1200W Forte HP

[Jim Bergantino]

Forgive me if I missed this in my quick review of the thread just now, but is the signal path of Forte HP all analog or is there some analog-to-digital-to-analog conversion going on?

The forte’ and forte’ HP have the same DSP as the BAmp. We’re just not utilizing it as much due to the simpler user interface as opposed to the BAmps menu based design. The forte’s are designed to be more plug ‘n play amps for those who prefer a more traditional amp, although there’s still a lot going on under the hood.

 

[Chadwick123]

A few of the gigs I play each year are at some of the boomiest bandshells imagineable. Huge concrete floors with rounded concrete back walls that reflect every word the crowd says. Up until now, no matter what I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot of cabs and configurations) my bass is generally controllable rumble. Some have told me nothing can tame a room like the Daytona Beach Bandshell, which is the most extreme version of what I’m talking about. I am really holding out a lot of hope that the HPF on this thing may actually be able to tame these tough rooms! I will definitely be back to report on this!

 

[MarkA]

AFAIK it's all digital, from input until the power amp. Not the kind of digital we used to have in the 90s, though, this is very high quality and not a compromise in any way to my ears.

The forte’ and forte’ HP have the same DSP as the BAmp. We’re just not utilizing it as much due to the simpler user interface as opposed to the BAmps menu based design. The forte’s are designed to be more plug ‘n play amps for those who prefer a more traditional amp, although there’s still a lot going on under the hood.

Thanks, both.

 

[Low Class]

The forte’ and forte’ HP have the same DSP as the BAmp. We’re just not utilizing it as much due to the simpler user interface as opposed to the BAmps menu based design. The forte’s are designed to be more plug ‘n play amps for those who prefer a more traditional amp, although there’s still a lot going on under the hood.

Can the EQ centers on the Forte HP be tweaked via USB?

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Can the EQ centers on the Forte HP be tweaked via USB?

They could but they would be fixed at that frequency. In other words, I could create a firmware update changing the LoMid from 250hz to 400hz, but then it would be fixed at 400hz instead of 250hz. They're not adjustable within the amp itself like in the B|AMP.

 

[Low Class]

They could but they would be fixed at that frequency. In other words, I could create a firmware update changing the LoMid from 250hz to 400hz, but then it would be fixed at 400hz instead of 250hz. They're not adjustable within the amp itself like in the B|AMP.

That's what I would expect, but still a feature that's quite appealing.

 

[Dragonlord]

That's what I would expect, but still a feature that's quite appealing.

That's why we should get a B|Amp HP, too

 

[Jim Bergantino]

That's what I would expect, but still a feature that's quite appealing.

To be honest, I'm not planning on customizing firmware for every HP user. That could open up a whole can of worms that I haven't even begun to think about, not to mention very time consuming on my end. My experiences to date with the B|AMP and forte' is that most of my customers barely use the tone controls, if at all, and then it's usually only a few db +/-. And those who do with the B|AMP tend to leave the frequency centers at the factory settings, which is the same as the forte' and soon to be released forte' HP. My thoughts are if the designer of the amp understands the relationship between the amp and speaker, and takes it into account in the architecture of the amp, there is much less reliance on the tone controls to dial in one's tone. In fact I feel with traditional amps players are using their tone controls more to eq their speakers than to dial in their tone, for which they are not designed to do.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

That's why we should get a B|Amp HP, too

It's nice to "dream" ! ;-}

 

[Low Class]

To be honest, I'm not planning on customizing firmware for every HP user. That could open up a whole can of worms that I haven't even begun to think about yet, not to mention very time consuming on my end. My experiences to date with the B|AMP and forte' is that most of my customers barely use the tone controls, and then it's usually only a few db +/-. And those who do with the B|AMP tend to leave the frequency centers at the factory settings, which is the same as the forte' and soon to be released forte' HP.

I wouldn't expect that, but if several USB patches were available using common EQ centers it still would give enough versatility to add to the appeal.

 

[Chadwick123]

I should’ve never called anything coming out of Jim’s cabs low rumble as I did above! Was just trying to make a point about a truly tough room. 2 NV212Ts stacked vertically has actually more or less tamed the Daytona Bandshell. And it’s not like the Agillar’s pillowy overambundance of 40-65 hz is helping anything on that stage! Hence, the Forte HP and it’s HPF! Fingers crossed.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

I wouldn't expect that, but if several USB patches were available using common EQ centers it still would give enough versatility to add to the appeal.

