Author Topic: Rig Set up (Read 180 times)

flaxattack · « **on:** May 19, 2006, 09:51:15 AM »

hi ho everyone
i can use some input on setting up a sound system. i dont want to go huge big mega bucks
have recieved my alembic f-1x preamp and am taking a good look at dr cab's bl2260
1000 watts RMS 3-way cabinet
2x12 woofers, 150 watt 6.5 mid w/compression horn
Hand wired X-over w/Mid and HF level controls
40HZ to 20kHz 102 Db 1W1M
4 or 8 ohms
24.25h x 20.75w x 15d
67 lbs.

main question i have is
does one go with a straight power amp and use the preamp for tone or head with tone controls?
val has mentioned possibly going with a PA amp and he is fond of the old ampeg tube amps but those suckers are kinda bulky from what i can see.
so i would appreciate some advice... looks like my new band is gonna get serious and i gotta say we have 2 really top flight guitarists. both can play lead in a heartbeat. no dead tunes yet, but they are open to it. so far blues and some hard cranking rock.

palembic · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:12:03 AM »

Yo Flax!
Val is right: look for a FAST poweramp. There are very thechnical guys hanging around here who can explain but hi shas to do with the damping factor that must be as high as possible.
I played for years on a PA amp with the F1-X and SF-2 and I must say that this is a completely thrilling experience. It isn't comparable with the normal set ups.
Go for a powerfull amp! Really there are more speakers blown away by UNDERpower than by OVER power.
Another thing: there is the technology available to make LIGHT amps who are still powerfull!
I sold mine a year ago bacause it was too heavy to carry around (20K's) and I am still waiting for the right lightweight heavypowered catch.
Your side ofthe pond I think QSC PLX's are fairly the standard.
This side of the pond recently Dynacord came with a Lightweight series with high power and as far as I can believe critics MC2's E15 is considered as a VERY reliable amp for bass.
I am sure that other brands are preparing himself to use those lightweight technology for amps too.
JUst som ethoughts.

Paul TBO

lidon2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:25:43 AM »

Hi Jeff,

May I suggest a QSC PLX 1202 or similar. ~20lbs, 700 or 800 watts bridged mono, last year's model so you might be able to find a NOS for a couple bucks less. The new low end PLX series does not have the bridge mode, and only run stereo. MF has a last year 2402 for $650.

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:43:48 AM »

Flax,
You want to go with a straight power amp. I like and use QSC PLX series amps for my rigs. They have since been replaced by the PLX2 line. Crown makes good amps also. What wattage you need will depend upon you speaker setup. I bi-amp all of my stuff and use either a PLX2402 or a PLX3002 in stereo mode. The wattage for each channel is matched to the speaker systems I am using at that time. If you will not be biamping I would look at the bridged mode wattage and match it to the speaker system. Be forwarned bridged mode usually only supports 4 ohm loads or higher.

Keith

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2006, 11:08:28 AM »

Flax:

Yeah, you definitely need more equipment. LOL First suggetion: SF-2, SF-2, SF-2, SF-2 SF-2, gotta get one!

Seriously though, if you are looking for a P.A. amp, and weight and price are a consideration, I can vouch for my Carvin P.A. amp. I've had it for years with no problems. A real bang for your buck. O.K., now I'll duck and cover as the low-end contingent bombards my ignorant guitar-player suggestion.

Bill, tgo

P.S. Can you say McIntosh 2300? Not cheap, not light, Phil used 4 of 'em!

spliffy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2006, 12:20:04 PM »

Hey Flax, I know it is expensive, but have you considered the Bergantino IP series combos? I have heard amazing things about them, and I plan to try some out some time soon, although I seem to be in a content place with my WW (not Ultra) and my Berg cabinet.

I think Alembic into the F1X into the Berg IP = wicked set up! The IP310 is my favourite.
Anyway just a thought.
Al

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2006, 12:49:55 PM »

I have a Dave Eden Metro 2x10 combo that the preamp went out on. I plug my F1x into the power amp in on the rear of the combo and get a smoking sound.

flaxattack · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2006, 06:29:18 AM »

thanks guys
even bill too...
lol

flaxattack · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2006, 06:34:19 AM »

thanks guys
even bill too...
lol

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2006, 04:53:44 PM »

Flax

Your basic chain goes

Instrument
Preamp
Power amp
Cabs

. . with the general tip that PEDAL effects usually go between the inst and preamp, and that RACK effect go between the preamp and power amp. The rack effects will either go from the preamp output, or the preamp's effects loop.

My best advice is buy as BIG a power amp as you can possibly afford, and there's any number of ways to find great ones for less-than-new $$. You want to shoot for a situation where you can BURY those two guitar players with the amp turned up just a little, NOWHERE near maxed out.
And stick to good, well-known brands. Lots of people here swear by QSC, for good reason. I always look for the power amps that the big touring sound companies use: When you're doing the Rolling Stones across America, the ONLY thing that matters is if they hold up. So if they survive that kind of use, it should be good enough for me or you. So we're talking QSC or Crest or Crown, and a few more. I'd think that over.

And DON'T underestimate using GOOD cables, GOT to have them.

J o e y

jacko · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2006, 03:18:47 AM »

Hey Jeff.
One more vote for the QSC.

Graeme

bassman10096 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:52:53 AM »

And another - particularly the PLX's - They were, by far, among the lighter power amps I looked at.

flaxattack · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:23:26 AM »

ebay here i come

crgaston · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2006, 01:58:47 PM »

Hi Jeff, I use a QSC PLX 2402 and have been pretty satisfied so far, especially the weight. If you are willing to put up with about 10 pounds more and a few extra inches of length, however, the Crown K1 looks good. It's damping factor is around 3,000 vs. about 500 for the QSC. Plus it's color scheme matches the F1-X real well. Another thing to think about is regarding the cabinet, if you're not dead set on the DRBass yet... After years with a Henry the 8x8, now I'm using 12" speakers, specifically the Edens and the Bergantinos. They weigh 36-39 pounds each, and the Eden has 32Hz-14KHz and 103dB sensitivity. The Berg isn't as loud and doesn't have the bottom of the Eden, but adds a healthy dose of midrange which sounds good to my ears. 1 Eden and 1 Berg are sufficient for most smaller clubs or resonant rooms.

If I add another Eden, I have headroom for days.

I haven't felt the need to use all 4 yet. I'm running them full range in parallel mono, with the Eden(s) on 1 side and the Berg on the other. The light weight of the cabinets is great, and the fact that I can use only as many as I need is cool, too. Since this is turning into a photo esay on my rig, here's the front of the rack...

In the back, I used zip ties to stress-relieve a 3-way extension cord so I could keep the 4-space rack. The SF-2's wall wart is electrical taped to the X-cord to keep it from coming loose.

I'll eventually have to get a bigger rack when the Dragonfly gets here, but I'm putting it off as long as possible. Hope this gives you some more to think about... Charles