Carvin BX1200 / BX1500... How Do You Dial in Your Volume Settings?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 04-21-2011, 12:16 PM

The story is I just bought a Carvin BX1500. I had one and sold it last year (for various reasons) and now I am getting another one. I'm buying another one because I love its features and tonally I know I can make it work.

The one thing I never was really happy with was how I dialed in my volume settings with the Carvin BX1500 bridged at 8 ohms for my 15/6. It just seemed that were just too many volume/level knobs. There is the drive and master vol on the amp, but then you also use 'power amp one' vol control as well. Add to that I have level control on VT Bass and thats like 4 or five different knobs to turn. With the exception of the amp's master volume knob I would like to just 'set and forget' the rest.

The tone I am going for is a clean, even, full & fat tubey tone.

Its been a year since I've used this amp and its enroute to me now, but I would like to get some info on this before it arrives.

My volume settings should be:

Amp drive: noon
power amp one: no idea
VT Bass level: noon
Amp master vol control: adjust as required.

I assume I should keep the amp's drive at noon (5 on the dial) since I dont want any grit.

I guess my biggest question is the 'power amp one' knob. Do I crank that all the way up to 10? Then adjust with the master vol?

Sundogue · #2 04-21-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

The story is I just bought a Carvin BX1500. I had one and sold it last year (for various reasons) and now I am getting another one. I'm buying another one because I love its features and tonally I know I can make it work.

The one thing I never was really happy with was how I dialed in my volume settings with the Carvin BX1500 bridged at 8 ohms for my 15/6. It just seemed that were just too many volume/level knobs. There is the drive and master vol on the amp, but then you also use 'power amp one' vol control as well. Add to that I have level control on VT Bass and thats like 4 or five different knobs to turn. With the exception of the amp's master volume knob I would like to just 'set and forget' the rest.

The tone I am going for is a clean, even, full & fat tubey tone.

Its been a year since I've used this amp and its enroute to me now, but I would like to get some info on this before it arrives.

My volume settings should be:

Amp drive: noon
power amp one: no idea
VT Bass level: noon
Amp master vol control: adjust as required.

I assume I should keep the amp's drive at noon (5 on the dial) since I dont want any grit.

I guess my biggest question is the 'power amp one' knob. Do I crank that all the way up to 10? Then adjust with the master vol?

Well, the Drive Control certainly will introduce some grind higher than noon. It does affect volume, but past noon is where it starts giving more grunt to the sound. Below noon it remains very clean sounding IMO.

I think of the Power Amp 1 as more like a Pre-Gain and the Master Volume as Volume. If you want it super clean, crank the Master all the way up and then use the Power Amp 1 for volume. If you want more growl add more of the Drive control and do the reverse for the Volume/Power Amp1 (crank the Power Amp 1 and use the Master for volume).

Though the Drive control will add more growl to the sound than how you set the Power/Volume knobs.

::::BASSIST:::: · #3 04-21-2011, 02:48 PM

^Thanks bro. I was hoping you would reply. I will definitely give your suggestions a try. This reminds me of using my gkmb500. I read on tb that with that amp you crank the master vol. to max then use the gain to adjust vol.... I tried that and it works like a charm.

I wonder if I disengage the tube on the bx1500 and then crank the drive will it stay clean?

cableguy · #4 04-21-2011, 02:54 PM

Bassist,

Post a reveiw of that combo when you get it dailed in. That is the head I'm leaning toward for my 12/6-12/sub. Seems like a great set-up with the fEarfuls and Sundogue sounds like here really likes his.

jnewmark · #5 04-21-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Well, the Drive Control certainly will introduce some grind higher than noon. It does affect volume, but past noon is where it starts giving more grunt to the sound. Below noon it remains very clean sounding IMO.

I think of the Power Amp 1 as more like a Pre-Gain and the Master Volume as Volume. If you want it super clean, crank the Master all the way up and then use the Power Amp 1 for volume. If you want more growl add more of the Drive control and do the reverse for the Volume/Power Amp1 (crank the Power Amp 1 and use the Master for volume).

Though the Drive control will add more growl to the sound than how you set the Power/Volume knobs.

Sounds similiar as to dialing in a Gk Rb700II.

rpsands · #6 04-21-2011, 03:14 PM

Biamping a BX1500 with a 1212/6 is pretty much a great idea.

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 04-21-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Bassist,

Post a reveiw of that combo when you get it dailed in. That is the head I'm leaning toward for my 12/6-12/sub. Seems like a great set-up with the fEarfuls and Sundogue sounds like here really likes his.

^ Will do.

One note I need to make though is that I always have my VT Bass 'on' and that really fills things out. This amp has an inherent bright tone with a tight low-end and that kind of tone profile works well with the VT. However the amp as so much ability to make changes to the tone that you have a lot of variety available. I also love that the low-mids, mids, and high mids all have their parametric shaping ability.

