Jere-n-Deb Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Today I was 'home alone' so I could experiment with cranking up my amp & trying out some tones. Here's my equipment... SWR Super Redhead year 2000 Both Warwick Thumb Bolt On 4 string & Fender MIM Fretless Jazz 4 string. Tascam Bass Trainer CD-BT1mkII First of all I am not finding it easy to find my sound, just a clear deep bass with some moderate mid-range. Of course with the fretless I am looking for that mid mwah. But the main issue was testing out the high end of volume in case I play in an area that requires max volume. I am not sure about the term overdrive, but besides having a breeze around my ankles, I didn't like the sound. Then I played through my Tascam Bass Trainer into the amp & found the sound much more punchy & deep with less distortion. No LED Clip ever. Yes the lights work. My amp setting may have had the bass too high & the mid too low. My Gain was at about 1:30 & my Master Volume was too. On the fretless, I am still figuring out the best tones & volumes, for those who have this bass, I have found that having the pup nearest the neck down to almost off & the bridge pup up all the way. The tone control either off or half. I know this Redhead is supposed to be good, I used it in a church setting for years where the church was like a very large living room so playing low with higher mixes was how I got used to it. I can't afford anything else right now, I just bought a bunch of basses! But maybe down the road I will have to look into a head & cab. Any feedback welcome. Thanks. JERE ________________ SWR Super Redhead, Carvin Pro Bass 200 ---------------- BASSES: Epi El Capitan Acoutsic, ESP-LTD B304, Warwick Thumb Bolt-On, Fender Jazz Fretless, Schecter Stilletto 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 The only amp I keep at home is a Peavey Basic 112, a 75 watt 12" practice amp. Not very expensive, the sound is fair for a small, practice amp. My other amp is a Fender Rumble 100 15" that I keep at our practice studio. An inexpensive 100 watt 15", and the tone is ok, nothing special. The tone I get thru my Tascam with headphones is great. I would love to find an amp that could produce that sound. When people say I'm looking for "My Tone" I don't know what that means. In my opinion the tone changes constantly, every room, every venue and audience has it's effect on the percieved tone coming from a rig. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 I wouldn't use the tascam connected to the amp as they advise not to on the instructions. I've never heard a red head but i'm pretty sure you can get a good sound of it. :angry: I just found out that the system deletes your old messages. I've had one of our lowdowners explaining the concept of the lights vs volume vs gain. Basicaly, turn your volume all the way down, then bring the gain up until the red light starts to clip, (the light should clip only ocasionaly when hiting the lowest notes) Then adjust the volume at your will, bear in mind that from room to room you will have to adjust this because you will be changing the EQ settings, sometimes you will be a bit further with gain sometimes not. Let us know how it goes. www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jere-n-Deb Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 I'd like to hear more about using the GAIN into Clip range... ...but just to clarify from the Owners Manual this is what it says about connections: NEVER connect a bass guitar amplifier to the CD-BT1MKIIs BASS IN jack, as you will damage your equipment if you do this. Output to headphones and external devices Connect headphones to the PHONES jack. Use the stereo LINE OUT jack to connect the CD-BT1MKII to external devices, such as speakers with a built-in amplifier, AUX input jacks of a stereo system, cassette tape recorders, or CD recorders JERE ________________ SWR Super Redhead, Carvin Pro Bass 200 ---------------- BASSES: Epi El Capitan Acoutsic, ESP-LTD B304, Warwick Thumb Bolt-On, Fender Jazz Fretless, Schecter Stilletto 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Well done jere, I've never though of that. mmmmm that brings some sweet ideas to mess around with the effects. Tho I don't think that would be ok for gigs, apart from practicing and mess about. I'll have a try this weekend, Thanks for the tip. Regarding the gain thing This is as much as I know/can tell you, surely someone will jump in with tons of information. I actually started to write something for you, but I'm afraid of saying anything wrong. Sorry. www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocko777 Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 I've got the same Redhead, I've never gotten past the 12 o'clock setting for the Master Volume. And I think I can cause some heart palpatations! You need to properly set your Gain Control to 'just before clipping'. You could try RTFM or if you lost your manual or didn't one with your amp Click on this spot for enlightenment! This is the original Red but you'll figure out your set up with this. As far as running your tascam through the amp, just make sure you are taking the line out source. The main thing that you'll need to know (or notice) is if there is a high S/N ratio which might be due to the units output. Like the line level of a rackmount effect. Think