sooo I just got a little mark iii woooohooo

chris4355 · #1 07-29-2011, 11:37 PM

Hey everyone, just wanted to say whatsup. I'm a drummer whos also becoming much more active as a bassist so I'll probably be in and out of these forums much more often. Because of my drum background I do a LOT of slap bass, maybe I'll post some vids later or something.

Anyways

I just got a little mark iii head unit, I tried as many lightweight cabs as I could with it and ended up going for the Markbass 112 cab, I felt like it brought out the sound I want the most.

I'm considering getting a second Markbass 112 in the near future. As I didn't want to buy 2 of them right away, and I know there's also many more possibilities.

I have a couple of questions...

Any thoughts on maybe getting a different cabinet?

The manual says I should not leave the amp plugged in the walljack when not in use for prolonged periods of time... What exactly is a "prolonged" period of time?

The reason I am considering 2 112 cabs is because
- its very easy to move around
-I tried a Markbass combo 12" with an added 12" cab..it sounded sooo good. I'm assuming 2 separate cabs and a newer head unit (combo was LMII instead of LMIII) will produce that exact sound as well.

My final question is.... How would I go about connecting the LMIII to two cabs?

Daisy chain? As in...

LMIII -- ----> 112 Cab -----> 112 Cab

Thanks for the help!

BurningSkies · #2 07-29-2011, 11:58 PM

You can daisy chain, or you can use both the quarter inch outs on the amp... remember, the speakon is a combo speakon.

chris4355 · #3 07-30-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

remember, the speakon is a combo speakon.

what do you mean by that sorry? I haven't owned a half stack so im a little inept at the moment....

I am using a speakon cable from the head to the cab though.

Basically if I get the 112, I'll hook up another from the cab to the other cab~~ right?

MooseLumps · #4 07-30-2011, 12:23 AM

I leave my stuff plugged in all the time, but class d/switching transformer configurations are known to be sensitive to voltage irregularities. Solution? Switched power strip.

Either power chain described will work. Always calculate your impedance before you turn your amp on with a new load(new/different speakers).

chris4355 · #5 07-30-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

Always calculate your impedance before you turn your amp on with a new load(new/different speakers).

will do

vin*tone · #6 07-30-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4355

what do you mean by that sorry? I haven't owned a half stack so im a little inept at the moment....

I am using a speakon cable from the head to the cab though.

Basically if I get the 112, I'll hook up another from the cab to the other cab~~ right?

Combo connection means you can plug a standard 1/4" jack into the middle.

You can plug both speakers into the head or you can daisy chain them - electronically it's the same thing - you're still wiring them in parallel.

chris4355 · #7 07-30-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin*tone

Combo connection means you can plug a standard 1/4" jack into the middle.

You can plug both speakers into the head or you can daisy chain them - electronically it's the same thing - you're still wiring them in parallel.

I see. Okay thanks.

So my current setup is:

Output Power: 300W RMS @ 8 ohm, 500W RMS @ 4 ohm

My current cab is rated at 400W RMS @ 8 OHMS

Daisy chaining them, will reduce the resistance to 4 ohms correct?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but... If the cab is rated at 400W, could I damage it when I run it at 500W after its being daisy chained?

rodl2005 · #8 07-30-2011, 01:36 AM

Yes that's correct. You'll get the full 500w when using 2 8 ohm cabs.
Get 2 matching cabs. Best bet for s good sound when using more than one cab.

Downunderwonder · #9 07-30-2011, 01:37 AM

Thoeretically your amp could easily produce 1000W into 4ohm when it's clipping. So it comes down to being sensible with how hard you try to get it. With one cab it will be easier to hear bad things happening before you do any damage but let nobody tell you 300W can't blow up a 400W speaker.

After they are daisy chained each cab gets half the voltage so your question was a little on the dopey side.

chris4355 · #10 07-30-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

After they are daisy chained each cab gets half the voltage so your question was a little on the dopey side.

Thats what I was assuming... just making sure. I'd rather sound stupid on a forum than blow my cab.

Thanks for the response.

Downunderwonder · #11 07-30-2011, 02:17 AM

You're welcome, just to be doubly clear...the amp can equally blow a single or chained cabs if you push too hard.

Two cabs with that amount of power is crazy loud btw.

MuthaFunk · #12 07-30-2011, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

After they are daisy chained each cab gets half the voltage so your question was a little on the dopey side.

The voltage is the same or suffers only minor loss because the cabs are in parallel. Typically you'll see more current out of the amp to supply the second cab. That's why you see more Watts spec'd out of an amp at lower impedance. Less impedance means less opposition to current flow = more current.

If they got half the voltage the power out at lower impedance would decrease. That's just not how most amps work. There are a couple that allow you to hook up cabs in series though....

JimmyM · #13 07-30-2011, 03:55 AM

Chris, one little caveat to the 400w power handling rating of your cab...in the real world, that 400w is closer to 200-250w. I had a Markbass combo at one time, and there's no way it could take the full power of that head at 300w without farting out. It does take more than your average 112 cab, but 400w is the limit where the voice coils burn out, not the point where it starts sounding bad. And yes, adding a second identical cab is always better than using a single cab.

Downunderwonder, looking at bench tests of micros in Bass Gear Magazine, it looks like the rules of RMS and peak power don't quite apply. They measure RMS and peak power in all the amps they test, and it seems like they all have very little in the tank once they reach their RMS wattage, maybe 10 or 20w more. The LMIII is no exception. I used to have one and thought it was a great amp, but it does feel like once you get to the outer reaches of its volume capability that there's nothing left at all.

Downunderwonder · #14 07-30-2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuthaFunk

The voltage is the same or suffers only minor loss because the cabs are in parallel. Typically you'll see more current out of the amp to supply the second cab. That's why you see more Watts spec'd out of an amp at lower impedance. Less impedance means less opposition to current flow = more current.

If they got half the voltage the power out at lower impedance would decrease. That's just not how most amps work. There are a couple that allow you to hook up cabs in series though....

Good lord, what I get for posting in the morning time. Yes, I'm the dopey one. Hopefully OP isn't as confused as me!

So, one cab gets half the power but the amp makes twice as much with both connected so it's a wash. Kind of intuitive really

**john turner** · #15 07-30-2011, 07:08 AM

let's try to keep things on topic, shall we? please report any further disruptions, and otherwise ignore them.

thanks.

shtik · #16 07-30-2011, 07:42 AM

The 121H is the best portable Markbass cab IMO. Sounds deep and round, and doesn't choke easily at high levels.

I went with a different rig just because the only Markbass dealer here didn't have it in stock, so I'd have to wait too long.

A week ago I did a loud Rockn'roll gig with Little mark tube and the 210 cab - I was totally surprised. Considering the portability of this set up it really kicks ass.

BurningSkies · #17 07-30-2011, 10:22 AM

The Little Mark series is great. Good tone, very loud, small and light. While I'm not using mine as a main gigging amp anymore, I carry it as a backup and have no hesitation to suggest it to people as a great option.

chris4355 · #18 07-30-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

The Little Mark series is great. Good tone, very loud, small and light. While I'm not using mine as a main gigging amp anymore, I carry it as a backup and have no hesitation to suggest it to people as a great option.

I have tried many amps over the past few months and so far the markbass has just surpassed anything within that price range. Of course, its always apples and oranges when it comes to this stuff.

I can still return the cab though if I find something better. I really wish I could find some epifani cabs to try out, I heard they work great. I live in LA and I can't find anyone that carries them... go figure.