• 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.

AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

#1,221
MarkA said:
I've considered picking up a ParaEQ (if you're talking about the Empress pedal) for use in front of an LMII, among other heads.

...I would try the EQ pedal or, if you can get your hands on one, the Aguilar TH500. Maybe see if you can borrow one. That certainly has low-mid grunt on tap, though only one semi-parametric mid band.
Click to expand...
The Empress is an awesome EQ. I still regret selling mine. Still, it's studio-clean.

I used to think that EQ could solve all ills, but I've come to realize that there is much more to what we hear than a cut or boost of a few dB. When you have a "smooth on smooth" situation, quite often a little bit of grit or hair on the note is what you really need. When I had my TC112 paired with the wrong head, changing the EQ just gave me a different flavour of "wrong"...

I suspect that testing a TH500, or even a Tone Hammer pedal, may be a better move in this case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peter Weil and maisbass
#1,224
A few random thoughts. The players were Monique/Minnie, GK MB Fusion (500), Mesa Walkabout, H1203 (single and pair), TC1120-8, and the Barefaced cab. I was playing my Fodera YYD, and Adam brought his very cool Nash P-bass - which reminded me that I dig a good passive P. The H1203 is kind of an ideal middle ground cabinet, and the pair just flat out sounds awesome. It has a 3D quality, is articulate, never gets harsh/nasty, and the tone is open yet well supported all the way through. Combining the TC with the H1203 adds a fair amount of lows and you lose a bit of the mid punch. With Monique you don't get a ton of sizzle/highs so switching to the TC doesn't really change that aspect that much. With the GK there is a bit more going on up high, but it can get a little edgy - to me that is a GK thing.

The Barefaced is a totally different beast. By comparison it sounded rather 2D and a little veiled. It doesn't extend high, but you've only got the 12" so not unexpected. It does put out a lot of low end for its size, and while it isn't the tone I go for, I'm betting that in a mix with a rock band it would work quite well. For smooth jazz or R&B, less so. It gets loud for its size/weight, and is a nice form factor for fitting on stage (shallow from front to back). The Mesa is a bit of another beast as well as it isn't a particularly "open" sounding head. But again, for the rock thing, I can see why guys dig it.

Bottom line is that it is hard to fault the H1203 pair. Gets the tone I want, is small/light, one cab will cover a lot of gigs, and the pair will tear paint off the walls if need be. The TC112/H1203 is an interesting combo as well. Bigger low end support, less edge in the upper mids. I think the H1203 pair is more my sound, but I could see some people preferring the TC/Hathor combo or just TCs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson
#1,225
steve_rolfeca said:
The Empress is an awesome EQ. I still regret selling mine. Still, it's studio-clean.

I used to think that EQ could solve all ills, but I've come to realize that there is much more to what we hear than a cut or boost of a few dB. When you have a "smooth on smooth" situation, quite often a little bit of grit or hair on the note is what you really need. When I had my TC112 paired with the wrong head, changing the EQ just gave me a different flavour of "wrong"....
Click to expand...

I agree that the empress para eq is excellent. Precision, tonality, build quality, all excellent. However, the problem I have with it is that the potentiometers have way too much play, I wish they had a bit more resistance. Also, it's impossible to see the markings on the pedal live. You kinda have to set it and forget it.

I agree with gear matching. I have found over the years, much better results matching gear that works for my sound, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel and force a preamp, cabinet or bass to work. It took a long time for me to come to that realization. I don't want to have to work hard at achieving the tone I hear in my head. I basically want my pre flat, with minor adjustments due to a troublesome room. That has really worked well for me and also allows me to get more use out of my various setups. Keeps things fresh! :)
 
#1,226
nostatic said:
A few random thoughts. The players were Monique/Minnie, GK MB Fusion (500), Mesa Walkabout, H1203 (single and pair), TC1120-8, and the Barefaced cab. I was playing my Fodera YYD, and Adam brought his very cool Nash P-bass - which reminded me that I dig a good passive P. The H1203 is kind of an ideal middle ground cabinet, and the pair just flat out sounds awesome. It has a 3D quality, is articulate, never gets harsh/nasty, and the tone is open yet well supported all the way through. Combining the TC with the H1203 adds a fair amount of lows and you lose a bit of the mid punch. With Monique you don't get a ton of sizzle/highs so switching to the TC doesn't really change that aspect that much. With the GK there is a bit more going on up high, but it can get a little edgy - to me that is a GK thing.

