Question Bass Amp farting
- Thread starter EvertHarley
- Start date
drTStingray
Well-known member
Number 1 - we shouldn't be endulging in internet diagnosis....I'm surprised Bovine hasn't told us off on this thread................but as I have a fairly similar rig to you and use a Bongo here's my view:-
a) Replace the batteries - it could be the batteriies you have in the bass and this will make the speakers sound the way you said
b) Use the active input - the Bongo signal is way too hot, especially with any EQ setting above centre detent (I use passive for the Stingrays)
c) Set the amp EQ to centre detent
d) Ashdown amps are the best on the market for setting the optimum input level because they have a VU meter - you need to set the Bongo EQ probably at centre detent and the volume on it to the level you're going to play at - then play the bass as hard as you're going to play it in the set - ever noticed the way when everyone else gets loud you play harder - that's how hard I mean - it makes a massive difference to the signal. Adjust the input gain till the needle just gets to the red area (unless you want overdrive). (11 o clock should be fine)
e) Adjust the volume on the amp to what you need. (I suggest no more than 2 o clock)
f) If you're going to tweak the EQ, only add/subtract a little - it makes a massive difference out front.
If, like me, you tend to play very hard when the band gets loud, you might think about using a compressor to balance your peaks (which'll give the speakers a problem).
I don't get or agree with the idea that 300 watts is not loud enough (eg an EBS HD350?) - for smallish venues with a four or five piece band it should be fine, unless everone's using, say, Marshall 100 watt stacks - bear in mind a Mark Bass F1 doesn't produce 500 watts through one cab. I have a 500 watt Ashdown (rated at 575) - it makes a great sound with a Musicman (or Fender for that matter) - however I have drowned the band out with it through two cabs before now because it can be too loud. I think they make the US ones in the USA.
Headroom is great - but how do you guys tame, say a 900 watt rig so you don't drown everyone out? Don't get me wrong I love to have a v large amp not working hard, but the difference between being mixed into the sound and overpowering it is very a very fine line especially in smallish venues.
a) Replace the batteries - it could be the batteriies you have in the bass and this will make the speakers sound the way you said
b) Use the active input - the Bongo signal is way too hot, especially with any EQ setting above centre detent (I use passive for the Stingrays)
c) Set the amp EQ to centre detent
d) Ashdown amps are the best on the market for setting the optimum input level because they have a VU meter - you need to set the Bongo EQ probably at centre detent and the volume on it to the level you're going to play at - then play the bass as hard as you're going to play it in the set - ever noticed the way when everyone else gets loud you play harder - that's how hard I mean - it makes a massive difference to the signal. Adjust the input gain till the needle just gets to the red area (unless you want overdrive). (11 o clock should be fine)
e) Adjust the volume on the amp to what you need. (I suggest no more than 2 o clock)
f) If you're going to tweak the EQ, only add/subtract a little - it makes a massive difference out front.
If, like me, you tend to play very hard when the band gets loud, you might think about using a compressor to balance your peaks (which'll give the speakers a problem).
I don't get or agree with the idea that 300 watts is not loud enough (eg an EBS HD350?) - for smallish venues with a four or five piece band it should be fine, unless everone's using, say, Marshall 100 watt stacks - bear in mind a Mark Bass F1 doesn't produce 500 watts through one cab. I have a 500 watt Ashdown (rated at 575) - it makes a great sound with a Musicman (or Fender for that matter) - however I have drowned the band out with it through two cabs before now because it can be too loud. I think they make the US ones in the USA.
Headroom is great - but how do you guys tame, say a 900 watt rig so you don't drown everyone out? Don't get me wrong I love to have a v large amp not working hard, but the difference between being mixed into the sound and overpowering it is very a very fine line especially in smallish venues.
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Just because u have 900 watts doesnt mean you have to use them. If someone is too loud tell them to turn down, or else it becomes a volume battle. You can learn to use volume at any level
If your amp is farting or clipping you can try everything else but the chances are it's not big enough for your gig, life is too short for bad gear and if it's not loud enough for you then that's what it is.
