the most uncolored amp ? a reference amp ?

[ialma]

We all know that Yamaha NS-10 are the reference monitors for many studios.
Does a reference amp/head/cabinet exist ?
Question n°2 which is the most uncolored head/cabinet around ?
Regards!

[KJung]

You will get 50 different answers. All heads and cabs have a voice, and almost every amp and cab has been described as flat by someone.

[christopherogut]

(pssst... almost anything Trace Elliot... in my opinion at least)

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by KJung

You will get 50 different answers. All heads and cabs have a voice, and almost every amp and cab has been described as flat by someone.

This.

My guess is the most truly uncolored amp is probably actually some studio mic pre.

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

You can tell if an amp colors by running a CD through it.

"Bass amps" are designed for bass. Same for guitar. The closest "instrument amp" to a reference would be a keyboard amp.

With one exception I've found and it's why I use them.

I use Bag End. They make line arrays and other pro audio speakers. The music cabs are designed on the same principal. In my amp I use the same power section that they put in the line arrays so you can plug a CD, mic, guitar, fiddle, flute or what ever in and it will sound correct, with proper miking and EQ.

This is what you'd want from a reference monitor or pro audio speaker. My bass amp does that.

[KJung]

Here we go!

[NYCbassist]

I would have to guess an Ampeg Vintage Tube Amp with the EQ set Flat and a very small amount of Pre-Gain.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by ialma

We all know that Yamaha NS-10 are the reference monitors for many studios.
Does a reference amp/head/cabinet exist ?
Question n°2 which is the most uncolored head/cabinet around ?
Regards!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Reference doesn't necessarily imply uncolored.

FYI, NS-10s are/were a reference for the typical, crappy bookshelf speakers many folks use/used.

[JHAz]

not to rain on the thread, but I'm not sure we want truly flat from bass output to speaker output. Could try a good mixer, PA amp and PA speakers. Maybe straight in to a QSC K12 or something.

And BTW, I agree, NS10s . . . used to read that if you could make it sound good on those, it would sound good anywhere . . .

[ialma]

Sorry, I've read the Yamahas were a reference speakers for many studios. Now I understand why, but it does not change the sense of the thread.
Ok, looks like there is no answer to my question, I'll delete the thread.

[lomo]

Good channel strip into power amp.

[fdeck]

Check out Euphonic Audio. Their design philosophy for their amps is transparent sound, and they have very high product quality. As for speakers, something like a high quality studio monitor might do the trick. Bass cabs depart from transparency in some important ways. They tend to cut off the lowest frequencies, which is probably a tonal preference but also a size tradeoff. And they also tend to have more peaks and dips in the midrange which is probably a tradeoff against complexity and efficiency.

Most bassists, except those who are really seeking a lot of thump, would probably be unhappy with a speaker that is flat down to the lowest fundamental of the bass.

[Duckwater]

I plug straight into a Carvin mixer that goes into a 800 watt power amp, it's very flat but I still notice a little bit of color.

[SpectorDetector]

Always thought Makbass was pretty transparent and uncolored.