The Barefaced is a totally different beast. By comparison it sounded rather 2D and a little veiled. It doesn't extend high, but you've only got the 12" so not unexpected. It does put out a lot of low end for its size, and while it isn't the tone I go for, I'm betting that in a mix with a rock band it would work quite well. For smooth jazz or R&B, less so. It gets loud for its size/weight, and is a nice form factor for fitting on stage (shallow from front to back). The Mesa is a bit of another beast as well as it isn't a particularly "open" sounding head. But again, for the rock thing, I can see why guys dig it.

Bottom line is that it is hard to fault the H1203 pair. Gets the tone I want, is small/light, one cab will cover a lot of gigs, and the pair will tear paint off the walls if need be. The TC112/H1203 is an interesting combo as well. Bigger low end support, less edge in the upper mids. I think the H1203 pair is more my sound, but I could see some people preferring the TC/Hathor combo or just TCs.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It was an apples to oranges to pineapples comparison. I think the size and weight were the similarities in the cabs. However, the Barefaced Big Baby with the two way design would have been a better tone apples to apples, but the price and weight go way up on that box. As it is, the 1203 is pretty reasonably priced in the comparison with the Super Compact. Duke has some nice products, and it made me very 1855 curious.


"Comparison is the thief of joy."
- Theodore Roosevelt
 
#1,228
maisbass said:
I agree that the empress para eq is excellent. Precision, tonality, build quality, all excellent. However, the problem I have with it is that the potentiometers have way too much play, I wish they had a bit more resistance. Also, it's impossible to see the markings on the pedal live. You kinda have to set it and forget it.

I agree with gear matching. I have found over the years, much better results matching gear that works for my sound, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel and force a preamp, cabinet or bass to work. It took a long time for me to come to that realization. I don't want to have to work hard at achieving the tone I hear in my head. I basically want my pre flat, with minor adjustments due to a troublesome room. That has really worked well for me and also allows me to get more use out of my various setups. Keeps things fresh! :)
Click to expand...
On a hunch I replaced the batteries in the Fodera 2000, problem solved (the LED is basically worthless on this pedal, only turns on briefly when you plug in an input cable). I also tried my Phat Phuk B which added some nice hair and texture. Guess I can spend the $ on the FLHTC.
 
#1,230
I should also have said that the Barefaced Big Baby 2 is a cab I have owned for a month and tried out - last year.

IMO, The TC112AFv2 is tonally extremely similar to the BB2. The BF Compact is a very different sound, I would think.

The BB2 had a nifty attenuator and with the compression driver turned off had a real rock cabinet sound - gritty and chewy. Pardon my adjectives

In the end, for the BB2, I ended up preferring a voiced but theoretically less loud/efficient cab (the Berg IP - less efficient driver but compensated for by the DSP and built in compression).

I think Alex's claims for the BB2 in terms of SPL are solid, but I think he gives up a little more low end to get it. It could be EQ'd in though......The BB2 is also a few inches wider and has a bigger box volume to assist with freq response and SPL. IMO

(FYI, my impressions are preserved for posterity at http://basschat.co.uk/topic/221992-...-bergantino-ip112er-and-acme-b1-content-also/)

I sold the IP because I couldn't be bothered lugging it about and the CN112 surprised me by being a decent sounding cab whilst being light. It's been a solid performer so far.

Fickle bass players. Mainly me.
 
Last edited:
#1,231
Todd and Adam,

I'm curious as to your impressions of the Walkabout through a single 1203 -- and with the stack, for that matter -- but I am particularly curious as to whether the little Mesa can push a single, moderately efficient, 8-Ohm 1203 anywhere at or near its potential without getting too compressed or wooly.

