Finishing my bass rig.

Dambrother71 · #1 05-23-2010, 06:33 AM

I am aware that this is a common thread but I'm new at all this gear stuff and am a little overwhelmed by all the complicated gear talk. The first thing I need help with is: I have an Ampeg SVT3 Pro and a line 6 bass pod XT pro and I've been trying to set them up different ways but each time but I can not get the volume I want. its so frustrating because I was playing live the other night and I couldn't hear my self at all. If anyone has any suggestions on how to run the pod as a preamp into the Ampeg with out sacrificing volume for tone or visa versa I would greatly appreciate it.

I also would like to pick some ones brain about what accessories to add to my gear to make it a nice rack mount. I want to both spice it up a little and maybe add a little more punch and tone. I am really up for any suggestions as long as i don't have to sell my right arm to have it. I would prefer to not sell any of my gear I have now but if I have to inorder to get what I need, so be it.

Mingo Sanders · #2 05-23-2010, 06:47 AM

The manual for the Pod XT/XT Pro is 136 pages. Can you describe the settings and connections for the Pod and head that leave you wanting more volume? Otherwise, we're just guessing. On your rack question, could you tell us the other gear you have? Also, let us know the style of music you play, the size of the rooms where you gig, and a little about the other players in your band, e.g., do you have a loud drummer or guitarist. Actually, I'm just guessing that you have a drummer and a guitarist. We need lots more info to start figuring this out.

Dambrother71 · #3 05-23-2010, 06:59 AM

Well, I play metal mostly but we consider ourselves more melodic. Were not death metal at all and don't want to be another generic metal band. I am currently barrowing an ampeg 4 by 10 I have a Schecter studio4 bass. Our drummer is usually loud and our guitarists like to keep up with him and they always seem to be telling me to turn myself down when I can usually not hear my self to begin with. since I am borrowing a cab I am also looking to get a new either Avatar 4 by 10 or Ampeg 6 or 8 by 10. as far as the first question goes, im not too sure what you mean. I have literally been using trial and error with my gear so far because its new and its not working out too well. Sorry I cant be more help.

Mingo Sanders · #4 05-23-2010, 07:29 AM

Did you buy your XT Pro new or used? If you bought it used and you don't have manual, you can read one here:

XT Pro Manual

Most modern gear has lots of functionality that you can truly undertstand only if you suffer the drudgery of reading the manual. My quick read told me that Line 6 recommends that you run the output control wide open or close to it. That may be one cause of low output for you. Good luck, be sure to come back and let us know if you got it to work the way you need.

LowWay · #5 05-23-2010, 08:01 AM

step away from your amp by 10-15 feet. Can you hear yourself better?

rickdog · #6 05-23-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dambrother71

If anyone has any suggestions on how to run the pod as a preamp into the Ampeg with out sacrificing volume for tone or visa versa I would greatly appreciate it.

"Pod as a preamp into the Ampeg" sounds like you are plugging the bass into the pod, and the pod into the amp input on the front panel.

You could try using the effects loop instead. Plug the bass into the front of the amp, connect the effects send of the amp to the pod input, and the pod output to the effects return of the amp.

Other variations you could try are to skip the pod altogether and just use the amp's preamp; or plug the bass into the pod and the pod into the power amp in, completely bypassing the amp's preamp. Note that in the latter configuration, the "tube gain" control is still in the circuit.

I have an SVT-3PRO, and personally I really dig the preamp (I like to crank up the gain control enough to get some retro-sounding tube distortion). I use it with a Genz Benz 410 XB2, which I find is a really good match. If that's not a deep enough sound for you, try their 610, or try to find a used Ampeg PR410HLF (why did they stop making those?).

Dambrother71 · #7 05-23-2010, 10:54 AM

yeah, I have tried most of them but I'll keep working with it just to perfect it I guess. do you think that using the pod with the ampgeg is a good match or should i sell one or the other and use it by its self(the ampeg) or use one with something else?

