fryer Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Hi, next weekend we are playing at an outdoor charity festival. They have a PA, but we will be using our own amps. I have a Peavey Firebass 700 - 400 w at 4 ohm, 700 at 2 ohm. I have my Epifani UL 410 - 1000 w at 4 ohm, and a spare Peavey 410 cab - 400 w at 4 ohm. I can't use the Firebass at full volume, 'cos I assume it could blow the Peavey cab ? So, do I need a new amp ? If so, what do I get ? Something that could run two differently powered cabs. Or do I get a power amp ? Do I then use the 'DI' output into the power amp ? What power amp could I get that would run the two differently powered cabs ? Thank You for any replies. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Firebass into the Epifani UL410 should be fine. Where is it? Are they going to DI you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='fryer' post='1210765' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:20 PM']...So, do I need a new amp ?...[/quote] Good afternoon, Richard... I don't see much of a problem here. You don't need to play at full volume anywhere; the idea is to play at the level that gives you the sound you want. If you turn up more, the amp will 'clip' eventually, not normaly nice sounding. The Firebass puts out 700w? That seems to fit with your cabs (2 x 4 ohms, the cabs will absorb 350w each...), so you could plug both cabs into the amp with no load problems. Depending on stage size, you may want to place the cabs apart, so as to spread the sound (one near the drummer, one near you..?). If projection over a large 'festival' area is required, the PA system is there for that. You have to cover the stage and the area immediately in front. You won't fill a Glastonbury-sized event with a Firebass alone... I'd say that you only need to set up as normal, with 2 cabs, and leave the rest to the sound engi... Just my tuppence worth, hope this helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 I don't see what the problem is. Just use your amp as you normally would at any other gig. If it's a big do you'll probably be DI'd and if it's small your amp will be big enough. I don't think you'll blow your cab by cranking the volume up anyway. I think there's a definite volume problem if you have to run your amp at full whack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryer Posted April 25, 2011 Author Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='obbm' post='1210772' date='Apr 25 2011, 12:31 PM']Firebass into the Epifani UL410 should be fine. Where is it? Are they going to DI you?[/quote] What - not use the Peavey ? It's the Beechstock festival, near High Wycombe. Not sure about the DI - still trying to find out. If we are using that, do I just take the DI from the Firebass ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryer Posted April 25, 2011 Author Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='Dad3353' post='1210786' date='Apr 25 2011, 12:45 PM']Good afternoon, Richard... I don't see much of a problem here. You don't need to play at full volume anywhere; the idea is to play at the level that gives you the sound you want. If you turn up more, the amp will 'clip' eventually, not normaly nice sounding. The Firebass puts out 700w? That seems to fit with your cabs (2 x 4 ohms, the cabs will absorb 350w each...), so you could plug both cabs into the amp with no load problems. Depending on stage size, you may want to place the cabs apart, so as to spread the sound (one near the drummer, one near you..?). If projection over a large 'festival' area is required, the PA system is there for that. You have to cover the stage and the area immediately in front. You won't fill a Glastonbury-sized event with a Firebass alone... I'd say that you only need to set up as normal, with 2 cabs, and leave the rest to the sound engi... Just my tuppence worth, hope this helps...[/quote] But won't 700 w be lost outside ? And thanks for your reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='fryer' post='1210822' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:21 PM']But won't 700 w be lost outside ? And thanks for your reply.[/quote] You havent had the joys of playing outside yet then? Its a joyous thing that makes the worst amps sound great IME and the sound carries for miles, Nothing rattles around and you will be fine just as you are mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='fryer' post='1210822' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:21 PM']But won't 700 w be lost outside ? And thanks for your reply.[/quote] Throwing more watts at it won't help, turning down and letting the PA take the load is the way forward! Are the other musicians in the band tooling up for more power/volume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumbob Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='warwickhunt' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:49 PM' post='1210865'] Throwing more watts at it won't help, turning down and letting the PA take the load is the way forward! I would be inclined to go with this , just make sure you position your speakers so that you can monitor yourself well , and if you have a spare I'd be inclined to fire it at the drummer or across the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='fryer' post='1210819' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:19 PM']What - not use the Peavey ? It's the Beechstock festival, near High Wycombe. Not sure about the DI - still trying to find out. If we are using that, do I just take the DI from the Firebass ?