la bam

Our company supplies and fits dancefloors for events. Years ago we were booked by an agency to provide one at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. We didnt know anything about the event only where it was. So, on entering the room it was all plush and decked out really nice. There was ice sculptures, fire and flame items etc - the works. So id brought the floor in on the trolleys ready to get into position to start fitting, when i saw there was a big stage and PA, and the band were just walking off with their backs to me after sound check, and the sound engineer was playing around - so i went for a chat. I asked him how it was going (small chat etc) then asked what the band were playing tonight - he replied "oh, just the usual stuff, that they always play". I presumed the usual party stuff etc and went back to the van for more floor panels. Intrigued by the PA he was using i went for another chat and got back on to the topic of the band. I asked when they were on (as sometimes i like to watch if im just hanging around) and what they were starting with. He replied "probably 10 oclock, theyre starting with the same stuff as usual..." Anyway ive got the dancefloor half laid on the floor now, with the rest resting against the wall about 50ft away, when the band came in all dressed up in posh suits, but looking a bit lost. So, for a joke and to break the ice (as im in a band too!) i went over to them when they were stood near the dancefloor panels and said "hey, stop hanging around looking lost and doing nothing and help me lug this heavy floor over there!" then walked off to get on with the job. .......... all of i sudden i heard "where do ya wan' it goin, sir" I turned round to see 4 of the band all carrying and bringing my panels across the room and giving them to me! I apologized and said i was just joking! They laughed and said thats fine. So, i asked them what they were playing tonight as it looked like quite an expensive party. "oh, just the usual thang" came the reply in an American accent, and then they left. On the way out, once id finished setting up - about an hour before the event was due to start, I said goodbye to the sound engineer who was sat there looking bored, and apologized that i wouldnt be able to stay and watch. He said, "no problem, it;ll just be the usual stuff anyway if i wanted to catch them again in the future" So i said "sorry, i dont know who they are, who are they?" (thinking its a local party band). Then came the reply.... "Theyre the 4 Tops." My face dropped. Talk about laugh! Id accidentally been bossing the 4 Tops about and had them lug our dancefloor into position by hand!

The Helix can do that depending on your settings Any excess drive, gain, eq, volume, can cause that white noise. I had the same issue, thought it was my bass, but it wasnt. Changed the patch and it was fine.

Well I did my first gig with the tube yesterday. Absolutely amazing. Outdoor event on the back of a trailer. Amp was probably on about 4 out of 10 volume and pa support as well. Gees, the power was unbelievable, I could actually see the cover of the cab moving in a thumping kind of way, at low levels too! I ran it completely flat, just on the tube channel, with a tiny bit of compression. It really adds something to the band mix. Trying to think of an adjective all through the gig, I think the classic 'pillowy' makes sense. Just a lovely warm glow to the sound. Playing wise, it sort of encourages you to be loud and confident and try more nuances like slides, different attack and techniques. The sound seemed to be getting better and better as the gig went on - probably the first real run out its had. Very happy, and now a confirmed ex class d user (apart from upstairs gigs where I'll take my quilter!).

Theres a very strict procedure to follow when updating apparently. You have to follow it word for word. And make sure you back up first, or you could lose all your presets.

good luck on the support. despite having x3 mark bass heads over the years i never got one reply to any emails or facebook messages and posts about things like rack ears and specs - and i wanted to spend money with them.

It sounds like a real mess and you're just competing to be heard, which will add more mess. I'd genuinely do the following: The loudest acoustic thing which cant be turned up (monitors aside) is the drums. 1. Have the drummer on his own play until hes happy. 2. Now just play drums and bass until you're all happy that it's a good sound as a rhythm section. Once agreed it's good then you know your amp is fine and levels are fine. 3.then add guitars in. If the balance goes to pot again, and you cant be heard, then it's obviously them. They should now adjust their eq and volume to fit in. 4. Then add vocals. If they cant see the problem, then I'd give up. 40w is absolutely nothing to do with volume. Our guitarist AC30 can blow holes in walls, never mind your ear drums. Get the sound right as a band.

It's a 'peanuts' (Charlie brown, snoopy) shirt I think. Anything similar will work.

If you find one, let me know! I'm in a queen tribute, and have never found one. You can get close enough though.

