Markbass EQ and VLE & VPF filters

[robchorz]

I just purchased a Markbass Tube 800 head and would like some suggested EQ settings and VLE and VPF filter settings. I play mostly 70's rock and a little classic reggae so I am going for a vintage sound. Please DO NOT respond with open ended answers such as it depends on your strings, speakers, the venue, the bass, the band etc... I know people mean well when they do this, but is very unhelpful. I am looking for specific suggestions and opinions for EQ and VLE and VPF settings, which I plan to try and see if they help my sound. I have always had a bad ear for sound, so please DO NOT respond with "see what sounds best for you", because this is not helpful either. This head has EQ setting of Low, Low Mid, Hi Mid and Hi. Your opinions mean a lot! Thanks!

[Sifl]

Low, Low Mid, High Mid, and High at noon, VLE and VPF off.

[Russell L]

Try the VLE at around 1 o-clock, maybe 1:30 to take some highs out. I get a pretty good vintage sound that way. Sometimes I also put the VPF at around 9 0-clock as well. Another sound I like is with VLE at 2:00, VPF at 10:00. It won't take you long to find a sound, but when you get to the gig you'll usually find that what you liked at home doesn't cut through, so you'll be playing with it then, too. The amp ain't bad just all flat, or with everything, including the VLE and VPF, at noon.

Actually, I have the Little Mark II in my CMD 121H combo. I don't know if it sounds different from your 800.

[MarTONEbass]

You'll want to use the VLE knob when trying to get a classic. deeper sound such as with the reggae stuff, higher settings with an active bass. I associate the VPF with a more modern tone. The setting of these knobs vary based on the cabs and bass I'm using.

I set the EQ flat on my Markbass head except for a nudge of low end. My SD800 also has semi-parametric mids which I really like, and I tune in 2 mid freq's I like and nudge them a bit.

[robchorz]

What if you want a bright sound such as Yes or Rush?

[KJung]

That particular Markbass head is a bit modern in voicing... which means big down low, a bit polite in the low mids, and a bit bumped in the upper mids.

In general, for that head with most cabs, roll the bass back just a smidge (maybe 11 o'clock), roll the upper mids back a LOT (9 o'clock is a good place to start), and then season the top end to where you like it with a bit of VLE to smooth it out (10 o'clock is a good place to start). Keep the VPF off, since that does the opposite of the above... widening the bottom, scooping the low mids, and boosting the upper treble.

I found that the tube in the LMT800 was pretty subtle, and that the amp performed best with the blend centered. However, error on the side of the tube pre.

IMO and a bit of IME

[KJung]

Originally Posted by robchorz

What if you want a bright sound such as Yes or Rush?

There is plenty of 'bright' in that head's voicing, but very little grind. It isn't that kind of tube pre. Probably the best thing for that sort of deal (those guys have a lot of tube breakup in their tone) is to put a VT pedal in front of the amp when you want that vibe.

If that is your primary sound, I hate to say it, but a bright, aggressive head with a bit more ability to grind like the GK MBfusion or even the Shuttle 9 might be more your thing.

[chadhargis]

As has been said...set the all EQ knobs to flat and dial up the VLE if you want a vintage tone. The VPF is helpful if you're going for a mid scoop slap tone.

[CapnSev]

I eq my LMII totally flat and use the filters only to get my tone. I usually put my VPF to about 9:30 or 10 o'clock, and my VLE to about 9 or so, sometimes more depending on the gig/venue.

Then again, the LM Tube 800 is a totally different amp from the LMII, and I have no clue what bass or cab you are using, so my settings are probably useless to you.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I eq my LMII totally flat and use the filters only to get my tone. I usually put my VPF to about 9:30 or 10 o'clock, and my VLE to about 9 or so, sometimes more depending on the gig/venue.

Then again, the LM Tube 800 is a totally different amp from the LMII, and I have no clue what bass or cab you are using, so my settings are probably useless to you.

Well, that was about what I was saying, too.

[BurningSkies]

On my LMII for reggae I:

-Low @ noon or slightly more (12:30ish)
-Low Mid @10 O'clock
-Mid @ 9 o'clock
-High @ 7 o'clock

VLE @ ~ 8 o'clock
VPF @ ~8 o'clock

I can't imagine the VLE past about 10 o'clock...mud city. I find that the trick is to use the VPF to add in a little sub-low and then the VLE to tame the extra highs it adds.

[KJung]

Just to clarify again, the LMII/III and the LM800 and LMT800 are completely different sounding. VERY different EQ required to approach the same tone.