After several gigs with BF system

[brodave2]

I started out on this journey badly needing a smaller system that would fit 75% of my gigs. A friend of a friend (telecast) turned me onto this sight. I've posted before about my first times out with the BF rig. I'm running 4 OT12's and 2 Titan 48 24.5" with 3015. I do mainly church events, so a common thing is to have the stage on the long side of the room, so that the audience is shallow and wide, a nightmare for your typical stacks. The omnitops gave me the ability to put my mains up on sticks and stash the subs wherever. What I found was that I could put one OT on each side facing the front, then put another one on top of the first at 90 degrees, facing the sides. This works perfectly. I cover the room, something I previously couldn't do without huge stacks that block the sight line, and take tons of electrical power. The Titans don't seem to care where you put them, so routinely I hide them, or put them back against the wall beside the stage completely out of sight lines. For typical church type praise bands, I can easily cover a 500 seat assembly, and more. I did one job where there were 500 people sitting around round tables, so that would have been probably 800 if they would have been seated normally. I've had professional mix guys run the rig, and I've had no complaints from them either. AND!!! I can set the rig up by myself!!!!!

[Tim A]

I started out on this journey badly needing a smaller system that would fit 75% of my gigs.

Wondered where you've been.

So, have you found the system has taken the place of your large rig as well, or do you still run the dual 18's etc. at big events? If so, how many more 48's and OT's do you think it would take to match your bigger rig? Also, what does your big rig consist of?

I know you've done comparisons before, but as I recall the BF system was slowly overtaking the other one as you made changes such as adding the V-plate. I'd be interested to know how it all ended up since you've now had some time with the system.

[brodave2]

I'd like for the big rig to go away, but I make money when I drag it out. It consists of 3 stacks on each side. I can use one, two, or all three stacks. Each stack consists of a double 18 sub, a 2-15 + true 2" compression driver horn. Of course, it's tri-amped with a DR260 processor, all QSC PLX amps, 3-3402 on subs, 3-2402 on mids, 1-1602 on horns. For most of my jobs, it was overkill, and the real problem was, when I would set up only one stack on each side, the 60 degree horns wouldn't cover a wide room. So I'd set up two stacks on each side to get coverage. WAY overkill for most jobs. Plus, it was heavy, blocked a lot of sight line, and was just too much. Also, the subs always had to be on either side because the mains stacked on top of them.
I am currently building a portable rig that will hoist 4 OT's 11' up (8 ot's total), and fold up to 5' high. Ot's will be stored and transported on the base of the rig which is on casters, so it will be a quickie in and out. That will take the place of 2 tops on each side, and I'll need another pair of titans to keep up with it. 4 titans v-plated should walk all over 2 double 18's on each side. I'll still need the big rig for some events, some people just have to have the big stuff. When I get the BF rig finished, it will cover 95% of what I do, so the big rig might just be too much to keep around no more than I'll be using it.
Between the ability to put the OT's where I want, and the ability to couple the titans wherever I want, this is a really sweet system, and more than enough output most of the time just like it is right now.
Here's a pic of the big rig:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7655072@N0 ... 466540064/

[gdougherty]

I'd like for the big rig to go away, but I make money when I drag it out. It consists of 3 stacks on each side. I can use one, two, or all three stacks. Each stack consists of a double 18 sub, a 2-15 + true 2" compression driver horn. Of course, it's tri-amped with a DR260 processor, all QSC PLX amps, 3-3402 on subs, 3-2402 on mids, 1-1602 on horns. For most of my jobs, it was overkill, and the real problem was, when I would set up only one stack on each side, the 60 degree horns wouldn't cover a wide room. So I'd set up two stacks on each side to get coverage. WAY overkill for most jobs. Plus, it was heavy, blocked a lot of sight line, and was just too much. Also, the subs always had to be on either side because the mains stacked on top of them.
I am currently building a portable rig that will hoist 4 OT's 11' up (8 ot's total), and fold up to 5' high. Ot's will be stored and transported on the base of the rig which is on casters, so it will be a quickie in and out. That will take the place of 2 tops on each side, and I'll need another pair of titans to keep up with it. 4 titans v-plated should walk all over 2 double 18's on each side. I'll still need the big rig for some events, some people just have to have the big stuff. When I get the BF rig finished, it will cover 95% of what I do, so the big rig might just be too much to keep around no more than I'll be using it.
Between the ability to put the OT's where I want, and the ability to couple the titans wherever I want, this is a really sweet system, and more than enough output most of the time just like it is right now.
Here's a pic of the big rig:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7655072@N0 ... 466540064/

It sounds like you could add just a few more OT12's and another pair of T48's and eliminate the need for the big rig altogether. Don't forget, response on the T48's flattens and extends as you increase that total mouth area. I have yet to run 4xT48 outdoors but the output from 4 indoors in medium sized venues is absolutely overwhelming. Another pair and you'd probably far outdo the six 2x18's. Add another pair or two of OT12's and you'd be golden. Sell off the big rig and never look back. Small line arrays look more pro these days than big stacks anyways.

[Tim A]

In looking at the pic, I'd be willing to bet that your 4/side Otops will have no problem keeping up with the dual 15's. I understand the need for 'dual stack eye-candy' at some events, but 3 T-48's stacked per side would look just as big, and sound better, and I doubt they'd be lacking in volume. You'd end up with a nice modular system that goes to every gig pieced as needed, and you could still set it all up by yourself.

At any rate, glad it's all working out for you.

[squidfingers729]

I am currently building a portable rig that will hoist 4 OT's 11' up (8 ot's total), and fold up to 5' high. Ot's will be stored and transported on the base of the rig which is on casters, so it will be a quickie in and out. That will take the place of 2 tops on each side, and I'll need another pair of titans to keep up with it.

Sounds interesting, could you post a pic of that when you get it done?

[brodave2]

pics are coming of the rack to hang OT's on. The first one is built, I just have to get the rigging lined out and get it all hauled out and set up for a photo op. I only have 4 OT's now, but I can hang them all four on one rack for the kodak moment. If it works out, it wont be a build for your average cabinet builder. I'm a better welder than cabinet maker. The racks are made of square tubing and require a lot of cutting and welding.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

In looking at the pic, I'd be willing to bet that your 4/side Otops will have no problem keeping up with the dual 15's.

Easily. 2/3 the size of the 2x15s is wasted space, assuming they aren't crossed over to the subs at 50 Hz, and half the output of the CD horns is lost to comb-filtering and the lack of any nearfield radiation zone. Impressive to look at, but certainly not worth the pack space.

[screamersusa]

six omnitops per side groundstacked is an eye opener and more impressive when they start roaring than your old system.
The first though is usually "wow that looks like the system we saw the other night at the arena".
Despite how it may seem, I'd take a stack of omnitops over ANY double 15 cabs anytime anywhere.
Glad you had good results as well.

Generally with smaller events, a couple of subs and a handfull of tops, pro engineers will work with what they have
and any positive comments should be respected. With bigger shows going to 3 stacks per side or 12 omnis and 4-6 subs
they can be much harder to please and more picky. The line array qualities of the OTops will do most of the work, just get that high end to stay clean and you'll do great. When someone asks what kind of system it is, I say it's basically a line array,
if they ask if it is a line array, I say "basically it is". Keeps the geeks and technosnobs at bay so they don't start asking for software and other unreasonable requests at a low pressure gig. If you biamp DO NOT LET ANY ENGINEER OTHER THAN A KNOWN BFM USER TO TWEAK YOUR CROSSOVER at a show.
Go kick some butt.