Hello from Australia

[commander_dan]

Hi all,

I have been earnestly perusing the forums for a couple of months now. My older brother has had plans to build a pro sound system for a couple of years now and so far he has gotten to purchasing a few of the BFM plans (T30, DR250 and jig) but that's about as far as his progress has come. We both are avid fans of excellence in sound and enjoy the various gigs and shows that come to little old Perth in West Oz.

I have been eagerly awaiting him to build his subs and enjoy them, and since they haven't yet eventuated past the dream phase, I'm taking it upon myself to assist him by getting the ball rolling! I had initially planned on building a pair of T24's for myself, but have since revised this to a pair of T30's so that my system will be compatible with my brothers, should we want to combine forces down the track.

I just finished a 3 way ported enclosure "refurbishment" project as a prelude to the beginnings of a DJ setup for myself. I like a wide variety of music ranging across live band through to electronic dance, with my favourites lying in tech and drum n bass, the latter of which I have recently decided to start DJ-ing with. Hence the choice to go with Tuba's.

My old boxes had unknown drivers in them, and one of the tweeters was blown, and the boxes were hammered in general from years of service in backyard/house parties, so I carpeted/hard cornered the outsides, built new grille frames out of pine, and upgraded all the drivers and crossovers to give 'em a new lease on life. I used a pair of BP102's for the bottom, Vifa NE123W's on the mids, KSN1165A's up the top, all crossed with PXB3:3k5 (500, 3.5k). They sound so much nicer than the old ones!

I plan to use these boxes as my tops in the interim (I know that they are not suitably matched for tuba subs!) and once the tuba's are built, we will soon-thereafter build the correct tops, most likely DR250. So between the 2 of us, we would have a combined system consisting of 4 T30's and 4 DR250's, which from what I understand will be largely overkill for our needs, but it has always been my policy to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it!

I'm looking forward to the builds, and to subsequently getting to know a few of the people who lurk on these forums! We will be commencing soon after May this year, so watch this space, we will be sure to post up pics of the progress! Thanks for listening

Dan

[88h88]

I had initially planned on building a pair of T24's for myself, but have since revised this to a pair of T30's so that my system will be compatible with my brothers, should we want to combine forces down the track.

I like a wide variety of music ranging across live band through to electronic dance, with my favourites lying in tech and drum n bass, the latter of which I have recently decided to start DJ-ing with. Hence the choice to go with Tuba's.

Yeah I can see all 4 T30s getting used together and cranked before too long. Probably become the defacto setup and for good reason...

Take your time with it, read through everything over and over and ask any questions you like here and you're good to go.

[Grant Bunter]

Hi commander_dan,
G'day and welcome to the forum

There's a growing number of us Aussies on the forum dotted all about the country, including a couple of members from WA. I think one is around Perth, and another up near the Kimberleys.

And together with the Kiwi's, we are generally lumped in as Antipodeans, not a derogatory term lol.

The T30 is a great choice, I'm glad you chose it.
DR250's are simply amazing cabs. Due to a large number of steps, they are not a simple build by any means.
Do you have much woodworking experience?
edit: to see what you're up for with a DR250 build, have a look at my build thread:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... 30&t=18214

Other than that, RRP on drivers here is astounding. I won't go into why.
So please discuss that with me via PM (private message). I'll happily discuss this with you.
Suffice to say, at this point of time:
There are alternatives.

Just so you know up front, we have a lot of trouble obtaining baltic/finnish/russian birch. Since you're in Perth, and most carriers of that product seem to be (only) in capital cities, you may be ok, but it is expensive here.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, overall, our cab build prices are (much) higher than what you will see on the sales page. You'll still save money though, as RRP's on commercial cabs are also much higher here.

Anyway, yes, enjoy, read, learn, ask questions. It's a wonderful community of very experienced
sound guys who are willing to help...

[bitSmasher]

enjoy the various gigs and shows that come to little old Perth in West Oz

You westies get a good amount of DnB artists coming through there, believe it or not more than Sydney does (many times they'll play NZ then WA as part of an abbreviated "tour", flying straight over Sydney)
From memory there was a psytrance crew using BFM boxes for doofs, they had DRs for mid bass, pretty sure they ran Tuba subs too.
It's rainy Friday afternoon so I'm braindead right now, but next week when I get a chance I'll try and dig up some more info for you

[commander_dan]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

88h88 I think you may be right, seeing as my brother and I usually make a bee line for the best spot (acoustically, both Suzuki trained musicians) at events and gigs, and often visit the subs to bask in the soothing bass therapy they provide!

bitSmasher, yes I have enjoyed the amount of DnB exposure perth seems to get! We get some pretty decent tech over here too from time to time. I used to know a couple of people who were involved in psytrance doofs over here and even went to a couple, both of which had a stack of folded horns (no way I would remember what they even looked like now though, many moons ago).

