Genz volume/connection question

[ThePunster]

I just got a GB shuttle 6.0 and the Neox 212T – which is a 4 ohm cab so I should be getting the full 600W from the shuttle. Unless I crank the gain way up (and I do not like to - as it gives me a buzzing) I really am not impressed with the volume I get from this setup. I was expecting earth shaking window shattering bass – it sounds good, but with the volume and master up all the way it is not at all as loud as I expected. Am I doing something wrong? Is there something that could cause this?
I do not have a lot of experience with bass amps, but was playing a small Markbass 300W combo that I could not come close to playing at 10 – I thought this would blow it away.
Thanks -

[MODELL]

I know volume is perceived and subjective, but I have the Markbass 121 Combo and a 1 12" cabinet for a total of 500 watts. I keep the gain around 6 and cannot turn the master past 2.5 in my house. It is extremely loud and vibrates everything in the room. That's also about the volume I play at gigs (most w/o the extension cab which is then a 300 watt combo)

[noahw1]

What settings are you playing with? Where do you have the master volume? Gain? EQ section?
One thing that has been mentioned on here quite a bit is that the GB stuff is made so that you can continue getting volume as you crank the master and gain, whereas Markbass stuff gets you there much faster but maybe maxes out at about 6 or 7.

[ThingsAbove]

What kind of room are you playing in? Is there a wall behind you? Anything to reflect the bass in that small cabinet back at you?

Seems to me that bass in space is just a waste.

Unless you have a wall of cabinet or a wall to place your cabinet in front of bass volume disappears.

[ThePunster]

I will post precise numbers when I get home but - I started as described in the manual with everything at 12 oclock except the volumes and gain, closer to 9. I started raising the preamp gain, and did not like the buzz/hum so I backed it off to maybe 7 or 8 oclock. After that I maxed out the preamp volume and then master - sitting right in front of it in a small bedroom with the amp less than 2 feet from the wall.

I was playing a Markbass 121 combo - same as you - MODELL - same room, same setup and I could get nowhere near maxing out the volume.

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by ThePunster

I will post precise numbers when I get home but - I started as described in the manual with everything at 12 oclock except the volumes and gain, closer to 9. I started raising the preamp gain, and did not like the buzz/hum so I backed it off to maybe 7 or 8 oclock. After that I maxed out the preamp volume and then master - sitting right in front of it in a small bedroom with the amp less than 2 feet from the wall.

I was playing a Markbass 121 combo - same as you - MODELL - same room, same setup and I could get nowhere near maxing out the volume.

Wait a minute... with volume and gain closer to 9:00, you are way down on the rotation and signal levels. Of course, as you start increasing gain you will begin to overdrive the tube and if done hard enough (depends on the output level of your bass) it probably won't sound all that nice. Start with the channel volume and master at noon or 1:00 and see how that works out for you.

As a suggestion, take a look at the manual where we talk about starting out with your amp and setting levels. There's some helpful information about this very topic.

http://www.genzbenz.com/img/manuals/...LE6_manual.pdf

[ThePunster]

Starting at 9 - I was playing it safe as I have never had 600W capability. I worked up to max preamp volume and max master volume - with the gain still low (7 or 8 oclock).

I will be experimenting more tonight.

[ThePunster]

Played a bunch this weekend. I did follow what the manual said and it definitely sounds louder with more gain, less preamp volume and more master volume. I still find it strange that if the gain is low( again 9 o'clock), that I can turn both the preamp volume and master volume to max- all the way up - 5 o'clock - "10" as they say and it really not that loud.

I realize loud is subjective, but I've never been able to turn up any amp master volume to max regardlesss of other setting. Strange. I'm sure I'll get used to it. I do like the sound, I just need to learn how to better set things.

One other question, if possible- I did try headphones and only got sound from one ear, ?

Thanks for the help.

[agedhorse]

Because there's now the opportunity to set gain of all stages according to the output level of the bass and the needs of the particular playing style. We aren't the only ones who do this.