Mobile DJ Subwoofer Placement Tips

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[@addonisryan]

I always like watching your videos,you do a much better job than most DJs of educating people on how to do things better.I am a live sound engineer with over 30 years of pro audio experience and some of the terminology you use is native to the live sound realm ,you somewhat restore some of my faith in DJs as far as being educated and sound quality oriented.

[@georgetyronejr.2925]

I have four folded horn subwoofer cabinets i always put my cabinets in the corner it produces more stronger bass that way ... each cabinet is 1600 watts at 4ohm running 2 qsc rmx 505O power amplifier daisy chain... man you talking about insane bass!!! I'm really not into power subs... I've been a passive speaker my hold career as an d.j.... I like your videos..Keep up the good work..D.J.G-BIZZEL

[@2130asics]

Putting the sub in the middle will work but you need to delay the sub. So that its frequencies will align with the tops.

[@steventabbaa]

Insightful info! Question: When coupling subs in the center & having your tops on the sides, do you go full range or cut the lows on your tops? Thx!

[@dickfantastic7908]

I liked this video so much I subscribed, you know your stuff. I have been building a collection of lights and putting them in my garage over the past year, and it's got me thinking I could really make an impact as a mobile DJ in my lame little town, no one has anything like what I have in my garage at any place here. The mobile DJ's on google in this area have pretty poor websites, so I see an opportunity. I'll check out more of your videos so I can hopefully figure out all the equipment I'll need to get, although I've been into audio since I've been old enough to work. My first bank loan ever was to buy a stereo system, so I have the amps and speakers picked out for the most part. I just have no real knowledge of the equipment needed to tie all of this stuff together in a live setting. Any particular videos you could point me to would be appreciated, but I'd like to say you're already doing a great job here with your channel and DJ business from what I can see.

[@NACHOMAN_SAVAGE]

Love these vids... question Rick, how would you set up (2)RCF Evox12's and (1) 18" Sub ? Evox12's come with (2) 15" subs, so what would be the Ideal set up for these ? Thanks in advance :)

[@TimpBizkit]

The goal is to get the speaker cones as near to walls and corners as possible. This means turning the boxes the other way if your subwoofer box is very deep. This reinforces the bass instead of cancelling it. If you set up in a corner this is ideal. You could use it as a seat with the cone facing behind you. If you have delay to your tops you can match the crossover frequency to get it in phase with your top speakers in as many positions as possible. This helps give you punchier bass. I messed with delay and if you get it just right it will almost sound like the bass is coming from your mid high cabs. If you are nowhere near any walls then set up at least 8 feet from walls. You will need to turn them up louder without help from the walls. I found a lot of this stuff on the Bill Fitzmaurice forum, although one last tip that worked quite well trialling outside with a wall behind me. Both subwoofers facing the wall, right together gives you an even semicircle of bass, but moving spacing to about 8 feet there is a bit of room if you want directional bass e.g. you don't want people to the sides of the dance area e.g. neighbours to hear the bass. This is not far enough apart to suffer from power alley problems, but you get a nice gradual cancellation out towards the sides. It works like a cardioid to the right and left of you. Also there is nothing "wrong" with using 3 sub-woofers although if not using active sub-woofers, most people have even numbers of amp channels. Also many amps have minimum recommended impedance of 4 ohms which is usually 2 sub-woofers in parallel. Also bear in mind that whilst 2 sub-woofers are significantly louder than 1, 11 won't be significantly louder than 10. Also it's a heck of a lot easier if your subwoofers are all the same kind. Whilst you might luck out, depending upon driver and enclosure type, you may be in phase at some bass frequencies and out of phase at others, plus some subwoofers can play lower than others so you'll either cart around a bigger subwoofer than necessary or risk blowing a subwoofer with a higher tuning if you don't have independent high pass filters. Also the rule for distance is -6dB per doubling of distance. This applies outside but not necessarily indoors unless the room is very large.

[@13bcoffee]

Guys you can still fly your tops over the subs and get excellent bass if you add a 3rd sub in the middle. As he stated two subs on each side of the DJ creates a power alley where bass is strong in certain parts of the dance floor. Cancellation due to the subs being far apart creates nulls or deadspots for bass on the dance floor in this two speaker setup. A solution is to put a third sub in the middle as I mentioned. I only use this setup for large events of 250 or more people ..

[@BAADSessions]

That just creates 2x power alleys

[@DayNNyteDJs]

Great explanation. In a perfect world rooms are square, but we all know every room is different, so we experiment. We play at a bar that is L shaped with the dance floor at the bottom of the L. We tried corner loading last time, but had the sub facing out. Next time there I will be turning it around and see if it works better. Thanks for the tip. Great video as always.

[@addonisryan]

Great advice from a dj,who apparently isn't into trashing his equiment, people's ears or both, finally!. A dbx driverack px will also help you with your delay issues and proper loudspeaker to room calibration without spending a fortune, or making yourself crazy.

