The DOD Meatbox and Ampeg

jd_watt · #1 03-22-2013, 02:53 PM

Hi all,

I'm new to the forums, but I've already learned a lot just by reading through a few threads. Good stuff!

I was wondering if anyone has any experience w/the Meatbox and any mid-priced amps. I'm currently running a Meatbox, through a sans amp, into a Roland KC550. It has no problem reproducing the sub-harmonic frequencies of the effect, but I was wondering if something like an Ampeg Portaflex (2x10) would struggle to amplify the super low stuff. If you do run a Meatbox into a more "traditional" bass amp, could you share your experience. Thanks for having a look!

RickenBoogie · #2 03-22-2013, 05:21 PM

The lower the frequency, the more power and spkrs are needed to reproduce them. So, sub harmonic octave efects and small amps/cabs are not the best pairing.

vinnydbass · #3 03-22-2013, 07:51 PM

I run a pedalboard which includes a meatbox through one of to rigs:

Ampeg Micro-VR

and

Hartke VX410
SWR WorkingPro 700 head

The Hartke/SWR rig handles the oomph from the meatbox much better. I don't blame the ampeg, its only a 210, but the meatbox can still be heard through it, just more midrange-y. The Hartke cab handles that low end much better, but I believe its still quite doable in the 210 format. I also use a VT Bass as a preamp, which give a bit more meat to the meatbox, if thats possible.

jd_watt · #4 03-22-2013, 08:39 PM

Thanks, guys. I made a pretty significant investment, and have a few applications where the effect is essential. I really don't want to loose that ultra low "felt more than heard" quality of the box, but it's not practical for me to buy a stack to reproduce it either. I'll check out the Hartke that was mentioned. Any other tips are definitely welcome. Thanks!

vinnydbass · #5 03-24-2013, 06:15 PM

the more air your amp can push, the more the meatbox will be apparent. users like juan alderete say the meatbox shines when heard through a good PA with nice subs.

franksgbass · #6 03-24-2013, 08:44 PM

I was using a meatbox with an Orange Terror 500 and Ampeg 4x10. To be honest, it did not sound good unless we played a venue with a decent PA. In fact, when I turned the amp up, the speaker in the ampeg cab would light up. Obviously not good. Subs take up a lot of headroom. Your gonna wanna use a rig that could handle the MB.

Rawrrbass · #7 03-24-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franksgbass

I was using a meatbox with an Orange Terror 500 and Ampeg 4x10. To be honest, it did not sound good unless we played a venue with a decent PA. In fact, when I turned the amp up, the speaker in the ampeg cab would light up. Obviously not good. Subs take up a lot of headroom. Your gonna wanna use a rig that could handle the MB.

+1

My 810 cab handles the Meatbox better than my 410. I've seen people have good results with a 2x15 as well.

JimmyM · #8 03-24-2013, 11:57 PM

The Portaflex cabs may be relatively small, but they go quite a bit lower than most sealed cabs and many ported cabs as well. I don't see a problem using a Meatbox. Two of them world work better with a Meatbox, but a single PF cab would push the lows pretty well for a smaller rig.

bludog · #9 03-25-2013, 07:42 AM

The 410 HLF does a good job of handling the subs. It's advertised to get extra low for low B strings. I use it biamped from an SVT4Pro and it sounds great. I'd love to add another cab to see the difference but that's a bit impractical for city life. Has anyone tried a (well-tuned) 18" extension cab with any # of 10's?