If your amp is farting or clipping you can try everything else but the chances are it's not big enough for your gig, life is too short for bad gear and if it's not loud enough for you then that's what it is.
drTStingray
Well-known member
Agreed Dave - but without a sound man (I don't play gigs or venues which pay enough to justify this - I doubt I'm unique in this) the bass sound can be much louder at the back of the room than on stage - just saying. I don't agree on the 300 watt issue either, it can be plenty but this is just IMHO and based on what I've experienced - I guess others will differ and I have no prob with this.
I'm not sure we do know what problem the OP had other than farty speakers - they may, of course, just be blown speakers who knows - that's the power of the internet for you I guess.
Yup Internet doctors !!
But still for me 300w is a practice amp, might use it at small pub gigs where nothing is in the small pa but vocals. Kinda country type gigs. The only amp I have ever felt was up to a "full gig" was a markbass combo, but then there is alot of new amps out there I haven't tried.
As a kid I struggled to hear myself over loud guitar players untill I got a pre amp and separate power amp with a golaith III cab. Now I love the markbass gear because I get 500 w and light as a feather too or if we are playing a big venue or I am depping in with a loud band I use 2 rigs and get 1000w of power. It sounds mental but the clarity and headroom is amazing and I never turn it up past 4 or 5 max.
I have all the guys in my main band thinking the same way, if one of us gets to loud we ask him to turn down, nobody wins in a volume war.Sound guys tend to love us as our backline volume is really low and they get to do their job alot easier.
Anyway back to the op ! Dude it might just be your battery who knows over the net, bring the whole rig into a repair guy or a tech in a store. Or even better a bass player who has 20 something years playing and knows what he is talking about because he has been there and worn the tee shirt out
Peace bro
But still for me 300w is a practice amp, might use it at small pub gigs where nothing is in the small pa but vocals. Kinda country type gigs. The only amp I have ever felt was up to a "full gig" was a markbass combo, but then there is alot of new amps out there I haven't tried.
As a kid I struggled to hear myself over loud guitar players untill I got a pre amp and separate power amp with a golaith III cab. Now I love the markbass gear because I get 500 w and light as a feather too or if we are playing a big venue or I am depping in with a loud band I use 2 rigs and get 1000w of power. It sounds mental but the clarity and headroom is amazing and I never turn it up past 4 or 5 max.
I have all the guys in my main band thinking the same way, if one of us gets to loud we ask him to turn down, nobody wins in a volume war.Sound guys tend to love us as our backline volume is really low and they get to do their job alot easier.
Anyway back to the op ! Dude it might just be your battery who knows over the net, bring the whole rig into a repair guy or a tech in a store. Or even better a bass player who has 20 something years playing and knows what he is talking about because he has been there and worn the tee shirt out
Peace bro
jlepre
Well-known member
Yeah that's what it means. I get to play from time to time with a band that does the college tours. It's good fun, lots of stuff like the foo's, queen of the stoneage , killers , razor light ac/dc .... Good ould rock !
2 big loud guitar players and a keyboard player who has a mini pa for his backline, so I bring 2x markbass heads and 2 4x10 (4ohm each).
I use a vt bass pedal for a bit of colour and grit and songs "like no one knows" and some rhcp stuff. Ear plugs go in before sound check !
A 300w amp would be Lost here. but I could prob get away with it on small pub gigs.
2 big loud guitar players and a keyboard player who has a mini pa for his backline, so I bring 2x markbass heads and 2 4x10 (4ohm each).
I use a vt bass pedal for a bit of colour and grit and songs "like no one knows" and some rhcp stuff. Ear plugs go in before sound check !
A 300w amp would be Lost here. but I could prob get away with it on small pub gigs.
drTStingray
Well-known member
I bet it sounds great Dave - I agree entirely you need more watts for this type of work - it sounds a fun gig.
As Dave said, this is what it means - I think it comes from the word deputise/deputy. All musos in these parts say they're arranging a dep if they can't cover a gig/job, and the guys doing the work say they're doing a dep job.
As Dave said, this is what it means - I think it comes from the word deputise/deputy. All musos in these parts say they're arranging a dep if they can't cover a gig/job, and the guys doing the work say they're doing a dep job.
jlepre
Well-known member
Ah...gotcha
drTStingray
Well-known member
Good call tk.
Evert seems to have done a runner though!
Evert seems to have done a runner though!
Freddels
Well-known member
Seems he joined, posted and never came back. Unless he's just not logging in when he reads any responses.
