• 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.

Demeter Club

#361
I have the VTBP-M-800D Bass Amp. I love it! I’ve used almost every Amp in the Ampeg, Aguilar, Hartke lines. Have used Aguilar TH500, and AG700 the past 6 years. But the clarity and tube sound of this Demeter amp is the best! My question is “ Does anyone have a problem with the Jensen transformer D. I. out not being hot enough to sound guy and his boards?” I always hear complaints from sound guy when running a D. I. Out from amp not being loud enough for his direct mix to P. A. They always say they have to crank up the D. I. Signal to 80% or more to get a loud enough volume. I have plenty of power to my cabs with the 800 watt amp, but get complaints about the Jensen D. I. Out not being loud enough to them. Your thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bucephylus
#362
@Sayclean : Do you use the DI Pre or Post switch ?? Cause the volume has a impact on how hot the signal is in post mode switch...

In live context, I use it mostly flat... You don't have your EQ, but you get the warmest and the small compression from the tube...

That's the only complaint with the VTBP-800... You don't have an independent master volume... Me I'm back using preamp (all old VTBP-201) with a power amp.
 
#363
JFLbass said:
@Sayclean : Do you use the DI Pre or Post switch ?? Cause the volume has a impact on how hot the signal is in post mode switch...

In live context, I use it mostly flat... You don't have your EQ, but you get the warmest and the small compression from the tube...

That's the only complaint with the VTBP-800... You don't have an independent master volume... Me I'm back using preamp (all old VTBP-201) with a power amp.
Click to expand...
Yes, this. I was never told by a soundman that my VTBP-201s wasn't sending enough signal. But the fact that there isn't a separate volume control for the DI out can be somewhat problematic in live use. I'm sure most would use a separate power amp with one of the rack pres for live use, so you have the volume control on the power amp for your stage amp. But still, if you change the gain at all on the pre, it effects what goes to the house. I never wanted to send a pre-eq signal to the house, mainly because I didn't trust the sound people to know how to properly EQ my signal the way I'd want it EQ'd.
 
#364
jacoby75 said:
Yes, this. I was never told by a soundman that my VTBP-201s wasn't sending enough signal. But the fact that there isn't a separate volume control for the DI out can be somewhat problematic in live use. I'm sure most would use a separate power amp with one of the rack pres for live use, so you have the volume control on the power amp for your stage amp. But still, if you change the gain at all on the pre, it effects what goes to the house. I never wanted to send a pre-eq signal to the house, mainly because I didn't trust the sound people to know how to properly EQ my signal the way I'd want it EQ'd.
Click to expand...

I feel you for sending your EQ to the soundman... But if you don't trust him PRE, why trusting him POST ? Hahah! :P

Do not forget that the PRE from all Demeter is a straight tube DI sound, with high voltage, sounding already freakin good! ;)

On my VTBP-201, I never touch the volume... It's always at the same place. I'm using the power amp for the speaker. So when I'm using the POST Eq, It never change ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: murphy
#365
Sayclean said:
I have the VTBP-M-800D Bass Amp. I love it! I’ve used almost every Amp in the Ampeg, Aguilar, Hartke lines. Have used Aguilar TH500, and AG700 the past 6 years. But the clarity and tube sound of this Demeter amp is the best! My question is “ Does anyone have a problem with the Jensen transformer D. I. out not being hot enough to sound guy and his boards?” I always hear complaints from sound guy when running a D. I. Out from amp not being loud enough for his direct mix to P. A. They always say they have to crank up the D. I. Signal to 80% or more to get a loud enough volume. I have plenty of power to my cabs with the 800 watt amp, but get complaints about the Jensen D. I. Out not being loud enough to them. Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Deep breath.

Interfacing with Sound Engineers can require patience and persistence. The Jensen transformer, in either the Demeter amps or in DI’s such as the Radial JDI, intentionally outputs a LOW NOISE but low level MIC LEVEL signal to the board. SE’s should actually appreciate this quality input. But, many of them are used to the garden variety line level outputs coming from the back of (often, but not all) less well engineered bass heads.

You should simply be able to explain to them that your feed is mic level. If they can’t get a grip on that, then you’ve got other problems. For cases where the SE can’t get that, might be smart to carry a cheap non-transformer DI, and just give them the direct feed. Sometimes better to pick your battles.

IME / YMMV
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sayclean, Stugilliam, JFLbass and 1 other person
#367
bucephylus said:
Deep breath.

Interfacing with Sound Engineers can require patience and persistence. The Jensen transformer, in either the Demeter amps or in DI’s such as the Radial JDI, intentionally outputs a LOW NOISE but low level MIC LEVEL signal to the board. SE’s should actually appreciate this quality input. But, many of them are used to the garden variety line level outputs coming from the back of (often, but not all) less well engineered bass heads.