Grant, Thanks a lot for that link, I have only gotten up to page 5 of your build and its really opened my eyes up to the complexity of that cab (your build looks amazing so far btw, well done!). I think due to their specs my brother would still want to have a crack at them, although I feel they're probably out of my reach in terms of both skills and need, perhaps something like the OTop 12 would be better for me as I don't forsee large events in my near future, just small parties and gigs about the place (also not much in the way of woodworking exp for me, yet ).

We do get torn a new one in terms of anything audio here in Aus tho, I had to fork out close to $700 to get my hands on the drivers/crossovers mentioned in my first post! Like you said, although the RRP on parts is higher here, so is the RRP on built and assembled quality audio. It's still definitely worth it in my opinion! There is nothing like quality sound

I'll be sure to hit you guys up when we get to the builds. Thanks again, and have a good one!

Dan

[Harley]

Glad to have another 'Digger' aboard.

[Grant Bunter]

Grant, Thanks a lot for that link, I have only gotten up to page 5 of your build and its really opened my eyes up to the complexity of that cab (your build looks amazing so far btw, well done!). I think due to their specs my brother would still want to have a crack at them, although I feel they're probably out of my reach in terms of both skills and need, perhaps something like the OTop 12 would be better for me as I don't forsee large events in my near future, just small parties and gigs about the place (also not much in the way of woodworking exp for me, yet ).

I'll be sure to hit you guys up when we get to the builds. Thanks again, and have a good one!

No worries at all!
The comprehensive build thread isn't to put people off.
You have to remember that the pics are an adjunct to the plans. Moreso the sketchup file. If you pretty much learn your plans by rote, and can measure accurately and cut once (or afford more ply lol) and have the time, you will build a DR250.

The forum here is also invaluable. If ever in doubt, ask first, cut second. There's always someone around who can help.

ncgrove has another good DR build thread:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... 30&t=20296

[bitSmasher]

From memory there was a psytrance crew using BFM boxes for doofs, they had DRs for mid bass, pretty sure they ran Tuba subs too

Ahh faded memory, it was DR300 with T36 underneath. Pics have disappeared, but thread is here:
billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11221

also worth noting, someone in Perth is importing Fane and Precision Devices drivers - might be able to find someone amongst their catalogues that'll suit, and save you on shipping costs

[Titanium Hand]

Doofs, Panda's those were the days.

BFM cabs SLAM HARD. Enjoy the journey. If you are ever in Sydney I could demo my T60 for you.

Pack space is an equation that cannot be ignored. 1524 x 762 x 762. T60 ; 1 cab, 2 Drivers. T30 ; 4 cabs, 4 Drivers

If you have the option to deploy the T30 in a four pack you cant go wrong

Enjoy

[MarcBass]

G'day Comander Dan,

Welcome aboard mate. Or should I say greetings from sunny Queensland?

I empathise with your brother. I had plans for quite a while before I actually started. I also feel your concern about wood working skill, I had none, and still wouldn't call myself skilled. I have found that following the plans, including the extra jig document, and using the posts and threads from other builders on the forum will actually improve your wood working abilities.

The other guys have sugested you take your time, which is great advice. My first build, 2 T39's, is a bit ordinary. It's amaizing what mat black paint can hide in the half light!! But the really great thing is, as long as you don't have air leaks they still sound great!! My second build was looking a lot better, until I started rushing to have it ready for a gig!!

You mentioned your 3 way's as tops. I still use old Peavey's for tops and get by ok. There will be a sound quality improvement when you swap them out for BFM design but in the mean time ......

Things are dearer here, the exchange rate is not so good this year. In the end a "ShipIto" account has been a huge help. Even with the extra freight charge from the US prices are lower, and often delivery quicker, than sourcing from Oz. I'm running a pair of Fane drivers in my W8's that I sourced from the UK cheaper than the recomended Eminence. They work fine but there is always that niggle, "I wonder if the eminence are better?" The next pair of W8's will use the eminence driver so I can compare.

Enjoy the ride. I'm looking forward to seeing how you go with the build and how you like the gear.

Cheers

Marc

[escapemcp]

I empathise with your brother. I had plans for quite a while before I actually started. I also feel your concern about wood working skill, I had none, and still wouldn't call myself skilled. I have found that following the plans, including the extra jig document, and using the posts and threads from other builders on the forum will actually improve your wood working abilities.

I still think of my plans as more of a woodworking course, using speakers as the 'example' build. I never knew how to do anything with wood before (other than sticking it in warm things ). Now I am happy to tackle all sorts of woodworking jobs and I am even considering the DR build (aka The BFM Advanced Woodworking Course)

[MarcBass]

Now I am happy to tackle all sorts of woodworking jobs and I am even considering the DR build (aka The BFM Advanced Woodworking Course)

DR?! I dream of DR!! For quite a while I considered Grant's DRs would have to represent the state. I intend to replace my Peaveys with OT12s soon. (Although I expect my OT12TB's will suit my cursed run of Library volume gigs and cover at least 90% of current work.)

I agree escapempc, building these things is a wood working course and has been a worthwhile adventure.