2 bass or not 2 bass that is the question

[marting]

In short have secured what is to be the largest function i have done to date and i really want it to go right function is a xmas party (indoors) for up to 200 people
My speakers are 2 X American audio PXI-15p actives have never had them above half power so not really sure what they are capable of should i take a subwoofer or trust that 30 inch of bass drivers are enough.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I would take a sub for reinforcement.

[JAMdisco]

In short have secured what is to be the largest function i have done to date and i really want it to go right function is a xmas party (indoors) for up to 200 people
My speakers are 2 X American audio PXI-15p actives have never had them above half power so not really sure what they are capable of should i take a subwoofer or trust that 30 inch of bass drivers are enough.

I generally take 2 subs to all my disco's but always remember: you are generally only playing to the dancefloor area and you don't want to blast them to smithereens, I think 2x15" speakers would be plenty but if you're in any doubt, as Daz says, take a sub just to be on the safe side - you don't always have to max it out!

[CRAZY K]

Take 2 subs, unless you have one really loud one--it takes the prressure off the tops as well as boosting bottom end.

[musicologydisco]

2 x 15" for 200 people will be enough I reckon. Don't push them too hard so you maintain sound quality and they'll be perfectly happy. Most complaints come from the disco being too loud! Unless this is for a mainly young crowd in which case stack 'em to the ceiling!!

[Dynamic Entertainment]

2 x 15" for 200 people will be enough I reckon. Don't push them too hard so you maintain sound quality and they'll be perfectly happy. Most complaints come from the disco being too loud! Unless this is for a mainly young crowd in which case stack 'em to the ceiling!!

Or....take a bass bin so you can have the loudness if needed and the clarity....

[chrisj]

It will always depend upon the function room. I was at the Dukes Head Kings Lynn last week and the function room had all these small alcoves down both sides as well as being a high ceiling. I was driving a pair of RF725's approx 60% and had a 15" Tannoy T40 sub loaded with 600w driver powered by a Yorkville 750 w amp (all RMS) OK the sub was being driven approx 50% but although it was quite loud lots of the sound seemed to get lost as it was rather quiet at the far end and I was asked to turn it up. Only 50 people there but I would say it could handle 200 easily enough.
I would definately use 1 or even 2 subs for 200 people but it all depends on the room.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

2 x 15" for 200 people will be enough I reckon

I'm not sure how anyone can come to that conclusion just by the size of the cones! Speaker efficiency, size of dance floor, room and acoustics may come into it.

[Shaun]

I'm not sure how anyone can come to that conclusion just by the size of the cones! Speaker efficiency, size of dance floor, room and acoustics may come into it.

Completely agree.

[CRAZY K]

Or....take a bass bin so you can have the loudness if needed and the clarity....

:agree: and the BASS;)

[Sapphire Disco]

You could do it without sub/subs but it would be so much better for you and the people attending with a decent sub or two.

[chrisj]

Er, I am working in a marquee in December, Approx 60m long by 20m wide, yes it will be huge. Inside a massive sports hall hoisted to a tall ceiling by blocks and tackle and a forklift. There will be 160 for dinner and dance, band and disco. Now should I use 2 x 15" actives,RCF725, or will I need more like .........as planned I will use 2 x V15 Tannoys 400w @8ohm dual concentric, 2 x Tannoy T50 15" subs 600w @8 and 2 x Tannoy B475 18" subs 300 w @8 driven by 2 power amps, 2 x 1200w @4 ohm + 2 x 450w @8ohm. The band will be kicking 5k stereo pa I have been told.

[Andy Goodtimes]

I always take 2 bins and 2 tops minimum, for a start the bins take less space than tripods and the bass completes the sound. You don't have to have it up full. I also think that bass has a way of creating the right atmosphere for a disco and can motivate people and drive them to the dance floor.

I agree with Daren that lots of factors come into assessing the right amount of sound needed for any specific job, however, there was a study done by PLASA some years ago that recommended 6w rms per head was the amount of sound needed for a disco, although this is not a hard and fast rule its a good rule of thumb, so therefore for your 200 people you would reckon on needing 600w per cab, dunno your cabs but doubt they are that highly rated. If you can take the sub and fit it in the transport etc. then definately take it, anyway Christmas parties can get a bit lively and noisey.

[funkymook]

In short have secured what is to be the largest function i have done to date and i really want it to go right function is a xmas party (indoors) for up to 200 people
My speakers are 2 X American audio PXI-15p actives have never had them above half power so not really sure what they are capable of should i take a subwoofer or trust that 30 inch of bass drivers are enough.

As I'm sure you know having them at half power doesn't mean they're at half volume - they may not be capable of much more than you've already heard.

Do you own a sub(s)? If so then I see no point in not taking it with you.

If you don't have any, then hiring them for the night isn't that expensive.

Far better to have too much volume and turn it down than too little and really struggle.

[marting]

cheers every one for your comments, i don't own any subs so probably going to look at hire for the night or possibly purchase as to room in the car i am fortunate its a decent sized car i am using plus my helper for the night will have his car as well. I would rather be able to turn it down than not have enough.

If anyone has a pair of active subs that are no longer required please drop me a line.

[diydisco]

I agree with Daren that lots of factors come into assessing the right amount of sound needed for any specific job, however, there was a study done by PLASA some years ago that recommended 6w rms per head was the amount of sound needed for a disco, although this is not a hard and fast rule its a good rule of thumb, so therefore for your 200 people you would reckon on needing 600w per cab, dunno your cabs but doubt they are that highly rated. If you can take the sub and fit it in the transport etc. then definately take it, anyway Christmas parties can get a bit lively and noisey.

Im not sure how Plasa can say such things? Like someone above suggested, Speaker efficiency is the important factor not the size of wattage of the speaker. With quality brands, a 300w speaker can be much louder than a 600w speaker

Personally i find most bands are alot louder than the Disco and id find out some facts about their "5k rig". I once showed up to an 8k Rig to find 3 pairs of Peavey speakers stacked up, 4,000 RMS total and only powered by 3k of amps, if you are worried about them being much louder, have you asked if you can plug into their rig?

If you are just using your kit, then its worth investing in a single sub for the bigger gigs, you dont always have to take it along, but it means these bigger gigs are less intimidating!

[Excalibur]

I always take 2 bins and 2 tops minimum, for a start the bins take less space than tripods and the bass completes the sound. You don't have to have it up full. I also think that bass has a way of creating the right atmosphere for a disco and can motivate people and drive them to the dance floor.
.

The highlighted text is the bit I echo completely. Adding subs isn't necessarily about adding volume. It should add quality first, and ease the load on your tops.

[JAMdisco]

The highlighted text is the bit I echo completely. Adding subs isn't necessarily about adding volume. It should add quality first, and ease the load on your tops.

Try telling that to John :D :run: