Double Bass AI Focus question

[arseniotall]

Hey i remember reading a long time ago on here about the difference in the volume knobs on AI and EA's amps compared to traditional amps. I vaguely have in my head that a "traditional" amp set at noon is pretty much maxed out but this is not the case with these amps...?? Can someone help me out? Thanks in advance.

 

[jweiss]

Not sure exactly what you are asking, but on the Focus there is a level knob (far left) and a master volume (toward the right). They both are off when fully counterclockwise, and max when fully clockwise, just like all volume knobs on amps that I know of...

The manual is here.

 

[bolo]

Yes I've seen some posts stating that the volume and master knobs on EA heads (or Input level and Main Output) have a more linear response than some other amps. Not sure about the AI, but you could be right there too. I think that's what you're referring to.

Conceptually, I got the linear part. Maybe "taper" is the right word, maybe not. I don't think either the EA or AI manuals mention this explicitly.

Hopefully someone more technically inclined than me will chime in and explain this better.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I've never heard this about AI heads. I've made some similar comments about EA heads. Basically, here's what I said in essence about the EA iamp I had:

On most amps, the best strategy seems to be to treat the power amp (master) section as being totally clean with little or no tonal variation between fully off and fully on. The preamp, OTOH, tends to color the sound more the more you turn it up, so normally I set the power amp at noon, then turn the preamp on as little as possible (usually 9 o'clock or so) to get the cleanest possible sound. Then, if i need more volume, i turn the power amp up. This is how I still use the AI amps.

With the EA iAmp, there was a "sweet spot" on the pre which was usually in the 12-3 o'clock range which had to be found to get the optimal sound, then the power amp could be used for volume. The basic feel was that of an "input level", and the LED display on that amp showed when the input signal was strong enough to use.

Hope this wasn't too confusing.

 

[arseniotall]

THANKX!

 

[bolo]

Everything Chris said sounds happenin' to me. I've used (and still use) heads from AI and EA.

In addition, I thought, and I could be wrong, that some manufacturers had things set up so that the volume increased dramatically as you turned the knob(s) from off to noon or the mid-point, making you think you had this big, powerful, LOUD rig when you were turned up only halfway. But then as you turned the knob from halfway to full, the amount of volume increase was less in proportion, and you did not get twice as much output when cranked all the way up. Kind a like a steep slope that levels off to more of a gentle incline once you hit the "knee" in the slope. And this was (deliberately?) deceptive. Definitely not linear.

Did I dream that? Or just misunderstand?

 

[wiro]

I think you are talking about the non-linear response of the human ear and brains.....

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