Help with my rig!

[IBtheBassist]

Thanks for all the replies, guys! And keep up the funk!

[MyMusic]

Sometimes less is more. Go shake some walls!!!!

[IBtheBassist]

Alright, well, I got to hear it for the first time and it sounds perfect to me! The only problem is the head, though. If I put it over the 4 notch, the red light for clipping comes up. Also, turns out the head does 200watts at 8ohms and the speaker i have is 400watts. o_o i think the problem maybe be with having too small of a head. Any thoughts?

[scottfeldstein]

Your cab is 8 ohms, I think. At that load your head delivers 180w to it. If you had a 4 ohm load--one big 4 ohm cab OR a pair of 8 ohm cabs--your head would be delivering 300w.

[IBtheBassist]

ok, so if i hooked up two speakers, it would be delivering 180watts to both, or 300watts to both? or just all around 300watts.(and then in that case, will i need an amp that does 250-350watts at 8ohms to support just the one cab alone?)

[Downunderwonder]

Some amps don't sound right unless they are indicating clip but I don't think Peavey are ever like that, certainly not the ones I've played. Generally you want a non clipped signal in a solid state amp for a clean sound, but if it sounds good, no problem.

Where is the clip light in the signal chain? A bass amp has several stages where the bass signal gets ramped up.

On my Trace the lights are on the preamp input so you get a visual indication of how hot your bass signal is. I think most amps do it this way. So you only have to turn down your input gain or your bass and you're off to the races.

Or if the light is on the power amp input turn down EQ sliders or input gain to keep it clean.

Don't get caught up in the power rating numbers. Use your ears. A 200W amp can't blow a 400W cab as easily than a 400W amp can, but it's still quite possible if you're trying too hard.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by IBtheBassist

ok, so if i hooked up two speakers, it would be delivering 180watts to both, or 300watts to both? or just all around 300watts.(and then in that case, will i need an amp that does 250-350watts at 8ohms to support just the one cab alone?)

If you hook up an 8 ohm load, 180w. If you hook up a 4 ohm load, 300w.

These numbers are approximate and have been through both the engineering and the marketing departments at every amplifier company.

Your amp is clipping because it's cranked up too high. If you gave it a 4 ohm load instead of 8 you might not have to turn it up as high. Plus, two 8 ohm cabinets might have more speaker drivers than your one 8 ohm cab does, making your rig louder still.

Bottom line: If you find you're clipping the amp at the volumes you like to play at, get a second 8 ohm cab. It'll increase the number of speakers and increase the amount of watts delivered by your amp--both of which should make you louder and happier.

[IBtheBassist]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Some amps don't sound right unless they are indicating clip but I don't think Peavey are ever like that, certainly not the ones I've played. Generally you want a non clipped signal in a solid state amp for a clean sound, but if it sounds good, no problem.

Where is the clip light in the signal chain? A bass amp has several stages where the bass signal gets ramped up.

On the Hartke that I'm using, the clip is on the power amp output.

[IBtheBassist]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Your amp is clipping because it's cranked up too high.

How is that possible when it's not even past 4? :\ Also, i should mention that every so often it would stop producing sound completely and the yellow protect light would come on. Like, after I'd been playing something kinda heavy and then paused for a few seconds and started playing again, it would come on.

[IBtheBassist]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Or if the light is on the power amp input turn down EQ sliders or input gain to keep it clean.

I didn't read the rest of what you wrote before I posted that, my bad.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by IBtheBassist

How is that possible when it's not even past 4? :\ Also, i should mention that every so often it would stop producing sound completely and the yellow protect light would come on. Like, after I'd been playing something kinda heavy and then paused for a few seconds and started playing again, it would come on.

Yeah, every time it does that it's chosen to live instead of spewing smoke and dying. It's called "protect" for a reason.

[NYCbassist]

The 3500 can handle a decent size room. I gigged with one for a year or so with 2 4X10 Hartke cabinets. With just one 4X10 it was a bit too quiet but still plenty stout for rehearsals. Eq will go a long way to prevent the red limiter light from coming on. Lower the low frequencies and raise the Mids. You'll be surprised how loud it can get by actually "Pulling" down the Bass Eq a bit.

[Downunderwonder]

Power is chewed up in making sub frequencies like you wouldn't believe.

[IBtheBassist]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Yeah, every time it does that it's chosen to live instead of spewing smoke and dying. It's called "protect" for a reason.

haha, well i guess now I know it's not suicidal. XD
it's a good thing thats there, or else it would definitely be toasted right now..

[IBtheBassist]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Power is chewed up in making sub frequencies like you wouldn't believe.

hmm, i'll be sure to remember that, thanks for the tip!

[Downunderwonder]

Also, there's only so much low end you can get out of any cab before the speakers get distorted and then tear. As the NYC guy said, boost mids and cut low bass lets you get a lot louder without overdriving the cab.

The real low stuff can be nice to have up to a point but it's unsophisticated rumble compared to the rest of your tone. Some players go to great lengths chasing reproduction of all kinds of low fundamental tones. Big waste of effort. Most club subwoofers can't punch out low E fundamental, your little bass cab can dream on.