Markbass F500 volume?

[Kwesi]

I'm getting the feeling that my F500 is somehow much quieter than it should be. I have the gain set at 9 o'clock and the master set at 12 o'clock for regular practice volume going straight from the bass to the amp. I feel like I should have to have it that high to get a decent practice volume from it. I don't practice super loud or anything (gig volume) but I do like to pump the volume a little bit. I thought it might have been the battery in my bass but when I used my other, passive, bass the volume was about the same. Any ideas? I'm running the F500 into a Bergantino AE410

[Devo-lution]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm getting the feeling that my F500 is somehow much quieter than it should be. I have the gain set at 9 o'clock and the master set at 12 o'clock for regular practice volume going straight from the bass to the amp. I feel like I should have to have it that high to get a decent practice volume from it. I don't practice super loud or anything (gig volume) but I do like to pump the volume a little bit. I thought it might have been the battery in my bass but when I used my other, passive, bass the volume was about the same. Any ideas? I'm running the F500 into a Bergantino AE410

Are your basses really high output? Gain at 9' doesn't seem much to me. I usually run my markbasses with gain at 12-1.

[KJung]

First, the position of the knobs doesn't mean anything. Use your ears, not your eyes. The F500 is honestly rated, and loud as heck. I have never run out of headroom, even slapping on loud outside gigs with no PA support.

One thing you do need to do (as is the case on any solid state amp) is set the input gain correctly to get maximum power out of the unit. Turn the master down (so you don't kill your ears), and hit your open E as hard as you would ever play. Turn the pre gain up to just below the clip light coming on (with my J Basses, this is typically between 11 and 1 o'clock, but may greatly vary due to technique and bass output).

That being said, a 500 watt amp is a 500 watt amp. If the F500 is not loud enough for you, then the Shuttle 6, the Thunderfunk, the AG500, the LMII, etc. will also not be loud enough for you, and you might have to go to a higher wattage platform.

[Daveydude]

More volume=more speakers....
Maybe the 410 is not enough....
I have a LMII running a 8x10e and have plenty of volume.
My .02

[KJung]

My guess is, if the OP was comparing two different basses without adjusting the input gain, the issue is user error. If he follows my earlier post, he will most likely be a happy camper.

+1 though, if the volume is still below what he needs, more cabinets (which would require either a different head or 8ohm cabs) would most likely be the ticket, since additional wattage over 500 watts will only give you a smidge more output with the AE410.

[lbwdog]

Originally Posted by KJung

One thing you do need to do (as is the case on any solid state amp) is set the input gain correctly to get maximum power out of the unit. Turn the master down (so you don't kill your ears), and hit your open E as hard as you would ever play. Turn the pre gain up to just below the clip light coming on (with my J Basses, this is typically between 11 and 1 o'clock, but may greatly vary due to technique and bass output).

+1
I've noticed on my MarkBass, the Input Gain is quite sensitive.
(i.e.; small adjustments, up or down, produce noticeable changes in volume.)

[tombowlus]

We measured the F500 at 469 watts into a 4-Ohm load at less than 1% THD. FWIW, this is very respectable, and many of the other "500+ watt" micros either don't put out as much or do so at much higher THD.

If clean power in a small package, with a high degree of tone shaping capabilities, is important to you, the F500 is a great performer, IME/IMHO.

Tom.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Devo-lution

Are your basses really high output? Gain at 9' doesn't seem much to me. I usually run my markbasses with gain at 12-1.

+1

9 o'clock seems awfully low. I don't think I've ever set it below 11 or so.

[Hollow Man]

Kwesi, you're just losing your hearing.

[jnewmark]

You really do have to set the gain as Ken described. On my F1, it was typically around 1 o'clock with my passive Jazz, and Master to taste.

[Jimmy Stump]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

You really do have to set the gain as Ken described. On my F1, it was typically around 1 o'clock with my passive Jazz, and Master to taste.

1 o'clock, really? I have an F1 and the clip light would come on constantly if I had the gain at 1 o'clock? And I'm using a passive Jazz as well.

[lbwdog]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stump

1 o'clock, really? I have an F1 and the clip light would come on constantly if I had the gain at 1 o'clock? And I'm using a passive Jazz as well.

Different pickups, playing style, distance from strings. All these could account for the differences.

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stump

1 o'clock, really? I have an F1 and the clip light would come on constantly if I had the gain at 1 o'clock? And I'm using a passive Jazz as well.

Yup. With my '96 4 string Jazz, it was right around 1 o'clock. I'm not much of a slap and pop guy, but I do play finger funk style and that was the sweet spot . My action is also set a tad higher.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stump

1 o'clock, really? I have an F1 and the clip light would come on constantly if I had the gain at 1 o'clock? And I'm using a passive Jazz as well.

That's what the input gain is for, to adjust for instrument output (hot or weak), and playing style (aggressive or soft).

It is not at all common for players using the same amp and same bass to have very different input gain setting due to the level of attack they use.

Also, it is impossible to compare knob positions across different amp manufacturers, since they all use different types of gain structures and pot tapers. For me, with the same bass, my gain on the F1 is set at 11 o'clock (resulting in 'just below clip light) and my gain setting on my Puma500 is at 3 o'clock (resulting in 'just below clip light).... totally different designs.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

We measured the F500 at 469 watts into a 4-Ohm load at less than 1% THD. FWIW, this is very respectable, and many of the other "500+ watt" micros either don't put out as much or do so at much higher THD.

Hey Tom, do you think you'd care to post what other micro-heads of a similar wattage rating measured under those conditions?

I realize that that's dangerously close to asking if a watt always equals a watt, but I can't help but think that someone considering purchasing an F500 might read your post, immediately think that the F500 is underpowered, and then discount it as an option for them.

I don't know if this is something you're amenable to, but I thought I'd put it out there.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Hey Tom, do you think you'd care to post what other micro-heads of a similar wattage rating measured under those conditions?

Eventually. We've been doing a lot of testing, but we will only publish results of products we have officially reviewed.

I realize that that's dangerously close to asking if a watt always equals a watt, but I can't help but think that someone considering purchasing an F500 might read your post, immediately think that the F500 is underpowered, and then discount it as an option for them.

Actually, it is not underpowered at all. In fact, we'll have some test results and other material in issue #6 which will reinforce this.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Actually, it is not underpowered at all. In fact, we'll have some test results and other material in issue #6 which will reinforce this.

I definitely understand this, but I can envision a number of people who may not. Remember, there are still people who would buy an LMII over an RH450 simply because the LMII is supposed to have 50 more watts!

I know that the 450-600W micro heads are loud enough for me, so the absolute numbers that come from your test aren't a decision driver. Still, I would be quite interested to see how they all come out!

[Devo-lution]

Since I started learning about EQ and room accoustics, I can do with my Little Mark on 30% of the master volume in quite loud-ish rock bands. These micro heads really have lots of potential volume for rockbands, given that they are coupled to speakers that are efficiënt enough.

[anton72]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

+1

9 o'clock seems awfully low. I don't think I've ever set it below 11 or so.

+1000! Kwesi, try it the other way round, i.e. gain at 12 o'klock and master at 9 o'clock and I swear you'll hear difference (just don't damage your ears))! I have LM250+Club121 and use gain 11 and master 9 for practice...more than enough.

[KJung]

Just did an A/B with the F500 and Shuttle 9. Very similar in a max output to my ear. Both great heads, but volume and the F500 is a zero issue through a large 4ohm cab. Quite impressive!