BFM system outside for the first time.

[vlad335]

We played a benefit today for a local Army unit who just returned from Iraq. First time with this system on an outdoor gig and I was a little apprehensive. I really wanted to get the 2 Titans I'm building done for this but with all the overtime lately, I realised it wasn't going to happen. Bummer.

Anyway, we show up at the park and find out the pavillion we are to set up in has one circuit. OK, time to run some 12ga cords down to the other pavillion. Bummer number 2... It has one circuit as well and they have like 8 electric roasters plugged in so we have to run the entire band on one circuit. The power was dubious at best with some pretty antiquated fixtures so I tell the soundman while setting up he may have to keep the volume low so he doesn't blow the fuse. Not a breaker, a screw-in glass fuse!

After the PA is setup I pop in a CD and it sounds great, No it sounds really GREAT! Not that I ever heard these speakers sound bad before but now the sound is even clearer and better defined. Sound checking the drums I was struck by not only the clarity once again but the V-plated Titan's were hitting pretty hard at 60' to the board. ( I cranked it up ) Whoa... didn't expect this at all being outdoors. Mind you it wasn't the punch in the gut like we get indoors but it was very close and the kick sounded fantastic with a cleaner, more rounded tone. In fact, every instrument/vocal was good to go with a brief check.

I told our sound guy to not worry about the volume and we'll see what happens. We got about a set and a half in before it started pouring rain and the Army got our stuff under cover in seconds. No power problems which is amazing and a rock solid testiment to the efficiency of these cabinets. My system years ago with 4 Crown amps bridged would have toasted that fuse in nano-seconds. Probably wouldn't have been any louder either and definately wouldn't have sounded better.

The obligatory pictures.

[Scott Brochu]

glad to hear everything worked out, looks good.

Are you going to build any wedge's in the future? To go with your BF system.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I want to know about the drummer you had who said it was a waste of $ building your own cabs and how he enjoys his all crow diet?

[Tom Smit]

I want to know about the drummer you had who said it was a waste of $ building your own cabs and how he enjoys his all crow diet?

+1


TomS

[Mark Coward]

Great report....what cabs are you using for the bass rig?

[vlad335]

Great report....what cabs are you using for the bass rig?

An SWR Big Ben, Ernie Ball 2-12 and an Omni 10.5

Something happened to my Omni15 tallboy about 2 weeks ago and I haven't had a chance to open it up and figure out what it is. Volume dropped and the sound is distorted. Hoping its just the solder connection on the Speakons and not any of the crossover components. Just don't want to go through all that troubleshooting.

[vlad335]

glad to hear everything worked out, looks good.

Are you going to build any wedge's in the future? To go with your BF system.

Would love to when I get some time. I still have to build a couple Autotubas that I had the drivers for months.

[vlad335]

I want to know about the drummer you had who said it was a waste of $ building your own cabs and how he enjoys his all crow diet?

Yeah he is a big proponent of these speakers now. Like it never even happened. I have heard him talking them up when people complimented our sound at gigs.

He started the same crap when I started putting the light rig together. He got a big STFU and that got nipped in the bud quick. Seems he has some kind of personality defect that likes to take a shit on anyone moving forward.

[vlad335]

Something else interesting. There is a guitar player friend of mine who I played in a band with years ago and just recently been in contact with again. He showed up and had never heard this band before today. He has been pitching an idea since last week to rent a local hall and our two bands play a bash and split the door. (he had heard that we are drawing some decent crowds and I suspect he wants the exposure.) He admitted to me today that he was considering hiring in a big PA if we would do this despite me telling him I built speakers from plans. He admitted that he really didn't expect much from DIY speakers and was completely surprised. Now, if we do the gig it simply has to be this PA and the rental money would go to me. His bass player was there as well and asking me alot of questions. Could'nt believe these were 15's in the subs and using piezos, etc.

[vlad335]

I've come to the conclusion after today that I need to EQ this system better indoors. Maybe its placement, phase issues, I don't know but this system improved considerably without room boundries. I printed out David Perry's post on RTA and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong. Also maybe the mains need to go up higher as well. We were setup on a hill of sorts and maybe that had something to do with it?

[Dave Non-Zero]

Sytems ALWAYS sound better outside all things the same. The lack of reflections that smear the sound means everything is clearer and cleaner. Then again, if anything is wrong you will hear it too.

[James R]

Great to hear nice job

[Strapping Young Stu]

I've come to the conclusion after today that I need to EQ this system better indoors. Maybe its placement, phase issues, I don't know but this system improved considerably without room boundries. I printed out David Perry's post on RTA and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong. Also maybe the mains need to go up higher as well. We were setup on a hill of sorts and maybe that had something to do with it?

Its not usually the system thats at fault, its the room reflections causing problems, which partly explains why a good system in a bad room can still sound poor if the operator doesnt know what they are doing and places the speakers in an inappropriate manner.

Stu

[Tim A]

He has been pitching an idea since last week to rent a local hall and our two bands play a bash and split the door.

-1!!!

If you proceed, be very, very cautious. Insurance at a self promoted gig is typically unobtainable due to the expense. Most hall's will not rent if they know what you're up to, their insurance doesn't cover an event that includes a cover charge to see bands and the inherent alcohol/drugs that go along with it. This could be a recipe for finacial disaster.

Better off to find a club that is willing to participate and split the door, his insurance is already set up for it.

[vlad335]

He has been pitching an idea since last week to rent a local hall and our two bands play a bash and split the door.

-1!!!

If you proceed, be very, very cautious. Insurance at a self promoted gig is typically unobtainable due to the expense. Most hall's will not rent if they know what you're up to, their insurance doesn't cover an event that includes a cover charge to see bands and the inherent alcohol/drugs that go along with it. This could be a recipe for finacial disaster.

Better off to find a club that is willing to participate and split the door, his insurance is already set up for it.

We are not going to do it anyway. I have to work the night this is planned for and we don't have any dates open. Had the same reservations about this that you describe.