RNV · #8 05-23-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowWay

step away from your amp by 10-15 feet. Can you hear yourself better?

+8376513487561384765

Your head and cab alone should be able to keep up with them with out sweating a drop. You may want to add some mids to your mix to cut better. Bass is meant to be HEARD and felt.

Dambrother71 · #9 05-23-2010, 11:11 AM

yeah, thats why Im worried I've got something wired wrong or dialed wrong because i CANT hear myself and my volume was way past halfway and was pretty much past 3/4 which i have a fear of passing 6 and 7 because I think I messed up my last amp that way.

arginator · #10 05-23-2010, 11:20 AM

If you're not happy with your volume or tone, maybe the preamp in your Schecter's bad? Or maybe you just need a new battery?

Dambrother71 · #11 05-23-2010, 11:22 AM

that is a VERY good point! i never thought to change my battery because usually i only change it when it dies. ill try that. if its not the battery but the preamp, what should i do from there?

rickdog · #12 05-23-2010, 01:24 PM

Umm, yes, if the bass ain't putting it out, you can't amplify it

Once you've checked your battery, here's a suggested method for setting up the several volume controls between your pickups and speaker. Leave the pod aside for now, plug the bass into the Ampeg.

Turn the volume control(s) on your bass up all the way.

Turn the gain and master volume controls on the amp down all the way. Make sure the -15 dB pad switch is out (not padded). Set the tone controls flat.

Play as hard as you like to play and watch the peak light - it will indicate the signal level in the very first tube stage, before the gain control. If it comes on much, turn the volume on the bass down a bit. If you have to turn it down much, you may want to use the -15 dB pad. The goal is to have it flash occasionally (if you like a little tube distortion) or not at all (if you want a clean sound).

Now start turning up the gain control. You should be able to light up the peak light hard if you crank it. (If you can't light it at all, find out what's wrong with your bass.) Back off until you get that occasional flash, or just a bit below.

Bet you wonder what it sounds like... start turning up the master volume. You should find it satisfyingly loud at some point. If not, something's funky in your amp or speaker.

Tweak the gain for the right amount of tube distortion, and adjust the EQ to taste.

I always run the volume on my passive basses dimed because the volume affects the tone. With an active bass you may want to back off a bit so you can adjust your overall level and/or distortion by reaching down and adjusting volume on the bass.

Dambrother71 · #13 05-23-2010, 04:11 PM

wow thanks! That helps a lot. I will def try that tonight and tell you how it sounds. It seems like you know your stuff...Know any good upgrades that I might look into in the future if everything is in check?

Dambrother71 · #14 06-03-2010, 07:47 PM

So I'm getting new pickups, getting my action set up, new strings so hopefuly that will make me louder, but I know this is amps so, anyone have more advice on setting up this rig.

muddycreek · #15 06-03-2010, 07:59 PM

Your first post implies you have had to trade volume for tone in some of your experiments.

How is your volume without the pod? How is the tone without it? Are your speakers pointed at your head?

Square away your speaker positioning, volume and tone with the amp ONLY first. Then you'll know if you flat out have enough amp and/or speaker. If you don't, nothing added to the rack is going to make up for THAT. If that ends up working out ok, then you'll have a better idea whether you need anything more.

While there are effects/eq's/rack thingys/pedals that are necessary to reach specific tone goals, but I think most people who don't have the tone they want have something to fix in the playing, bass, speakers, or head, in that order. More stuff to get better tone usually doesn't seem to work.

Inflammatory aside; In MY PERSONAL OPINION, the bass pod (and the regular one for guitar) tend to pull the tone out a bit (happened every time I recorded somebody with them). It's almost like you get many more tone options, but 80% of the tone QUALITY. Some definitely seems to be the converters, some is probably the math.

muddycreek · #16 06-03-2010, 08:01 PM

Oh, and I've always run my output gain at 100% and used input gain for volume. Lots of different rigs, speakers, and basses. Never had any problem. My understanding is that it allows more headroom throughout the signal, while adding a bit of noise that's never mattered to me.