You should simply be able to explain to them that your feed is mic level. If they can’t get a grip on that, then you’ve got other problems. For cases where the SE can’t get that, might be smart to carry a cheap non-transformer DI, and just give them the direct feed. Sometimes better to pick your battles.

IME / YMMV
Click to expand...
And remember never, ever argue with your SE until after the gig and only if you really, really feel you need to for your mental health.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bucephylus and murphy
#369
Hello! Can anyone shed some light on what would motivate one to choose the 800d head vs the vtbp m 800d head? I’m pretty clueless on some of the technical differences but I see the vtbp m has two preamp tubes. I don’t have the ability to test any of them but I’m looking for a serious upgrade after the holidays. I keep reading overall amazing things that sound up the alley I’m looking for with Demeter, but I’m having a hard time navigating what would be best for me between the specific amp choices. I can at least say I’m looking for a head and less inclined at this point to go with a rack configuration.
 
  • Like
Reactions: murphy
#370
Sayclean said:
I have the VTBP-M-800D Bass Amp. I love it! I’ve used almost every Amp in the Ampeg, Aguilar, Hartke lines. Have used Aguilar TH500, and AG700 the past 6 years. But the clarity and tube sound of this Demeter amp is the best! My question is “ Does anyone have a problem with the Jensen transformer D. I. out not being hot enough to sound guy and his boards?” I always hear complaints from sound guy when running a D. I. Out from amp not being loud enough for his direct mix to P. A. They always say they have to crank up the D. I. Signal to 80% or more to get a loud enough volume. I have plenty of power to my cabs with the 800 watt amp, but get complaints about the Jensen D. I. Out not being loud enough to them. Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
57E13604-FD26-4017-88A1-F57A93676A05.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joshua Vance
#373
Joshua Vance said:
View attachment 4120610 View attachment 4120609

just got to take my new vtbp 800 and Bergantino nv 212 for a spin!
Click to expand...
1909CFBE-4FEF-4D9B-A37C-6AC04A982AF1.jpeg


these are the settings I left rehearsal with. Ive read a bit about boomy rooms on here lately but wasn’t sure how one would describe the sound of the jam spot.

anyway, I’m playing a 2012 MIA J fretless with some overwound Fralins. Seemed like the amp really made obvious the very middy nature of a jazz with flats, I was surprised how much I cut the mids.

Sounds fantastic I think. Had fun with some chords and a dimension c pedal, the Bergantino clearly handles anything and was getting some cool JC 120 vibes with clarity and headroom.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sayclean, kittywithabanjo, murphy and 1 other person
#374
Ok...played out for the first time with my VTBP-M-800D into 2 Baer ML 112 cabs...of course, as the night went on, the band got louder. My volume was set at about 6 or so but I eas using a bass with a Sadowsky preamp in it...is it easy to push this amp too hard with that preamp or was I possibly blowing speakers? I’m a little afraid to check...
 
#375
Power Up question...

I bought my 400D used. It's not a full tube amp, just a tube pre-amp section. What I've noticed is that it takes about 30-40 seconds before it's ready to use. Is it normal or could there be an issue?

By the way, in my quest for the perfect tone (which included Vanderkly, every Mesa amp un the Subway series, full Mesa tube heads, Jule... the list foes on from every high end/boutique maker) - this is by far the best amp that I have ever used!

The tone is right, the responsiveness to the technique, the responsiveness to modifications on my pre-amp? It's all there!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sayclean, bucephylus and murphy
#376
Acoustic356 said:
Power Up question...

I bought my 400D used. It's not a full tube amp, just a tube pre-amp section. What I've noticed is that it takes about 30-40 seconds before it's ready to use. Is it normal or could there be an issue?

By the way, in my quest for the perfect tone (which included Vanderkly, every Mesa amp un the Subway series, full Mesa tube heads, Jule... the list foes on from every high end/boutique maker) - this is by far the best amp that I have ever used!

The tone is right, the responsiveness to the technique, the responsiveness to modifications on my pre-amp? It's all there!
Click to expand...

just got a vtbpm800d. Mine takes a moment to juice up as well. Glad you’re liking yours, what cab are you using?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Acoustic356
#377
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Acoustic356, Stugilliam and Joshua Vance
#378
Acoustic356 said:
Power Up question...

I bought my 400D used. It's not a full tube amp, just a tube pre-amp section. What I've noticed is that it takes about 30-40 seconds before it's ready to use. Is it normal or could there be an issue?

By the way, in my quest for the perfect tone (which included Vanderkly, every Mesa amp un the Subway series, full Mesa tube heads, Jule... the list foes on from every high end/boutique maker) - this is by far the best amp that I have ever used!

The tone is right, the responsiveness to the technique, the responsiveness to modifications on my pre-amp? It's all there!
Click to expand...
Anything with a tube pre or power section will require time to warm up. It's not like the solid state stuff that is ready to go as soon as you flip the switch. But the wait is worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Acoustic356, ahc, Stugilliam and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back