As a concert producer, I’m frequently asked which subs I’d advise. Subwoofers, like mains, are chosen by the kind of music you will be playing even though them, and how they’re going to become utilised. For the purposes of this short article, I am going to restrict the conversation to just Dubstep, and Drum and Bass.
Dubstep and Drum and Bass possess a big level of description material in the 20hz – 50hz range, and in case you do the math, that you are going to will need about 5000 watts dedicated to a that frequency variety to generate adequate of that sound to become heard in conjunction with the rest of your music.
My setup
My bigger setup is (five) QSC HPR181s across the front in the stage, (six) Martin Blackline dual 18’s for the house, and 2 Bag Finish Dual 18’s running 8000watts by way of an ELF processor committed for the 8hz – 50hz range by means of a lab gruppen amp. When I play smaller sized shows, I just use my QSC HPR181, which are 700 watts each, but great for ultra high volume bass. The QSC’s are self powered and take all of 5 minutes to setup, which also aids. Now I’ve heard the prevalent wisdom, do not mix subwoofers, but in reality, I’ve yet to find a single sound manufacturing organization that does it all, brief of a tour package which is created for any given show, as an alternative to a kind of music (an important distinction). That mentioned, crossover points and keeping every subwoofer along with the overall technique in phase is very significant when mixing subs.
Setting the crossover
Conventional crossovers, like the incredibly prevalent dBx DriveRack PA possess a very good and relatively adjustable crossover that also consists of the capacity to change the slope on the roll off. When matching and tuning subwoofer frequencies, I’ve noticed that although the crossover claims to possess rolled a frequency off, several of the description material continues to be transmitted for the sub. Clearly, when two brands of subwoofers are generating the same tones, distortion is created. I, thus, separate the frequencies by about 5hz. Visually on the crossover, it appears that I am losing musical description material, on the other hand, with all the amplification obtain, in actual fact I am not, and also a RTA mic will confirm that the setting are right.
Sealed box enclosures and subharmonics
Bag End is definitely the go to right here. You will find other sub systems that do subharmonics, but Bag Finish was initial, so I am writing about them. The Infra processor, and prior to Ron Wickersham left, the Elf Processor will be the two crucial components. Dubstep and Drum and Bass need an enormous presence within the 20hz – 50hz variety. Most people cannot hear music within this range, but it is possible to feel it, and also you can really feel the difference between 20hz and 40 hz when the signal is clear and free of clipping. The Infra processor is accessible in two forms. The first 1 features a flat response down to 18hz, the second one to 8hz. 18hz is a lot more effective for bigger systems. For those who have an additional 20k to burn, then go for the 8hz integrator and (four) dual 18’s. You will need a substantial quantity of AC Power to run the amps also, normally an further 20amp 220 circuit to get a Lab Gruppen or 4 20amp 110 ciruits for four QSC amps bridged into each and every sub. My Bag Ends typically pull about 3000 watts per dual 18 when creating description material STRICTLY Restricted to the 18hz – 50hz variety. I must note that making adjustments to your crossover at full volume can speedily destroy all of your equipment, so be careful, and know your equipment frequency response and power handling ratings.
Pricing
Subs vary tremendously in value. In the reduced cost range, I’ve heard the Peavey blackwidows, that are technically louder, but substantially significantly less musical. When you’re mashing up two tracks, or speedily transitioning from one particular to a different, it truly is tough to hear considerably difference with all the Peavey subs, they are just loud, not so much musical. JBL and Cerwin Vega subs are fart cans, and I believe many people know this. They can rumble and shake, but they don’t have an articulated sound – a clarity inside the low finish that may be totally important for Dubstep and much more so for Drum and Bass.
Some other gear that I’ve attempted, In case you are wealthy, the D&B (not db technologies) audioteknic Q2 subs are killer, EAW 218z subs are pretty excellent, McCauley does a pretty decent sub with very good all around specs for Dubstep, and Bag End kills. All of these cabinets demand extremely expensive amplification though. You are able to get 12,000 into amps alone ahead of you can even turn on a mid-sized system of this caliber.
Home Construction
An additional alternative, is to build your own box. This is not a beginner project, but if you love wood working, and have a spare 2500 bucks, you may build some pretty amazing cabinets. The best way to do this is to get on the forums and look at designs, then read the threads through. Often people today post reviews over the course of years.
Look for a design that features a excellent frequency response down to 40hz, plus a driver that has exceptional frequency response. OHM (brand) makes a pretty incredible driver, and there are actually a couple of high finish RCF subs that are bad for the bone.
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