equivalent... A HD500x into the Effects Return of an Ashdown combo. Works for me. I know for a fact that any gigs we play, the monitors are going to be rubbish. Edited August 18, 2020 by Skybone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 On 03/08/2020 at 15:56, BigRedX said: emphasis on clarity rather than bass so that you can hear yourself without swamping the stage in unnecessary low frequencies. That sounds like no fun I am of course joking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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