PA system for jazz trio / double bass

[LarsTimm]

Great with a bass / bassist specific PA forum. Hoping to get some recommendations from you guys.

 

I have been investigating different PA options for the jazz band I play in. When I started out we where a quartet with drums, guitar, vocal and me on double bass.

We played various jobs, from small cafe's, to outdoor concerts, to dance parties (wedding anniversaries, etc.).

 

I pretty much ended up deciding on two RCF TT-10A and a RCF 705 subwoofer. The TT-10 a small and lightweight and 705 sub is biggest sub I can fit in my car.... Totally it's right on the limit to what I can fit in my car, when also hauling a double bass and one or two band members.

The TT-10A is however not easy to get a hold of right now, so ended up not buying anything.

 

In the mean time we lost our drummer, and decided to continue as a trio with just guitar, vocals and double bass.

This got me thinking if we really need a sub for the kind of jobs we do now.

 

Our guitarist is using a Helix and running without backline. I don't want to bring both PA system and my amp (Acoustic Image Ten2) so I would prefer to also run straight to PA with either pickup or mic.

We are going to be playing cafe's and restaurant gigs with anywhere from 30 to 80 people. Nothing too loud, as we won't be playing "dance" gigs anymore, but we might do some outdoor gigs where we need additional coverage.

 

Now the question is, how much low end do I need for the double bass? Is a pair of 10 inch speakers on poles enough? Either RCF TT-10A or the cheaper NX-910, or maybe something like Yamaha DZR-10...

Or is a small subwoofer mandatory. I'm not a fan of Yamahas band-pass subwoofers, so looking at either RCF 702 or 705 sub. (The 705 is the absolute biggest I can fit in my car).

 

A low priority, but nice to have feature, is if I could use the tops, one or two, as electric bass backline. I don't currently play electric in any bands, but you never know... 🙂

 

Any recommendations or experience you can share? Thanks!

[Phil Starr]

If you are looking ar the RCF TT series then I’m guessing the budget is good?
 

My duo gig with a fairly modest PA, a couple of RCF 310’s. We run two vocals, electric bass, guitar and programmed drums. So far we have managed all our gigs bar one with this modest set up. The most demanding was an outside gig with people sitting 50m away at the far end of the garden. We were loud enough that they could continue their conversation with slightly raised voices which was what the host wanted. The only gig I brought bigger speakers for was an outside gig where they wanted band level sound. For a jazz trio I think a couple of good 10s should be enough.

 

Im wondering if you need a sub with double bass, acoustic feedback can be an issue so you’d probably 
high pass the PA? If so then the frequencies below 80Hz aren’t going to be a huge issue for the speakers. I’d be really happy with a couple of TT10As or RCF910s and you could add a 702 later only if you found you needed it. Without the kick drum in particular the need for a sub is reduced.

 

Ive probably got a very stereotypical picture of a jazz trio, lowish sound levels, high sound quality, appearance is important. A few people in duos and trios are turning to the line source/stick systems which work well at moderate sound levels but look much tidier than speakers on tripods.

 

Ive used my ART310’s as backline, they need a bit of bass cut on the floor but work well

 

 

[Downunderwonder]

Outdoors level is basically dance level indoors, unless you want that weedy "little village band playing outdoors" sound.

 

13 hours ago, LarsTimm said:

don't currently play electric in any bands, but you never know...

Plan for that and you should be ok for anything that comes along including the kickarse bass guitar rig but also adding keys etc.

 

In favour of sub, only need small tops instead of do it all tops. Most of the time everything cruises but if you need more they can really shout. Unleash the big dog up to 120hz.