Fair enough. I could make a few versions of the firmware available on our website which may offer different combinations of center frequencies, within reason of course. This reminds me of how the B|AMP came to evolve over the years, thru user feedback!

 

[Low Class]

Fair enough. I could make a few versions of the firmware available on our website which may offer different combinations of center frequencies within reason.

You just sold me!! Otherwise I was on the fence on whether I should wait on the B Amp HP....if and when.

 

[Chadwick123]

Fair enough. I could make a few versions of the firmware available on our website which may offer different combinations of center frequencies within reason.

That would be amazing Jim! While 1k is the most noticeable frequency to the human ear, I find boosting it is generally really harsh sounding. Whereas, boosting 800 hz or 1.2k is often just what the doctor ordered.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

That would be amazing Jim! While 1k is the most noticeable frequency to the human ear, I find boosting it is generally really harsh sounding. Whereas, boosting 800 hz or 1.2k is often just what the doctor ordered.

Given your choice of 800 and 1.2k, I think you will be very pleased with the 1k factory freq for the HiMid. That being said, there's also a very useful choice for the bright freq at 2k, which Lee has been very instrumental in determining thru many exhausting listening sessions. With a Pbass this may be all you ever need! ;-}

 

[Jim Bergantino]

You just sold me!! Otherwise I was on the fence on whether I should wait on the B Amp HP....if and when.

Maybe we can have a little fun with this and ask here if you had only one choice, which 4 frequencies would you choose for Bass, LoMid, HiMid, and Treble. Keep in mind that what you think you may prefer is based on other amp's designs and their inherent voicings, and may not totally translate to the HP, but it would be very interesting and informative never the less. If you're a current B|AMP user, than your choices would be very relevant based on the similarities between the 2 amp's architectures.

 

[Low Class]

Maybe we can have a little fun with this and ask here if you had only one choice, which 4 frequencies would you choose for Bass, LoMid, HiMid, and Treble. Keep in mind that what you think you may prefer is based on other amp's designs and their inherent voicings, and may not totally translate to the HP, but it would be very interesting and informative never the less. If you're a current B|AMP user, than your choices would be very relevant based on the similarities between the 2 amp's architectures.

I'm just going to throw out some that seem to be common in the low and mids, 40hz, 80hz, 250hz, 500hz, and 800hz. If I remember correctly the EQ centers you have now kinda split the difference on some of these and they may do everything I want right out of the box.

 

[kevk]

Maybe we can have a little fun with this and ask here if you had only one choice, which 4 frequencies would you choose for Bass, LoMid, HiMid, and Treble. Keep in mind that what you think you may prefer is based on other amp's designs and their inherent voicings, and may not totally translate to the HP, but it would be very interesting and informative never the less. If you're a current B|AMP user, than your choices would be very relevant based on the similarities between the 2 amp's architectures.

Long time B|Amp (5.12) owner, and Forte HP on order...I rarely touch the eq controls, so given the same architecture, not too concern with eq control settings.

That said, I actually prefer/use the HG410C profile with both my REFs and HG410 cab, and noticeably didn’t prefer the “none” option with those cabs...not sure how all that translates to the HP...is the “none” option the same as the Forte HP? (The REF322 profile has been plenty ok, too,,,)

 

[Big String]

Hi Dean



The profiles in the BAmp are based on very specific measurements done on the cabs. As far as getting close with the forte tone controls, you wouldn’t want to rely on them. That’s not their function. They’re “tone” controls and should be used for that and not eqing your speakers. Something this industry hasn’t seemed to grasp yet.

Hiya Jim thank you for the reply.
I do recall that you explained this previously and it makes perfect sense.

I try to bookmark things but couldn’t find this one.

Thanks to All for their input

 

[Jim Bergantino]

I'm just going to throw out some that seem to be common in the low and mids, 40hz, 80hz, 250hz, 500hz, and 800hz. If I remember correctly the EQ centers you have now kinda split the difference on some of these and they may do everything I want right out of the box.

The factory point are 65hz, 250, 1k, 3.5k

Long time B|Amp (5.12) owner, and Forte HP on order...I rarely touch the eq controls, so given the same architecture, not too concern with eq control settings.

That said, I actually prefer/use the HG410C profile with both my REFs and HG410 cab, and noticeably didn’t prefer the “none” option with those cabs...not sure how all that translates to the HP...is the “none” option the same as the Forte HP? (The REF322 profile has been plenty ok, too,,,)

Actually there’s a profile in the forte’ and forte’ HP. NONE on the BAmp is a perfectly flat response.