[/quote] Fist outside gigs I did I took a full Trace stack - waste of time and effort. More recntly I've done outside gigs with a single UL310 and or a pair of 1x12s, now it's a 2x12 and an Orange AD200B and never a problem. As has been said, let the PA do the work. All you need is on-stage monitoring so why lug 2 large cabs about. You'll be knackered before you start playing and that will spoil the experience. If there is a proper PA, the sound crew might take the DI from the back of the Firebass or simply pop a DI box between your bass and the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) I did an outdoor gig - in a marquee in a very large garden - with my old Marshall set-up, DBS 7400 and VBC412 cab. 400 watts, running at around 4 on volume. Wasn`t through an external pa, only vocs were through the pa. Worked fine. So long as your set-up is loud enough that you can hear yourself on stage, if your going through the external pa, thats the only volume you need. And having used the same Peavey set-up, you have no problems there. Edited April 25, 2011 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Don't stress. I used a Peavey Mark VI head into a 4 ohm 2x15 cab on stage at Finsbury Park, 210 watts. Let the monitors do the work, FOH sound will be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Chances are you'll be told to plug into a DI box and given a lead to plug into your amp. The sound the audience hears won't be coming from your amp, just take enough so you can hear yourself. Might be worth taking the full stack for a laugh, it's an outdoor event so why not? I've done big outdor/indoor stages with my rig (LMII ans 1212r) and always been fine, never been wanting more volume. I tried to look at the Festival's site but it appears it's been hacked by those pesky Viagra salesmen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Cool. When are you playing? We're on at noon on Sunday :-) I'm just taking the RH450 and Barefaced Super 12... CHeers Mark [quote name='fryer' post='1210819' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:19 PM']What - not use the Peavey ? It's the Beechstock festival, near High Wycombe. Not sure about the DI - still trying to find out. If we are using that, do I just take the DI from the Firebass ?[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 If the promoter hasn't hired a PA which can take all the instruments I'd tell him to stick it. It doesn't matter how many watts you have you're not going to be in balance with a PA and the FOH sound guy won't be able to manage the sound anyway. Take your amp and the Epifani 410. The rest is not your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1211032' date='Apr 25 2011, 05:12 PM']If the promoter hasn't hired a PA which can take all the instruments I'd tell him to stick it. It doesn't matter how many watts you have you're not going to be in balance with a PA and the FOH sound guy won't be able to manage the sound anyway. Take your amp and the Epifani 410. The rest is not your problem.[/quote] I have done[i] many [/i]outdoor gigs with PA support just for the vocals no problem at all, Its a question of size. If its 50'000 people then yes you may need more than 200watts but if its no bigger than something like at a car show or county fair for example then I dont have an issue with using the bass amp as backline (maybe want at least 300watts +) but I have heard some great overall FOH mixes from a mackie PA taking just the Vocals and maybe a drum overhead and Kick if possible and just the guitar/bass amps as they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 [quote name='fryer' post='1210765' date='Apr 25 2011, 12:20 PM']Hi, next weekend we are playing at an outdoor charity festival. They have a PA, but we will be using our own amps. I have a Peavey Firebass 700 - 400 w at 4 ohm, 700 at 2 ohm. I have my Epifani UL 410 - 1000 w at 4 ohm, and a spare Peavey 410 cab - 400 w at 4 ohm. I can't use the Firebass at full volume, 'cos I assume it could blow the Peavey cab ? So, do I need a new amp ? If so, what do I get ? Something that could run two differently powered cabs. Or do I get a power amp ? Do I then use the 'DI' output into the power amp ? What power amp could I get that would run the two differently powered cabs ? Thank You for any replies. Richard[/quote] You're reading the numbers on the cabs and assuming they mean something. They don't. In theory the PV cab should be ideally suited to the Firebass head as they both say 400w at 4 ohms, but frankly I'd ignore that... Take the advice of all here, Firebass plus Epi, and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryer Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Thank you all for your reassurances - I feel much better about it now. I'll let you know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryer Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 [quote name='markstuk' post='1211021' date='Apr 25 2011, 05:01 PM']Cool. When are you playing? We're on at noon on Sunday :-) I'm just taking the RH450 and Barefaced Super 12... CHeers Mark[/quote] Hi Mark, we're playing at 5.50, Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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