[@DJRickWeb]

+DonR. Thanks. Check out the newer videos got a dbx driverack pa2 now.

[@paulessdot2]

Thank you. Usually, when people do these vids they go way over my head with the way they give the information. I have just got a better understanding of why’s and why not’s from this one video than i have from all other videos ive seen put together. Appreciated 👍 Most of our hobby room is a dead spot for bass, apart from (very coincidentally) where my decks are, more specifically, just behind them where i stand. Not many options to move the sub as my misses has a nail salon set up in here as well. Cheers mate 👍 EDIT; could i make a corner structure to place in front of my sub to get a similar effect to placing it in front of the corner?

[@DJRickWeb]

Maybe. It depends on the size of the structure and the room. Maybe mock up something out of ply wood and run trials

[@paulessdot2]

@@DJRickWeb not really enough room for it now a think about it properly. Appreciate your reply 👊

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Question here please , where would a subwoofer have better sound for live performance. on a hard floor or dirt grass type ??

[@jobzeinstra4181]

what are some good heavy bass drivers in a dual 12 inch drivers setup to provide bass in party environment for 100-80 people? and is this even possible with 12 inch subs? hope to hear some advice

[@benaplokcampandgo]

Can i combine 2 sets of different sizes of subwoofers? Like coupling the 2 pairs of 18in sub. And the same way coupling the 2 pairs of 12in sub. Separating the 18in sub and the 12in sub from each other in diffrent placement? Thanks

[@s.t.entertainmentreviews7506]

First time viewer, really enjoyed your information that you provided..spot on! Question, my current setup two top speakers on tripods on the side 2 15-inch subwoofers in the middle sounds real good BUT from the information you provide it if I add an 18 inch additional sub between the two fifteens I'll get them much stronger bass and better sounding? My system sounds pretty good now but I would like a little more thunderous boom. Thanks for the tip and confirmation that this will help. Happy holidays!

[@cheeseitz993]

Love your videos Rick!! #notificationsquad

[@crawfordpc55]

Thanks Rick! I have a venue I'll be playing at on Friday where I will be on the stage but will have minimal volume usage. More or less back ground music for a fundraiser.. but all good! Great Intel!

[@StreetMobTruckin]

#notificationsquad!!! killer video bro i heard about the corner placement but never really tried it! Killer man learned something new!!!

[@DjSmoothNY]

I use an Alto TS412 Subwoofer that’s 2500 Watts in front of my portable table and control it through the booth output and it sounds amazing! Mind you, it keeps up with 15” and12” tops.

[@jdstewart9689]

excellent rick...Been a musician for 30 yrs...know alot about setups ...played in 5 bands..cool knowledge man,,,

[@fausto412]

Trying to figure out where to play my QSC KS118 in my small living room. Currently i have it to the right of my DJ table and and the top speakers are behind me, so behind the subwoofer like 2 feet. I feel a ton of bass behind the sub where my dj table is but when i get in front of the table I feel like the bass disappears. What do you suggest here? corner load the sub and put the tops in front of it, next to my dj table? My flx4 controller at max volume doesn't have the juice to max out my speakers. Would a mixer help to get more out of the speakers?

[@DJRickWeb]

Flip the polarity. But also the distance the sub is from a wall can cus filtering and hurt its preformance

[@djbeachkng8931]

Kudos to you and your videos, I've learned a lot from you and I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. I've run an 18" both in front and behind my facade and I've never complained about the sound from either position. Personally I don't like people touching or sitting on my sub so I prefer having it behind my facade personally. If you're coming on here and you have 2 tops and 1 sub, leave the tops on speaker stands, place the sub in the middle, doing your best to keep it all in one plane across. Can't go wrong, don't overthink it, and like DJ Rick Web said in another comment, 90% of people won't notice or care and I'd even bump that number up to 99%. There's always that one person though...

[@creativespecies7032]

whats the best small subwoofer for 100-200 people?

[@benignoaceves5411]

Hey man! Keep up the good work with all the content you pushin out ! I have two questions, 1.) when you have nice scrims on your speaker tops tripods and an facade, what are your thoughts on placing one sub behind the DJ table? This is to not take away from the elegant look of your DJ setup and one sub blocking the facade. 2.) same questions about trying not to take away from your elegant look, where would you recommend placing a fog machine? Where would you suggest placing it in a DJ setup? Thanks man !

[@DJRickWeb]

Personally it doesn't matter 90 percent of clients wont notice

[@tkarchesy]

Sometime could you talk about the software you use for your controller?

[@chadvanderlinden9548]

It's fun watching you shoot spidey webs, lol.

[@TeeCamp10]

Sorry to bring up an old post, I've just been binge watching all your videos. I had a question about subwoofer placement. Let's say I had 4 SRX828SP's, doing a High school dance in a gym, would it be better to put all 4 subs on the ground in a row? Or could I get away with stacking 2 on top of 2?

