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Powered Mixer as Bass Amp
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Brian Running
Oct 18, 2012, 2:51:10 PM10/18/12
to
About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my regular bass amp.
It's feather-light, I can carry it and a gig bag with a bass in the same hand. It has selectable input sensitivity on the first four channels, so you can select mic gain on the phone jack input - i.e., it has plenty of gain to plug a bass directly into it. It's got plenty of power. It lets you plug up to four basses in at a time, so I didn't have to use my usual A/B box for the fretted and fretless, I just turned one channel down as I turned the other channel up. Using separate channels also lets you use different EQ for different basses, and to adjust the gain to match the channels, which you can't do with the A/B box. For louder gigs I can plug another cab in and have 600 total watts. For the smaller jobs, I can use the other channel for vocals and/or other instruments. And it's always around for rehearsals or lightweight gigs even when I don't run the bass through it.
I'm a big believer in bang-for-the-buck and versatility, and this thing has got all that.
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my regular bass amp.
It's feather-light, I can carry it and a gig bag with a bass in the same hand. It has selectable input sensitivity on the first four channels, so you can select mic gain on the phone jack input - i.e., it has plenty of gain to plug a bass directly into it. It's got plenty of power. It lets you plug up to four basses in at a time, so I didn't have to use my usual A/B box for the fretted and fretless, I just turned one channel down as I turned the other channel up. Using separate channels also lets you use different EQ for different basses, and to adjust the gain to match the channels, which you can't do with the A/B box. For louder gigs I can plug another cab in and have 600 total watts. For the smaller jobs, I can use the other channel for vocals and/or other instruments. And it's always around for rehearsals or lightweight gigs even when I don't run the bass through it.
I'm a big believer in bang-for-the-buck and versatility, and this thing has got all that.
Nothing Jay S
Oct 18, 2012, 3:38:01 PM10/18/12
to
"Brian Running" wrote in message
news:43c4799b-bf1f-4677...@googlegroups.com...
speakers and have vocals, guitar, keys, whatever in the mains,
and then use the Monitor out into a bass cab.
P.A. and bass amp all in one!
The vocalist wouldn't have monitors, but in a small gig you don't need them
anyway. (and who really want to hear the singer onstage?)
Jay S
Brian Running
Oct 18, 2012, 3:48:23 PM10/18/12
to
> For small gigs that need a P.A as well, you could run the mains into PA
> speakers and have vocals, guitar, keys, whatever in the mains,
> and then use the Monitor out into a bass cab.
> P.A. and bass amp all in one!
That's exactly what I was trying to say, I guess I wasn't very clear! I'll have to start typing in all caps, I guess. The real usenet pros all seem to do that.
> speakers and have vocals, guitar, keys, whatever in the mains,
> and then use the Monitor out into a bass cab.
> P.A. and bass amp all in one!
-- Runny
Nothing Jay S
Oct 18, 2012, 4:23:53 PM10/18/12
to
"Brian Running" wrote in message
O mighty "nothing" Jay S
Derek Tearne
Oct 18, 2012, 4:38:59 PM10/18/12
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Brian Running <runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>
> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>
> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
> regular bass amp.
After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>
> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>
> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
> regular bass amp.
it hard to go back to a single channel head.
The only thing that would concern me about this kind of setup is the
impedence on the inputs. Most little powered mixers are set for mic or
line - not guitars. Having said that, if your basses are active then it
might not be a problem. If you are using passive basses you might need
to get a couple of DI boxes.
Actually, there are a couple of other things that would concern me.
Once you start turning up to gigs with a little PA, and on one of those
little jobs you let the other intruments go through it, there will be an
expectation tha Brian always has that PA, so no one else will bother.
By the end of the year you'll have had to beef up the speakers to cope
and you'll be Brian the PA guy.
The other thing that would worry me, personally, is that desks have all
these different ways of making no sound come out, mutes, mains/monitor
selections, volume controls everywhere. I'd be worried about spending
10 minutes panicking before a gig trying to get a sound - it's bad
enough with input gain, master and mute.
Having more of those possibilities is more trouble than I want on a gig.
