Adjusting controls while playing
 

I have seen a few bass players adjust their controls on their instrument and on their amp while playing. The problem comes when they have to pause to do so. This totally loses the groove.

I admit having to adjust controls, but I try to do it discretely in between songs or at a rest in the song. Sometimes I can make an adjustment while playing open strings.

Unless something is really far off, I avoid adjusting controls while playing.

congratulations on your diligence.

You can do it, but it just needs to be done in phases so as not to 'lose the groove'.

It takes practice, but it can be done even in quick passages...

I always flip my series/parallel switch on beat

use your nose!:)

but seriously, if you know the music it's not that hard. i'd rather sustain a root note while i make adjustments than sound like crap!

If you are going direct into the FOH, messing with the controls on your bass can hose up the mix.
I leave my bass alone and adjust tone at my amp, which is basically a stage monitor for my own benefit.

If you have to mess with something in the middle of a song, think it through first and do it during an easy part that you can cover with left hand hammer-ons while your right hand makes a quick tweak.

Sorry for preaching to the choir.

I saw a video of a professional bass player and I swear that person paused 5 times during the song to adjust the bass controls and the amp controls!

In small groups, without FOH and soundchecks and whatnot, you kind of have to. This is why I like on boards preamps. Once the gain on the amp is set, tonal tweaks can be done on the bass. Fiddling with an amp looks amateurish.

I assume the audience all got up and left because of this travesty?

If you're not making tonal adjustments that the audience will hear, why make adjustments at all?

Yeah complete amateur ... :rollno:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxZWvhGE7CM

Exactly!:hiding:

I like this version better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKCwH3amLaU

I do it all the time. Just have to be fast.

I have to agree with the counter-posters: if the groove completely falls apart because the bassist is dialing in his rig than it's not much of a band to begin with, is it?

That said excessive twiddling throughout the entire show would be annoying. But merely dialing things in during the first couple of songs that night seems desirable.

It becomes second nature after a while. I do it on the fly on my RIC 4003 (tone and volume). Some songs need it. Better than stomp boxes IMO, more subtle...

If you can't turn the tone knob without losing the groove then something's seriously wrong.

I have to tweak my in ear mix on the aviom's at church sometimes. It usually takes me a few tries. I have to find the channel, push the button, and tweak the dial. That is usually accomplished in three distinct steps.

So guitarists change pickups, volumes, etc. going to FOH all the time. Why ever would it be a problem for the bassist to do so as well?

If the groove falls apart, the bassist doesn't know their gear well enough or the band has other issues. Of course it's possible the groove does not fall apart and this thread is merely someone listening with their eyes...

John

I tweak my amp in the middle of a song when I need to. I wait until I can do it without screwing anything up though. I can't remember the last time I tweaked a knob on my bass.