Deeping the notes with a pedal/AMP config.

[GodlikeNub]

Hello everyone,

I'm new in this forum(Happy to join), and I have a question regarding a certain subject that I call (I don't really know the correct defenition) "Deeping the notes".

I was wondering if there is a special pedal that can really deepen all the notes, and I mean to make them really really deep.
Or is it something that can be done only with the AMP/Guitar configuration alone?
(Once again, I'm new at all this and simply would like to find out about it). - I own a Marshall 30W Bass AMP.
I was trying to play with the AMP and the guitar (I own a Fender American Jazz Bass) configuration, but sadly, I didn't manage achieving a satisfying result.

If there is any pedal that can do what I described above or an AMP configuration (I even tried the various configurations written inside the Marshall AMP config book).
I also tried using the S-1 switch in the guitar, it DID somehow deepen the notes , but I still wasn't satisfied.

Any help would be welcome,

Thanks in advance.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Welcome to TalkBass!

Well... you could get an octaver.

An Octaver duplicates the note you play, only one octave down.
Most can go up one and two also.

That's what I would suggest you start with. You could also get a chorus to "thicken" your sound, but it sounds like you want an octaver.

edit:
You could also try rolling the "bass" knob of your amplifier up, which would boost your low-end frequencies.

But really, a 30 watt Marshall bass amp with one 10" speaker won't get super-low, so you shouldn't have unrealistic expectations of your gear.

[GodlikeNub]

Can you please explain a bit more about the "Octaver"?
And does the Octaver preserves the original sound well?

"Welcome to TalkBass!" - Thanks!

[Higgie]

It sounds like you want an Aphex Bass Xciter. Rather than an octaver, which would "double" the sound by duplicating a note, the Xciter really "thickens" your tone...Especially with a passive bass.

Get to your local music shop and try one, or alternatively, get one from Musicians Friend or another site that has a return policy - Or there is also the "For Sale" section here at TB, they pop up pretty regularly!

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by GodlikeNub

Hello everyone,

I'm new in this forum(Happy to join), and I have a question regarding a certain subject that I call (I don't really know the correct defenition) "Deeping the notes".

I was wondering if there is a special pedal that can really deepen all the notes, and I mean to make them really really deep.
Or is it something that can be done only with the AMP/Guitar configuration alone?
(Once again, I'm new at all this and simply would like to find out about it). - I own a Marshall 30W Bass AMP.
I was trying to play with the AMP and the guitar (I own a Fender American Jazz Bass) configuration, but sadly, I didn't manage achieving a satisfying result.

If there is any pedal that can do what I described above or an AMP configuration (I even tried the various configurations written inside the Marshall AMP config book).
I also tried using the S-1 switch in the guitar, it DID somehow deepen the notes , but I still wasn't satisfied.

Any help would be welcome,

Thanks in advance.

Welcome,

Search the forum for aphex bass exciter and bbe sonic stomp, both pedals can add sub-harmonic frequencies to the signal, that will "fatten" the sound in the lower freq. area and give you a "deep" sound.

;P

D.Don

[GodlikeNub]

Thank you everyone!

I'll get and try the "Aphex 1402 Bass Xciter Pedal".

Thanks for the help.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by GodlikeNub

Thank you everyone!

I'll get and try the "Aphex 1402 Bass Xciter Pedal".

Thanks for the help.

See if you can try the BBE Sonic Stomp as well, they sound different from each other, but they both more or less do the same thing.

D.Don

[arai]

if i was in your situation i would save my money for a better amp. rather then on a pedal.
you will soon work out that 30 watts is not enough

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by arai

if i was in your situation i would save my money for a better amp. rather then on a pedal.
you will soon work out that 30 watts is not enough

Now that sounds a bit hasty, it really depends on what the purpose of the amp is, my ashdown perfect ten 30w combo creates LOTS MORE volume than I will ever need for practicing, and I use both sonic stomp and bass exciter from time to time, not to get "more sound" but to get the sound I want.



D.Don

[GodlikeNub]

A new AMP? I always thought that 30W is more than enough for home practicing.

Correct me if I'm wrong...

[squarewave]

Originally Posted by GodlikeNub

A new AMP? I always thought that 30W is more than enough for home practicing.

Correct me if I'm wrong...

Sure, 30 watts can be enough for practice, but the amp will not be able to reproduce the fundamental frequency of the lowest notes, and you did ask for a solution to make the notes "really really deep."

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by squarewave

Sure, 30 watts can be enough for practice, but the amp will not be able to reproduce the fundamental frequency of the lowest notes, and you did ask for a solution to make the notes "really really deep."

You are suggesting that an amp/combo could not produce what frequencies due to the 30w max effect fact?

D.Don

[JohnDavisNYC]

a bigger/better amp and a lot of practicing! deep low end is all in the amp's headroom, a good speaker cabinet design, and really good technique...

john

[bongomania]

I'll side with squarewave in this and say that almost no small practice amp can actually produce the fundamental of even an open low E, and that "really deep" tones require a lot of power, or at least a better/more advanced usage of power (via speaker design and filtering) than most small combo amps are capable of.

That said, there is a trick which works pretty well for maximizing the lows you "hear" from a small amp. Get a graphic EQ or a parametric EQ, and reduce everything below 100 Hz (approx.) and boost around the 150 Hz to 300 Hz range. The lows "rob" wattage by using up the power without as much audible projection as higher frequencies, so if you have a lot of low freq. content your amp has less wattage available for the mids. Our ears hear the mids better than the lows anyway, and most "deep booming bass" that we hear from a bass amp or stereo is actually the low mids- it's a trick of the mind. So if you reduce the freqs that use up all your wattage without much audible benefit, and boost the ones that provide a perception of booming lows, then you will actually hear a lot more "depth" from even a very small amp.

[squarewave]

Originally Posted by D.Don

You are suggesting that an amp/combo could not produce what frequencies ...?

42Hz. The fundamental frequency of the low E string. My comments are not general to combo amps, but rather the OP's 30W, 10" marshall.

I would expect 42Hz to be significantly lower in volume than the higher frequencies on such a small amp. Of course I could be wrong.

I agree with Bongo regarding perception of "deep" notes.

[GodlikeNub]

Bongomania, your idea does sound very interesting!
Anyway, I do see your point regarding the frequencies..I'll try it.

I ordered the "Xciter",until it ships, I'll try playing with the EQs.

Thanks everyone.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by squarewave

42Hz. The fundamental frequency of the low E string. My comments are not general to combo amps, but rather the OP's 30W, 10" marshall.

I would expect 42Hz to be significantly lower in volume than the higher frequencies on such a small amp. Of course I could be wrong.

I agree with Bongo regarding perception of "deep" notes.

Most probably 42Hz will be reproduced with a reduced amplitude comparing to a whole lot of the rest of the spectrum, agreed, though the conception of "really deep" imho, is depending on many factors here.

Indeed a bigger more bad amp/cab will give you lots more of everything, but a decent combo amp at 30w, that uses the floor it stands on, and/or the wall behind it to resonate, can give you lots o hell as well, then add a good exciter, some eq as suggested to "focus" the frequency resp. and you are more or less able to achive "pretty deep" anyway.



D.Don

[niftydog]

Yeah, I was gonna say, the fundamental will be there, but at a low level - the harmonics will be much louder so you hear them instead.