How freedom feels

[joel406]

First off, I do own some amps. Mesa Subway D-800+. Got 2 of em. An Epifani UL901V2 with a custom tone stack and 2 ohms capable. I paired these with either my Subway 212s or my Subway 410s. I own 2 of each. 

 

While these are IMO the best amp/cab combination to get great sound. I have found better options.

 

4 years ago I switched to IEMs. With a Quad Cortex and various other pedals, I now enjoy. I just picked up the Anagram last week. I have built several pedal boards with various devices such as (but not limited to) the Le Bass. Subway pedals. ReVolt. CabM. And a few others, All in all I estimate I have 6 pedal boards. 2 are Quad Cortex based.

 

So what freedom am I finding? 

 

I no longer gas for amps. No matter what's out there. I'm free of interest. The IEMs rock. And sound so much better than trying to run an amp. Whether it's a small pub or huge stage gig. All I gotta have is a pedal board. Bass and my wireless units. Pure freedom. Wireless cover 300 feet in every direction. I tried to find where they would start to lose signal. Never got far enough out. I just don't need to move 300 feet from my signal point.

 

So happy to be free of amps.

 

I will keep the amps I have. They may come in handy one day. But gigging with amps is over. And needing more is never gonna happen. No dragging a 410 or 212. No more volume wars with the guitar player. IEMs truly set you free. And!

 

Wait for it.

 

If you buy decent IEMs (like I did). The sound you get is pure magic. I even still experience that "thump" we all know and love. Probably some kinda weird effect. Like still being able to feel a lost limb. But satisfied I am.

 

I get some people will never part with their amps. I guess they like hauling cabs. I guess they like having ringing ears. But for me amps are so 1985.

[Lozz196]

I kind of understand where you’re coming from, my back having got significantly worse over the last couple of years all I take to gigs is bass and Behringer BDI21. If there’s an amp there great I’ll use it, if not BDI21 to FOH with a monitor mix, this works fine and the band all seem fine with it too.

 

As well as the not having to carry the gear about another important aspect for me is not having to set it up/break it down.
 

I still prefer the sound of an amp behind me - at the same volume as the kit I should add, no louder - but my overall preference is for my back not hurting, hence said Behringer.
 

I doubt I’ll go IEM due to the bands I’m with being unlikely to, and I think once I stop gigging with these I’ll be stopping gigging completely.

 

I doubt I’ll ever stop looking at amps/cabs though, I just won’t be buying any anymore.

Edited Wednesday at 14:14 by Lozz196

[Acebassmusic]

I like the idea of IEM and am trying to work out a system that works for me with any / all of the bands I play with. This is a little problematic as I both play bass and sing so I need at least those 2 feeds into my IEM. All of the bands I play in only have basic mixing capabilities with max 2 aux outputs so there is a real compromise on what mixes can go to IEM / monitors. Some band members don't want to go IEM or are not able to budget for it so we still need floor monitors.

 

Buying decent IEM like you did and upgrading the mix desk (a new desk for each band!) to allow multiple different aux mixes for each band member is the way to go but can be quite expensive. This assumes that the PA you're using isn't vocal only, can handle the lower frequencies and doesn't need upgrading as well. Most bands I know run their own sound from the stage. Not the best way I know but when you are limited by venue space / location / budget the luxury of having a dedicated sound person is usually the first thing to get ditched. Whoever is running the FOH and monitor mix really needs the time and support from the rest of the band by having technical rehearsal(s) where they can learn to run the equipment, get good FOH settings and work on each persons IEM mix. This also lets people get used to the new setup rather than drop it straight on a gig. 😱 In my experience technical rehearsals seldom happen and I've been trying to get one for the last 3 years in 1 band. Musical rehearsals are more frequent but you just need to read through some of the posts on here where a lot of bands only do this if they have to.

 

If someone's invested money and built up an amp / cab combination over the years and are happy with the results then changing to IEM is quite a leap both technically, functionaly and financially, especially if you're only doing 20 gig's a year at the "Dog n Duck" 😁 Hauling gear is much easier now with lightweight cabs etc. but don't forget that removing amps and cabs from the backline only moves the weight to the addition of extra amps / subs etc at FOH. I wish someone would design a "pop-up PA" 🤔 🤣 As far as ringing ears thats something easily averted by playing at reasonable levels and wearing protection such as ACS.