[@DJRickWeb]

Either will work. Biggest thing is to not separate them. Which is something we did in one of the big homecomings. It was a bad decision cus it caused a lot of cancellations. Putting them all together in the middle is the best.

[@djmigsentertainmentllc7701]

Very, very, very well done, thank you Rick.

[@_JONGFIRE]

Verily

[@rogerrubeo1348]

Nice informative video thanks 😊

[@karstenbrand]

Hey Rick. Great Video and valuable content even a view years later. Thank you so much. I own two active PRX812s and two PRX818s active Subs. The whole system sounds great, but what I am missing is a little more punch in the subs. Do you think it is worth adding a PRX815 Sub to get the punch? What would you recommend?

[@DJRickWeb]

Go on the prx app for the subs. Tune the subs to have more in the 90 to 120 hz range. Thats wear you will find punch. Normally a little tuning can achieve what your looking for since all JBL speakers are tuned from factory to have a flat response. I personally like this cause it makes it super simple to tune it to your liking.

[@adamgain2637]

@@DJRickWeb can you use subs of different sizes at the same time?

[@jonasreppe6327]

@@DJRickWeb I almost threw away my EON 612 when i first hooked it up out of the box. LOL. It is not plug and play, after tuning it sounded amazing. Added two more EON 615's and the EON 618 for a beast garage stereo. Then it spiraled into lights, two more 18's, next thing you know I'm doing gigs..

[@NoLimit-un7kv]

Hello..I have two rcf 905 as 2 subs and two rcf 745 mk2 tops, which according to you is the best possible setup to get more power and depth in the bass?

[@DJRickWeb]

Subs in middle together. Tops on stands on sides

[@KlausEvenEnevoldsen]

You get 3 dB, you get 3 dB, everybody gets 3 dB :-) Remember 3 dB is the lowest difference in sound levels notable to the human ear. I think the video gives a great overview and I think that everybody should try it out for themselves and see what they like. I like it when my subs are placed in front of my DJ booth, but it took me a few months of trying out different setups at different events. Great stuff!

[@DJRickWeb]

+Klaus Even Enevoldsen its like 3 db christmas up in here. Lol

[@DayNNyteDJs]

I'm selling my 15" subs and buying three 5" blue tooth speakers. If I place them correctly I will get 240 db out of them, right?

[@DJRickWeb]

+DayNNyteDJs I think make db gain from placement would be 17 db. Actually. And 2 subs would be just as loud as three

[@DayNNyteDJs]

There was a joke (5 inch speakers) mixed in there Rick, but it's ok. Your videos are great and I enjoy your fresh approach to the DJ biz.

[@DJRickWeb]

+DayNNyteDJs I know just playing along

[@danieldoutre3575]

My main speakers are two Yamaha DXR12. Let's say the venue is quite large and deep... Can I add to them with a 50' cable a Denon Professional Envoi on each side to spread the sound further back on the place. I know we're not talking about the same quality of speakers !!! Thank's !

[@erikbritz8095]

if i'm not mistaken a speaker spreads its sound as far is it does there is no wizardry to really push that further unless they mids and tops on poles but were talking about bass and for that you would need to upgrade to bigger sub/subs man

[@marcellonorris6053]

I have a Mackie 18 inch S and I was just wondering should I still place the sub in the middle in the hall or in a corner judging that this sub is not that loud like a QSC??

[@DJRickWeb]

The rules I state apply

[@JoseLopez-sb5ev]

What kind of subs do you recommend me

[@pauldehchamani348]

hello I have a RCF 705as so a 15 inch subwoofer would it be ok to pair it with a RCF 718as?

[@DJRickWeb]

Not recommend. But could work

[@rapaent]

Awesome job!! Thank you for your tips.......... Just got a pair of active Bose F1 812 tops. Plan is to use them with my Peavey 18" SP Sumcompact! Thanks again!! 👍👍😊

[@DjGabrielEscobar973]

Power Alley sounds like a cool place...

[@vincentrodriguez3992]

Can the constant vibration of the bass under the table damage a laptop on laptop stand? Im running 1 18in ev ekx. Ive only used it a few times only out in front of table(to many drunks used it as a fn table)and to the right of table with top mounted on pole.

[@DJRickWeb]

It's not impossible. But I wont say it's likely. The most likely thing would be if you have a hdd harddrive. The one that's a disk that spins. It could cause it to get damage but again highly unlikely.

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Question please i have subwoofer , 2 x12 inch i have them on the front close together. My question is , I have a extra 15 inch loud speaker . If I add it next to those 12 inch subwoofer will that get in an increase of bass maybe like 2 or 3 decibels , I mean a 15 inch speakers punch so bass too

[@DJRickWeb]

No. 2 is just as loud as 3

[@jooelewis]

This is all correct bois. However, I would recommend corner loading but keep that feet rule in mind. If you are able corner load, or wall load, its great. Although I recommend it, its very rare to be at a venue that will allow you to do that. Always beware the dead zone, unequal bass distribution will lead to people thinking the sound is too loud or too soft depending on where they stand. So if you work with an MC, they will complain all night about it. That's all I got. Great info front to back.

