Momma said knock you out….

[adouglas]

My so-called life leaves me too wiped out to noodle much at home, sadly. Last night I made a concerted effort to sit down and bond with Mr. Albert Sr.

Maybe it's the mahogany. Maybe it's the preamp. Maybe it's the pickup. Maybe it's all of the above.

This thing is as punchy as Mike Tyson. I was going to try to learn some new songs, but I just couldn't stop just messing around with percussive licks.

That is all.

 

[husky123]

Yep the SSS in series levels buildings. I've said it before and I'll say it again. It just flat dominates.

 

[adouglas]

Thing is, I was getting that same kind of chesty thump no matter how I set it. The delicious little 12" MB combo I was using probably played a role too.

Punch is something I value highly. On most recordings it's the kick drum and bass doubling up. When I can get it by myself it makes me happy.

 

[T-bone]

adouglas -

How does the 12 compare to a couple of 10s for "chesty thump?" I'm wondering if there's a larger wave with a 12, even though intellectually I know there's more surface area to a couple of 10s. Maybe I need a physics class on wave length (maddog?).

I've just picked up my first 5 string (sub5) and know there's no comparison with your BA bad boy, but I'm just not finding that "chesty thump" I'm looking for. I'm pretty sure it's operator error.

tbone

 

[adouglas]

Never owned a 10" cab. In my life I've had 15s (as many as four at once), a 1x15 combo and a 2x12 cab.

My primary rig is a mutant alternative technology (Bose) and therefore not relevant to most discussions. It's got tiny drivers, but lots and lots of 'em. 24x2.5 inch, plus either 4 or 8 very long-throw 5.5 inch.

My understanding (probably only partially accurate) is that it has at least something to do with driver mass. A smaller driver has less inertia, so its mechanical ability to respond quickly to a signal is better than that of a larger, heavier driver.

But I'm not a real engineer. I just play one on TV.

 

[keko]

But I'm not a real engineer. I just play one on TV.

Ha, ha... I really like this one!

Even if You're not an engineer, what You wrote is in theory right, ...but, ...I said but, out there in the real world only counts what musicians and audience can hear and like, so after a years I'm back again on 115 main rig + PA support of course!

P.S. ...glad that You enjoy new SSS toy!

 

[cyoungnashville]

adouglas -

How does the 12 compare to a couple of 10s for "chesty thump?" I'm wondering if there's a larger wave with a 12, even though intellectually I know there's more surface area to a couple of 10s. Maybe I need a physics class on wave length (maddog?).

I've just picked up my first 5 string (sub5) and know there's no comparison with your BA bad boy, but I'm just not finding that "chesty thump" I'm looking for. I'm pretty sure it's operator error.

tbone

if you want punch, and a big chested experience... compression is your friend dear mr t-bone. punish those speakers.

 

[five7]

markbass lmt800 with 1 or 2 traveller 2-10 cabs will knock you down and then try it thru the classic 8-10, pure punch. Way better than my 1-15 cab or the 2-12 ampeg cab I had. Love those markbass 10s!!!
T-bone, you must be using the wrong amp. Even my behringer practice amp thumps, whether with a sub 5 or my bongo 5.

 

[T-bone]

Markbass LMII with MB 2 10 cab. So I think I have the right gear. Now about that compression........what should I use?

There are times when I want more punch. For the most part, however, I look for clarity of sound. Could it be my treble is too high? Or maybe I just need to turn it up. Can you have punch without volume?

tbone

 

[cyoungnashville]

if im playing a bass, im plugged into, and abusing the helI out of a markbass tube compressore. it dont get clearer or punchier than that badboy. one of the best compressors on the planet at any price. seriously.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

if you want punch, and a big chested experience... compression is your friend dear mr t-bone. punish those speakers.

I'm not a fan of how a compressor squishes my sound. I know studios love it, but I just don't understand it for my personal use.

 

[cyoungnashville]

I'm not a fan of how a compressor squishes my sound. I know studios love it, but I just don't understand it for my personal use.

if you back off the attack time, it won't squish the life out of it, or make it a bit smaller sounding, it will in fact make it larger than life itself. compression is a terribly misunderstood commodity (not singling you out smallbass , just saying in general / i.e. "jack"), it takes a good while to learn how to use it correctly, but when and off you master it, it will take you to new planets where all the redheads have amnesia.. don't write it off fellas, just some friendly advice. take it or leave it.

 

[Basswave]

if you back off the attack time, it won't squish the life out of it, or make it a bit smaller sounding, it will in fact make it larger than life itself. compression is a terribly misunderstood commodity (not singling you out smallbass , just saying in general / i.e. "jack"), it takes a good while to learn how to use it correctly, but when and off you master it, it will take you to new planets where all the redheads have amnesia.. don't write it off fellas, just some friendly advice. take it or leave it.

+1 to this.
A compressor is a bass players best friend.
I'm not sure where the resistance that some players have to it...However if you feel its not that natural and if you have a more flexible compressor (say like the DBX 166) you can also adjust the release time to a slower release and just use it sparingly.

I have a couple of the 166s and use a little EBS for on the run stuff...I never gig without one.

 

[J Romano]

Thanks to Craig, my old SR has a voice. It has a very low output, I bought the Compressore on his advise and it brought her back. I love it!

 

[cyoungnashville]

yeah man... thats what im talkin bout.. twist them knobs man.. new worlds of epic tone await you. there are no right or wrong settings... you cant break it, or blow it up by experimenting. drive the input hard and bring back the ratio, bring the input back, and dime the ratio with 10 and 2oclock attack decay.. playing very lightly... its insane what that thing is capable of. it will change your right hand technique by giving you a million new ways to attack and mute a string. youll hear where it wants to go as you twist them knobs kid. good job, and have some dammed fun.

 

[oli@bass]

yeah man... thats what im talkin bout.. twist them knobs man.. new worlds of epic tone await you. there are no right or wrong settings... you cant break it, or blow it up by experimenting. drive the input hard and bring back the ratio, bring the input back, and dime the ratio with 10 and 2oclock attack decay.. playing very lightly... its insane what that thing is capable of. it will change your right hand technique by giving you a million new ways to attack and mute a string. youll hear where it wants to go as you twist them knobs kid. good job, and have some dammed fun.

Craig, do you have a "favorite" or "go to" setting on the Compressore, or do you set it new for every playing situation (song/session/bass)?

 

[cyoungnashville]

i actually really like to hear bass compression "working", so i will usually hammer the thing, but like i said, if it starts to turn to mush...back off the attack time a tad bit until you hear the leading edge of the note strike going through, after that it all depends if you want short spongey jamo notes, or an 808 goin boom, boom, boom. the ratio on this pedal goes from somewhat sensible to ludicrous in 5 seconds. but if you jump head first into ludicrous , as i tend to do, then a lot can be done with minding the input, and shaping the envelope. all the stock "I'm a compressor, and no one knows it but me" sounds, are pretty easy to obtain straight away with all nobs near high noon.. but you can get insanely cool tones with some fiddling. it all depends on the kick drum sound, the tune, and what emotion I'm trying to dilute. usually the song is a big steaming pile of underwhelming crap, and i go in for the old.. "hey t-bagger, look over here whilst my co-rocker makes you wish you had stolen a better song about mamma 'n 'em".... a.k.a... "working up a number 6."

 

[Big Poppa]

great post Craig. I have a compressor it is next to my bowling ball

 

[ivbenaplayin]

... punish those speakers.

This puts a big smile on my face.

 

[theroan]

I've meaning to try that one.