Punch from Carvin BX500 & Epifani PS115

**MostlyBass** · #1 03-08-2013, 08:22 AM

I have a BX500 and an Epifani PS115 (8 ohm, 400 watt). I can't seem to get a solid 'punch' out of it. It sounds great but I can't feel the bass as much as I'd like.

I'm running a 5 string Icon into a VT Bass pedal into the head.

Any suggestions for amp settings or cabinet issues?

Thank you!

Lync · #2 03-08-2013, 08:25 AM

I find that with the BX500 it is okay to turn the bass almost all the way full. Leave everything else 12 noon, use the scoop to taste (start around 10am). Drive at noon. Then...leave the eq basically flat but activate it for just a bit more.

**CL400Peavey** · #3 03-08-2013, 08:26 AM

What kind of settings are you using on the amp and the pedal? I would try setting everything to noon and making small tweaks from there. Probably need to dial in some low mids around 100-150Hz.

**MostlyBass** · #4 03-08-2013, 08:33 AM

Thanks for the replies!

I had the drive and scoop at about 10 o'clock each.

Parametric eq flat and graphic eq with a slight boost in the low and mid highs. The bass at about 1 o'clock and treble flat.

**MostlyBass** · #5 03-08-2013, 08:58 AM

On the VT:

Level - noon
Mid - noon
Character - 11
Drive - 9
Low - 2
Treble - 2

**CL400Peavey** · #6 03-08-2013, 09:10 AM

Mid scoop is not your friend. In the mix it is a tone/presence suck.

Lows and highs dont go above noon, bump your mids. Sounds counter intuitive but your punch will come out that way.

**MostlyBass** · #7 03-08-2013, 09:33 AM

Thanks! I'll try it this weekend at practice.

Lync · #8 03-09-2013, 04:23 PM

The bass knob is a shelving-type control. Boosting it on this amp gives it its grunt (and I tend to like a mid, growly tone). Just weird like that. If I never boosted the bass, I would have thought the amp was kinda weak/blah.

KGarrett · #9 03-09-2013, 04:33 PM

FWIW, this is how I set mine; I'm using an Avatar 212neo cab.

J-bass straight into amp

Contour - Off
Bass - Flat
Low Mid - Around 125-150Hz - +6db
Hi Mid - Around 500Hz - +3db
Treble - Flat

That usually does it for me, plenty punchy.

**MostlyBass** · #10 03-12-2013, 02:52 PM

It was definitely better but still seemed a bit lacking.

billhw13 · #11 03-12-2013, 03:31 PM

I would suggest plugging straight into the amp. IMO, the pedals can trick you into taking our too much mids. Give it a try.

**MostlyBass** · #12 03-18-2013, 03:00 AM

Ah! Mission accomplished!
On the graphic eq - turn 50hz almost completely off. 80 flat,125 at about 70%,250 at 100%, 500 at 80%, 800 flat, and then treble to taste..

One of the issues was the signal from my bass was too hot... I lowered that a bit. I turn turn up the bass knob on the amp.... Contour off and Drive to taste...

Thank you!