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Do I need active bass ?

wishforbass

wishforbass

Jun 23, 2016
966
909
Iran
www.youtube.com
#1
Usually when I plug my passive bass there is a good mid sound and weak bass and treble sound .
By using knob on amp the mid sound that produced change to a little more bass .
In treble knob not much change ,I tried three different amp and same result .
I connect the bass direct to amp .

I want make the sharp sound from treble or powerful live bass with attack .


1:50 in video .

Is it matter of bass or matter of pedal ?!

Because in live performance I uuslalay have this problem that I cant shape my sound and it's like I just boost or cut same sound from my bass.
What is the trick that get middy sharp sound from sexy bass when in other setting get bassy sound .
Should I buy new active instrument for that or stompbox or ?
 
#3
Actives give you more tonal flexibility on your bass. For some, this can be a huge deal. For others, not so much.

The question to ask yourself is how often do you find yourself on a gig needing to change the sound of your bass drastically to better serve a song. If the answer is never or rarely then you might not benefit from an active circuit. However, if you find yourself needing to boost the bass in one tune and then immediately cut the highs for another, then an active bass could make your life a lot easier.

IME, I typically leave my bass set to one tone for an entire gig and will only change its sound with effect pedals. When using an active bass, I might cut or add bass a hair, but it's so rare that I never make it a factor when purchasing an instrument.

That all being said, maybe consider adding a preamp pedal first. For one, it's a much cheaper option than buying a new bass, and it will give you the flexibility you seek even with a passive bass. I use the Tech21 VT, and I love it.
 
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#4
Def need to know those three things to help further. Also, how extreme are you making the eq changes? Dont be afraid of extreme eq changes to get the sound you want. But just keep in mind that often times boosting bass and treble and cutting mids will get you lost in the mix, depending on the style of music.
 
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#5
The thing about passive basses is that the "tone" control doesn't really do much.

It rolls off the treble.

You can change the frequency where the cut happens with different capacitors, and change the way it rolls off with different pots, but that's all.

With an active bass, the EQ section can (depends on the bass) have treble boost/cut, midrange boost/cut, and bass boost/cut controls.
Some also have switches that change the frequency where the mid knob boosts/cuts.
A VERY powerful tool!!

Of my active basses, 3 have treble/bass controls and two of them have treble/mid/bass.
2 of them have active/passive switches on a push/pull knob.
None have a midrange frequency switch.
So there is a lot of variety among the different manufacturers.

I really like the newer Ibanez preamps, but don't own any yet.

My only passive bass also happens to be my favorite, but it isn't as versatile as the others so it sees less recording time.
 
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#7
PotsdamBass8 said:
Def need to know those three things to help further. Also, how extreme are you making the eq changes? Dont be afraid of extreme eq changes to get the sound you want. But just keep in mind that often times boosting bass and treble and cutting mids will get you lost in the mix, depending on the style of music.
Click to expand...

I used eq in max lvl but still it's like it doesn't get near sound I want .
It's like the sound bass made will just change by knob ,I use 10 band eq too but not much help .
Just once I add a Di and the sound get near what I wanted .
 
#8
wishforbass said:
I used eq in max lvl but still it's like it doesn't get near sound I want .
It's like the sound bass made will just change by knob ,I use 10 band eq too but not much help .
Just once I add a Di and the sound get near what I wanted .
Click to expand...

Set the EQ to more moderate settings (flat?) and turn up the volume/gain. Make sure the input gain is set as high as it will go without clipping when playing fff then back it off a tad. Use master volume to get overall level. Now get to work with EQ - you might be surprised at how little you need...
YMMV
 
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#9
wishforbass said:
I play Yamaha bb415
String are 4 month old .
Fender rumble 100 and fender rumble the head when needed .
Click to expand...

4 months (on roundwounds) could be the problem, depending on the string, how much you play, and how quickly your particular sweat eats strings. Did you like the sound when they were new?

I honestly think that strings make the biggest difference to your sound (they are what is actually producing sound, after all) and they should be the first thing to spend money on getting right for what you want - before pickups, before preamps, before eq, before amps. That includes replacing them at appropriate intervals.
 
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#12
wishforbass said:
I play Yamaha bb415
Click to expand...
I play one, too. The stock pickups on this bass are quite hot for a passive instrument. As others have suggested, new strings and a proper setup should be able to bring out the best in this bass.

That being said, TBer Mik75 has posted several videos (here and here, for example) of his Yamaha BB425X – the recently-discontinued evolution of the BB415 – using an outboard preamp and compressor, and his tone is, IMHO, wonderful. Hence, outboard signal processing for a passive BB can definitely produce nice results. Lastly, Yamaha also made an active version of your bass called the BB615...tough to find one these days in good shape, but they are out there.
 
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#14
sambass0124 said:
I'd suggest borrowing another bass and try to play it through the same amp and see if it still happens. Maybe you bass is malfunctioning?
Click to expand...
Even if not malfunctioning, this is the methodical process you need to use. It's called trouble shooting. Bass with other amps. Other basses with
your amp. Other types/guages of strings. All the while lots of EQ tweaking. Evaluating the sound in context (recorded/live). Don't forget the effect the room has and of course: technique!

If there is a switch for the mid, it changes what frequency is being controlled. If the knob is flat there will be no difference because you're neither boosting nor cutting.
 
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#15
wishforbass said:
I play Yamaha bb415
String are 4 month old .
Fender rumble 100 and fender rumble the head when needed .
Click to expand...
Get new strings first. It's easily the cheapest option, and will make a world of difference if you've been playing on those strings frequently in the past four months. For a bit of extra trebly clank/zing, stainless steel rounds are a good bet!
 
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#16
I have a very small pedalboard and play passive. Ampeg scr-DI and a Kelley comp+. I can usually changer the eq enough using those to get where I need 2 be. The scr-DI has a little overdrive section that I blend in just a little dirt. That alone is typically enough to bust thru. I can also use a little compression. But use it more like a clean boost, and that is if/as needed thing.
 
#17
Yeah your answer could be as easy as a nice outboard preamp. A pedal. But def try new strings first. It sounds to me like your ear is wanting to hear something that your gear isn't giving you.

How did you come about using the stuff you have now @wishforbass? Hand me downs? Bought after searching and researching? Bought on a recommendation? I would suggest this as well, go to a music store and try out everything they have available in the bass room. See if something speaks to you. Because it really does just sound like your staled on your gear to me. But I could be wrong. Maybe you just need an exciter or something like that....
 
#18
wishforbass said:
Usually when I plug my passive bass there is a good mid sound and weak bass and treble sound .
By using knob on amp the mid sound that produced change to a little more bass .
In treble knob not much change ,I tried three different amp and same result .
I connect the bass direct to amp .

I want make the sharp sound from treble or powerful live bass with attack .


1:50 in video .

Is it matter of bass or matter of pedal ?!

Because in live performance I uuslalay have this problem that I cant shape my sound and it's like I just boost or cut same sound from my bass.
What is the trick that get middy sharp sound from sexy bass when in other setting get bassy sound .
Should I buy new active instrument for that or stompbox or ?
Click to expand...


I don't know if you need an active bass. But I Own this Fender Elite and its AMAZING! You could just buy an Outboard EQ. Those work very well and I'm sure will give you what you're looking for.
 
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