Problem with PUNCH

Reynolds 101 · #1 02-23-2009, 05:15 PM

Hey Im having a little trouble getting the tone that I want lately, mainly live when my amp is being blasted. I play a p bass, 400 RB-IV head, and ampeg 810e, but I need more punch. When I have my amp volume down for home playing levels I have the perfect tone. Bassy, yet clear and punchy. But when I turn my amp up I get this metal sounding tone. And I dont mean trebley or thin, but just something doesnt sound right and its not near my tone practicing. I dig in hard to get a punch, but idk, something just doesnt sound right to my ears.

A good example of tone that I like is on The Power of Equality by RHCP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfrcfBPpI1M

Bassy, yet nice and punchy.

I have the smell but I just cant find the food.
HELP.

Craig_S · #2 02-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Honestly, I would start flat, at your next gig, and adjust it from there. If I were to guess, though, I would say you should boost your low mids a bit for punch and lose a bit of the lows. A sealed cab isn't intended to push huge low end, but to push mids so it can be heard.

Reynolds 101 · #3 02-23-2009, 06:24 PM

I was thinking about trying that. Its a huge show so I dont really want to mess with anything too much, but I'll test it during soundcheck. If its no good I'll just go back and deal with it another time. Thanks

Flizzy21 · #4 02-23-2009, 06:38 PM

Turn the contour and presence all the way off, and boost the low mids a little.

Also try taking some of the lows off if that doesnt work.

Reynolds 101 · #5 02-23-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flizzy21

Turn the contour and presence all the way off, and boost the low mids a little.

Also try taking some of the lows off if that doesnt work.

Actually that made it worse. It made that metal sound WAY more apparent. I did find the problem though. I turned up the low-mids to where the bass was and dropped down the bass a fraction, and I found heaven IMO. Thanks for the help though. I also turned up the tone almost all the way on my bass, that helped a lot too.

Craig_S · #6 02-23-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reynolds 101

I turned up the low-mids to where the bass was and dropped down the bass a fraction, and I found heaven IMO.

I'm glad I could be of assistance.

news7 · #7 02-26-2009, 09:28 PM

Ampeg cabs in general don't have alot of punch.
An Eden 410xlt will give you punch for days, with everything set flat!

bluewine · #8 02-26-2009, 09:31 PM

This is just me, but a 2 10 configuration and using an EBS MultiComp them run an MRX Micro Amp from bass to amp.

Fred19137 · #9 02-26-2009, 09:36 PM

put the bass at the middle spot put the midds at 1/4 and the highs at 3/4 and crank all the way up. When you turn up mids are produced more easily so get rid of em!!

bongomania · #10 02-27-2009, 01:08 AM

^^^ What twaddle.

bassyboy · #11 02-27-2009, 01:23 AM

get rid of the 8x10 ampeg that would be a good start

Sundogue · #12 02-27-2009, 06:07 AM

The sound you hear when you are playing alone, or at lower volumes is typically not the same thing you will want when playing live.

What kind of strings are you using? I switched to flats because I am a regular "live gig" player,not in the studio. Very punchy, tight low end and rhythm section just from switching to flats. On a P-Bass it would be killer!

If you are already using flats, rock on...if you think you might want to switch but are afraid flats will be too dull, check out my thread on that here...

Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

dougjwray · #13 02-27-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

The sound you hear when you are playing alone, or at lower volumes is typically not the same thing you will want when playing live.

What kind of strings are you using? I switched to flats because I am a regular "live gig" player,not in the studio. Very punchy, tight low end and rhythm section just from switching to flats. On a P-Bass it would be killer!

If you are already using flats, rock on...if you think you might want to switch but are afraid flats will be too dull, check out my thread on that here...

Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

+10
Flats (especially on a passive bass, with a generally flat EQ) will help you cut through. They lack the complex overtones which make roundwounds sound so lush and lovely in your livingroom, but which compete too much with other instruments in a live situation. I recommend D'Addario Chromes.

Reynolds 101 · #14 02-28-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by news7

Ampeg cabs in general don't have alot of punch.
An Eden 410xlt will give you punch for days, with everything set flat!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

This is just me, but a 2 10 configuration and using an EBS MultiComp them run an MRX Micro Amp from bass to amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassyboy

get rid of the 8x10 ampeg that would be a good start

Yeah, no thanks. I have a 1K cabinet right now that sounds great and plays great, Im not looking for a completely new rig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

The sound you hear when you are playing alone, or at lower volumes is typically not the same thing you will want when playing live.

What kind of strings are you using? I switched to flats because I am a regular "live gig" player,not in the studio. Very punchy, tight low end and rhythm section just from switching to flats. On a P-Bass it would be killer!

If you are already using flats, rock on...if you think you might want to switch but are afraid flats will be too dull, check out my thread on that here...

Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

I was already planning on buying flats for my next string purchase, but that won't be for a while. I have a show tonight so I'll test out the new settings.