Preamp with a powered cabinet

KenSmithFan

KenSmithFan

Feb 14, 2024
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#1
I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words.

Anyway, of of my friends uses a Sansamp BDDI into a powered QSC K10.2 for his bass rig. I Have a QSC K10.2, so I would just need a preamp. I'd like to consider what my options are.

For those of you using a preamp into a powered cabinet, what is your setup?

I play a Ken Smith 5 string BSR if that matters. Low volume gigs, I need to cover everything from jazz to classic country.

Thanks.
 
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#3
I understand your dilemma. I was upgrading from my old Ampeg and GK rigs to a Mesa Subway head. Seriously considered the Mesa D800+ preamp with powered cabs. All of the standard Sweetwater and GC offerings all seemed to have preset EQ shapes that I had no idea how they would react with the EQ on the preamp without a lot of knob twiddling. I went with a standard Mesa head and passive cab to avoid any potential issues and regret. There are few powered cabs dedicated to bass, Accugroove makes some, but they are pricey, and a few other manufacturers. Previous poster mentioned Blackstar, but not a whole lot of reviews on their stuff. Most powered cabs are FFFR p.a. types not specifically for bass. But...if you find what works for you and sounds good to you and suits your needs...:)
 
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#4
My 'big rig' is now a Sansamp BDDIv2, through a DSM Omnicabsim Deluxe, into a 1000w Wayne Jones 2X10 Powered Cab.
I've never had or even heard such a good, powerful setup...
upload_2024-2-18_20-59-37.jpeg
 
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#5
BlackCrow said:
Most powered cabs are FFFR p.a. types not specifically for bass. But...if you find what works for you and sounds good to you and suits your needs...:)
Click to expand...

Yeah most frfr solutions don't actually have mid and sub bass since they're made for guitar. While some sub bass rolloff is normal for bass cabs it's not really functioning as a modeler platform anymore. The other thing I see a lot is extended highs and for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone wants more than maybe 8-9k even with slap. It's just noise up there and even then most "bright" bass sounds get their presence from the upper mids like 2k-5k. I gotta say though those Yamahas were more than loud enough for practice. We really underestimate the volume per watts a lot of systems have.
 
#6
I used Darkglass preamps directly into a Blackstar u250 active cabinet (only power amp built in, no pre) and it was very good, forget the frfr, in my opinion there's no good setup for bassists at the moment, they're great for guitar, but the low end needs its space, so active bass cabinets are the way (for me) to go headless
 
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#9
I've looked into this kind of setup but have not followed through with it as I have a perfectly good amp/small cab setup.
That being said, there are some very decent powered bass specific cabs out there that would probably deliver solid performance with the pre of your choice.
Wayne Jones powered cabs have already been mentioned.
Accugroove makes very nice cabs that can be had either passive or powered. Kind of pricey, but I'm sure they are pretty great (I used to own a non powered Tri112)
Bergantino made the IP series of powered cabs that are no longer in production.
Barefaced also made a powered cab, FR800, which is also out of production but might be found in the used market
 
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#10
KenSmithFan said:
I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words.

Anyway, of of my friends uses a Sansamp BDDI into a powered QSC K10.2 for his bass rig. I Have a QSC K10.2, so I would just need a preamp. I'd like to consider what my options are.

For those of you using a preamp into a powered cabinet, what is your setup?

I play a Ken Smith 5 string BSR if that matters. Low volume gigs, I need to cover everything from jazz to classic country.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I used one of those provided for me on a singer-songwriter gig. I just went straight in and it sounded fine. With a preamp of your choice it could be great. I would want something bigger if you're playing with more instruments or drums and or no PA support.
 
#13
KenSmithFan said:
I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words.

Anyway, of of my friends uses a Sansamp BDDI into a powered QSC K10.2 for his bass rig. I Have a QSC K10.2, so I would just need a preamp. I'd like to consider what my options are.

For those of you using a preamp into a powered cabinet, what is your setup?

I play a Ken Smith 5 string BSR if that matters. Low volume gigs, I need to cover everything from jazz to classic country.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you are specifically referring to a powered PA setup like your post describes then yes, I use almost exactly what you listed above.

When needed I do run my BDDI directly into a powered EV112. Works well when I need it, though I admit most of my gigs I using IEMs so I have it as a backup or for a “sidefill” if the PA doesn’t like bass very much.

I have a Mackie as well but I honestly haven’t used it in the same manner as the EV. I find the EV has a less scooped sound, and given my BDDI already has a fixed midrange I don’t want to fight the smiley face battle. I think your QSC would sound amazing .
 
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#14
KenSmithFan said:
Anyway, of of my friends uses a Sansamp BDDI into a powered QSC K10.2 for his bass rig. I Have a QSC K10.2, so I would just need a preamp. I'd like to consider what my options are.
Click to expand...
I prefer the option of a bass rig including a cab designed by engineers specifically for bass.

I trust that they know what they're doing, and do what they do for good reasons. :)
 
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#15
KenSmithFan said:
I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words.

Anyway, of of my friends uses a Sansamp BDDI into a powered QSC K10.2 for his bass rig. I Have a QSC K10.2, so I would just need a preamp. I'd like to consider what my options are.

For those of you using a preamp into a powered cabinet, what is your setup?

I play a Ken Smith 5 string BSR if that matters. Low volume gigs, I need to cover everything from jazz to classic country.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Buy a Pre of your choice and try it out.

If you don't like the end result it's most likely because of the QSC

But you still will have a pre that you can either DI on gigs with a PA or with a power amp + cab
 
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#16
Marko 1 said:
I prefer the option of a bass rig including a cab designed by engineers specifically for bass.

I trust that they know what they're doing, and do what they do for good reasons. :)
Click to expand...
It’s obviously hard to beat an actual bass rig for stage sound. I’m using IEM’s, and really starting to settle into them, the control over what I hear and the overall volume of the entire band in my ears is incredible! I control my own mix via iPad and I’m sold. 90% of my volume goes through our QSC mains and sub so what the OP is looking at works. I still bring my amp and cab because, well, just because.
 
#18
I run a multitude of preamps through my Accugroove powered Tri 112+ and it is amazing. I highly recommend this route, as you can pretty much set your rig up to sound like whatever you want because the Accugroove is very clean and hifi, but you can sculpt your sound based on the preamp.

My preamps:

Noble pre/DI
Aguilar DB680 (the Holy Grail!)
Tech 21 Q strip
Various Darkglass pedals
 
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#20
First of all, QSC themselves recommend the K10.2 for bassists
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/qsc-k12-2.1287735/page-10#post-26322872
q_spk_k.2_appguide_livebands.pdf (qsc.com)

Secondly, The K series speaker have a "bass amp" dsp setting, so you don't necessarily need a separate preamp, unless you need a different colour or more control.

Third, I use a Helix LT as my "preamp" with my frfr speaker (or straight to FOH for gigs). There's a ton of amp simulations to dial in almost any bass tone you can think of. But I reckon a Sansamp Flyrig would make a potent combo with any powered speaker.
 
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