Trying to add more lows. Anyone have any experience with Samson DB1500a or DB1800a? Has variable crossover. We are a cover band, playing a wide variety of rock, country, R&B, etc. We have 3 L1's Model II's and 1 Classic. Also have 12 B1's w/ 2 packlites. Need more low for Roland V Drums kick and bassist. Would 1 18" be sufficient or should I get 2 15's. Also, thinking of moving sticks to front and using as mains... Something has to change, just not working for a 6 piece cover band.

Thanks,
Kirk

How many B1s are you using on the drums and bass? If you need the low end at least four on each would do. You should go to the sketcher and let us see your setup.

quote:

Something has to change, just not working for a 6 piece cover band.

Have you experimented with turning down the overall volume of the band until the bass can keep up?
Do you like the on-stage sound of the L1s enough to compromise?

Thanks Roy and Drumr. Bass and V drums each have 4 b1's + PLite.

Here's a link to our setup that was done last year. Our percussionist is periodic and we have added another guitarist. Otherwise, no further changes.

http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/301107819/m/2...511029784#8511029784

When I say something has to change I mean I need to find a solution that hopefully includes keeping the system. My concerns that need to be resolved are as follows:

1. Need to add low end for the kick and a little for the bass. Have spent hours trying tweak the V drums and after PMing with some bose forum members have concluded an external sub might solve this concern. 4 B1's just are enough Low for me and the band. Actually audience members have also noted the lack of lows.

2. We have a big sound with lots of instruments. This wall of sound caused me to fork out $'s for all wireless headset crown cm 311's (3 vocalists) to lessen the feedback issues we had even with the Audix OM 5's, 6's and KMS 105. If I get an external sub, it should not be backline. Thus I am considering moving the 4 sticks and the ext sub to the FOH and getting in ear monitors. I believe the system is appropriate for single, duos, trios and even quartets. However for larger groups, it is alot of sound/volume for our ears.

3. Even thought each system is portable, 4 sticks + 12 B1's + 4 T1's and all the cables is not. Since we use all the gear in my studio to rehearse, it is a pain to take out, setup, break down, reset up in the studio... While some of the traditional FOH systems weigh more, they are easier to set up and breakdown.

3. Tech failure. I had one T1 go on me, prior to a gig, and having 4 means the likelihood of one going again is increased. I have 2 older Mackie mixers and never had a single issue. All these Bose pieces is a concern.

With all of these concerns, we love the sound of all instruments, especially vocals. I keep thinking that we just need to modify the use of the system to meet our needs. The first step is the add an external sub that has a variable crossover at 200 hz.

thanks,
kirk

Well, it sounds like you are familiar enough with the new and the old technology to have decided what you want to do, adding a sub and moving the L1s out front. I'd say go for it.

You will lose that blissfulness of playing in the L1 soundfield, but with in-ears, it won't matter any more.

How will you know what the audience is hearing? Will you have a guy in the audience controlling the L1s? Who controls the in-ear levels? I hate to see you losing control of your own sound again.

Hi Drumr,

Now we have a sound person who runs the t1's, changing scenes, adjusting volumes/reverb, etc. for various songs. This person would continue to monitor our sound and react to the need for more or less "in ear volume/mix".

We had the t1's on stage and it took away from the interaction with the audience. Too much of a distraction while on stage, especially when we had feedback issues. Now the sound person can focus on these issues and the musicians can focus on interacting with the audience.

Since we have not tried in ears, it will take experimentation. When we play on a small stage, the systems are but a mere 4-6' behind us. The volume levels are too high and ear protection should be worn. I am willing to trade control to mitigate potential hearing damage.

I am curious are their 5-7 piece rock bands using this system backline with T1's on the stage? Anyone?

quote:

We had the t1's on stage....Too much of a distraction...

I see...after about 30 seconds of sound checking, I find the T1's pretty blue color a comforting thing to see.

quote:

I am curious are their 5-7 piece rock bands using this system backline with T1's on the stage? Anyone?

Have you looked HERE?

Check out Steve-at-Bose's band and Steve's reasons for what they do.
Also, PmP's band is 7pc, and Cliff-at-Bose's band knows how to get loud with L1s.
Not to mention Tom ( The King of Clarity ) Munch's band.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DrumrPete,

My JBL JRX118 puts out a ton of low end. That is a single passive 18 rated at 4 ohms (so it would be the only speaker you could use for bass with just the powerstand). It has yet to be outpowered by the top (I put my bass, kick, and my vocals through my L1 MII).

I would image the powered JBL to have a bit more oomph.

I have learned and from also listening to other Bose L1's in action that there is definitly bass in the audience. It is different than why most of us are used to though so it does take time to adjust.

From what you described, it sounds to me like you have plenty for your application, but every band is different so your mileage may vary.

I too supplement the Bose with a powered sub. Yorkville Elite LS700p.
Used on outdoor gigs mostly - cases where there are no walls for the B1s to couple with.

quote:

Originally posted by albanyeric:
My JBL JRX118 puts out a ton of low end. That is a single passive 18 rated at 4 ohms (so it would be the only speaker you could use for bass with just the powerstand)...

So you use your power stand to drive the JBL rather than the B1's, Albanyeric? Does your audience perceive an increase in the kick over the B1's when you do this?

quote:

Originally posted by Rain Jaudon:
I too supplement the Bose with a powered sub. Yorkville Elite LS700p.
Used on outdoor gigs mostly - cases where there are no walls for the B1s to couple with.

How have you liked the Yorkville powered subs, Rain? I've been looking at the elite 720p or 800p due to the higher variable crossover point of 150 Hz.

Does anyone know of an active sub with a higher crossover point than this?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KV_Riley,

Oops, didn't see that the Sampson subs had a variable crossover point to 200 Hz. Hmmm. I wonder about quality though.

If you want quality - Id steer clear of the Samson.

Don't expect any quality sub to go that high.

The Yorkville LS/ES elite series is killer bang for the buck! Love mine. Use it on every outdoor show and occasionally on the indoor ones where we need a bit more low end reinforcement.

The 720 sub is nice and compact too.. the 800p is a workhorse too but its bulkier.

But for the money, you can't beat the active (powered) Yorkville Elite subs.