| Author | Message | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 146 Registered: 7-2003 |
Can anyone give me a quick "in's and outs" on selecting a compressor unit. I just sold my old Hartke 3500 which had a compressor function built in (the only adjustment was how much compression you dialed in). I never used it too often, except if I was tired or for what ever reason felt like I sounded uneven. But having replaced the Hartke with an FX1 and a PLX power amp, I'm now considering whether to invest in a compressor for my new rig. I'd be interested in units anyone would recommend, how they use compression and which features are important, what to look for/avoid. Any input appreciated. Thanks Bill | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1077 Registered: 9-2002 |
Brother Bill, I cannot answer to your question but I would like to know -for the sake of a dutch friend of mine- about your F1-X / QSC PLX combination. Which PLX do you use? Bi-amping?? Paul the bad one I forgot: check http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/show.cgi?393/8035 (Message edited by palembic on February 24, 2004) (Message edited by palembic on February 24, 2004) | ||
| wayne
Member Username: wayne Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul TBO- I use a PLX 1602 and love it. I don't ever have to get "Weather Machine" loud, so at 300/500/800 watts into 8/4/2 ohms per side, it's perfect. I haven't ever bi-amped, but since I do have two F1-Xs I have run each pickup separately to separates cabinets and been very satisfied with the sound (like combining two basses on stage at once). C-Ya................wayne | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 395 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul; I am another F1-X / PLX user; I have a 2402. At first I was bi-amping but now run both cabs full range. Bill; as Paul mentioned, there is a current discussion on compressors at: http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/show.cgi?393/8035 In addition to what's been said there, I'm using an Ashly SC-50 that I've had for decades and it's still working well for me. | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 148 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dave and Paul: I have a QSC PLX2402 as well. Actually, I just got it and the added the F1-X as well, so both are new to me. I am also planning to upgrade my cabinets next month, tentatively to either a pair of Acme Low B2's or a B2 and a B2W. At the moment, I am playing through a collection of JBL and EV 15's in 115 cabinets (speakers nearly as old as I am). The 2402 has enought power that I run the cabinets in parallel off channel 1 and rarely even use the second channel. I am very pleased with the sound (very smooth and even), but really looking forward to an upgrade with better reproduction. Candidly, I can't really tell how much of the sound is the F1-X and how much the PLX. Dave: Are you still pleased with your Acmes? Have you got the 4's or the 8's? How are you setting them up? Any other thoughts if you were choosing again today? Bill (Message edited by bassman10096 on February 24, 2004) | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 396 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill; I'm very pleased with the B-2. I only have one but plan on getting another. The more I play through it, the better I like it. In my living room right now it's paired with a Bag End D10X-D and I'm running both full range. The Bag End is very nice but, as has been mentioned before, the Acme is clearer on the high end and of course has a better low end; and the Acme doesn't weigh as much, which is becoming increasingly more important for me. This morning when I was practicing, I was trying different output combinations for the two cabs, listening to the different resulting tones; then I just cut out the Bag End and cranked up the Acme and played. For several months, I was bi-amping, but have switched to running both cabs full range which has turned out to be a better result both from a tone perspective and a volume perspective. The two of them are sufficient for a trio playing at reasonable levels; but when I need more volume, I replace the Bag End with an Eden 210-XLT. All of my cabs are 4 ohm. Presumably, the 2402 will handle a 2 ohm load, so if a gig so required, I could run two B-2s and two 210-XLTs and put out a lot of sound. At the moment, if I were choosing again today, I wouldn't do much different. I think the 2402 is an ideal amp for the B-2; it's expensive, but it's a great amp for bass, it's relatively light weight, and it has sufficient power for the B-2. The 2402 with two 4-ohm B-2s, for my style of playing, is a great rig. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1086 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well ...to all QSC "connaisseurs" this question: I foudn an add in a 98-something Bassplayer about a QSC poweramp especially designed for bi-amping. The two channels were not of the same watt: for instance Channel "high" would get 800W and Channle "Low" would get 1200W. I cannot find him on teh QSC site anymore. SOmebody knows it, heard it, used it, experiences???? Paul the bad one | ||
| dnburgess
Intermediate Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 184 Registered: 1-2003 |
Wayne - what speakers are you using with your 1602? Bassman - I would probably suggest 2 B2s rather than a B2/B2W combination, just from the point of view of versatility. In a pinch you can even use it as a mini PA. I am getting a B2W in my next shipment and will report on the B2/B2W combo. Dave H - have you tried using both B2s stacked vertically to make a mini bass line array? How does that compare to stacking them horizontally in a classic 4x10 config? I suggested a 4x10 column speaker to Andy Lewis - he agreed that is accousticly a better layout but thought it would be a tough sell from a marketing perspective. David B. | ||
| wayne
Member Username: wayne Post Number: 92 Registered: 5-2002 |
David- I've got a Bag End S15X-D and a Bergantino HT-112. I've found that I prefer the tone of a combination of a 15 and a 12. Since my main gig right now is a large church, I'm typically running only the Bergantino for on-stage monitor. It gets reasonable bottom end with less boominess interfering with the mains. I still prefer my Bag End though all things being equal..... Surprisingly to me, the F1-X + PLX + Bergantino is absolutely the best sound I've ever gotten out of my upright (w/ Fishman BP-100). C-Ya............wayne | ||
| davehouck
Advanced Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 398 Registered: 5-2002 |
David; I only have one B-2 at the moment, I'm planning on ordering another but since I'm not playing in a band at the moment, and I'm budgeting funds for an upgrade to my Essence, I'm biding my time until I'm in a situation where I can use a second B-2. I agree with your suggestion to Bill that two B-2s rather than a B-2/B-2W combo is probably the way to go. And I also have thought about the line array idea; when I get a second B-2 I will give it a try. It would seem to be most practical in a larger room when the bass is not being run through the PA. As for your vertical 4x10 idea, I can see why Andy would think it a tough sell; but marketed as a PA cabinet it might have more appeal. | ||
| essenceman
Junior Username: essenceman Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2002 |
Bill, There's a helpful thread here, http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/8035.html?1077670895 As I've said in this thread, my Alesis NanoCompressor does the busines very well for little outlay. Rob | ||
| bassman10096
Intermediate Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 149 Registered: 7-2003 |
Thanks all. Between this thread and the other compressors thread, I have gotten a lot of good info that, I think, answers several questions that are important for me. How often does THAT happen?!? I am looking at compressors and making some decisions this week. On the Acme's, I've been wavering between 2 full range B2's and a full range B2 and a sub B2(W). In the end, the two full range will win out because of the added versatility. Honestly, I really do appreciate all this input. Thanks Bill |
