So I played a stick/bass gig last night with my giant rig. I had problems somewhere in the chain, bass breaking up. I tend to run both sides of my stick plus 2 midi synths. so I need something with 2 hi z inputs and at least 2 more line inputs. I'm just so sick of some cable coming undone or one of my dozen wall warts coming out.

my rig sounds great but I need simplicity.

So I'm thinking of a powered mixer or mixer/power amp to simplify things. I need something with lots of power, built in reverb, and good sounding pres. I plan on running my stepabout in front to help with tone shaping.

I may then buy a good bass head for my bass alone and just swap out cabs when needed.

any suggestions? mackie, yamaha? and having an "out" to send to a pa on big gigs is important.

Thanks
Brett

I don't gig anymore due to lack of caring but when I did, my solution to this was using an amp modeler pedal (the one I settled on was the Vox Tonelab) and a small mixer with two powered Mackies. This didn't give me any outboard effects for my synth, but the model I had had decent built in effects so I never felt the need.

So, here's my recommendation. I don't know what synths you own, but limit yourself to a single all-purpose ROMpler of some sort. Yamaha, Korg and Roland all make decent versions of this. I've got a Roland SonicCell based on the Fantom engine, but it needs a MIDI controller. Get an all-in-one solution. Doesn't need to be analog or anything, these machines sound great and have amazing versatility.

Find two amp modelers you like. Again, remember these only have to be good enough to fool people in a club. I like the Vox models, though I don't know what the latest ones sound like.

So, one ROMpler, 2 amp modelers, a mixer with effects (my old soundcraft used to have decent lexicon effects built in but with my ROMpler suggestion you won't need effects) and two powered speakers. Done.

However, when I last had the idea of gigging out my idea was to go laptop, amp modeling and synth software, firewire audio interface, MIDI foot pedal, MIDI controller. By the time I put that rig together I realized that my real goal was to never leave my home.

Brett, I think that going in to 100% digital is a good thing. Maybe You should try it? You need a laptop and a sound card. 2x HiZ got i.ex. M-Audio Fasttrack 8R 8in/8out

I recently had the option to spend a week with the Vox Tonelab EX in order to write a test review for a Swedish guitar player magazine. I found it great sounding! Sound-wise it appears to be very cost effective. But it is still a floor pedal-board with fragile knobs that doesn't seem to like being walked on by drunk people in western boots

Myself I stick with laptop + audio interface that can be stuffed away somewhere on stage. Mostly depending on the in-house PA system but sometimes bringing small active monitors just for my own intonation monitoring at my specific stage spot.

Brett,
For a simple rig to cover both bass and stick, I might think about this;

1. StepAbout for the Stick
2. Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe pedal for bass (this thing sounds awesome)
3. Mount both to a small pedal board and use a pedalsnake for power and audio to from the pedals to the backline http://www.pedalsnake.com
4. Simple 8 channel mixer (Alesis Multimix 8) to mix the StepAbout and Tech 21 VT
5. Basic Lexicon reverb /compresson (MX300 or similar)
6. Furman power conditioner in the rack for stuff to plug into
7. One or two Yamaha Powered DSR115's http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/speakers/dsr_series/dsr115.html

You'd have one power line running from your rack case (3 space size) and power coming from your speaker(s), and that's it. One snake cable to the two pedals. Lots of bottom, yet full range for the Stick.

Just a thought.

Karma

It may not offer the power/tone/bass response you need, but I'm quite happy with the flexibility that the Fishman SA-220 SoloAmp offers, since it covers so many situations.

In the easiest setup, you just plug the Stick into the two Hi-Z channels and you have EQ and a high quality reverb built in, and the amp design (line array, elevated at ear level) allows it to be both a monitor and PA for small rooms, with basically a 5 minute total setup.

When I want effects I just put a POD HD 500 in the effects loops.

There is a stereo AUX input on the amp if you needed additional line level signal, like synths.

If you go to a house PA there is an XLR output for that, and an additional "monitor" output that could theoretically go to a larger amp/cab if you need it.

I've really loved using this amp the past couple years at a variety of gigs, the best ratio of sound to portability/flexibility I've found so far, after starting out lugging a heavier amp and 6 space rack cabinet. I can usually carry my whole rig in one trip from the car. And no, I don't have an endorsement deal with Fishman!

A big +1 for the Fishman SoloAmp. Mark and I have been using these since they were introduced and we couldn't be happier. Also, you could use the tuner out to feed a powered subwoofer if you needed more low end.

We use the Soloamps two channels just like Rob described, and the aux inputs handle our GR20 synths just fine. Tons of I/O and a sound that presents the Stick without any negative "coloring" like other amps often do.

Hi Brett, I'm big into the simplicity thing. Several months ago I purchased an Allen and Heath Zed 10FX mixer ( http://www.allen-heath.com/UK/Products/ ... Id=ZED10FX) which I absolutely love. It has two High impedance inputs, built in effects, with a tap tempo feature. For me, what I really like is the ability to instantly tweak EQ, effects levels for the bass and melody sides individually. I keep the mixer at a easy height for adjustments. Depending on the venue, I'll play through a Roland Keyboard amp (single or a pair), or straight into the house PA system. This mixer also features a USB audio interface, which I really haven't messed with. I had been using a cheap Beheringer mixer with effects but after doing an A/B comparison with the Allen And Heath I was instantly sold. Plenty of extra inputs for your synths, etc, definitely worth a look.