Introduction & First BFM Designs Project

[James Ross]

Greetings, I have been gathering information on BFM designs and speakers in general for about a year now. I have been DJing as a hobby for the past 6 years but only in the bedroom. In the next few months I will be leaving my current job (Military) and going back to school (3 cheers for the GI Bill!!). Being in a college enviroment again will surely allow me to get out of the bedroom and into the party. I need more than my sony home thearte amp and Marantz speakers ($2.00 at a garage sale about 10 years ago). From what I've read and given the type of sound I perfer, I want to build a set of DR200 tops and Tuba 24 subs.

I am still a little unclear about what speakers are the best for what venue and the right way to balance the Tops and Subs for the best sound possible. So here I am at these forums looking for more knowledge and advice on the matter. Anything is appreciated and I know it is early in the stage of my project, in fact, I don't even plan to start building anything until I officially get home in May. Nevertheless, I want to start planning now, working out my budget, and learning more about amplification, crossover, DSP and the like.

Thanks,

James

[DJPhatman]

Welcome, James! And, thank you for serving!

You already have a good start to your plan, just keep asking questions.

What kind of music to you plan on playing? For bass heavy (Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap, current Top-40) I suggest you consider either T30s, or Titans. T24s are a decent, small-ish cab, but if you need the boom, you need something bigger.
Small, loud, low. Pick two.

Plus, make cardboard mock-ups of each cab you are considering, so you can figure out your pack-space and storage needs/wants.

Don't be afraid to ask any questions. The only dumb question is the one no asked.

[Mikey]

A pair of DR200s will far out-run a pair of T24s. You may want to consider a pair of 20"w T39s, using the new 3012LF driver. They'll be a much better match to the DR200s, and they'll only occupy 1.6 cu. ft. more that a pair of 24"w T24s.

[James Ross]

Appreciate the suggestions DJPhatman and Mikey. I'll be playing Techno, House, and Classic Rock. More than likely, I will be ordering plans for a larger sub, having realized a few things and reading some suggestions. I do realize the EDM auidence wants bass that can compromise the infrastructure of a wharehouse, but personally I like quality sound balanced properly. Live sound is new to me so there might be a lot of trial and error.

[jcmbowman]

Appreciate the suggestions DJPhatman and Mikey. I'll be playing Techno, House, and Classic Rock. More than likely, I will be ordering plans for a larger sub, having realized a few things and reading some suggestions. I do realize the EDM auidence wants bass that can compromise the infrastructure of a wharehouse, but personally I like quality sound balanced properly. Live sound is new to me so there might be a lot of trial and error.

Do yourself a favor and just order the whole CD of plans - the price is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll end up spending on wood, drivers, finish, etc...

Based on the music you'll be playing, and the scale of events that you'll likely start out with, I agree with Mikey that a pair of DR200s and a pair of T39s (loaded with the new 3012LF driver) would be ideal. It's a small enough rig that it will be easy to transport and set up for gigs, and if you find yourself needing more output for bigger shows you can just build more of the same cabinets. The T39 with that driver will do as good a job as a T24 will on the low end, and give you much better output in the >60hz range, which is where most of the energy in you musical styles resides anyways. (Unless of course, you're talking about really underground/experimental Techno and House... in which case the only way you're going to get that low is with 4 or more T48s or T36s).

And I second the suggestion to build cardboard mockups gto see what you'll be dealing with.

Just my $.02

[James Ross]

Jcmbowman, I almost initially ordered the whole CD, but went with the 2 plans. Getting more serious about this project and now knowing I want a different sub for my first rig, I did end up ordering the CD. I do forsee wanting to build a few of these other designs.

The cardboard cutout suggestion prodived is a good idea, and something I could eaisly do while I am away from the workshop (wont get back home until May) to become familiar with everything and to remain enthusied.

[Dusneed]

Jcmbowman, I almost initially ordered the whole CD, but went with the 2 plans. Getting more serious about this project and now knowing I want a different sub for my first rig, I did end up ordering the CD. I do forsee wanting to build a few of these other designs.

The cardboard cutout suggestion prodived is a good idea, and something I could eaisly do while I am away from the workshop (wont get back home until May) to become familiar with everything and to remain enthusied.

Thank for your service first of all. I have a few friend that have made the same sacrifices that you have made. I think it's honorable.

I have been a "college" DJ for the past 3 years, but have been DJing for 13 years off & on. There's money out there to be made in the college scene, I make the most money from doing events for my school. I started out just practicing my freshman year in my room with my door open, with no intentions of ever gigging out. My roommate just happened to be a self-promoting genious and next thing I realized I had a nightly spot on the college radio station. From there I bought 4 JBL Eons and 2 EP2500s (got them for a steal off of craigslist), then I started practicing on the quad for shits & giggles. Next thing I know it became a weekly occurrence, so much so that local club promoters started paying me to advertise their parties. They started booking me for their parties, but they always paid very little even though I would have just about my whole school attending their events (buying drinks, most of all), in addition to students from other schools in my area. After awhile, I just got tired of being used, so I approached the club owners about cutting out the middle men and became a resident at two clubs (one all hip hop and the other top40-electro). Also from my quad parties, I would get gigs from weddings/proms to Frat parties and warehouse shindigs. It's been like that ever since.


To get to my point, I had the CD for about a year now and I am still thoroughly enthusiastic about building a PA system that is ahead of ALL of my competitors. I think just reading others experiences with these products will have you jumping for joy. I can't wait to start my build, but I have to have a comprehensive, well thought out plan, first.

[James Ross]

My order from Speaker Hardware just arrived. That was fast. STOKED!!

[Harley]

My order from Speaker Hardware just arrived. That was fast. STOKED!!

"
Leland Claus...strikes again