First Indoors Ballroom Gig Tuba 30's

[doncolga]

Hey,

I had my first indoors job in a country club ballroom last night with my two 18" Tuba 30's. I was not able to corner load, and really not able to load on a wall because the wall behind us was lined all the way down with deeply recessed glass panels pretty much from bottom way up to the top, but I did V plate and shot into the "wall". Even so, I was VERY happy with how they did. I was running them through an Ultradrive, crossed over at about 80 Hz, low cut at about 35 Hz, limited of course but didn't come close to that kicking in, powered with a Behringer EPQ 1200 running mono, which is less than half the size I've been using. It was plenty loud and I had the amp sensitivity at between 40-45% most of the evening. My tops were my old EV's running on a second EPQ 1200, getting 80 Hz and up about 7-8 feet to their tops. I had about 6 db of boost around 60 for the subs and about 4 db around 15 for the tops.

We were playing live so I was not able to walk around to hear things, but the first sound check before anyone arrived I was very happy with how things were. My sister was able to walk around a bit and reported it was nice and punchy.

I've got another one tonight in Augusta so I hope to have pictures for that one, and of course I'll report back. This one should be interesting because last year I was very limited for setup space. We'll see how it goes.

Donny

[doncolga]

Indoor job #2 (DJ gig...last night I was playing live) with the Tubas and this is where I'm set up this evening. The tops are probably about 8-10 feet apart and the Tubas are right behind me pointing into the wall. I've got headroom to burn...haven't gone past 12 volts on a sound check that was speakable over, but loud enough to dance to. Sound is covering the room really, really good. There's a door and a hallway on either side of me, and the "dance floor" is immediately in front of me, so this seems to be it. Love it so far, punchy and powerful, but people can converse easily, feels totally effortless. No noticeable nulls on a walk around, even in the adjacent rooms.

[netwerks]

You need some BFM tops up there Donny!

[doncolga]

You need some BFM tops up there Donny!

Ditto man! That should be starting this week.

[Radian]

Nice setup Don! Glad to hear it went well.

[doncolga]

Nice setup Don! Glad to hear it went well.

This was the weirdest job...sounded great, but man were they wall flowers. They when they did dance it was fine, but once they were done, they were done...hmmmm.......got compliments though. Guess they were just ready to go.

[doncolga]

I did speak with the facility director after the job last night and she said the music was just fine and there were other factors in play. The last two years I did this the guests went nuts over latin music and some techno, but not last night, and last night was a different mix of people too. It's just frustrating when people don't dance to their own requests or when you're playing a fast song while someone asks you to play something fast. They did dance, just not really slamming like the past two years.

Anyway, the Tubas were outstanding. About 24 volts was the most they got, usually a little less, and that was plenty, plenty loud. The improvement is just amazing.

Donny

[netwerks]

Another believer! Yay!

[mems]

Awsome job. I only have one 29" Tuba with some jack 12's as tops. They never cease to amaze me. Get on them tops ASAP, we wont be able to wipe the smile off your face. Glad to see it went well. Makes all the work worth it.

[doncolga]

Should my two Tuba 30's be OK for dancing volumes for about 150 people in a gym? I'm thinking so, and the Tuba page indicates 300 people for a pair, but wasn't sure about an area that large. The event will actually be in a Marriott Ballroom and I'll be getting dimensions soon, but I wouldn't think it would be larger than a school gym.

Thanks!

Donny

[doncolga]

I did find out this room is 90 x 60 x 20 and they are expecting 150-200 people, so I feel pretty sure the set of Tubas will be adequate. I sure hope I can corner load but I should at least be able to wall load. I'd guess the dance floor would be less than half of that and the rest for tables and seating.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

I did find out this room is 90 x 60 x 20 and they are expecting 150-200 people,

That is 5400 sqft.

There is a couple of local ballrooms that are 4900sqft and 5200sqft. I am very comfortable performing in those with a pair of T39@14 BP102 loaded, and a pair of DR200's.

You will be fine with a pair of T30's in a space that large. Take advantage of boundary loading, and keep the subs near the dance floor. You don't need to put war volume into the back corners of the room.

[rec]

Don,

I have used my pair of 24" t30's(4012HO loaded) in my sons elementary school gym. I had them wall loaded and the bass was brutal when turned up.
The boundry loading is critical. They were v-plated and a foot from the wall. Very impressive. Probably about 150-200 people there.
See the pic labled "t30 subs wall loaded in gym"
http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31 ... dingym.jpg
Hope that helps
Richard

[doncolga]

Thanks guys...that sounds perfect. I'm corner loaded this evening, for the first time, and it's doing great Not gone over 16 volts.

[doncolga]

Update on my last post for the job I'm at tonight. This is my first time corner loading and I absolutely can't believe how strong and even the bass is through the whole room, throwing very hard all the way back to all the corners. You all have to pardon me, but I've been playing 22 years and have always wanted this and now I've got it...I'm just amazed I hearing this.