Eden WT800 settings

[Keegsdad]

Hello all,

I have a Eden WT800 and I play in a classic rock band, I am looking to get a great punchy low end sound. I have tried many different settings and trying bi-amp compared to regular config. Looking to get some advice from the Eden users what settings sound good.

My cabs are 1 2x10 and 1 1x15 Mesa Boggie.

Thanks

[KJung]

Without actually hearing that mix and match, it is hard to provide exact settings. However, here is a place to start.

First, what are your cab impedances? If they are both 8 ohm, and you have a WT800 b or c, then bridge. If they are both 4ohm, then run dual mono.

Second, start with your EQ flat, and ESPECIALLY be sure to turn off the enhance control all the way. Then, bring up the bass control just a click or so, and most importantly, dial in a click or two of low mids with your lowest or second lowest semi-parametric midrange set at around 125 hz.

That should punch like crazy.

[okcrum]

I play that combination with a WT800A, 2x10 Warwick 211 Pro and a 1x15 Ampeg B115E. I use a Jazz V.

I biamp and cross over at 250-300 Hz, and I boost low mids at 120 Hz about 6 dB. At this point all other tone is set at 12:00.

Then I add room correction if needed.

That is all. YMMV.

[PATTY1]

Originally Posted by okcrum

I play that combination with a WT800A, 2x10 Warwick 211 Pro and a 1x15 Ampeg B115E. I use a Jazz V.

I biamp and cross over at 250-300 Hz, and I boost low mids at 120 Hz about 6 dB. At this point all other tone is set at 12:00.

Then I add room correction if needed.

That is all. YMMV.

are both your cabs 8 ohm?

[okcrum]

Originally Posted by PATTY1

are both your cabs 8 ohm?

Yes, they are. The amp also has a balance control, but in this case, it's usually not needed.

[Keegsdad]

Both my cabs are 8 ohms - i run the 2x10 into the high side and the 1x15 to the low.....is there a better way to connect?

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by Keegsdad

Both my cabs are 8 ohms - i run the 2x10 into the high side and the 1x15 to the low.....is there a better way to connect?

You have a beast of an amp and you're only using about 450 watts of its potential. Try bridging the amp(full range of course) into the 15 by itself. You'll be pushing 800 watts in that configuration. If you have a B or C version run both cabs the same way and you'll be pushing 1100 watts. Give it a try, That may get you where you want to go.

[raymondl3]

Here are some tone tips you might find useful. I've been playing one for 15 years.

Gain (set to compress or not on peaks)
Enhance: all the way off always
Bass: flat, turn to 1 o clock to make the 15" thump
Low freq: flat
Low gain between 12 and 2 o clock
Mid freq: flat
Mid gain: cut slightly in general, turn from 12 to 1 o clock for growl
High freq: flat
High gain: flat in general, add a little for slap, cut a little for old school sounds
Treble: flat, turn to 2 o clock for slap

[Son of Bovril]

I agree with all suggestions that suggest starting with everything flat and the enhance all the way off... IMO that is the most important, the enhance feature will steal your mid punch fast!

[maxbass]

which bass(es) do you use?
pick or fingers?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Keegsdad

Both my cabs are 8 ohms - i run the 2x10 into the high side and the 1x15 to the low.....is there a better way to connect?

Per the above, you are only using a fraction of the power of the amp.

What generation of WT800 do you have. If it is a b or c, then bridge. There is no reason, nor does it make any sense, to use the crossover with two full range cabs anyway, and you are only using a fraction of the power of the amp.

If you have a WT800a, you are screwed unfortunately.

[12bass]

True, if the amp is a B or C model, then running mono bridged would give the most volume. If the amp is the A version, the OP will be getting about 2/3 of the 400W per channel into each speaker. The increase in volume from switching to 4 ohm cabinets would be less than 2 dB. Given that there are matters of limited excursion at low frequencies and power compression to consider, running both cabinets makes more sense than bridging into one.

