4x12 vs 1x12 in a live setting - my observations

[glpg80]

Here's the point: They did not come out to see your gear. All of us however rely on the vibe you receive from playing through a killer rig.

Words of wisdom

 

[JB6464]

Shit....I am going no cabs altogether. Gigged this weekend with a Diezel D-Moll through a Two Notes Torpedo Live with cab sims to the FOH and split to two active RCF stage monitors. With the sims, you can dial in the cab/mic/EQ. At the end of the day, it doesn't make two shits how many 412's you have. It's stage noise to contend with and blowing people's hair back.

For me, I choose no cab. YMMV.

When I saw Rush, I believe Lifeson was doing that. Or he had a killer backing of Washers and Dryers..

Yup, Lifeson runs all of his heads through Palmers.

Yep , and it sounds like too.
Seen that show live and it sounded like a thin ass vox meets a rockman .

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I saw Trivium live last year, and they were running Axe FX straight in, and the guitars sounded great!!!!

 

[RG955TT]

Tried 1x12, 2x12 and 4x12...no comparo for me. The 1x12 is just thin and lacks body depth and gets lost. The 2x12 aims at my legs and I play louder to get cut. I now use a DV Mark 4x12, with Neo spkrs, 47 lbs and small, sounds killer at all volumes and projects beautifully and easy to haul! Looks good to boot with my Bogner 20th XTC sittin uptop! Put my 20th in the std xtc headshell so its smaller too.

 

[supersonic]

I've said it before. No one will take you seriously unless you're rockin a 4x12. They sound better too, more thump.

 

[Valtyr]

I'd be ok with a 1x12 but by amp won't fit on top.

 

[Shark Diver]

Shit....I am going no cabs altogether. Gigged this weekend with a Diezel D-Moll through a Two Notes Torpedo Live with cab sims to the FOH and split to two active RCF stage monitors. With the sims, you can dial in the cab/mic/EQ. At the end of the day, it doesn't make two shits how many 412's you have. It's stage noise to contend with and blowing people's hair back.

For me, I choose no cab. YMMV.

How'd you like the LIVE?


I haven't used anything more than one, maybe a second, 1x12 thiele for years. I can have an EVM BL and an EVM 12L or SRO and push 600 watts. Not sure I need more than that? And with the LIVE - "50,000 watts of power"

 

[rcm78]

My biggest problem with 112s is that you are limited in what speakers you can use in their you using a 50watt or higher amp. I tend to most use 212s as I find its a good compromise.

Nah, If you're keeping the stage volume low you can use whatever speaker you want and not blow it...

The thing is I am not always keeping the volume low. A practice I tend to run my amps louder than at gigs. So for me it's a still a concern with a 112.

Good point. I forgot I use a 4X12 at rehearsal...

 

[steve_k]

Shit....I am going no cabs altogether. Gigged this weekend with a Diezel D-Moll through a Two Notes Torpedo Live with cab sims to the FOH and split to two active RCF stage monitors. With the sims, you can dial in the cab/mic/EQ. At the end of the day, it doesn't make two shits how many 412's you have. It's stage noise to contend with and blowing people's hair back.

For me, I choose no cab. YMMV.

How'd you like the LIVE?


I haven't used anything more than one, maybe a second, 1x12 thiele for years. I can have an EVM BL and an EVM 12L or SRO and push 600 watts. Not sure I need more than that? And with the LIVE - "50,000 watts of power"

Direct is the only way to fly, IMO. Fuck the cabs, excess stage clutter, ambient noise, bitching soundmen, bitching singers. Send an EQ'd cab sim to the FOH that closely resembles the sound you want. It's all about what the audience hears and not about blowing your own skirt up.

 

[Badronald]

My issue with using less speakers always has to do with how I play. I tend to play with the feedback and balance a lot of the sound based on my interaction with the amp. When I turn down too much, I lose that connection with the amp. I have to wonder how the guys with no speakers on stage handle this. I just assume that none of them are using feedback.

This is also the entire key for me. I'm constantly turning to get the guitar to interact with the waves coming off that speaker. As you said, it's an integral part of my style and playing live. I could not do without it.

 

[steve_k]

I would really like to try an ISO cab for live use. But, shipping one over here isn't too practical, especially if I don't like it.

 

[squank]

Here's a great 2x12 that will flap your pants and push air.
http://store.mesahollywood.com/0-2fbbp-e.html


I've had Bogner OS2x12 but for some reason they don't do it for me, especially since there about as big as a 4x12 and don't sound nearly as good. Yes, I've compared them directly next to each other, a Marshall 4x12 and the Bogner 2x12.

Good call. The Transatlantic cabs are directly copied from the Electra-Dyne series. Those ED cabs are really, really good. Best sounding openbacks I've used. I wasn't such a fan of the ED itself, but the cabs were great, esp the 2x12.

I've said it before. No one will take you seriously unless you're rockin a 4x12. They sound better too, more thump.

This made me . Who is looking at your gear? Other guitar players? They are such a minority of the crowd as to be meaningless.

The audience is looking for a great sounding band, period. If your band plays the right songs, and plays/sings them well, the crowd is happy, regardless of your gear. If you don't, the audience is unhappy, regardless of your gear.

More thump playing at home is great. I prefer it myself, too. But playing live, you are getting in the way of the bass and the kick, in my experience. And that usually means the audience hears a muddier sound. You can have full use of the guitar's EQ range without thumping the lower overtones.

Direct is the only way to fly, IMO. Fuck the cabs, excess stage clutter, ambient noise, bitching soundmen, bitching singers. Send an EQ'd cab sim to the FOH that closely resembles the sound you want. It's all about what the audience hears and not about blowing your own skirt up.

Truth here, gentlemen.

I add one wrinkle to this - I bought a cheap PA wedge and put a guitar speaker in it. When I am going direct, I put that wedge right next to the vocal monitor. If I am worried the soundman won't give me enough in my monitor, or if there aren't enough monitors (seems to happen a lot), then I've got all the volume I need right there at my feet. It's pointing up at me, so I can hear more than enough, and I will angle it so the drummer can hear it, too, if necessary.

 

[mchn13]

I'd be ok with a 1x12 but by AMPS won't fit on top.

Fixed

 

['63-Strat]

Here's a great 2x12 that will flap your pants and push air.
http://store.mesahollywood.com/0-2fbbp-e.html


I've had Bogner OS2x12 but for some reason they don't do it for me, especially since there about as big as a 4x12 and don't sound nearly as good. Yes, I've compared them directly next to each other, a Marshall 4x12 and the Bogner 2x12.

I find this surprising as I've compared my Bogner 2x12 to my Bogner 4x12 and while I obv prefer the 4x12 I would def take the 2x12 over a 1960. Different strokes I guess.

 

[GtarLover]

While I agree that direct and/or a 1X12 is "fine" for most club gigs, I enjoy my 4X12's.

I have run an Axe FX direct, used a pair of 1X12's, 2X12's' etc. I have to agree with Zachman here. There is an ease of hearing my rig across the stage. I mean I don't want to be tied to my mic so I can hear myself in the monitor. I want to hear myself regardless. Plus, the other guitar player in the band has trouble when he can't hear me, as I am the lead player.

Now I know, I can put guitar in the monitor and everyone should be able to hear it. However, when there are 3 vocals in the monitor, I personally like to be able to hear them clearly and I always felt like the guitars in there where too much. YMMV

Direct can be a great way to go and give you consistency of tones, which is REALLY nice. I guess it comes down to whether or not I want to lift my cabs and carry them into the club. Which at this point, I DO