I have a Monique and a Walkabout and like things about both. I'd shelved the WB for awhile but have been getting back into it lately -- actually took it out for its first live shakedown in years Wednesday night. I don't want to clutter this thread with the details of that report, but I'll say that the character changes when you push the amp! Not all for the worse, but if you want to preserve your dynamics/transients, you'll have to make the most of its available power. My impression is that the voicing of the 1203 would be a great match for the WB, provided the WB can push it reasonably well at the desired volume level.

On a related subject, Adam, how did you find the sound of Monique through the 1203s? Still a little dark for your tastes, or did it open up?

Appreciate your reports, guys.
 
Last edited:
#1,232
Hmmm.
I'd say the WA is going to get loud by neighbors' standards but not by rock standards. Jazz and folk, maybe. If you've got a drummer with restrained touch and a guitarist who is only pushing a combo amp, then maybe. The double 1203 certainly opens it up, but a single is gonna leave you wanting.


"Comparison is the thief of joy."
- Theodore Roosevelt
 
#1,233
DirtPoorRobins said:
Peter can you try both the tc112 and cn112 but turn the tweeter off on the cn112. I don't know about mixing cabs, but I've dreamed about a cab that had the low and mids of cn112 with the highs of the tc112.
Click to expand...

Ok, I did this experiment today at home at moderately loud volumes with my P-Bass.

Using the GKMB800, and with the tweeter off on the CN112 and the TC112AFv2 with all switches 'flat', it was a powerfully loud combination. I felt the CN112 dominated (esp in the mids) a lot more and masked the TC's contributions. The TC gave a lot of lows and pristine highs but I perceived the mids of the CN dominating the sound overall. It did work well enough overall, though.

I still think it's probably better to have a cab of similar overall efficiency paired with the TC - like a Hathor. But if I had only these two cabs, I could make it work fine.

----------------

Once again separated the two cabs - the TC has intoxicating lows both when EQ is flat and when you boost the bass EQ they are just awesome. It truly sounds like a studio monitor to me.

The CN is a much leaner machine flat, but takes bass EQ well and gets excellent lows (not super deep, but plenty pleasing enough) when you pump in the bass. I also imagine its overall efficiency drops when you do that.

I'm going to crank these cabs really hard tomorrow and see what happens.

I do expect to find differences at loud volumes. At moderate volumes, I could happily gig with either.
 
Last edited:
#1,234
Quick addition to last post.

I swapped the alder/RW P-Bass for my ash/maple Celinder Update and did the same test (TC set flat, CN tweet all the way off).

Seemed to work better. I suppose the much increased treble and high mids from the Celinder helped to balance things a little.

The tweet in the CN has a touch more at the very top end compared to the compression driver in the TC.

I feel like this is all very fine detail. The more I compare, the more I think most people could be happy with either of these high end cabs.

Trying to describe audio sometimes feels like the 'sommelier' type chat discussed earlier in this thread. A bit vague.
 
#1,235
OK folks, it's been a little slow in this thread, so what's going on in AudioKinesis land?

I am patiently (yeah right) awaiting my H1203 cabs. Can't wait to try them out. They aren't going to be here for my next scheduled theatre gig, but I should have them in time for the September show.

Todd, how is the back therapy going?
 
#1,237
thudfromafar said:
what exactly is the TCAF v2? I guess I missed the new version.
Click to expand...
ThunderChild Acoustic-Friendly (rear tweeter), version 2. See the link in Duke's signature for more info, in addition to that scattered throughout this thread.

Those that know can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the guide on the horn was changed to one with better vertical dispersion and that the cab and/or crossover was revoiced slightly.
 
#1,238
I have been running the TC112-8 more the past week and I'm warming to the extra booty. I've got a Steely Jam gig this Sat where I need to fill a decent size room so I think I'm going to run the H1203/TC112-8 stack for grins. Then Sun I've got an outdoor gig and will likely do the pair of H1203. Choice is a good thing...
 
#1,239
nostatic said:
I have been running the TC112-8 more the past week and I'm warming to the extra booty. I've got a Steely Jam gig this Sat where I need to fill a decent size room so I think I'm going to run the H1203/TC112-8 stack for grins. Then Sun I've got an outdoor gig and will likely do the pair of H1203. Choice is a good thing...
Click to expand...
Have you tried the aggressive mids setting position on the TC yet?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back