[tauzero]

No matter how many times @joel406 makes this tedious argument, I'm sticking with an amp and cab because I'm not lugging round a sub or larger PA speakers to be able to put the bass through, and I'm not going to arse around setting up ambient mics and potentially micing up the drumkit. And we play in smallish pubs, and I've got earplugs.

[Lozz196]

Yeah all my gigs the backline goes via FOH so ampless an easy option. If I were in a covers band doing pubs I’d go with my Fender Rumble 800 combo.

[JPJ]

Most of my double bass gigs are now amp less as we’re an acoustic trio playing small pub type venues where I can monitor via FOH. For my electric gigs I’m still amped up, albeit a much smaller rig than I used to use and whilst we’re all using IEM’s, our PA isn’t man enough to handle the whole band with authority in the larger venues we play. 
On my double bass gigs I share the OPs joy of turning up with just my bass and my pedal board and one day hope to do the same on electric gigs too.

[joel406]

3 hours ago, tauzero said:

No matter how many times @joel406 makes this tedious argument, I'm sticking with an amp and cab because I'm not lugging round a sub or larger PA speakers to be able to put the bass through, and I'm not going to arse around setting up ambient mics and potentially micing up the drumkit. And we play in smallish pubs, and I've got earplugs.

Wow... It sucks to be you.

[tauzero]

3 hours ago, joel406 said:

Wow... It sucks to be you.

 

No, it's lovely to be me. How does it feel to be the most tedious member of Basschat?

[joel406]

9 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

No, it's lovely to be me. How does it feel to be the most tedious member of Basschat?

You don't know what tedious means, do you.

[neepheid]

21 hours ago, joel406 said:

I get some people will never part with their amps. I guess they like hauling cabs. I guess they like having ringing ears. But for me amps are so 1985.

 

I'm happy that you're happy, but you couldn't help having a wee dig at folk at the end, could you?  If you're looking to make friends, or convince people of the value of your revelation to them, this isn't the way.

Edited 20 hours ago by neepheid

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, joel406 said:

You don't know what tedious means, do you.

 

<yawn>

[Dan Dare]

Oh dear

 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Dan Dare

[Beedster]

I've a fond spot for those threads which provide an answer to a question that wasn't asked, always entertaining 

[thodrik]

Does anyone happen to know which IEMs work best for metal?

[Sean]

On 30/04/2025 at 14:30, joel406 said:

First off, I do own some amps. Mesa Subway D-800+. Got 2 of em. An Epifani UL901V2 with a custom tone stack and 2 ohms capable. I paired these with either my Subway 212s or my Subway 410s. I own 2 of each. 

 

While these are IMO the best amp/cab combination to get great sound. I have found better options.

 

4 years ago I switched to IEMs. With a Quad Cortex and various other pedals, I now enjoy. I just picked up the Anagram last week. I have built several pedal boards with various devices such as (but not limited to) the Le Bass. Subway pedals. ReVolt. CabM. And a few others, All in all I estimate I have 6 pedal boards. 2 are Quad Cortex based.

 

So what freedom am I finding? 

 

I no longer gas for amps. No matter what's out there. I'm free of interest. The IEMs rock. And sound so much better than trying to run an amp. Whether it's a small pub or huge stage gig. All I gotta have is a pedal board. Bass and my wireless units. Pure freedom. Wireless cover 300 feet in every direction. I tried to find where they would start to lose signal. Never got far enough out. I just don't need to move 300 feet from my signal point.

 

So happy to be free of amps.

 

I will keep the amps I have. They may come in handy one day. But gigging with amps is over. And needing more is never gonna happen. No dragging a 410 or 212. No more volume wars with the guitar player. IEMs truly set you free. And!

 

Wait for it.

 

If you buy decent IEMs (like I did). The sound you get is pure magic. I even still experience that "thump" we all know and love. Probably some kinda weird effect. Like still being able to feel a lost limb. But satisfied I am.

