Markbass SD1200 anyone? - Page 13

::::BASSIST:::: · #**241** 02-06-2012, 08:28 PM

Thinking of picking one of these up to go with my fEarful 15/6. So many variable opinions though.... hmmm.

Son of Bovril · #**242** 02-07-2012, 01:49 AM

An amp of this power needs a mute switch IMO

Seems strange to me that with all the technology Markbass puts into their amps that they seem to always choose not to add a mute? Maybe you guys don't use it much but I find it pretty indispensable

rpsands · #**243** 02-07-2012, 08:15 AM

Tuner.

Lefty7 · #**244** 02-19-2013, 03:43 PM

Ordered my SD1200 from MF, should be here tomorrow. I'll be running it through my Aguilar GS412. I'm currently running a SansAmp Bass Driver DI into an old SWR Stereo 800, which is cool, but I wanted some better mid control and some more headroom. I may continue to roll the BDDI for some grit. From what I read here on TB, seems some sub-low rolloff may be in order. I have an old Alesis M-EQ230 which I may use for just that purpose. I read here on TB that it's crap, but seems to work ok for me whenever I need it. Anyway, I guess I'll post my opinion here...even though it's been about a year since this thread's been active.

lo-freq · #**245** 02-19-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty7

Ordered my SD1200 from MF, should be here tomorrow. I'll be running it through my Aguilar GS412. I'm currently running a SansAmp Bass Driver DI into an old SWR Stereo 800, which is cool, but I wanted some better mid control and some more headroom. I may continue to roll the BDDI for some grit. From what I read here on TB, seems some sub-low rolloff may be in order. I have an old Alesis M-EQ230 which I may use for just that purpose. I read here on TB that it's crap, but seems to work ok for me whenever I need it. Anyway, I guess I'll post my opinion here...even though it's been about a year since this thread's been active.

I bet that match-up (SD1200 & GS412) works really well (and should be easily capable of eardrum bursting levels).
If the low end on the SD1200 is anything like the F500 (which I've heard it is), then you shouldn't need any 'sub-low rolloff'.

rpsands · #**246** 02-19-2013, 04:17 PM

The sd1200 reaaaaaaally benefits from a low end roll off device when used with a fiver

Sent from my HTC6990LVW using Board Express

lo-freq · #**247** 02-19-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

The sd1200 reaaaaaaally benefits from a low end roll off device when used with a fiver

Sent from my HTC6990LVW using Board Express

I stand corrected.
Based on how tight the low end is on the F500 with my SR5, I figured it would kick really well down low.
The GS412 is a really wide sounding cab though that's for sure.

PAZ GIRASOLE · #**248** 02-21-2013, 04:02 PM

Hi guys, greetings from downunder,

I own 2 SD1200's. The amp is very capable of producing excessive bottom end when you start pushing the VLF filter past 12pm. I use markbass 4 x 10 cabs and noticed too much speaker cone movement and vibrations and rattling from just about everything in the room close to my rig.

Solution ; SFX micro thumpinator. Not only does it remove those unwanted frequencies below 30Hz, it stops excessive speaker cone excursion, tightens the bottom end and adds nice fattness to all your notes right across the whole fretboard.

Cheers.

Son of Bovril · #**249** 02-22-2013, 02:01 AM

Just a note about running the VPF that high at loud volumes is that you are boosting the lows up and cutting the mids so essentially you are pushing the amp harder due to the extra lows and having to turn up because cutting the mids reduces the perceived volume. This puts a lot more strain on both the amp and speakers

KJung · #**250** 02-22-2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAZ GIRASOLE

Hi guys, greetings from downunder,

I own 2 SD1200's. The amp is very capable of producing excessive bottom end when you start pushing the VLF filter past 12pm. I use markbass 4 x 10 cabs and noticed too much speaker cone movement and vibrations and rattling from just about everything in the room close to my rig.

Solution ; SFX micro thumpinator. Not only does it remove those unwanted frequencies below 30Hz, it stops excessive speaker cone excursion, tightens the bottom end and adds nice fattness to all your notes right across the whole fretboard.

Cheers.

I assume you are talking about the VPF. Yes, that is a 'scoop' control that also greatly boosts the sub bass and scoops the low mids. I would turn that filter off, and your issue will go away. Pushing that filter past noon results in MASSIVELY boosted deep low end, strongly boosted upper treble, and a deep cut in the mids around 400hz. Not good in 99% of situations.

+1 though, that the SD series of Markbass amps put out a lot of deep bass (less tightly 'hi passed' in the low end than the lower wattage model). The Micro Thumpinator type hi pass would be a useful tool. IMO, the FDeck Hi Pass III is a much better execution versus the Microthumpinator on a number of dimensions.

Turn off that VPF though... that will help a lot (unless you have a massively mid mid humped cab). It can be a a somewhat useful control set below 9 o'clock if you want a 'hi fi' tone as that term is used on TB, but in general, it soes much more harm than good in a mix.

Son of Bovril · #**251** 02-22-2013, 07:20 AM

^ 1 000 000%

Lefty7 · #**252** 02-25-2013, 01:40 PM

I finally got to use the SD1200 at a full 4 hour rehearsal yesterday. I had been playing it at low volume in my apartment since Wednesday and first impressions were not bad.

Jumping into it at rehearsal I got to fully realize that this amp is a freakin' monster! In terms of sheer volume, with the gain knob at 40%, I had no reason to turn the master up past the same point, even with two blaring guitar halfstacks and PA'd drums going at it, the SD cut right through. TONS of super lows coming from my GS412. I was able to dial in a decent sound bumping the bass knob and the low mids @ around 150hz, and the highs just a little. I found it not too hard to dial in all types of sounds, even before going through my eq to get some of the sub lows out, which tightened it up a bit. Engaging the VPF a little, I was able to find a KILLER slap tone. With such beastly power and headroom, and the cool tone shaping options (the VLE is kind of cool as when I engaged my BDDI it turned the harsh sounding overdrive I ran through it into some nice warm fuzz), one would figure that I would not want to send her back. My decision of which amp I'm going to drop this hard earned/long saved money had boiled down to the SD1200, and the GK2001RB. The rehearsal studio we use has a 400RB, which I a/b'd to compare and well...obviously the volume wasn't there, but that GK sound...

I've played GK amps before (owned a 400, 800 and for a short time before it took a crap, a 2000RB), and there is something about the character of the sound that the GK amps produce that was simply lacking from the MarkBass. There's a certain push in the mids, and that certain kind of grit and snarl that can be coaxed out of the GKs. I play metal, punk and reggae with a Schecter Diamond P5 Custom, and that GK sound just seems right for me. IMO the Markbass would be perfect if I was looking for a more modern sound, maybe playing some r&b, funk, gospel etc. The 2k1 is currently on backorder at MF. I took advantage of the opportunity to try the SD1200, which I was curious about, and now it's been sated. The SD1200 is nice, but it's just not my sound. She's goin' back. It's gonna be a loooong 3 weeks.

I know it's not the most informative of reviews, more just my experience.