Clarus Settings for amplified bass

Tele295 · #1 12-09-2008, 06:23 PM

I'm running a Realist Bass Trasnducer on my Czech upright. My amp rig is a Clarus AI amp into an Ampeg Portabass 1x12 cab.

I recently started a new jazz combo (piano bass drums + voc) and my sound is mushy. I can't seem to get the full, round sound with clarity, even max'ing out the treble and brite knobs.

Any tips on settings?

macmrkt · #2 12-10-2008, 07:12 AM

I had a similar issue a while back - and it turned out to be a cracked piezo in my Full Circle. One day it was fine, the next, mush. I replaced it and tone returned. I wonder if you might have a defective pickup?

Wilbyman · #3 12-10-2008, 08:20 AM

The Realist can sound pretty dark depending on your bass, amp and room. I don't think there is any inherent problem in using it with the Clarus. However, I have had periods I was using very low string height with the Realist and the combination was mushy. If you are using a low low setup I find the Underwood to be a better choice.

W

tornadobass · #4 12-10-2008, 08:21 AM

I had that problem running a Clarus into a Portabass 210 cab. Even with a tweeter, the cab was pretty shy in the highs and upper mids. It was also a very inefficient cab, requiring a lot of power for much volume.

I moved on to a Wizzy 12 and the sound has been much better.

Something that might help with your current setup is to use the amp's HPF and set it around 60 or 80 hz to get rid of the low end mud.

Johnny Atomic · #5 12-10-2008, 08:31 AM

Whut up tele295,

try the fishman plat pro preamp. it rawks.

Johnny

**Jeremy Allen** · #6 12-10-2008, 11:21 AM

Are you using the HP filter on the Clarus? That removes low-end "boominess" and is often much more effective than boosting treble.

Tele295 · #7 12-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the tips. I haven't fooled with the HP filter too much. So the HP switch should be "on", and freq @ 80. What about this "notch" button?

tornadobass · #8 12-10-2008, 12:43 PM

You only get one or the other...notch or HPF...and the HPF is what you need. The notch mainly cuts out a narrow band of feedback frequency.

Tele295 · #9 12-10-2008, 12:48 PM

Thanks, tornado.

I know very little about this hi-tech amp stuff - anything more complicated than a blackface Fender Bassman is beyond me.

Another thought: There is a dial on the back of the Portabass. Is that for dampening (I saw that in another thread)? I usually have that dialed all the way to the right. Would rolling that back reduce some of the mushiness?

tornadobass · #10 12-10-2008, 12:57 PM

The dial is the tweeter level...it adds highs mainly in the fingernoise range.

MT Spaces · #11 12-12-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele295

Thanks for the tips. I haven't fooled with the HP filter too much. So the HP switch should be "on", and freq @ 80. What about this "notch" button?

Tele .... Man have I bugged all our Friends Here At TB about the AI gear in the past as a Rookie .... They were all so-helpful to me ... 'Specially Mr. Tornado, Mr. Branstetter, Bolo, Unca Toad, & Doc UpRight (DrUrb)

.

Here's a thread when I first got my AI Coda (same as yer Clarus but with speakers built-into the combo) .... Help: AI Coda or Clarus 2R plus a Wizzy? .

The whole AI HPF vs. Notch Filter deal is confusin' fer sure ... You can search on HPF / AI / Notch Filter and find plenty-more info.

P.S. This thread may be useful too .... fdeck preamp techie question... .

If I can help you out anymore, let me know in a PM .... I just play Kay upright with Rev II pick-up or Epi upright with Full Circle pick-up, AI Coda, Wizzy M-Line cab ... I Know Dick about doubling on bass guitar or any other cabs.

Bass Catcher · #12 12-13-2008, 09:27 AM

I'm not the most high-tech guy but from what I understand the notch filter is used to cut out a small frequencies versus the HPF scoops out a larger range of frequencies.

The notch should be used when you're playing a room where a certain note resonates throughout the room. If every time you play an A, the room shakes, you would use the notch filter to help that. The notch filter should rarely be used, from what I understand.

Bob G. from Gollihur Music helped me with this same problem when I got my Clarus from him. You could call him up!

Matt

eadg57 · #13 12-13-2008, 03:55 PM

Lots of good ideas for you to try. I love my Clarus. I was also able to get much better results working with the HP filter. I found that the very lows were masking the mids and highs needed for clarity and presence.

With the EQ flat, I play a big open E, and bring up (clockwise) the HP filter until I can hear the sound tighten up. Rooms vary, of course, but I've usually got it set between 10 and 2 o'clock. As I turn up the overall level, I usually turn up the HP frequency too.

A very effective control; I'm glad I learned to use it.

bonaventura · #14 12-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele295

...my sound is mushy. I can't seem to get the full, round sound with clarity, even max'ing out the treble and brite knobs....Any tips on settings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

Are you using the HP filter on the Clarus? That removes low-end "boominess" and is often much more effective than boosting treble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eadg57

Lots of good ideas for you to try... With the EQ flat, I play a gig open E, and bring up (clockwise) the HP filter until I can hear the sound tighten up. Rooms vary, of course, but I've usually got it set between 10 and 2 o'clock. As I turn up the overall level, I usually turn up the HP frequency too. ...A very effective control; I'm glad I learned to use it.

The HiPass filter is not hard to use, but it really makes a big difference. I wouldn't want an amp that didn't have it.

bolo · #15 12-15-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonaventura

The HiPass filter is not hard to use, but it really makes a big difference. I wouldn't want an amp that didn't have it.

Yeah like you and eadg57 said, I am glad I learned how to use a HPF too w/ a piezo-equipped DB.

But even if your amp doesn't have one, you don't have to get a new amp. The HPF-Pre preamp is very affordable, and it works great.

tornadobass · #16 12-15-2008, 10:20 AM

I wanted to add that on my MB150 combo, there's a low cut filter that rolls off -12db at 40hz...just what a HPF does, although this one isn't adjustable. I never thought I'd use it, but I get positive comments about increased clarity when I push in the little button.

bonaventura · #17 12-16-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolo

...But even if your amp doesn't have one, you don't have to get a new amp. The HPF-Pre preamp is very affordable, and it works great.

Right bolo, you can add this piece of equipment as an add-on extra. I guess that's just as good. Personally I like the feature of AI heads that the HP is built in. No extra stuff to carry and hook up on each gig...