[@DJRickWeb]

thanks and isnt that the truth about corner loading. its like maybe twice a year when you actually can do it.

[@jooelewis]

DJ Rick Web Then there's also the problem of venues putting tables on corners, cocktail bars, random bullshit. I've only gotten away with it at school parties in small gyms.

[@erikbritz8095]

i used to Dj loads at house parties where they stick me in a tiny room or by a table in a corner thats where i corner loaded like muthafucka cause the few people who wanted to dance was in the tiny room with me the rest outside chatting etc. meaning even when i Dj-ed with other peoples less efficient sound i could boost the bass a bit was fun but overall not the best thing ever

[@seanf7382]

Question: Without judgement on what gear I have, how would you set up a pair of EV Evolve 50s (500w highs-500w to the sub’s) and two Peavey PV118D (800w powered subs)? I have to set up on a 3ft stage, but I was thinking I’d put the two peavey subs next to each other right in the middle front of my DJ table with the Evolve 50s on the stage on either side of my 6ft DJ table. Do you see any possible issues with the 12” Evolve 50 subs operating about 2-3 feet from the Peavey 18” subs on the floor?

[@DJRickWeb]

I would run a crossover on the evolves vs the peavey subs to avoid too much frequency overlap between the two which could cause some issues but overall I doubt it do much

[@seanf7382]

DJ Rick Web There is actually a high pass filter on the subs. I’ll try sending that to the Evolves if I have issues. Thanks man!

[@djhyjinxxx]

So when using a facade what would be the best placement for the sub in front or behind facade?

[@DJRickWeb]

+djhyjinxxx neither. It dosent matter

[@justinmecum4386]

Thanks much rick!! Great tip!!

[@djs1wiley972]

Very helpful info I needed to know that. THANK YOU

[@Mocredible]

So I heard you speaking in terms of indoor events. How about outdoor events? What’s the best way to get better bass out of two 18inch subwoofers with two 15 inch tops? Can you separate the two subs, having them in each corner, left and right, facing diagonally towards the dance floor? And is it better to go with powered subs or passive subs for more bass?

[@DJRickWeb]

Outdoors your only option for more bass is to put them together. And powered and passive can create the same amount of bass.

[@Mocredible]

@@DJRickWeb Thanks man. I also thought that the limiter in the powered ones will prevent from getting the most out of them, as opposed to having an external amp with the passive speakers.

[@eddierafati1563]

Can I put four 15 inch subs in the middle? Or what is the best way? Thanks

[@DJRickWeb]

Yes you can.

[@MichaelPeifer]

Hello all- wondering if it makes a difference whether the sub is set on it's wheels or directly on the floor. Also- does it make a difference if the sub is placed directly against the wall (not firing directly toward the dance floor, but along the wall) or if it is enough to have the sub 3-6" off the wall? I generally will bring a single 18" sub to a wedding up to about 150 guests if the room is not overly large. Trying to decide best placement in different set up scenarios.

[@DJRickWeb]

Depends on the height of the casters. A lot of concerts set there subs on pallets or wheel carts. Preferably if it's 3 to 4 inches should be no issue. 6 inches would be the max for me.

[@DJRickWeb]

Also I should have mentioned in the video that 3 to 6 inches close to a wall is better as long as it's not 10ft from the dance floor as the added gain would be lost due to distance

[@DjHarvieMOSCOW]

Film please how to make delay for sub. Cheapest way

[@infratuna]

You talk about "walls". Are they equal? I will setup sound system in a barn that has 2 cm thick wooden wall. If I corner load subwoofer in the barn, what will happen?

[@DJRickWeb]

You will get about 80 percent of what solid walls would.

[@tihomiratanasov3371]

Hi ! :) I have one sub prx 818 xlfw! What is better for me..prx 812 or prx 815 tops with one sub :? I dont need two subs for now

[@stevecox736]

So putting subs under tops on a pole is no good either side of dj both?

[@DJRickWeb]

Its okay. I do it a lot. It just doesnt maximize your bass output.

[@daking1691]

Awesome video man! 👍 subscribed! Quick question what is you stack your 2 subs? I have 2-18" subs one JBL and one QSC. Does stacking them on the ground make you loose any DB's?? Thanks again bro! I learned a lot!

[@DJRickWeb]

+daking1691 hmmm... I am actually not sure the science behind stacking them. I would think that having all them on the ground would produce the most db gain. I do kmow from experiment that if I stack both my 15 in subs vs place them side by side on the ground. Side by side seems louder.

