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Amplitube question

Z

Zulujos

Guest
Mar 18, 2014
37
28
#1
As a guitar is my hobby. I don't play live with the exception of a family jam a couple of times a year. I started using Amplitube in this setting so for my live experience (and at home) I play through the following setup (and very happy with the results).
Laptop+interface>Crate Power block 150w (into effects loop)>Organic Timber loaded cabinet.
So here's my question. I have been wanting to add a bass to my collection. Which one of the above components will be problematic? Will it be the amp even though running through the effects loop bypasses the tone circuit or would it be the non-bass rated speaker? For the record the speaker rep said the speaker may be OK and was curious to know. My brain tells me the speaker is the weakest link.
 
#2
I guess the answer is.. it DEPENDS.
There's not enough speaker specs provided..
Are we talking 8" or 18" speakers?
One the face of it.. yeah, it should be OK.
 
#3
Probably the cab and even then it depends on how much low end, volume, and fidelity you want out of it.

If you just need to hear a reasonable bass tone at low volumes, I've played through as little as an old tube Fender Champ (w/ open-back cab and 8" speaker). It kept up and sounded good in the context; but it wasn't being asked to go deep, and it was only keeping pace with a couple acoustic guitars and three singers.
 
#4
The speaker, Organic Timbre Rhapsody 12, is a speaker voiced for guitar and in particular digital modelling. It's rated at 300w. The Crate s.s. head is rated at 150w as said before. Common sense tells me running the Amplitube plugin through the effects loop should be fine but perhaps I would be happier running it through a cheap bass cab.
 
#5
Cable up the rig, start at low volume with an Amplitube bass chain that doesn't have tons of deep lows, drive, or filters. Bring up the volume slowly, and back off if you hear your speakers distorting or compressing.

FWIW, I've found much better results running Amplitube, BIAS Amp/FX, etc through a flat full-range cab, studio monitors, or even home stereo speakers rather than guitar cabs.
 
#6
That's good to know, Derrico. I do have some decent Creative Design computer speakers laying around doing nothing. The other side of that is here in Europe Thomann, the European version of Musician's Friend, has some very affordable bass cabs. The same probably holds true for a passive PA monitor.
 

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