SWR Marcus Miller Preamp questions.

OkkultistBass · #1 05-26-2011, 03:26 PM

Okay, so I'm in the market for a new stack, and I'm really looking into SWR amps. Alex Webster uses them, as well as Marcus Miller, so I'm assuming they're really good amps.

But! I watched all the videos for it, and he said "You don't use just this if you want to hear yourself". I don't know if he means you don't use it as an amp itself, or an amp head or what? I had a Gallien-Krueger 1001RB that kind of had that similar shape, with no grill or anything. You get what I mean? haha.

So, I'm curious, can it be used as an amp head, or would I need another amp head and then use the Preamp for better EQing?

ThrashMaster · #2 05-26-2011, 03:31 PM

you need a poweramp

mhduffl · #3 05-26-2011, 06:59 PM

Or need a cheap used amp to serve as power amp...

OkkultistBass · #4 05-27-2011, 01:59 AM

I'm not a technical guy at all, as you can tell, haha. So what exactly would I need? Cabinet, Power Amp, Preamp? Would I need a head as well?

tylerwylie · #5 05-27-2011, 02:16 AM

Preamp = tone shaping, EQ, etc.
Power amp = make things louder and able to power speakers.

Most bass amps have both, a preamp section that feeds into a power amp.

If you have an external preamp, you can either run it into your bass amp (just into the instrument input therefore using both preamps, or into the FX return using just the power amp section of your bass amp) or you can get an dedicated power amp (PA) and use that to power your cabs.

OkkultistBass · #6 05-27-2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

Preamp = tone shaping, EQ, etc.
Power amp = make things louder and able to power speakers.

Most bass amps have both, a preamp section that feeds into a power amp.

If you have an external preamp, you can either run it into your bass amp (just into the instrument input therefore using both preamps, or into the FX return using just the power amp section of your bass amp) or you can get an dedicated power amp (PA) and use that to power your cabs.

Okay, so I wouldn't need some crazy rig with 3-4 amps running into a cab? But I mean, if I'm trying to get things louder, a Power amp would be recommended? And I could run the preamp into the power amp, and run both through the cab? That way I can get it louder, but have better EQing options?

Because my Spector's controls are quite basic, and the treble is pretty crappy. And with the music I mostly play, I'd like to be able to have a wide variety of EQing.

tylerwylie · #7 05-27-2011, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkkultistBass

Okay, so I wouldn't need some crazy rig with 3-4 amps running into a cab? But I mean, if I'm trying to get things louder, a Power amp would be recommended? And I could run the preamp into the power amp, and run both through the cab? That way I can get it louder, but have better EQing options?

Because my Spector's controls are quite basic, and the treble is pretty crappy. And with the music I mostly play, I'd like to be able to have a wide variety of EQing.

It'd pretty much be like this:
Bass -> FX -> Preamp -> Power amp -> Speakers -> Ear -> Brain for your signal chain.

OkkultistBass · #8 05-27-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

It'd pretty much be like this:
Bass -> FX -> Preamp -> Power amp -> Speakers -> Ear -> Brain for your signal chain.

Aaaah! I get it! Haha.
Thanks a lot man. That was probably the best way to put it for me.

Munjibunga · #9 05-27-2011, 02:30 AM

You'd need the MM Preamp, a power amp like a Crown XLS1000 or something, and a speaker cabinet. I'd recommend a good 410 cab. You'll also need the cables to hook them up. The MM Preamp does not have enough output to drive a speaker, hence the need for a power amp. That preamp will give you all the tone shaping you'll ever need.

So you run the output of the preamp into the input of the power amp (using an instrument cable), then run the output of the poweramp into the speaker cabinet (using a speaker cable).

T. Alan Smith · #10 05-27-2011, 08:44 AM

I recommend something much much simpler, 'til you get your head wrapped around the basic ins & outs of amplification.

OkkultistBass · #11 05-27-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

I recommend something much much simpler, 'til you get your head wrapped around the basic ins & outs of amplification.

Haha, yeah, I don't plan on buying a Preamp and Power Amp until I'm playing Mainstage or something, and need the power. I'll just stick with a nice basic head and cab for the time being.

Thanks a lot, though, guys.