[@nba3512]

Hey Rick I have 2 eon615 speakers and 1 subwoofer srx818sp. How many hrtz and decibels should I set the sub for? I'm not a dj I just use it for personal use. I don't know much about speaker. I appreciate your help bro

[@DJRickWeb]

100 or 120 on the cross over

[@nba3512]

@@DJRickWeb thanks for your response. Will give it a try

[@310socal]

Anyone with suggestions Looking to buy speakers in March 2020 I'm even more confused I was going to buy 12" tops with subs so I can use poles into the subs to my right and left of my dj booth. So now should I put the 12' tops on stand-alone stands to my right and left and put the subs in front of my DJ booth? Subs in front might seem to have more wire issues? All I want is an easy good loud sounding 4 speaker system for under $1000 or 2 decent speakers for $1000 I really do not do events over 250 people or I will rent or buy additional later in the future. I wanted 12" speakers if I do a small back yard party so I just can take them and no sub

[@DJRickWeb]

Everyone does the sub pole look even myself. As long as the subs are more then 15ft apart you normally dont have issues. Even then I do the subs with pole tops a lot at weddings. It doesn't sound the best bass wise across the whole room but it works. Now for like a school dance or bigger I am for sure making sure I have subs in the center together to get the most out of them. It's all about using your tools the way that is best for the event.

[@kennethsnellinx]

Is there a possibility to place 2 subwoofer at an indoor gig in a way that you have a nice bass inside but a not overwhelming bass on the outside? when you haven't the possiblity to do a cardioid setup

[@DJRickWeb]

Ugh.. bass is no directional so trying to control its direction is very hard. There is another setup where you place subs in front of another with a set gap. It's called end fire you can look it up. Kinda works like cardiod. Just not as efficient

[@kennethsnellinx]

@@DJRickWeb thanks for the respons, i'll try it out!

[@Mmamcork]

Great stuff, really helpful. Thanks for these Ricky, given me inspiration to DJ again. Keep making them and we'll keep watching.

[@mynameisjinhong]

I have a question, I went to the music events and the concerts that both have bass that is very low, 'boomy', can't hear a lot but feel it very powerful, like waves coming to you, is that kind of bass need 18 inch subwoofer to produce? Thank you!!

[@DJRickWeb]

A lot plays into that. The size of the driver doesnt always mean that. Its more what the sub is tuned for. A 18inch sub can be tuned via the box size for super low or more punchy. There are also 8 inch subs that can do that low. You are opening a deep topic with this one.

[@mynameisjinhong]

@@DJRickWeb Do you think the new released JBL EON 718s could do that in a 100 meter square room? Thanks a lot!!

[@locke6854]

It's ok to wear the same shirt more than once ;) Good video!

[@daniellambertsr.6066]

So I'm wondering what is the purpose of companies putting in pole mounts on top of subs for top speakers if it sounds better for the sub to be together.?????

[@DJRickWeb]

It looks cleaner and easier to setup. Aka there sales people sell it easily and they make more money.

[@paulschweitzer55]

You did not discuss at all placing subs under the DJ table and does it work under the table if you have a table skirt covering the table the sub is under.

[@DJRickWeb]

+Paul Schweitzer unless its a solid object. Bass will travel through just about any thin cloths with no drop in sound. So yes you can run a sub under a table witch a skrim or facade in front of it

[@ILLEAGLExxx]

What about with 1 sub in front and 1 in the back, possibly inverted?

[@DJRickWeb]

You need to time delay it. A bit more advance then what this video covers

[@PantsesJr]

thanks man! great info =)

[@jonkesler5007]

Ok - the speed of sound is about 1125 feet per second (I say "about" because there are a lot of variables including elevation above sea level and atmospheric conditions such as temperature and humidity)... this means that a sound wave of 100HZ (which is NOT all that low!) is 11.25 FEET LONG! The lower the tone, the longer the sound wave. If that sound wave is interrupted by an object (wall, etc.) it will bounce off of that surface and (depending on the angle at which it strikes that surface) double back on itself, which can cause cancellation - essentially losing some of the sound. This is DEFINITELY something that I take into consideration when I am placing speakers. I believe that placing speakers (ESPECIALLY subs!) at even a slight angle to walls will help prevent that straight back bounce onto itself and will allow the sound wave to deflect outward and continue moving in generally the same direction of its original trajectory. Having a sub FURTHER from the dancefloor is going to HELP the sound because the long wavelength will have an opportunity to "mature" (complete its cycle) as it gets to your 'audio sweet-spot'. Just my two cents. Let the flaming begin! By the way, THANK YOU, DJ Rick Web for all that you do! I appreciate you and DJ BARR so much for all your helpful vids!!! > "Not a generic dj... DJ J'neric!" Jon Eric - Executive Producer - Two Danes Productions

[@djnamek215phillysfinest2]

True. I always put my subwoofers on the ground or floor even when I stack them . I wouldn't put them on stage.

[@tehbui604]

Hey Rick! Just wondering what your opinon on connecting one sub (Yorkville PS15S *Renting) to 2 powered speakers(ZLX 15p). Should i just pick up a XLR to TRS Cable and connect the one sub to the booth out? Or should i go from Mixer(XDJ-RX) > Sub > Speaker ? Thanks in advance!

