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Dub Soundsystem from a scratch
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SystemSubverted View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 April 2025
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    Posted: 14 April 2025 at 8:29pm

Hey everyone,

We want to take the leap to build our Dub Soundsystem. After years of collecting Reggae/Dub dubplates and selecting sometimes also on big soundsystems, we want to bring proper sound to our local scene – where there’s currently no active Dub system.

We’ve done some research and budgeting, and we’d love to share our ideas and get your input.
In terms of experience: one of us is starting from scratch, and the other has some hands-on experience with DIY furniture building and basic electronics and some DIY synthesizer building. We both never built a soundsystem before, but we go have some friends who did.

At least we want to built a 4-way system, but preferably a 5-way system for propper frequency control.
Our budget is around 5,000 EUR - 7.000 EUR, and we're trying to get the most out of that. That said, we’re willing to invest more if it’s necessary to build a proper, quality sound system.

Our vision:
A modular, hi-fi 5-way system with at least 2x 18" subwoofers, full control tower (preamp, mixer, FX), and enough power for both indoor sessions up to 200 people and small outdoor gatherings.

So we now have a few questions:

The first Question: Where to start?
  • Which driver?

  • Sub Recommendations Super Scoop, Tapped Horn etc.? 

  • What for the kick/mid

  • Preamp(-builder) recommendations?

  • What to avoid?
We’re still learning and would love to get feedback from anyone who’s built their own rig. If you have tips, photos, or even mistakes to avoid – drop them here!

And if there’s already a thread on this exact topic, feel free to drop the link here as well.

If you know any website, article or book on that topic, feel happy to share it. :D

Thanks for your help – every tip is appreciated

Merci & thank you!
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valve head777 View Drop Down
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Points: 1846 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote valve head777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 April 2025 at 10:14pm
Double 18s.

Edited by valve head777 - 15 April 2025 at 2:44pm
Freedom of choice, choice of freedom.
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SystemSubverted View Drop Down
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Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SystemSubverted Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 April 2025 at 3:36pm
Hey Valve,

Thanks for your reply!

I actually read it before you edited it – and thanks for the historical insight.
I didn’t know about the 3-way systems back in the day.
It kind of makes sense though, considering how technology and culture have evolved over time.
It’s totally normal that both tech and culture change.

But these days, 4-way systems are definitely the standard.
They help operators and selectors properly separate the frequencies and play with them much more effectively than with a 3-way system.

Also, the music has changed – and the sub definitely goes much deeper nowadays, especially when it comes to roots reggae and dub.

And thanks for your other reply, but honestly, that one didn’t really help me.

As I wrote before:
Our vision: A modular, hi-fi 5-way system with at least 2x 18" subwoofers, full control tower (preamp, mixer, FX), and enough power for both indoor sessions up to 200 people and small outdoor gatherings.
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SystemSubverted View Drop Down
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Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SystemSubverted Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 April 2025 at 3:51pm
Originally posted by valve head777 valve head777 wrote:

Double 18s.

Hey valve.

Thanks for your reply.
I already read it befor you edited it, and thanks for the historic shortcut.
I didn't know abou the 3-way systems back in the day.
It kind of makes sense, because of the changing technology and also the changing cultures and I think it's totally normal the technology and culture changes.

But theese days 4-way systems are definitlöy the standard and it helps operator and selctors to proppe seperate the frequemcies and play with them much better than with a 3-way system.

Also the music changed and the sub is definnitly coming much deeper theese days than back in the days when it comes to roots reggae/dub.

And thanks for the reply you edited, but this one doesn't help me at all.
I already wrote this in my posting:
Originally posted by SystemSubverted SystemSubverted wrote:

Our vision:
A modular, hi-fi 5-way system with at least 2x 18" subwoofers, full control tower (preamp, mixer, FX), and enough power for both indoor sessions up to 200 people and small outdoor gatherings.
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valve head777 View Drop Down
Old Croc
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Joined: 27 July 2012
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Points: 1846 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote valve head777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 April 2025 at 5:21pm
Yes my role in running soundsystem was the operator (Highness Soundsystem from Nottingham) Goodvibes Uprising (Brighton) Tradition HiFi (Nottingham). I have used Jah Tubbys, Barracuda and Mr Eddie preamps. 
The sound and culture has changed. As new equipment and younger crews began sound, true, its moved on. But some of the magic has been lost. But if having a loud hifi is your thing, who am I to say you could do things the traditional way. Its just that for me, I  used to love standing next to the stack all night and not get tired of the sound. 
I do disagree with what you are saying about the bass being more sub now. Certain Treasure Island and King Tubbys was very heavy. The point of the pre with parametric on bass is to tune into that frequency and pull it out. I used to love starting a tune with the para set high to get the high harmonics from the bass and then sweep low for the drop.
As said before, a pre used properly is a musical instrument in its own right. Its not really for "setting the sound" as such (although you obviously tune the sound in)
Freedom of choice, choice of freedom.
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valve head777 View Drop Down
Old Croc
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Joined: 27 July 2012
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Points: 1846 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote valve head777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 April 2025 at 6:21pm
Double 18 relex for sub. Very warm deep bass and with today's drivers, powerful. Double 15 reflex for upper bass/low mid. You get a nice response over these frequencies with this size. 12 for mid and compression driver horns between mid and tops (bullets probably).

This choice gives a nice balanced sound. You could use scoops instead of double 18s. My preference is to have multiple stacks to achieve a good encompassing/emersive sound. 

A good reggae soundsystem should be memorable, something to talk about and look forward to hearing again. 
Freedom of choice, choice of freedom.
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