 

I get some people will never part with their amps. I guess they like hauling cabs. I guess they like having ringing ears. But for me amps are so 1985.

I shan't say anything other than this post is offensive. Carefully considered offence. Especially to those of us with hearing loss or those of us that have been doing this for a long time and have evolved with many ƙinds of tech. So, what's being said here is that because I'm passionate about big valve amps, I like my hearing impairment? It's difficult to interpret this in any other way. It's a nasty vibe. Hearing loss/impairment is not a joke and ACS wasn't a thing we were aware of in 1985.

 

It's rare that we see such a vibe on BC.

 

The original post has the sanctimonious air to it that tries to belittle those that don't align or agree. Vile.

Edited 9 hours ago by Sean

[Stub Mandrel]

On 30/04/2025 at 14:30, joel406 said:

First off, I do own some amps. Mesa Subway D-800+. Got 2 of em. An Epifani UL901V2 with a custom tone stack and 2 ohms capable. I paired these with either my Subway 212s or my Subway 410s. I own 2 of each. 

 

While these are IMO the best amp/cab combination to get great sound. I have found better options.

 

4 years ago I switched to IEMs. With a Quad Cortex and various other pedals, I now enjoy. I just picked up the Anagram last week. I have built several pedal boards with various devices such as (but not limited to) the Le Bass. Subway pedals. ReVolt. CabM. And a few others, All in all I estimate I have 6 pedal boards. 2 are Quad Cortex based.

 

So what freedom am I finding? 

 

I no longer gas for amps. No matter what's out there. I'm free of interest. The IEMs rock. And sound so much better than trying to run an amp. Whether it's a small pub or huge stage gig. All I gotta have is a pedal board. Bass and my wireless units. Pure freedom. Wireless cover 300 feet in every direction. I tried to find where they would start to lose signal. Never got far enough out. I just don't need to move 300 feet from my signal point.

 

So happy to be free of amps.

 

I will keep the amps I have. They may come in handy one day. But gigging with amps is over. And needing more is never gonna happen. No dragging a 410 or 212. No more volume wars with the guitar player. IEMs truly set you free. And!

 

Wait for it.

 

If you buy decent IEMs (like I did). The sound you get is pure magic. I even still experience that "thump" we all know and love. Probably some kinda weird effect. Like still being able to feel a lost limb. But satisfied I am.

 

I get some people will never part with their amps. I guess they like hauling cabs. I guess they like having ringing ears. But for me amps are so 1985.

 

Congratulations.

 

You arrogance makes any contribution you make to the debate irrelevant, as you are clearly incapable of giving anything like an objective view.

 

Not to mention your views of amps and cabs are still in 1985, even if you gear isn't.

 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Stub Mandrel

[Stub Mandrel]

I was going to say take your attitude to Talkbass, but...

 

On 17/12/2022 at 18:37, joel406 said:

Ok...

 

A rant. sorry....

 

I was a member of TalkBass. You're all probably familiar with it.

 

I posted a factual observation and was banned. I attacked no one. I simply relayed the findings of a specific amp. I was playing a gig with backline provided and was given an amp the should by all standards have rocked. 

 

It didn't.

 

In fact, it bit the big hairy wet one. An 810! 600 watt stack that just sucked. I had a 212 with a Mesa Subway head in the car that would put this stack to shame.

 

Anyway. Banned. So much for free speech in America. I was sent an email giving me the option to beg to be let back in. I chose to come here. I will endeavor to be respectful. I am a professional Bass player. Gig 3 to 5 shows every week and 2023 is fully booked. I own a "lot" of equipment. And I have gained a lot of experience in the music industry in the last 3 years. I feel sites like TB as well as BC should be open to experiences that we encounter. And if it's a bad one. Especially one that repeats itself, sharing these can help others be better prepared when they find themselves faced with them.

 

Of course, the good should be shared as well. And when we find something that can help others, I feel we should share this. 

 

So, I hope I'm welcome here. I am willing to share my experiences. We are currently looking at a national tour next year. My first with a national act. Don't know when it will start or who we will be opening for yet.  But mystery gives life flavor.

 

Sorry. Rant over.

 

[joel406]

🤣