• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Acoustic Image 310 BA

LoeBase

LoeBase

Apr 1, 2004
23
0
New Orleans
#1
Hello

I just purchased the original acoustic image contra, the 310 model. I wanted to know what's the best way to get the maximum volume from it? When I plug into the low input, I can barely here it. When I plug into the high input, I can here it better. Yet, it just doesn't sound like I'm getting the internal 200 watts that it is rated at. It is supposed to reach around 300 watts with an extension cab, but it seems that I've played other amps at lower watts that sound louder than this.

Any advice. I use an underwood pickup with an Eastman bass. The tone as absolutely wonderful. It sounds very natural. Because the combination sounds so great, I really want it to be heard.
 
#3
I would try contacting AI directly at www.acousticimg.com re: the gig bag. I think you're right, certain size drum bags or drum cases also work.

Have you plugged your bass into another amp, just to see if you get low output there as well? If not, the AI may need work. Or maybe the diffused nature of the sound takes some getting used to??? Placement (i.e. how close are you to walls, corners) is pretty important with just about any speaker, but maybe moreso with the Contra. The best place to have any repair work or troubleshooting done IMO is also at AI.

For comparison, on my Series I Contra, using the original Rev Solo pickup (which had a fairly low output signal according to some), I had the turn the preamp level (left knob) on the Contra all the way up, and then set the power amp level (right knob) between 12:00 and say 3:30, depending on the room and the other musicians. This was in what I would label as "typical" 4 or 5 piece straightahead jazz settings. Even then at times I felt it was not quite enough volume to overcome some of the "environmental" factors (which for me means loud musicians, plus crowd noise).

The hi- low- inputs and button deal w/ impedance matching w/ the pickup, not high and low volume per say. I think the Underwood is a piezo (or piezos) that would work best going into a high-impedance input. I always used the hi-impedance input setting w/ my Bass Max and Rev Solo p/u's.

[ Edit: Wrong. The Hi gain input is for passive pickups, like most piezos. Low gain is for "active" pickups or a feed from a preamp. The Hi gain input also lets you select high or low impedance with the little white button. ]
 
  • Like
Reactions: L7L
#4
A Levy's 14x14 tom tom case can be used as a substitute for the original case. It is the same except that it lacks the shoulder strap.

Infinite baffle (sealed, non-ported) speaker cabinets are not as efficient as ported cabinets, meaning that they do not produce the same sound pressure levels per watt. That is one of the reasons why that Contra may not sound as loud, watt for watt, as some equivalently powered combo amps. The fact that the woofer is down-firing is another factor. Tilting it back can help, and I would also recommend cutting back a bit on the bass control when you need higher volumes than it is delivering. Bass frequencies require more power to produce. Adding midrange can also enhance clarity and apparent volume.
 
#6
AI used to provide "magic triangles" for the Series I, little black things that would prop up the front of the amp by about 4" or so and tilt it back. I had problems with them falling over, I thought from vibrations from the cab itself. Maybe I wasn't using them properly. I dunno. If you call AI they might still have some.

I seem to recall some people using all sorts of things to stuff under the front of the cab and tilt it back, like um ... ashtrays (Marcus?).

I also put it up on a chair in some settings. Not as boomy, decoupled with the floor, and closer to my ears.

I use the same EQ adjustments that Bob outlined. At typical smallish gig volume levels, I cut the bass to 9:00, and actually either cut or boost the mids from 11:00 to 1:00, depending on the environment.
 
#7
From the AI website:

Why does my old combo amp sound louder than my AI combo but doesn’t sound as natural?

The loudness of a speaker system is a function of the efficiency of the speaker and the volume of air it moves (which, in turn, is related to the diameter of the speaker). The typical musical instrument combo amp uses a high efficiency, large diameter (12 inches or higher) speaker. Our combos use a lower efficiency, smaller diameter speaker (10 inches) which results in a lower output level at a given input level. So, our combos aren’t as loud as the typical bass or guitar combo.

EDIT: I just realized this is exactly what Bob said in his post above. Anywhere here it is again.
 
#8
bolo said:
AI used to provide "magic triangles" for the Series I, little black things that would prop up the front of the amp by about 4" or so and tilt it back. I had problems with them falling over, I thought from vibrations from the cab itself. Maybe I wasn't using them properly. I dunno. If you call AI they might still have some.
Click to expand...
When I had my series I Contra, I managed to lose 2 of the triangles. After I lost the second one, I used our drummer's cowbell (which I've never seen him use - TG) to prop it up. :) I didn't have the heart to ask Rick Jones to send me another one since he never charged me for the ones I had managed to lose. I was happy to see that AI had built-in permanently attached (spring loaded) legs with the wonderful series III models.
 
#10
A correction to one of my previous posts:

The two inputs on the Contra 310 BA are marked Hi gain and Low gain. So it does make sense that you get more volume when you plug into the Hi gain input.

The Hi gain is also the input w/ the selectable impedance button, where Hi is 10 Mohm, and Low is 1 Mohm.

The Low gain input is for "active" pickups or a feed from a preamp. I assume it has some type of -n dB pad.

Ultimately, like Rick says in the manual, "You should experiment to find the sound you like best."
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back