Using an SF-2 in a bi-amped rig

[jazzyvee]

I have a Bi-amped bass rig with a F1-X pre-amp, SF-2 and QSC power amp.
 
Currently I have the SF-2 connected in the send-return loop of the F1-x. I was thinking today about whether there would be any sound benefits in using the Sf-2 in stereo mode taking the low and High outs of the F1-x into the individual channels on the SF-2.
 
I'm guessing it would be better separation of high and low since the sf-2 would then be after the F1-x crossover and would deal with a specific frequency range in each channel.
 
Any thoughts?
Jazzyvee

[jazzyvee]

Just tried it and it doesn't seem to like working that way. Normally the volume on my F1-x is about 3 when using it at home but at that level there is virtualy no output from my rig. I had to turn the volume all the way up and also my qsc volume then it sounded like everything was out of phase and not much sound in the output. Am I trying to use it in a way that it was not intended. I thought that in stereo mode the sf-2 channels would operate independently. Any advice.
Jazzyvee

[elwoodblue]

hmmm.. that's exactly how I have my bass rig set up and plenty of gain.  
   My F-1X volume is around 5-6,
  the direct levels on my sf-2 are at 6-7, ...filters to taste(chan. A 7-8 for low boost at 40 hz
 in low pass or bandpass, chan. B 5-7 with a high/mid boost in bandpass mode).  
 
 The crossover is set at around 150 hz and high freq. level is around 8.
 My power amp (stewart 2.1) runs at 4-5 for the low cab and 3-4 for the high cab.
 
I hope this helps, it seems like you should be in tone heaven with that rig...and yes the SF-2 is true stereo when switched .
  Let us know if you make some progress,
Elwood

[edwin]

This sounds like a cool idea, but I wonder how different it would make the tone that you get on stage vs. the tone that gets sent to the FOH. Unless you are just using the SF-2 for room/speaker interaction or to compensate for shortcomings of the speaker setup, I don't know that I would do it this way.

[elwoodblue]

My last gig I miked both cabs , then its up to my sound guy to blend them again.  
    The cab sound sits better in the mix than a direct send for my band (The exploiter can be real bright ).
 The gig before that I had just the problem Edwin brings up. Listening back to the recording from the board the bass sound wasn't close to what I heard on stage....living and learning : )

[edwin]

Interesting! What mics are you using for the cabs?  
 
Also, if the exploiter is really bright, what keeps it from being too bright on stage?
 
This brings up a whole other can of worms, which is that eq'ing for what's on stage can result in some peculiar curves. If you have a bright bass, but a dull sounding rig, you can end up working the sound against itself as it goes through each stage and if this gets sent to the FOH post eq, they can end up with a signal that has to be mangled yet again. So, my way of coping is to use a speaker that is as close to a good PA as I can, so whatever I EQ for that will be reasonably close to what it will sound like out front. It works pretty well as most soundpeople tell me they just bring up my fader flat and leave it at that.
 
Still I like your idea of using a biamp system and mic'ing both cabs. All kinds of opportunities to experiment with mics, as well, like a large diaphragm condenser on the bottom and an RE20 up top!

[elwoodblue]

I used a Shure B52 for the 1x15 cab, it is a pa cab with a jbl 2225, I can't remember the mic for the top cab (1x12).
 I  have a lexicon mx400 after the SF-2 for reverb,
chorus...that softens the sound after the F1-X.
I also bet the direct out is before the high frequency level after the crossover, so I probably balanced it out on stage but the (new)sound guy wasn't rolling off the treble
at FOH.