of your Tascam like a pre-amp or onboard circuitry and use the active input. If you want louder ad a 4ohm 15 or 4x12 4x10 or whatever your liking and get some gauze for your ears! Good Luck Brocko Don't have a job you don't enjoy. If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace. ~ Johnny Carson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jere-n-Deb Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 I tried the GAIN at MAX & at about 90%. Takes a lot to Clip. I have a Carvin Pro Bass 200 amp / the bottom is 15" 8 ohm & I can use it as the external for the RedHead. That really kicks it down a notch! I still need to ask though, what settings you have all together as far as GAIN | AURAL | BASS | MID | FREQUENCY | TREBLE of course Master Volume is up to me. Also since I am running wild with this thread, how are you setting you Bass pup controls? JERE ________________ SWR Super Redhead, Carvin Pro Bass 200 ---------------- BASSES: Epi El Capitan Acoutsic, ESP-LTD B304, Warwick Thumb Bolt-On, Fender Jazz Fretless, Schecter Stilletto 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 That will depend on the bass, music style, way of playing etc.. etc... I have an ibanez SR same as TimR and I bet that even if we were using the same backline we would still set the bass diferently and we would sound diferent, try diferent mixes to see what you like the most. www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Jere, the EQ controls are there for your pleasure. Set them for the sound that is most pleasing to you. I usually set mine flat and then adjust the tone with my guitar controls. Depending on the room, I may make minor adjustments on the amp. Do you use a tilt back amp or an amp stand? Getting my amp off of the floor really enhances the sound for me. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Getting my amp off of the floor really enhances the sound for me. Rocky I bought my flight case for my cab for two reasons, safety and that way I can have the rig at chest height as I like it. http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r165/davidmpires/FimdeAnoMadeira249.jpg www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 The problem is if you are playing in a small room, you will quickly overpower the room. You won't really get to hear it right untill you get to the gig. If possible turn up early and experiment before the audience, and the rest of your band, turn up. Set everything flat and gradually turn each EQ control in turn fully from one end of its scale to the other whilst playing, untill you can hear clearly what effect each control is having. Then making small adjustments at a time on each control adjust untill you get the desired sound. Dave and Broko are right about the gain. Also if you try to get too much bass out you will get distortion. Try turning the bass control down until it goes away. I don't know about the tascam, but it has probably got some EQ on it as well, which is why you like the sound it produces, and the frequencies of the EQ controls are probably optimised for use with headphones and at low volumes. By all means use the EQ on it if it gives you a better tone, or maybe consider an EQ stomp box. I used the Boss BEQ7 for a long time, before I got an active bass, and amp with on board 7-band EQ. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 David that looks wicked. Although I'm sure that Alex would suggest you might get good results by standing your 2x10 on its end, rather than on a hollow box? I don't know, I'm really tryin to juggle some finances towards an Ephifany PS210. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocko777 Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Every place we play I have to tweak the EQ a little here or there to get my initial sound (good or bad) BUT I never have to touch my Gain Control with basses that I use, that is set pretty much the same everywhere. You said 9 o'clock or somewhere in that area?? Is this with the Tascam plugged in? If you are using a active bass I would guess that you wouldn't need that much of a boost but with a passive you might need that push. Again I don't see running the Tascam before your rig to be a big problem. Just follow the signal chain rules and find a safe place for the tascam to sit. RAWK ON!! Don't have a job you don't enjoy. If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace. ~ Johnny Carson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 David that looks wicked. Although I'm sure that Alex would suggest you might get good results by standing your 2x10 on its end, rather than on a hollow box? I don't know, I'm really tryin to juggle some finances towards an Ephifany PS210. Thanks Tim I know that may be an issue because of the hollow box, but still feels better for me to feel the bass up there other than on my ankles. www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I know that may be an issue because of the hollow box, but still feels better for me to feel the bass up there other than on my ankles. I know Alex has explained this technically, but bass cabinets have bad interactions with hard floors. Most,sound very "boomy" when close to the floor. I like the tilt back design or the speaker stands. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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