trying to get clarity/note distinction!

[dm1217]

Hey all, I've been playing in live settings for a couple years (2-4 full night shows a week) yet I'm still not satisfied with the overall clarity of my rig. I'm a very detail oriented player, and I feel like all the note distinction gets completely supressed behind bass drum and lead guitar.

My setup:
Fender precision, active pickups
Trace Elliot 715x amp
Sansamp Driver DI
Boss Limiter Enhancer, EQ, Overdrive pedals

The main obstacle is cutting through lead guitar (and sound guys always supress bass clarity from the mix)

If anyone can relate to this, please send me your insight/pointers. Thank you!

[Gab124]

I would look at your eq points - you want to be boosting in the mids and maybe even a reduction in the lows to cut through well. Also, have you stood out front to see how you sound in the mix (maybe with wireless or someone else playing your bass) - on stage is just impossible to know that. Sansamp can be a great sound, but no always a good one for cutting. I cut the bass and treble on mine to boost mids, and maybe even cut back on the blend knob as well. I also use it more like an effect and stomp it in and out depending on the needed tone and just DI off my amp. So many variables.

[chroma601]

I know of which you speak. When I switched my combo from an SWR to Markbass there was an astonishing difference in note clarity. The grace notes practically stood out! From what I can tell, your equipment is of high enough caliber. Does this happen in every venue, or just in certain ones?
Of course, limiters and overdrive can remove some dynamic range. I'd suggest trying a set "clean", just your bass and your amp, and see if that restores your clarity. If so, add a component at a time until you find the one robbing you. And if not, perhaps borrow another amp for a night and see if that makes a difference.

[dm1217]

"Does this happen in every venue, or just in certain ones? "

Basicaly every show is different because of room layout. I enjoy wide-open rooms the most b/c there's less bouncing, so it's not just "wooh wooh wooh wooh" all night long on stage. I will do some experimenting!

[bass12]

Well, Precisions aren't necessarily your best option when it comes to a clean, clear sound (although I would have thought that with some EQing you'd be able to at least make it work). Have you experimented with other basses?

[dm1217]

"Have you experimented with other basses?"

Unfortunately, no. I definitely need to buy a 2nd bass though. So, this could be a good opporunity to find something with that clarity.

[kaputsport]

Like it was said before, I try to boost my mids a little, while not sacrificing the lows or highs...

Also, Active basses with humbuckers or soapbars will give great low end, and punchy mids. This can help make notes, or silence stand out. I use Pedulla basses with a single soapbar, and all volumes up, with the mid switch in "boost" mode. I cut past my guitarist like a ninja with his sword...

Both of us use Marshall, I a 2000 watt marshall head, with a 4x10 and 1x15, and he has a 30th anniversary head, and a 1960 cab. We are able to be loud, but we have self control as well.

Try your eq, and if it is not versitile enough, get an EQ, or Boost pedal, preferably with a little voicing control. Sansamps are cool, but I have never owned one, and never felt the need to.

[bongomania]

I actually think one of your best bets would be to remove the pedals altogether, at least for one gig. Stuff that sounds good at home, or in a recording, often does not cut well through a live band mix.

If you try that and you find that you're actually cutting through the way you want, then you can experiment with adding just one pedal at a time back into the mix. This way you can narrow down which one(s) or which combinations were holding you back.

If/when using the Boss LMB, be sure you have the "enhance" knob all the way off. In fact, turn it to the off position, then pull off the knob cap, and superglue the pot in that position.

[Kromwarp]

Might want to give an EHX Steel Leather a try

[grue]

Those things are known for killing your midrange. And the mids are exactly the same frequencies I turn up when I need to cut through loud guitars. Plus, mids are where you get most of your tone, character, and definition. Maybe try it without the Sansamp and see if that makes a difference?

[stflbn]

In my personal opinion (and others will disagree with me i''m sure)

Precision bass = reinforces and blends with a mix more than punches through a mix, but depends on genre of music and tone choices.

Sansamp = influences it's own color and tonal preference. One which I feel also is polite and not necessarily punchy.

Lastly... lowmids and mids are your friend. Even if you don't like how they sound on their own, they rule the roost live.

IMHO.