Oh, and if you want feather light, an acoustic image coda is the same
weight - including speakers. A bit more expensive though.
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S: improvisation from New Zealand http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
d'Groove: 12 piece party/covers band http://www.dGroove.co.nz/
Brian Running
Oct 18, 2012, 6:10:13 PM10/18/12
to
> The only thing that would concern me about this kind of setup is the
> impedance on the inputs.
I only have one passive bass these days, and haven't plugged that in yet. I'll try that later this evening. But there are no issues whatsoever with level or frequency response with my active basses, provided the "mic" level is selected on the input switch.
I'm already Brian the PA guy, and have been for a long time, so no additional issues there. And there will always be those possibilities of no sound, that's just part of the deal if you have equipment with switches. I've already been doing all these functions for a long time, the difference here is that everything is condensed into one small, light package, and it sounds very good, especially considering it was not intended as a bass amp.
The AI is nice, but is not very versatile as a total gig package. I like the "one-trip-from-the-car" load-ins, so getting multiple uses out of single pieces of gear is important.
Les Cargill
Oct 18, 2012, 6:59:24 PM10/18/12
to
Derek Tearne wrote:
> Brian Running <runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>>
>> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>>
>> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
>> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
>> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
>> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
>> regular bass amp.
>
> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
>
> The only thing that would concern me about this kind of setup is the
> impedence on the inputs. Most little powered mixers are set for mic or
> line - not guitars. Having said that, if your basses are active then it
> might not be a problem. If you are using passive basses you might need
> to get a couple of DI boxes.
>
One stereo DI box should also work - it offers phantom.
> Brian Running <runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>>
>> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>>
>> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
>> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
>> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
>> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
>> regular bass amp.
>
> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
>
> The only thing that would concern me about this kind of setup is the
> impedence on the inputs. Most little powered mixers are set for mic or
> line - not guitars. Having said that, if your basses are active then it
> might not be a problem. If you are using passive basses you might need
> to get a couple of DI boxes.
>
> Actually, there are a couple of other things that would concern me.
> Once you start turning up to gigs with a little PA, and on one of those
> little jobs you let the other intruments go through it, there will be an
> expectation tha Brian always has that PA, so no one else will bother.
> By the end of the year you'll have had to beef up the speakers to cope
> and you'll be Brian the PA guy.
>
> The other thing that would worry me, personally, is that desks have all
> these different ways of making no sound come out, mutes, mains/monitor
> selections, volume controls everywhere. I'd be worried about spending
> 10 minutes panicking before a gig trying to get a sound - it's bad
> enough with input gain, master and mute.
>
> Having more of those possibilities is more trouble than I want on a gig.
>
> Oh, and if you want feather light, an acoustic image coda is the same
> weight - including speakers. A bit more expensive though.
>
> --- Derek
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
BW
Oct 18, 2012, 8:23:27 PM10/18/12
to
weekend for a month, and I leave one of my rigs there for the season.
I have an old Peavey PA, not refined, but decent enough. While my good
heads stay home, I've been using the Peavey for bass. I put it through
a 4x10 cab, and it's just fine. This is not a finesse gig - it's a
crank 'em out gig. This set up is perfect.
Good luck with yours. I like the concept.
Sam Wilson
Oct 19, 2012, 7:57:32 AM10/19/12
to
In article <1ks7gng.sxru912rmgmfN%de...@url.co.nz>,
fretted and fretless, though I do have to remember to change channel on
the amp when I change bass via my A/B switch. I love it.
Sam
--
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
de...@url.co.nz (Derek Tearne) wrote:
> Brian Running <runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
> >
> > http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
> >
> > Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
> > mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
> > could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
> > much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
> > regular bass amp.
>
> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
I have an Ampeg B500DR with 4 channels with presets. I use two for my
> Brian Running <runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
> >
> > http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
> >
> > Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
> > mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
> > could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
> > much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
> > regular bass amp.
>
> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
fretted and fretless, though I do have to remember to change channel on
the amp when I change bass via my A/B switch. I love it.