[@DJRickWeb]

+tehbui i am not familar with the yorkvilles so i can not say

[@tehbui604]

Thanks for the quick response! This is what the back of the subwoofer looks like, www.sightandsoundmusic.com/image/cache/catalog/product_images/ps15sback-1000x1000.png The back of my mixer: www.digitaldjtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/XDJ-RX-Rear.jpg has TRS connections for the booth output, i was thinking i can just get a TRS cable and go from the mixer into the subwoofer output. Are subwoofers Mono? i should be okay with just having either a cable in the L or R and it should be fine right?

[@terrosparkz9648]

What about if your setup is outside on grass? I find that a lot of the bass is absorbed into the ground so I usually stack on a few pieces of 2×4 or a small pallet to compensate

[@DJRickWeb]

Normally pallets are used outside but that's more to just keep the subs off the ground not for sound purposes. Outside rules for sound are less strict. And different array configurations can be used to direct bass.

[@locke6854]

Here's a question for a future answer video! This year I've been asked to do several outdoor events throughout spring/summer, including a pool party, a bbq, and just today I did an Easter egg hunt (that was different...) We ran into an issue that I'd inevitably have to solve--- no power outlets near the grass field where I was setting up. Ended up running a very long string of extension cords (a couple were of questionable gauge) and we lost power an hour and a half in, which killed the event. Do you have any experience with outdoor generators? Do you have one? Any good way to calculate amp draw? I ended up having to order a Kill-A-Watt volt/watt/amp meter just to see what kind of power I demand.

[@DJRickWeb]

+Rob Locke I have access to multiple different generators for outdoor events. First thing I ask about outdoor event is do I need a generator or is there power withing 50ft from where I will be setup. The honda quiet series of generators there are some off brands as well. Normally work best for me. For bigger events I bring out a bigger generator with 2 circuits or more depending on ny power needs. Buyinf a kill-a-watt meter is the best thing you can do to determine your power draw. Manufactor power ratings are normally never right. Some basic understanding of voltage current and power should help though. I studied a little electircal engineering in school so I have a lot of knowledge on this topic.

[@locke6854]

thanks for the quick reply! For these outdoor day events I won't need the lights, so that'll help. I also have a little electrical background working avionics systems on aircraft. Almost got in trouble because I took a generator from the airfield and was told I couldn't do that. The sound was great during setup with that industrial generator. Can't use it for DJ gigs though, oops.

[@micki108]

nice video . Mr. 3db

[@chromemusic4401]

When you daisy subs or tops do they always have to be the same wattage?

[@DJRickWeb]

No. Just have to control the gain knobs on each of the subs amps so they all hit clip at the same time

[@chromemusic4401]

DJ Rick Web thanks for the info.

[@BoltieBolt]

I have been geeking out on the idea of loudness and attention. In a gathering event such a wedding or venue such as a bar or a restaurant people want to hear the music but they want the music to be not as loud so they can talk and mingle; that implies that the music is something they could hear in the radio, less important and part of a well rounded ambience but not the main objective. On the other hand if you go to a Green Day concert the speakers would be bursting loud because The main reason of the concert is to get the attention of the concert audience. Any thoughts? Does it make sense what I’m saying?

[@DJRickWeb]

Creating audio solutions to solve or achieve the goal of any event is super fun. Most weddings goal is to create a loud dance floor and mild sound in the rest of the room

[@benaplokcampandgo]

i put my subwoofer on the ground, but my subwoofer has a caster. is it ok? or i should remove the caster? thanks.

[@DJRickWeb]

Casters are fine as long as its not to crazy on moving or raddling

[@benaplokcampandgo]

@@DJRickWeb thanks for the reply..

[@FilippoStrassel]

Hey rick, i've got a question. Is it better to run 2 subs in stereo or in mono? And which is the best respectively for the coupling setup and the power alley one? (love your videos btw)

[@DJRickWeb]

I dont know if I know enough yet to say in full detail. I run mono subs if I am running them in the center. I run stereo if doing right left setup.

[@VINZBROWN]

Greattttttt Q!!!!

[@gslightingsoundsandvlogs2911]

If you want to put your speakers front and centre to avoid power alley but you dont want to risk people putting drinks on your subs etc. Do you lose anything by putting them behind a facade? Cheers

[@DJRickWeb]

+G&S Lighting & Sounds | And Vlogs as long as your facade is a skrim type. No you will not loose anything by putting behind the facade.

[@theodorranebo2909]

Everything in front of the speakers absorbs sound, so i don't Place anything in front of them. But things use to happen to my subwoofers when i,m on rave parties, people put drinks on them, dancing on top of them, throwing up on them, etc... But i use some kind of fabric on them so it is easy to Clean and the Surface is very durable. And they are folded horns, so the woofer cone is well protected

[@erikbritz8095]

the dancing bits happened to me and the drinks bit but never vomiting i also had a dude dancing on the amplifier once when we packed 110 people into a random palz two car garage shit was banging but that was when i lost my shit

[@jaroddominic]

why is the sub sounds stronger from behind it and less on the front?