Good point on the stage filling aspect. Does that mean they'll be more guitar bleed into other mics on stage?

That's looks great! Have you done the gig yet?

Love G&L ! I've just finished restoring a SB2 tribute that was in rough condition. My word, they dont half put a lot of paint and lacquer on these! Previous owner struggled removed it. I've left it without lacquer so I can take it apart in the future, sand it completely flat and re paint. Anywhi, heres an idea of how it looks. Cant wait to try it out....

I think they're fantastic. Very well built. I've rammed mine into stone walls by accident and not a mark! Very loud. Switchable horn, on, off, half. Great sound. Very lightweight. In all honesty I've had the 2x10 and the 4x10, and all you need is the 4x10. There isn't really much difference in size and weight, and the 4x10 comes in at about 21kg.

No. But I bought a backup power supply (about £25) just in case.

How about a bass stand that fits in the case or bag and isnt an awkward shape so it gets stuck on everything. One thing I hate is having to carry a separate stand.

Well, I finally got chance to take it to a practice room today. That and my n410. Room also had a decent pa that I played backing tracks to, just to get an idea and an idea of what possible eq I'd need. Spent 3 hours in there.... Firstly.....why did I not know the entire board lit up blue and red when playing - looks amazing with the valves dancing like that! A thing of beauty (for weirdos like me!). Any who, i played around to a variety of tracks: rock, indie, pop, ballad, and it took me a while to get the sound mixed perfectly well. Sometimes the notes were very standalone instead of in the mix if that makes sense, particularly the high end notes. So, I went round and round, hitting the para mid, graphic eq, standard eq, drive, level, volume. Thought I'd got the perfect sound, then it wasnt quite right. Eventually found it. It was (no surprise to you valve experts) completely flat with everything off. I did add a bit of compression to even it up and added a bit of punch. So then in the mix - it now sounded like a proper sound. Very together, like playing a cd. Yet, the bass sound itself wasnt unbelievable say like what a guitar sound or solo would be, but it had that 'extra' indescribable valve magic that kinda of fills all the gaps and dead air without you doing anything. Oh, and it was blisteringly loud. The loudest I got it was 2 out of 10! I really wanted to get higher and louder as you could tell the sound was getting richer and sweeter, but the practice room couldn't really handle it. Just a few questions for you valve experts: 1. I'm using a passive bass and as soon as I start to drive the tube drive and tube level, I peak the red light. I then hit the -25db pad and eventually when i level the volumes back up i hit it again. Probably flashes 1 in 5 notes. Is this ok? Various opinions out there. Some say it's fine on a valve amp, some say keep in the yellow and green. If it isnt ok what options do i have to get the input level down?

Wasnt there a post a few weeks ago, where a seller was popping in a "Congratulations on winning this prize" piece of paper to fool peoples wives into thinking their husbands had won it, instead of buying it?!

Either a balanced jack to xlr cable, or adaptor into xlr to xlr works fine. Personally I just take an adaptor in my bag as all venues, sound guys etc have xlrs to xls.

Cheers.

That, in rack case form with handles and front and back removable lids would be awesome.

I've no idea how that photo would work? X3 switches. X1 for 2 ohms. X1 for 2.7 ohms. X1 for 8 or 4 ohms. Why not one input, or 4 (separate for 8 and 4 ohm).

Mini /half rack units. So I could rack my quilter 800, stomp, and future wireless kit in a tiny case.

Nice! I do like Ashdown and their valve stuff must be magic. Should be able to really drive it as well being 100w. Great buy.

In all honesty, for me, one great tone that mixes perfectly with the drums is much better all round than changing patches all the time. Give the sound guy a good chance of getting the rhythm section mixed perfectly by giving him a consistent sound and let him worry about vocals, guitars and keys the rest of the gig.

Quilter bass block 800 then £400-500 on a second hand cab. I found the barefaced super compact not enough if I'm honest, but if you're not a loud band should be ok. I use a laney n410 which may be slightly too big for your car boot? But amazing at 21kg. I used the quilter and n410 outdoors in a castle and didn't even get close to half volume.

No faults or anything from mine. Was it not just stuck doing something? I know the buttons can be set to work either pushed in/stomped on, and touched on top light as a feather at the same time.