amp settings for thrash metal

[thrashbassist90]

I own a Fender M-80 Bass amp, and i would like to know what settings would be recommended for a good thrash metal sound.

the knobs on the amp are as follows:
Treble
Mid
Bass

each of these range from -5 to 5.

 

[Higgins666]

normally i use a slight EQ curve, something like this
Bass: 6
Mid: 7
Treble: 4

or in your case it would be
Bass: 1
Mid: 2
Treble: -1

 

[Steveaux]

Play your bass.

Play with the knobs.

When it sounds good to you ...

Stop playing with the knobs.

 

[bongomania]

The M-80 is a 90 watt solid state amp. The only way you'll get a good thrash metal sound out of it is if you kick a hole in the speaker and mic it through a larger, real amp.

You might be able to get something decent out of it if you connect it to a large external speaker cab. The EQ has almost nothing to do with one genre or another, different settings of a 3-band EQ will never make it sound like one type of metal or anything. A nice distortion pedal might suit you.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I'd have to agree, 90 watts won't get you into thrash metal territory, reguardless of how you eq it. You definately need a bigger amp, and lots of speakers.

 

[Eminor3rd]

Boost the highs and mids if you want to be heard with a 90W combo.

 

[Korladis]

Crank those mids. Chances are that the guitarists will be scooping theirs, enabling you to be heard if you keep and boost yours.

 

[rbonner]

Unless your drummer has rugs inside all the drums and the guitards are playing Marshall Mini-stacks. My suggestion is turn all the knobs up full and mic whats left into the PA. Call it a day.

BOB

 

[dj150888]

Please, PLEASE don't scoop out all your mids.....and shout at your guitarists when they think its a good idea for them and you.

 

[Korladis]

Please, PLEASE don't scoop out all your mids.....and shout at your guitarists when they think its a good idea for them and you.

I like the scooped mid heavy metal guitar sound. However, it's not a sound that works on bass at all, in my opinion.

 

[Spyness]

I dunno, I scoop my mids a little bit. I usually run with the treble and bass at like 7, with the mids at around 6 or 5.5. Its got good clarity, but also good bassyness, and enough punch that I actually can feel what I'm playing.

 

[JFace]

I think if you play with a pick and boost your treble, you are going to stand out well. Thrash is all about speed and nastiness. Pleasant, bassy sounds need not apply.

 

[thrashbassist90]

alright. so what would you guys recommend for a new amp then.

 

[bongomania]

Whatever is the largest, rudest thing you can afford. Seriously. It's all about large speakers and lots of them, with enough power to do some good with them. Forget brands, tube vs. solid state, EQ, any of that stuff. Just buy the biggest thing you can afford and crank it.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Whatever is the largest, rudest thing you can afford. Seriously. It's all about large speakers and lots of them, with enough power to do some good with them. Forget brands, tube vs. solid state, EQ, any of that stuff. Just buy the biggest thing you can afford and crank it.

That big@ss amp from Back To The Future would be just the ticket! lol

5sg.

 

[Eminor3rd]

alright. so what would you guys recommend for a new amp then.

Need a budget to make a suggestion.

 

[ettsn]

Dime it.

 

[Jim Nazium]

each of these range from -5 to 5.

That's a problem right there. Metal amps need to go to at least 10, or preferably 11. Yours only goes half way. Maybe get another one.

 

[dj150888]

I like the scooped mid heavy metal guitar sound. However, it's not a sound that works on bass at all, in my opinion.

Funny how different people hear things differently, isn't it? For me, scooped mids on guitar or bass is anti-tone.

 

[ettsn]

each of these range from -5 to 5.

Then, uh, nickel it?