Sam
--
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
bja...@iwaynet.net
Oct 19, 2012, 1:08:43 PM10/19/12
to
On 10/19/2012 7:57 AM, Sam Wilson wrote:
> In article<1ks7gng.sxru912rmgmfN%de...@url.co.nz>,
> de...@url.co.nz (Derek Tearne) wrote:
>
>> Brian Running<runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>>>
>>> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>>>
>>> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
>>> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
>>> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
>>> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
>>> regular bass amp.
>>
>> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
>> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
>
> I have an Ampeg B500DR with 4 channels with presets. I use two for my
> fretted and fretless, though I do have to remember to change channel on
> the amp when I change bass via my A/B switch. I love it.
Powered mixers with real cabs are better as a bass rig substitute, but I
> In article<1ks7gng.sxru912rmgmfN%de...@url.co.nz>,
> de...@url.co.nz (Derek Tearne) wrote:
>
>> Brian Running<runnin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> About two weeks ago, I bought one of these:
>>>
>>> http://www.fullcompass.com/product/386634.html
>>>
>>> Just to have for rehearsals. Works fine for vocals, just like any powered
>>> mixer. As this past weekend's gig approached, it occurred to me that I
>>> could use it as a bass amp. A trio in a smallish place, wouldn't need
>>> much volume. I gave it a try, and this thing might now become my
>>> regular bass amp.
>>
>> After you've played a few gigs with a channel for each bass, you'll find
>> it hard to go back to a single channel head.
>
> I have an Ampeg B500DR with 4 channels with presets. I use two for my
> fretted and fretless, though I do have to remember to change channel on
> the amp when I change bass via my A/B switch. I love it.
did this gig with these two guys (guitar and harp) that was supposed to
be a DI gig and they had one of those Mackie powered mixer rigs with the
plastic speakers! I thought, this isn't going to go well, trying to feed
a bass through those!
But I was amazed at how well those things worked. Those plastic speakers
worked much better for bass than many a dive bar PA system I've played
through! I don't know I'd make it my main rig though. But with real
cabs it could work!
Mike
Oct 19, 2012, 2:18:48 PM10/19/12
to
On Oct 19, 1:08 pm, "bjac...@teranews.com" <bjac...@iwaynet.net>
wrote:
>
The Mackie 808S. Love it. I run Roland drums, my bass (usually no
amp for me, unless outdoors, and even then I don't really need it),
and 3 vocals through it, sometimes guitar, too, into 15" Yamahas.
It's a champ.
Let's hear it for powered mixers!
wrote:
>
> Powered mixers with real cabs are better as a bass rig substitute, but I
> did this gig with these two guys (guitar and harp) that was supposed to
> be a DI gig and they had one of those Mackie powered mixer rigs with the
> plastic speakers! I thought, this isn't going to go well, trying to feed
> a bass through those!
>
> But I was amazed at how well those things worked. Those plastic speakers
> worked much better for bass than many a dive bar PA system I've played
> through! I don't know I'd make it my main rig though. But with real
> cabs it could work!- Hide quoted text -
> Powered mixers with real cabs are better as a bass rig substitute, but I
> did this gig with these two guys (guitar and harp) that was supposed to
> be a DI gig and they had one of those Mackie powered mixer rigs with the
> plastic speakers! I thought, this isn't going to go well, trying to feed
> a bass through those!
>
> But I was amazed at how well those things worked. Those plastic speakers
> worked much better for bass than many a dive bar PA system I've played
> through! I don't know I'd make it my main rig though. But with real
>
The Mackie 808S. Love it. I run Roland drums, my bass (usually no
amp for me, unless outdoors, and even then I don't really need it),
and 3 vocals through it, sometimes guitar, too, into 15" Yamahas.
It's a champ.
Let's hear it for powered mixers!
Gary Rosen
Oct 19, 2012, 11:44:38 PM10/19/12
to
"Brian Running" wrote in message
news:93d47f0b-3d1f-4497...@googlegroups.com...
> I like the "one-trip-from-the-car" load-ins
What a lazy fuck. You're not a *real* bass player unless you have back
problems
from 20 years of carrying your SVT tube head and cab by yourself. I bet you
play with a pick, too.
- Gary Rosen
bja...@iwaynet.net
Oct 20, 2012, 1:33:38 AM10/20/12
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