Gigging bassists: do you send cab sim to PA or just go DI?

[Sedaxel]

I´m preparing my studio for playing with friends just for fun. I´ve got plenty of guitar gear, but I just own one bass (a Sire one). I´ve got a couple 8" speakers, so I could use one to amplify the bass. But I wonder if it´d worth it to get a small bass amp.

Then I thought... hell... a lot of bassist I know of usually go direct to PA with a DI box and little more. There´s no need for a bass amp. I could just hack a Zoom G1XFour I´ve got, put some bass fx-blocks and go to the FRFR speaker.

And then I thought: mmm... Should I use a cab sim? Do my mates do so live???

That´s my question for you, bassists. And also, would you rehearse or jam with friends with a modeler+FRFR or just a real small amp (rumble 100 or the likes)?

 

[GuitarBilly74]

We use a SansAmp Fly Rig Bass V2 in our band. It's small enough to fit in the gig bag and it has some decent effects, built-in tuner etc.

Just plain DI is a bit bland but it works in a pinch.

 

[Sedaxel]

We use a SansAmp Fly Rig Bass V2 in our band. It's small enough to fit in the gig bag and it has some decent effects, built-in tuner etc.

Just plain DI is a bit bland but it works in a pinch.

I see. The FlyRig has a switchable cab sim. Do you go with cab sim ON or OFF?

Thank you!

 

[GuitarBilly74]

I see. The FlyRig has a switchable cab sim. Do you go with cab sim ON or OFF?

Thank you!

It's always on for the XLR out we use. The on/off is just for the 1/4" out in case you want to plug into an amp.

 

[metropolis_4]

It all depends on the sound I’m going for. It’s really no different than building tones for your guitar. What you use depends on what sound you’re trying to achieve