QSC fuels ED LANOUETTE’S
exploration of true musical freedom
Ed Lanouette has been playing bass for over 30 years, as a session bassist, music director,
and jazz educator, with his range as a bassist affording him the ability to morph into many
styles from jazz to metal. Apart from being associated with a plethora of projects involving
experimental music and education among many, Ed is mainly recognized as the touring bassist
for twice Grammy nominated Shadows Fall, often referred to as the force behind the deep soul
stirring notes that fuels the band’s musical magnetism. The bass virtuoso’s on-stage presence
almost naturally uplifts the vibe at concert or performance, and when asked about the secret
behind his amazing energy, Ed credits a lot to the gear he uses. Key emphasis – his personal
on-stage monitoring rig that comprises the alluring and compelling KW Series loudspeakers
from global pro audio leader QSC.
The Shadows Fall bass player and music educator is another proud member of QSC’s K for Musicians family,
with Lanouette’s first experience with the K Family Loudspeakers coming in at Odessa, Texas while on tour
with Shadows Fall. Playing at a small venue where there was no room for bulky cabinets, the house sound
engineer offered him QSC KW’s as stage monitors for bass. “Of course I didn’t think that the self-powered
KW’s would keep up, as many self-powered cabinets are a disappointment,” says Lanouette. “I was quickly
put in my place with the QSC’s, and humbled. I knew right then and there that I wanted them – period! I was
so done trying all the boutique bass amps, and believe me, I have had them all. I’m over it!”
Onstage, Lanouette is currently using a KW152 and a KW181 with a Bass Pod XT Live to drive them. “The
KW Series are amazing in that they are perfectly trans parent; from the bottom to the top they are clean and
accurate,” adds Lanouette. “The power is awesome and I have plenty of headroom for those situations you
run into in larger venues where they seem to gobble up the volume”.
Lanouette confesses that he wasn’t a fan of effects on bass, and a key reason for this among many was the
fact that he felt most bass rigs don’t do a good job of projecting effects well live. However, he asserts that
he is majorly rethinking this notion now because of the immensely impactful KW Series rig that he’s using
currently. “You can stomp on the pedals all day and most people have no idea you're even are using an effect!!”
he adds. “The clarity of the KW's solves this issue and has me rethinking my approach to effects. The KW
Series are amazing in every way including articulation and punch.”
Ed Lanouette is also deeply committed to the education of bass players, and established www.ebassonline.
com, a free website for musicians to be inspired, explore theory, learn improvisation techniques and broaden
their abilities. “I've had guitar players, horn players and of course bass players asking me about theory and
how to use it. So I created ebassonline.com in an effort to help players who are looking to grow musically”, he
says. “I love music and I do this for the love of music. It’s my way of giving back to something that has afforded
me some of the most amazing experiences in my life.” Lanouette is also currently writing and producing a
project called "Midnight Whiskey Worship" with Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall drummer) and Steve Etzel,
which has says is “a chance for all of us to breathe as musicians and to express ourselves.” He is also working
on a variety of freelance recording sessions and touring as the schedule arises.
Rounding off as he discusses the future and touring with his QSC KW Series rig, Ed shares “All I can say is
that I’m inspired to be better and deliver better with each passing day. The KW Series inspires me to play
exactly what I hear without limitation. There is nothing more disappointing than doing something and your
equipment simply being able to keep up. But that’s not the case with my KW Series. I have to say I am free. I
am finally free thanks to QSC."
I prefer clean,
transparent
equipment with
lots of power and
headroom!! QSC
is the answer
to all my bass
amplification
problems.