[@DJRickWeb]

Typically this will be because you don't have the subs far enough from the wall or not close enough to the wall. Either up against the wall or at least 10-12 ft from the wall. If there in between that the subs amplify with the wall behind and create a pocket of intense bass that amplifies behind the subs and cancels out the lows in front the subs

[@fluorke]

What if you want to use 3 (same size) subs?

[@DJRickWeb]

It won't be any louder than 2. But you can flip the 3rd sub and invert the polarity. This is called a cardiod setup. And basically the 3rd sub facing backwards cancels out the bass behind the 2 other subs. Making it quiter behind the subs where your booth would be or a stage.

[@djnoy842]

thanks this is so helpful!

[@adamragland5685]

Can I assume this applies for live bands too?

[@DJRickWeb]

Yep. Sound dynamics dont change

[@tudorstanciu3108]

So i will be good with 2 x 12 inch on the sides and one 15 inch between them ?

[@DJRickWeb]

Not sure if I would bother with 12inch subs they tend to lack bass output to start with

[@tudorstanciu3108]

@@DJRickWeb i already have 12" subs, but they responde from 45hz, and i need something to go lower that is why i wanna buy a 15 sub to pair it with the two 12"

[@elishasoussan798]

Ever tried coupling your subwoofers one on top of the other? Is there a difference by putting them side by side or one of top of the other

[@DJRickWeb]

+Elisha Soussan yes. Having both on the floor increases the output do to the ground coupling on both subs instead of just one. The only reason I would stack subs is for space limitations or your reversing one to cancel out the base behind the sub

[@coachshaner]

does a flat DJ booth have the same effect as a wall

[@DJRickWeb]

No

[@yowild9629]

Have you tried cardioid setup?

[@DJRickWeb]

+Janis Ristamecs yes. Havent notice it help much unless running 3 or 6.

[@moralesj88]

I got used subs that the previous owner put wheels on himself ON THE BOTTOM! Thinking about removing them but they are heavier than most I have used so I am conflicted about whether they should stay or go.

[@DJRickWeb]

Stay wheels are the best

[@ronaldmcdonald7349]

How much was that eon sub? Rockville scammed my ass with cracked in half boxes and drivers falling out

[@DJRickWeb]

Dont have anymore

[@suspectshot23ballislife6]

Another question, Since I have one sub is it better if I put left channel (XLR) and right channel (XLR) in the sub or just one just one channel in the sub ?

[@DJRickWeb]

Run both left and right to the sub.

[@jonkesler5007]

Be sure you're using a crossover somewhere in the device chain! You can damage a sub by sending higher frequencies into it!

[@poweryourpotential]

I just bring 12 subwoofers, stack em all up in front of me and blow all the tables in front of me to the back wall! Hello!

[@swiftjayofficial]

Bernadine F. Martinez hahahahahahhahahahah

[@viperstinger77]

Would they be Behringers by any chance since you said you bring 12, this is achievable with Behringers cos they are cheap and affordable lol

[@rogerpotempo]

boom badda boomy sound!🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisclose7793]

Ì sit my speakers on their stands on the floor and my 4x martin audio ws218x subs stacked horizontal between my speakers which also I find limits the amount of vibration I feel on the stage

[@murillorosa7371]

Can i use wheels on the subs?

[@DJRickWeb]

Yes?

[@The_Reel_Benji]

how about sub placement with a full facade? do you hide them under your table or put it out front? any pros/cons of each or just pure preference?

[@DJRickWeb]

+Michael Benjamin if you have room under table do it. A facade made with cloth panels npt the plastic ones will not hurt the bass output of the sub. And actually it will help keep the sub in plane with the tops. Other then that put it out in front.

[@The_Reel_Benji]

DJ Rick Web will that add to the added noise is your booth? it's loud enough as it is haha.. didn't know if it would make it impossible to hear requests or other people with the sub(s) right below you. I don't run booth speakers for this reason.

[@DJRickWeb]

+Michael Benjamin it really doesnt change having them under or in front of you. You might run into more mic feedback problems though.

[@The_Reel_Benji]

DJ Rick Web I guess that where having good mics come into play. plus u could always adjust the bass on the fly when MCing from the booth

[@jamiebancroft706]

Can you hide the subwoofer behind the dj facade?

[@DJRickWeb]

Fabric facade yes. Solid plastic panel ones no

[@suspectshot23ballislife6]

Hey, I am playing for a wedding and I only have 1 18 inch sub. Do I place it in the middle behind the DJ booth or in front, or where ?

[@DJRickWeb]

As long as your booth is cloth type facade. Nothing solid in front of it. Behind the booth works. Just remember if you dont have the ability to add delay to the speakers or subs. Try to place the sub in the same plane as the speakers

[@2neason]

yes place it in the front middle of the dance floor will give you your best bass.