[raymondl3]

I don't think you want to bridge because the minimum load when bridging on that amp is 8 ohms. If you have two 8 ohm cabinets, your total load will be 4 ohms. That's too low for the amp and might cause damage. You could push one of the cabs, but not both. Then again, 800+ watts is a lot of power to pump into a 15" or 10". You'd be better off with having the extra cab, so just run the amp in stereo at 4ohm per side.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by raymondl3

I don't think you want to bridge because the minimum load when bridging on that amp is 8 ohms. If you have two 8 ohm cabinets, your total load will be 4 ohms. That's too low for the amp and might cause damage. You could push one of the cabs, but not both. Then again, 800+ watts is a lot of power to pump into a 15" or 10". You'd be better off with having the extra cab.

That is only the case with the WT800a (the original model). The b and c are both capable of being bridged into a 4ohm total nominal impedance, and those two cabs can easily handle the power.

The OP will notice a HUGE difference if he is able to do this. If he has a WT800a, then the easist thing to do is sell it and get one of the micro amps (Markbass LMII, etc.), any of which will outperform that big, heavy WT800 when running in dual mono mode into two 8ohm cabs.

[raymondl3]

And if you do want to sell it, PM me!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by 12bass

True, if the amp is a B or C model, then running mono bridged would give the most volume. If the amp is the A version, the OP will be getting about 2/3 of the 400W per channel into each speaker. The increase in volume from switching to 4 ohm cabinets would be less than 2 dB. Given that there are matters of limited excursion at low frequencies and power compression to consider, running both cabinets makes more sense than bridging into one.

The 2db volume increase is misleading. Yes, the volume will increase noticably, but that 'punch and definition' factor that the OP is missing will GREATLY improve with more headroom. Remember, bridging an amp doesn't mean that you will be using all that extra power. It means that extra power is available for peak transients, etc. Also, most bass amps (like speakers) have fantasy marketing specs. The key is to get more power into those two cabs. Who knows if the WT800 actually puts out the continuous power that the specs say it does.

What is clear from many years of experience with this amp, is that if you run it in dual mono into two 8ohm cabs, the output level is lame. Yes, you will get loud, but it will be a thin and 'compressed on the transients' loud. Again, each of those two cabs should be able to easily handle a bit more wattage, and just looking at the 2db volume increase really does not describe the impact if you have ever compared the TONE of the WT800 at 400 vers 800 watts (or 475 versus 1000 or so for the newer models).

HUGE difference in punch, articulation, and the quality of the low end.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by 12bass

Also, note that the newer B/C models produce 1100 watts into 4 ohms bridged (and 880 W into 8 ohms). That would be 550 W into each.

Perfect for those cabs, as long as the OP uses his ears and turns down if he starts to hear compression, etc.

+1 to your limiter comment also. The sort of 'tube emulation' limiting that Genz and TC uses will allow the volume to continue to increase at the expense of open low end and THD (or at least perceived 'clean' tone)... just like a tube amp. The more traditional power amp limiting used by, for example, Markbass, will just keep the amp from getting any louder when it reaches its maximum output at the distortion level defined by the manufacturer (i.e., no real change in tone and frequency response through its usable output... I like this design more).

[raymondl3]

Originally Posted by KJung

What is clear from many years of experience with this amp, is that if you run it in dual mono into two 8ohm cabs, the output level is lame. Yes, you will get loud, but it will be a thin and 'compressed on the transients' loud.

I never had a WT-800, but I have a WT-500 Highwayman which is like the 800 but less power and no crossover. I bridge it to mono 500watts into an SWR 410 (500watts) and it is crazy loud, at least for Classic Rock.

[12bass]

How the output would compare at 8 ohms versus 4 depends a lot on the limiter design, and whether or not the power demand requires running into the limiter. So, if one is running right at the ragged edge, moving to 4 ohm cabinets would offer a significant improvement. But, if one isn't hitting the limiter, then the difference should be negligible.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by 12bass

How the output would compare at 8 ohms versus 4 depends a lot on the limiter design, and whether or not the power demand requires running into the limiter. So, if one is running right at the ragged edge, moving to 4 ohm cabinets would offer a significant improvement. But, if one isn't hitting the limiter, then the difference should be negligible.

+1 Put another way, if you are 'loud enough' and like your tone, adding more power won't make a difference. However, if like the OP, you notice a thinness and lack of punch to your tone, opening up the power can result in a life changing experience

Put another way... having 'just enough' is usually OK. Having even just a smidge less than enough can sound horrible.