BassmanPaul · #8 04-21-2011, 03:39 PM

For what it's worth, I have both my power amp volumes at max and control my level with the master (6). Not wanting any shaping, both the drive and contour controls are at zero and the EQ is set flat.

I have never felt the need to run in bridge so I have each channel feeding one 4Ω Acme B2 for about 450W per.

Sundogue · #9 04-21-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

^Thanks bro. I was hoping you would reply. I will definitely give your suggestions a try. This reminds me of using my gkmb500. I read on tb that with that amp you crank the master vol. to max then use the gain to adjust vol.... I tried that and it works like a charm.

I wonder if I disengage the tube on the bx1500 and then crank the drive will it stay clean?

You have a VT pedal with the BX1500 with a tube, plus the Drive control. You have many options man. Have fun experimenting!

Sundogue · #10 04-21-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

^ Will do.

One note I need to make though is that I always have my VT Bass 'on' and that really fills things out. This amp has an inherent bright tone with a tight low-end and that kind of tone profile works well with the VT. However the amp as so much ability to make changes to the tone that you have a lot of variety available. I also love that the low-mids, mids, and high mids all have their parametric shaping ability.

That is one of the very things I love about my BX1200. Tonal versatility.

The amp does seem to be inherently bright when set to it's "marked" flat settings. But there is a lot of ability to boost a ton of low end into it and to cut some highs out if desired. And yeah, the parametric mids really are great to dial in just what you want. I use both the parametric and graphic EQ sections.

I've had my BX1200 for quite a while and I'm still tweaking here and there. At 22 lbs. it isn't as light as the BX1500, but it ain't too bad of a weight to deal with.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 04-21-2011, 05:02 PM

Cool. I will use the graphic eq when I play with a pick to even out the tone and give my pick playing more of a finger tone, which I prefer for the music I play (50s & early 60s covers and originals). My basic finger style tone which I use 80% of the time will be achieved thru the VT and 'everything' else.

Sundogue · #12 04-21-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Cool. I will use the graphic eq when I play with a pick to even out the tone and give my pick playing more of a finger tone, which I prefer for the music I play (50s & early 60s covers and originals). My basic finger style tone which I use 80% of the time will be achieved thru the VT and 'everything' else.

Funny you should mention playing with both a pick and fingers as do I. I usually leave the tone on the amp the same, but roll back the tone control on my Yamaha BB415 when using a pick.

Of course, I switched back to my Chromes on the Yammy and I am really digging the BX1200 and 15/6 with them. Never sounded better.

::::BASSIST:::: · #13 04-21-2011, 06:04 PM

As you can see no tone control on my bass.

I use Chromes too. Great strings with nice low punch.

Sundogue · #14 04-21-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

As you can see no tone control on my bass.

I use Chromes too. Great strings with nice low punch.

Ah...yes, hard to roll back the tone control on your bass.

The 18Sound mid is just a killer speaker for the Chromes that makes them really sing. The 3015LF gives them some REAL depth on the bottom, so even the D and G strings have a very solid presence. Definitely a solid punch.

I was digging the Chromes with my other rigs. I was digging my fEARful with rounds. Together? Man, its like the first time Reese's got some chocolate on their peanut butter. Eureka!

cableguy · #15 04-21-2011, 06:38 PM

Bassist/Sundogue

I've been thinking about tryings some chromes on my 4banger for a while now. (81 G&L L1000) I've always been a rounds kind of a guy but I'm now playing more blues and such instead of just harder rock. My 18 sound seems really bright, you two think the chromes would help tame that as well as be more bluesy? With my rounds my d&g string seem to sound really thin.

Sundogue · #16 04-21-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Bassist/Sundogue

I've been thinking about tryings some chromes on my 4banger for a while now. (81 G&L L1000) I've always been a rounds kind of a guy but I'm now playing more blues and such instead of just harder rock. My 18 sound seems really bright, you two think the chromes would help tame that as well as be more bluesy? With my rounds my d&g string seem to sound really thin.

My 18Sound seemed too bright also...at first. It was an acquired taste really because I never heard my bass that clearly before. Once I got used to hearing it the way it should sound (to me), I only cut it back slightly. But the Chromes do take some of that sizzly edge off the tone, but what's left is very clear definition.

The Chromes' D and G strings have more punch and depth. The D and G strings with any rounds I've ever tried make me think "thin" or "weak"...more like guitar strings.

::::BASSIST:::: · #17 04-21-2011, 06:51 PM

Well, the Chromes are fairly bright too, but they do tame down after about 20hrs of playing.

I think they are a fairly good transition string from rounds to flats. They are probably one of the most popular flat set around... and for good reason.

RNV · #18 04-21-2011, 07:00 PM

I ran my VT into my BX1500. I run the VT where I like it to get almost the grit I want, then I adjusted the drive to get THE tone I'm after. I don't like to have anything maxed (don't know why). I run w/o contour and amp1 at 3:00 and the master to fit the need. Bridged at 4 ohm into a BRX410.