Need help and opinions with getting a better live tone on my bass.

[JUSTINKP]

My Gear is as follows:
Musicman Ray34 4-String Bass
Ampeg PF-500 Head
GK 4X10 Cab
Tuning Pedal
Line 6 Wireless

I run the PF-500 head to my cab and also run the XLR output from it to the PA system which directs my low frequency sound to our subwoofers with the built in crossover on our board/power amps.

I noticed last show that my sound is pretty flat, and also not consistent around the room. You can hear more on stage right (where my cab is) then the rest of the room, and stage left has minimal bass. The consistency issue lies in our PA system I'm sure as I don't believe I'm coming out of our subwoofers enough and wasn't "in" the PA enough.

My main concern is the flat tone. No matter what I seem to do with my Ampeg EQ, I seem flat. I keep my onboard EQ on my Bass to all neutral (middle) positions. Can anyone help me with this?

I've considered maybe getting a processor to adjust my tone but everyone I've talked to around this area told me that it would be a waste of money. I want a full and good bass sound especially being that my band only has 1 guitarist.

Any ideas, suggestions, etc? I'm kind of frustrated with this.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[pasta4lnch]

I'm guessing the Ampeg DI is pre-EQ so no amount EQ of fussing will change the signal to the PA.

FWIW I use a SABDDI for my tone going into my amp - it's the same tone that comes outta the DI ...


EDIT: just looked on Ampeg's site and it says the DI has a pre/post option . . .

[animvl]

How does the rig sound without the PA?

By the sounds of it, you weren't loud enough in the PA. It could be as simple as that. Or it's possible the crossover isn't configured correctly on the PA.

New strings and light overdrive never hurt, but I don't know if it will fix your problems here.

[JUSTINKP]

Originally Posted by animvl

How does the rig sound without the PA?

By the sounds of it, you weren't loud enough in the PA. It could be as simple as that. Or it's possible the crossover isn't configured correctly on the PA.

New strings and light overdrive never hurt, but I don't know if it will fix your problems here.

The loudness was only part of the problem. What you could hear was flat though.

The crossover could be an issue. Thanks for bringing that up, as I'll check that out as well.

Just changed the strings so I can rule that one out. I should of mentioned that. The slight overdrive would help as well I'm sure. Thank you.

[JUSTINKP]

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

I'm guessing the Ampeg DI is pre-EQ so no amount EQ of fussing will change the signal to the PA.

FWIW I use a SABDDI for my tone going into my amp - it's the same tone that comes outta the DI ...


EDIT: just looked on Ampeg's site and it says the DI has a pre/post option . . .

So excuse my newbieness in this question, but should I set the EQ to post or pre? I'm not sure what the difference is?

Thanks for the reply.

[animvl]

For your needs, you should have it set to post. This means that the DI signal is taken after the EQ section. If you have it set to pre right now, that is the reason your tone knobs don't affect the PA signal.

[pasta4lnch]

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

So excuse my newbieness in this question, but should I set the EQ to post or pre? I'm not sure what the difference is?

Thanks for the reply.

"pre" means the DI takes the signal before it gets to your EQ. "post" is after the EQ.

So if it's set to "pre" the amp's EQ will only effect the tone coming out of your amp's speaker, and not the PA. . . "post" the EQ goes to both the PA and amp

[IncX]

i used to own an SR 5 HH, and my beef with it when you set it all flat is that it sounds clicky, especially with an ampeg SVT 4 or even a hartke...

errr, this isn't your problem, right? ...

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

My Gear is as follows:
Musicman Ray34 4-String Bass
Ampeg PF-500 Head
GK 4X10 Cab
Tuning Pedal
Line 6 Wireless

I run the PF-500 head to my cab and also run the XLR output from it to the PA system which directs my low frequency sound to our subwoofers with the built in crossover on our board/power amps.

