Preamp/Amp Question

[CliftonBonney]

I think effects is the appropriate forum for this post. If not, I apologize.

How does a preamp like the MXR M-80 work in conjunction with the onboard preamp on a bass? Are you supposed to set the bass preamp at flat settings and make all adjustments on the M-80? I'm particularly confused when you combine this with the amplifier.

I have a MusicMan bass, an M-80, and the MarkBass TA501 amp. Currently, I just leave my MusicMan and amp settings at flat and make all the adjustments at the M-80. Am I a moron for not making adjustments at each stage? How do you guys do it?

Thanks.

[Nick Kay]

1) Pick a tone on the bass using the onboard that you like as a general purpose setting. Personally, I like flat with the blend at centre detent, but YMMV.
2) Set the M80 for the sound you want in the house (check it with headphones, maybe). Don't touch this after sound check.
3) Set the amp for your on-stage sound. For me, that's cutting the bass to keep from washing the stage in mud.
4) Make any on-the-fly changes mid-song using the onboard EQ. (ie: laying low-end with a P for a mellow bit, soloing a bridge J for a fill-heavy section). This allows for dynamics changes on-stage as well as in the house. Remember to go back to your general-purpose setting after, though.

[CliftonBonney]

Thanks Nick. So you wouldn't run the M-80 to the amp? Just to the house?

[Nick Kay]

Oh, no, that's not what I mean. Set the M80 for the house because it's the last EQ stage before the mixing board, but keep it in the signal path if you like the colouration it adds. Since you have that outboard preamp, you can have your amp rig act as a stage monitor instead of a tone generator. This is a good thing, because you'll have an idea of what people out front are hearing. Ideally, we'd all get mic'd up and DIed and blend it to our tastes, but this is as close as you're going to get if you don't run your own sound, most of the time.

[CliftonBonney]

Thanks!!!

[the low one]

I agree. What you do with the M80 depends on the sound guy. I use passive Fenders and ask the sound guy what he wants from the M80, more mids, less bass etc etc and then leave it alone. I start with the M80 flat and if he's happy with that I leave it flat. I then adjust my amp on stage to get the stage sound that I want to hear.

[CliftonBonney]

Thanks Low One!

[CamiloDíaz]

great answers, now I know how to max out the Di capabilities of Sansanp

16 years in the bussiness and still learning new tricks

wonderful