Running a bass into the PA.

[DarkPhoenix]

Can you plug a bass and distortion pedal, using a DI box, directly into a PA system?

[sambrowne]

Yes you totally can. Why more bass players don't do this, I don't know. Get a sansamp bass driver DI and you've basically got a good sounding, tiny little amp to plug into the desk.

[NZRS-Dave]

Yes you totally can. Why more bass players don't do this, I don't know. Get a sansamp bass driver DI and you've basically got a good sounding, tiny little amp to plug into the desk.

+1 and FTW

[Bg]

Yes you totally can. Why more bass players don't do this, I don't know. Get a sansamp bass driver DI and you've basically got a good sounding, tiny little amp to plug into the desk.

+1 and FTW

-1 FTL, why more guitarists don't just buy a pod and run into the desk, I don't know

Every time I've run into straight into the desk, using a sansamp, I've hated it.

[jimi]

yes you can, but what BG said.

Nothing pisses me off more than a sound guy who wants to put a DI box infront of my amp, why would I bother lugging an Ampeg SVT along if I didnt want to share *that* sound with the crowd?

[TmcB]

I love the ampeg heads that have di out. They're everyone's friend.

[DarkPhoenix]

Hm, I'd like to keep using my Jackhammer cause I like the sound it produces with bass - could I run an ordinary DI box after it?

[TmcB]

Yep

[war-wolf]

you'll need some sort of emulation though,a dist pedal straight into the desk is kinda like a metal zone thru your stereo...fuckin awful.if you like the sound you have,make them mic it up...it is their job after all.

[DarkPhoenix]

you'll need some sort of emulation though,a dist pedal straight into the desk is kinda like a metal zone thru your stereo...fuckin awful.if you like the sound you have,make them mic it up...it is their job after all.

I'm playing in an 80s hardcore band. As long as it's loud, I don't care how shit it sounds.

[Vince]

-1 FTL, why more guitarists don't just buy a pod and run into the desk, I don't know

Every time I've run into straight into the desk, using a sansamp, I've hated it.

I like to feel the stage floor rumble when I play, if I don't have that then it's just not the same. I tried the no amp thing exactly once and I hated it, it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a gig.

[RUDENBARK]

Yep, totally works.
Actually just tried it for the first time last night, trying out new bass player, plugged him straight into PA, sounded alright aye. (I suggested running through his (too small) prac amp first to give a bit of flavour (they were in too much of a hurry, not listening, lol), but sounded pretty ok straight)

I think the big thing to watch though is the quality of the PA. My personal gat rig is POD/PA and sounds f**in' awesome, but when trying to plug into some other (eg in-house) PAs it's sounded completely rat-shit, other times passable. It all boils down to the quality of the PA (can't get sweet sounds out of a piece of sh**, PA or otherwise) AND ESPECIALLY who the monkey is twisting the knobs on it (honestly, some of these guys are as thick as the proverbial!). If it's a decent PA and used properly, there's no reason anything you plug into it shouldn't sound sweet as.

[Vince]

It all boils down to the quality of the PA (can't get sweet sounds out of a piece of sh**, PA or otherwise) AND ESPECIALLY who the monkey is twisting the knobs on it (honestly, some of these guys are as thick as the proverbial!). If it's a decent PA and used properly, there's no reason anything you plug into it shouldn't sound sweet as.

Bit risky leaving everything in the lap of the gods though. Another good reason for bringing your own amp: at least you know what you are getting.

[RUDENBARK]

It all boils down to the quality of the PA (can't get sweet sounds out of a piece of sh**, PA or otherwise) AND ESPECIALLY who the monkey is twisting the knobs on it (honestly, some of these guys are as thick as the proverbial!). If it's a decent PA and used properly, there's no reason anything you plug into it shouldn't sound sweet as.

Bit risky leaving everything in the lap of the gods though. Another good reason for bringing your own amp: at least you know what you are getting.

YES!!!! DEFINITELY!!!!
I've never been caught out luckily - well actually, not luck, thinking ahead, lol.
(No, I lie, got caught out ONCE - "Got a spare amp, just bring your gat". Yep, sounded shit, lesson learnt)
Been a small handful of occassions where (after finding out my set-up) I've been told just to bring gat, plug into the system, etc. I've always AT LEAST brought all my gear anyway, just in case, and more often than not been VERY thankful I did.
More often than not though, had more problems with the guys that THINK they know what they're doing but in reality are pretty clueless when it comes to setting the sound up rather than the actual equipment (though frequently get shit operators AND equipment, lol).

So yeah, SHOULD be able to get a good sound. But like you say, DON'T RELY ON IT. (unless it's your own gear etc)

[Bg]

-1 FTL, why more guitarists don't just buy a pod and run into the desk, I don't know

Every time I've run into straight into the desk, using a sansamp, I've hated it.

I like to feel the stage floor rumble when I play, if I don't have that then it's just not the same. I tried the no amp thing exactly once and I hated it, it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a gig.

+1 FTW, if you can't feel the bass, whats the point? and trousers flapping in the bass wind is always a good feeling