I noticed last show that my sound is pretty flat, and also not consistent around the room. You can hear more on stage right (where my cab is) then the rest of the room, and stage left has minimal bass. The consistency issue lies in our PA system I'm sure as I don't believe I'm coming out of our subwoofers enough and wasn't "in" the PA enough.

My main concern is the flat tone. No matter what I seem to do with my Ampeg EQ, I seem flat. I keep my onboard EQ on my Bass to all neutral (middle) positions. Can anyone help me with this?

What do you mean by "flat"?

The inconsistency around the room may have more to do with the room itself than anything with your rig or PA.

[JUSTINKP]

Originally Posted by ggunn

What do you mean by "flat"?

The inconsistency around the room may have more to do with the room itself than anything with your rig or PA.

Flat as in like a dead horrible tone. Like what old strings would sound like. These are new strings though and sound fine on my Fender Rumble 75 practice amp. So I know it's my live rig that's the issue.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

Flat as in like a dead horrible tone. Like what old strings would sound like. These are new strings though and sound fine on my Fender Rumble 75 practice amp. So I know it's my live rig that's the issue.

Flat, dead, and horrible are not very descriptive terms, but I'll hazard a guess that you mean boomy and muddy, without definition or texture. Like you can hear lots of low end content but can't tell what notes you are playing? Cut the low end and boost the mids. Also ask your guitarist to dial back his low end.

[rymiraflores]

Cut the lows and highs, -6 everything below 100Hz, and cut everything over 2k...nothing bassy lives there, and drop 1k to 2k -6. after that if you really need to boost anything ( you really shouldn´t need to) boost a little maybe +3 at 160, 350.
and as the other guys said....put a little more pre-gain in.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

I run the PF-500 head to my cab and also run the XLR output from it to the PA system which directs my low frequency sound to our subwoofers with the built in crossover on our board/power amps.

do you guys have a soundman? how is your bass channel on the PA set? with a properly set-up system, you should get plenty coming out of the tops, too, not just subs.

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

I keep my onboard EQ on my Bass to all neutral (middle) positions.

that setting on a 'ray always struck me as thin and barky, so it's odd that you're getting a dull tone out front.

usually, the classic music man tone is bass kicked up a good bit, mids flat or maybe backed down a pinch, and treble flat or kicked up a tiny bit. that gives you the signature "deep, but with zing on top" stingray sound.

[rustymoped]

How is your tone without the PA? Is it flat coming out of your rig? Have you tried zeroing out your rig and dialing it in based on the room? It sucks, but sometimes it's necessary. I use a Line6 Lowdown400 and have four presets based on the room/PA I'm in and technique I'm playing with.

I would bet the imbalance between sides of stage is a volume issue, i.e. your stage volume is high and when standing on that side of the stage it will appear louder because it's overpowering the PA.

[jtom86]

Sounds to me like your loudness issue is mainly to do with your stage volume. I would turn down on stage and unless you have a good sound guy set your tone on your bass first with your amp flat. Try pushing the low and cutting the mid a little. After that set your DI to Post Eq and make fine adjustments on your amp. If your still having problems take a look at the EQ on the board and the cross overs. If it gets to that point I would get a good sound guy to come in for one show and ring out the PA.

[Gearhead17]

Is there an active EQ on the bass? What positions are the knobs currently at?

Any update as to what is happening?

[sweetwillyp]

Sansamp RBI .. I had trouble for years with stage Volume ETC ETC. Then I bought a Sansamp RBI and have never been happier

[nick8ass]

Something that cuts the very low frequencies being sent to front of house (like the low cut button on some amps that we never use) should allow you to create a good eq on the desk. The subs on modern PAs pump out a lot of frequencies from the bass that are unneeded and confuse the sound

[nick8ass]

I am guessing as you use a 4x10 you like a focussed sound. That is why I recumbent the low cut.

[rtslinger]

Try rolling off the Bass and bring in some more mids bass driver will help as well to get a little more headroom