Anybody build their own sub cabinets?

[hamerhead]

After playing a couple outdoor gigs this weekend........well, we need more low end grunt. We run sound from the stage most of the time, and play pretty small places (we hire out bigger gigs). Since I'm a cheap b*stard, inexpensive is key. Since I'm a lazy b*stard, small(ish) and light is another plus (leaning towards 15s as apposed to 18s).

I can get cheap boxes from ebay, and cheap drivers from.....ebay.......but thought I'd get some opinions before wasting spending the money.

What are the dos and don'ts?

[JohnnyB]

After playing a couple outdoor gigs this weekend........well, we need more low end grunt. We run sound from the stage most of the time, and play pretty small places (we hire out bigger gigs). Since I'm a cheap b*stard, inexpensive is key. Since I'm a lazy b*stard, small(ish) and light is another plus (leaning towards 15s as apposed to 18s).

I can get cheap boxes from ebay, and cheap drivers from.....ebay.......but thought I'd get some opinions before wasting spending the money.

What are the dos and don'ts?

Was all low end missing, such as bass drum, drop-D power chords, and bass guitar? Or was it the bass guitar that was MIA? What kind of PA system are you using and how much bass capability does it have? Could you have EQ-d up more bass into the PA without the woofers bottoming out, or are you talking about adding a sub or two to the PA? Move the mic closer to (or inside) the bass drum? Anyplace you could have moved the speakers for reinforcement? Getting bass outside is a bitch because the bass in most systems relies on room boundary reinforcement, and outdoors, ALL of that bass energy is dissipated in every direction.

Doing this with a compact enclosure could be a challenge. Outdoor PAs often rely on folded horns and/or slot-loaded enclosures to reinforce and project the bass toward the audience. A small subwoofer is more omnidirectional, which means more of its bass energy is going directions where no one is listening. For a small sub to work, it must have a longer excursion to compensate for lack of diameter, and the amp has to be more powerful to compensate for lack of enclosure size.

Somebody here probably has experience in this, but in the meantime you might want to cast about for some bass enclosure designs that take the Thiele-Small parameters into account, and which show you the interdependent matrix of enclosure dimensions, driver sizes, and amplifier power to achieve a desired level of loudness.

[Jimbilly]

Either way I would be careful to buy an engineered cabinet, - one of the larger folded horn models, or a smaller powered cabinet like a Mackie for smaller venues.

I were to build one it would HAVE to be an engineered cabinet like one of these, - many of these look really cool. http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/

just guessing about dimensions is eventually going to result in dissapointment.

[hamerhead]

Our mains consist of four 1x12 w/ horn cabs (2 per side) on stands. They get nothing but vocals and harp. They're ok, but any serious low end would turn them to dust.

The bass and guitars sounded fine and weren't miked.

The biggest issue is the drums. He has Roland V-drums(?) and even with his shitload of gear (he has more amps and crap than you can shake a stick at. Don't ask what it all is - I have no idea ), he had no oomph outside. It sounds great inside, but outside - meh. He uses 2 Roland amps for monitors (15s w/horns) and 2 Peavey 1x12s w/horns on a separate amp that he sets out front by the mains. He should be able to blow us away, but can't.

So my idea is to add subs to the mains, put his 'out front' speakers behind the band (so WE can hear him better), and send him thru the mains. The thought being that the total reinforcement - his 4 speakers/ amps PLUS running thru a PA w/subs - is going to help a bit. I could be wrong .

I was checking out the tuba subs and found a pair that would be ideal for our situation. I gonna run it by the band and hopefully they'll bite.

[thecajunboy]

I've always been curious about the stuff offered by Decware. Lots of good info to read through, even if you don't build anything they have. Anybody have comments about their stuff?

[Hamer Bass Head]

I've always been curious about the stuff offered by Decware. Lots of good info to read through, even if you don't build anything they have. Anybody have comments about their stuff?

I have a pair of wicked ones... I made them with the woofers reversed and the throats (in the corners) opened a little for extended highs.(like this picture) And they measure 36x36x14

I cross them over to a pair of horns at about 600 hz @ 24 db/oct. Theyre loaded with 10" goldwood newports (NOT SUBS), which were about $65 each if I remember correctly. they're really loud and clear sounding with a surprisingly extended low end.Sometimes for giggles I hook them up to my mesa at the studio (cinderblock warehouse) and they shake the crap out of the whole building.

As far as construction, the instructions are detailed and concise. And you can build them with minimal tools or woodworking skills. Stonge and the Presses have heard them... with 300 wpc imto them out in a backyard.

Anyway based on my results, I would recommend the Decware cabinets no problem.

[JohnnyB]

I've always been curious about the stuff offered by Decware. Lots of good info to read through, even if you don't build anything they have. Anybody have comments about their stuff?

I have a pair of wicked ones... I made them with the woofers reversed and the throats (in the corners) opened a little for extended highs.(like this picture) And they measure 36x36x14...

...They're loaded with 10" goldwood newports (NOT SUBS), which were about $65 each if I remember correctly. they're really loud and clear sounding with a surprisingly extended low end.Sometimes for giggles I hook them up to my mesa at the studio (cinderblock warehouse) and they shake the crap out of the whole building.

...

Anyway based on my results, I would recommend the Decware cabinets no problem.

I looked over those Decware plans and was really impressed with the Wicked One design. That's an incredibly ingenious take on a dual-driver folded horn. And the idea of leaving one wall off and flipping it over for a damped vented enclosure to expand the volume behind the woofers? Pure genius.