[@dreamsound_]

In this drawing you can tell your studying engineering bro haha

[@TheHxpro]

Correct. Coupling two subs in the middle is the best way. You add a few db to the bass. I do that with my QSC K Subs. Both together in the middle. Subs either side is OK but you don't get the extra db increase.

[@vasili55]

What delay do you run on your subs?

[@TheHxpro]

@@vasili55 I don't use a delay on the subs as I always place them in the same front line as the mid/high boxes. That is, all speakers are in line give or take a few cm's.

[@tshepohlakudi5744]

My name is Tshepo, from Pretoria South Africa. hey dude, thanks for the awesome advice on the placement of subs. i am actually interested in how I can make sound coherent without any delay in different locations outdoor for permanent speaker placement. thank you

[@DJRickWeb]

+tshepo hlakudi some powered speakers have built in delays you can specify. But other then that you would need to get a signal processor of some sort that will let you program in the delays need for each speaker. DBX makes some nice units for doing this. Its pricy to get into though.

[@Gladiator1972]

Will corner loading work with a bandpass sub like the Mackie Thump 18s ?

[@DJRickWeb]

Yes

[@integrity2719]

Tips of it's an outside prom? Outside sucks lol. It's their central terrace. I have a little over pass thing that I am setting under. But I still think I'm gonna lose sound since I'm outside. Roughly about 700 teens at the dance

[@DJRickWeb]

+Jose Alvarez no real method there your going to lose sound regardless. Due to being outside. Just apply what tips you can to an outdoor event

[@jobelewis6416]

I think you were ill informed. Using multiple subwoofer driver sizes without a crossover to separating their frequency output will only cause comb filtering. Also your diagram of power alley's and power valleys on the left/right placement was inaccurate. The dead spots are not located in front of each sub, those locations are actually power alleys. It's the spot BETWEEN directly infront, and at equal distance between each sub on your diagram which in the case of this diagram you didn't colour in all (so we know the part I'm talking about). The rest of your video was really accurate though so I'm really sorry to come on here and sound like I just want to shit in your video, sorry man

[@pgnagappan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpmtc4aOidBjY80, I'm sorry but Dj Rick Web was accurate in terms of power alley being in the centre. Theory is very similar to the Young's double slit experiment, where bright light is analogous to the power alley, and dark zones being the dead zones.

[@tarz2506]

very informative...however how to know how much Sound or Sound System is required if Client gives Sq feet of a Hall or if the Client says 500 guests are expected. So how to know if 2 tops, 15'' and 2 Bass Subwoofer 18" will be enough??

[@DJRickWeb]

You need to get a sound software if you wanted to calculate it based on that.

[@tarz2506]

Thank you for the reply. Can you please suggest any names of such software please...

[@tarz2506]

I have 2 Mackie Thump 15'' which I use as Tops and 2 Subwoofers of Mackie Thump 18". Can you please tell me how many many can they cover or for how big room will it be sufficient. Thanks a lot

[@mtldjtechnical]

@@tarz2506 Your question has many variables to consider. The size of the venue? How many guests (500)? What are your clients' expectations (in terms of sound experience). What are your standards? Someone might tell you that you can do a wedding with 500 guests with your Mackie Thump tops and Subs. In my opinion your system would not be sufficient to do a wedding if 500 guests to my standards. I have Electro-Voice ETX tops and subs and just ordered 2x Bassboss VS21 subs. Typically for a wedding with 500 guests in a rectangular hall with the dancefloor and DJ directly in the middle, I would bring at least 4 subs center clustered with 4 main tops (2 facing dancefloor, 2 facing tables on sides then moved to face dancefloor when party starts). I would also bring 4x satellite speakers (EV ZXA1) to use as surround sound placed 1 in each corner of the hall) so that guests can clearly hear the speeches and activities. I use Sennheiser system to transmit wirelessly to my satellites. By doing this I am able to balance the sound in the hall so that the sound in front of the DJ is not too loud and the sound all the way in the back can be heard clearly.

[@antoinefleuriot2509]

Without getting aggressive. How do you stop drunk idiots placing drinks on your subwoofers that have short memories of being told not to, with the added risk if they get knocked over the liquid could get in the electrics and blow your expensive subwoofer and also ruin the gig? The placement you show with subwoofers in front of the dance floor, problem is people often walk on a dance floor with a drink then when they go to dance put the drink down and often the subwoofer top is seen as an ideal spot for them or at least in UK. Great articles by the way, might be interesting to do an article of dealing with problems like this. Really drunk people can be dangerous at a gig with lots of gear around, worse a whole group especially if there is no one around apart from yourself to stop them. The only thing I have found that partially works in extreme cases is to temporarily stop the music especially if a speaker on a tripod is about to fall over or a drink end up down the back of your subwoofer.

[@DJRickWeb]

We don't have issues with drinks on subs typically here. But we also don't have drinking until 21. I rarely have an issue with this at my events and tends to be very easy to get them to move it.