Please help me cut through

[GassieBall]

I think it's because of my Fender 250W 115 combo. The Bongo sounds amazing when I'm playing by myself, but in the mix I'm not cutting through. Of course, I know it's not the Bongo.

When I punch the mids either on the Bongo or on the combo, I get a little "honky." Any suggestions on the EQ dials, etc?

I know someone is gonna say get a better rig, so on that note, I was just going to pull the trigger on a GK 1001/Neo212 setup, but has anyone heard anything more about the Fusion or NEO 210's? I searched here and TB and haven't read any update threads since July-ish. Should I wait?

 

[Dr Stankface]

From what I understand, the Fusion won't be out until early next year but I have plans on getting one after I pay for my 20th SR5. I also haven't heard anything about any Neo 210s so I really can't say anything on that matter. What kind of cone is in the Fender combo? I'm not really up to date on those amps but if it has an aluminum cone, they tend to get a little bit honky.

IMHO, do the GK 1001RB-II/GK Neo 212 setup. It's what goes to every gig and every now and the the Neo 115 will tag along too. You want massive cut through bottom end? You'll be way more than pleased with that setup.

 

[Big Poppa]

Mark Bass Mark Bass Mark Bass

 

[adouglas]

In my experience EQ that sounds good in the mix definitely sounds honky when soloed.

I like to leave the lowest EQ flat and boost the low mids some, then adjust high mids and treble to taste. It doesn't sound that great soloed, but when the rest of the band is playing it's great.

It's kind of counterintuitive. Adding low EQ when soloed makes the sound so nice and fat and round and warm, but the second the other instruments kick in it just vanishes and all you're left with is mud.

My rule of thumb for the mix (others please chime in with your own opinions):

-If you're disappearing in the mix, add low mids but NOT bass.
-If you're getting a torrent of mud (lots of volume but nothing pleasing), turn down the bass.
-If you're getting too honky in the mix, turn down the upper mids
-If it's too zingy, kill treble.


-Anything below 100 Hz adds mud, not bite.
-Anything from about 100-250 adds bite. At the lower end you're getting more mud, at the upper end you're getting more honk.
-Anything above that adds zip, zing and sizzle.

So your goal is to add bite without making it so honky that it sticks out as such.

The nice thing about the Bongo electronics is that you've got so much control that you can tweak on the fly.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Saw that one coming.

Can't wait to Travis' Mark Bass.

 

[Mobay45]

You really need to talk to me about taking these GK Neo cabs off my hands.

 

[bovinehost]

250 (Fender) watts is at the edge of useful for a gigging rig. I can't tell which side of the edge it's on, but I think you can.

 

[corrosiontrav]

I find this alot when I'm running sound or checking out a band anywhere.

I'm either doing soundcheck or just there early and this bass player has a killer tone happening and it soudns great, but as soon the band kicks in the bass is gone in the mix, and as someone mentioned above me it's all about the mids.

Anywho, I was having this happen to myself quite abit when I first started playing out, I'd dial up a killer tone then when the band came in, I was lost in the mix. Then I started dialling in a more midrangy puchy tone and my problems were solved. Solo-ed out though I've never been happy with my tone, it sounds to midrangy- and punchy, but in a mixs it's pretty close to perfect.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Ok. At Travis' place right now and I can vouch for the fact that Mark Bass truly is one of the best amps i've ever heard. I've honestly not been impressed with the Berg HT322 until i've heard it with this head. Holy freakin' stars.

My GK is in trouble.

 

[Randracula]

My GK is in trouble.

Take a shower.......then go play your GK again

 

[Bill]

You really need to talk to me about taking these GK Neo cabs off my hands.

Larry, I might be able to take one off your hands soon...no guarantees, though.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Don't worry. My GK isn't going anywhere. It still gives me "my" tone and I won't be looking for another head for at least a year.

 

[GassieBall]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll try those EQ suggestions and I gotta go find a Markbass to twiddle with. Anyone try the Markbass cabs?

OK, so for example we played Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith. I dial in a tone for the bass intro that I think sounds great with some warm bottom and enough treble to make it ring. Then, during the verse and chorus when the guitar and drums hit hard... MUD MUD MUD!

So we go back and I dial in the mids, first on the Bongo, later on the amp. I sound good during the verse and chorus, but I don't like the bass intro lick's sound at all. I guess I could change my Bongo EQ on the fly, but I miss a couple of 16th notes to do that.

Funny thing is, when I go back and listen to the original Aerosmith recording, I don't think it's a MM sound and it's mid-biased but I guess that's why it works.

Sorry about the rambling post.

 

[barkatozz]

I think it's because of my Fender 250W 115 combo. The Bongo sounds amazing when I'm playing by myself, but in the mix I'm not cutting through. Of course, I know it's not the Bongo.

When I punch the mids either on the Bongo or on the combo, I get a little "honky." Any suggestions on the EQ dials, etc?

I know someone is gonna say get a better rig, so on that note, I was just going to pull the trigger on a GK 1001/Neo212 setup, but has anyone heard anything more about the Fusion or NEO 210's? I searched here and TB and haven't read any update threads since July-ish. Should I wait?

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. Had a Bassman 800 & the same problem. Got an Ampeg SVT1000 (still solid state) & while my playing by myself sound isn't that great, it sounds really good in the mix & cuts big time. You really can't go by what you sound like alone. Check out the clips on my website to see how my Bongo cuts thru now.

 

[Aussie Mark]

What Jack said. You need more wattage.

 

[GassieBall]

I think I all too painfully know. But I think the EQ will help.

 

[GassieBall]

Well I played more with the EQ at our last practice. This time I said, "I don't care how I sound when playing by myself" and boosted the low/high mids on paraEQ on the combo AND also on the Bongo. Much much better in the mix, but yucky on it's own.

A couple of people already said they have had this experience, so I guess I'm not alone???

 

[Mobay45]

I never play through my gig rig while I'm playing alone. I only use it when I'm playing with the band. So I don't even have much of an idea how it sounds when playing alone. The same can be said about my rehearsal rig. About the only time I hear my Bongo being played solo is through my Hartke Kickback 15 in my practice room.

 

[mike not fat]

Mark Bass Mark Bass Mark Bass

+ 1 !

MNF

 

[mike not fat]

In my experience EQ that sounds good in the mix definitely sounds honky when soloed.

I like to leave the lowest EQ flat and boost the low mids some, then adjust high mids and treble to taste. It doesn't sound that great soloed, but when the rest of the band is playing it's great.

It's kind of counterintuitive. Adding low EQ when soloed makes the sound so nice and fat and round and warm, but the second the other instruments kick in it just vanishes and all you're left with is mud.

My rule of thumb for the mix (others please chime in with your own opinions):

-If you're disappearing in the mix, add low mids but NOT bass.
-If you're getting a torrent of mud (lots of volume but nothing pleasing), turn down the bass.
-If you're getting too honky in the mix, turn down the upper mids
-If it's too zingy, kill treble.


-Anything below 100 Hz adds mud, not bite.
-Anything from about 100-250 adds bite. At the lower end you're getting more mud, at the upper end you're getting more honk.
-Anything above that adds zip, zing and sizzle.

So your goal is to add bite without making it so honky that it sticks out as such.

The nice thing about the Bongo electronics is that you've got so much control that you can tweak on the fly.

Excellent ! That's also what I experimented along the years.

But maybe you also need something more powerfull ; depends on the kind of music you're playing and what other band members are using. But 250 W seems enough if you're not playing big stages and metal rock with 3 guitars.

MNF