- Jun 8, 2008
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- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
Some are HPF/LPFs, some are IR loaders and some are a bit different like the Torpedo Cab M
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Do you need a cab sim?
- Thread starter IvanBassist
- Start date
Which one do you use?
I just picked up a DSM & Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station that I'm testing out.
Very interesting video! I know I'm late to the party, but I find that using my Two Notes Cab M (cab sim) and my Sadowsky preamp together sounds far better than either one alone. There's no reason for the cab sim to give a feeling that it's "dulling your tone". With my band, I almost always play ampless with these two pedals into a decent PA. Also, with the Cab M, I would not consider buying expensive complete packs, but rather just the cab or two that interest me. Or you can find really great free IRs easily.
I play in a couple rock cover bands and I'm struggling with getting a good tone live with Cab-sims or IRs. I have tried both my HX Stomp and a DarkGlass Infinity both have Cab-sims and IRs. These sound ok through headphones but once I play live through our PA (ampless) the bass tends to lose its definition and becomes a bass blob. Both bands use a similar PA setup Tops with Subs (good quality EV/JBL/QSC). Maybe the PA cabinets themselves are flavoring the sound and by adding a Cab-sim I am essentially double-dipping into a "cab" sound. Just getting frustrated, I want my bass to sound better through our FoH PA so badly.
We struggled with this for so long. I thought cab sims would help. No, made it worse. We found out just adjusting the filters on the board got us to a much better FOH bass tone. I do the EQ on my board, then FOH handles filters and we get the levels matched. It took a lot of time and working on it but we figured it out eventually. My guitar player is only a novice sound guy so we learn through our mistakes. Best thing we did was set up the PA in his garage and I just plugged up my bass and board to the PA and we worked it for hours and hours until we got it. Now we just do a quick adjust to the room and drums and guitars during soundcheck.
Cab sims/IRs are not a magic bullet to awesomeness. Just like anything else, they're a tool and an option, not necessarily the be-all-end-all. Lots of players have struggled with them and don't prefer them. And lots of players have found them to be very helpful and a great solution for them. Then there are those players who are happy to let the sound people do whatever floats their boat, while they focus their energy on their music and performance. Nothing wrong any way you go.
There are absolutely playing styles where I'd consider a pure DI tone as a first choice and wouldn't even worry too much about a cab sim. But of course, then there are other times where a cab sim or cab IR works better. Don't worry about it. You don't HAVE TO use or love cab sims, but IMHO I think it's great technology that still has yet to be developed to its full potential.
There are absolutely playing styles where I'd consider a pure DI tone as a first choice and wouldn't even worry too much about a cab sim. But of course, then there are other times where a cab sim or cab IR works better. Don't worry about it. You don't HAVE TO use or love cab sims, but IMHO I think it's great technology that still has yet to be developed to its full potential.
I had such good sound with my Cab M at a concert the other day, that our singers turned around and told me that my sound was on fire! I think the preamp has a lot to do with it (I changed, now using Genzer Magellan and a Sushi Box More to get some tubes into the equation).
Also, I used to prepare my sound with headphones or a small PA speaker at home, and then the sound through the real PA was totally not what I expected. Then I got some good in-ear headphones and a good FRFR speaker, and the sound I prepare at home is identical to that we get FOH with the band. I've said this before, but my time during the sound check is ridiculously short because the sound is always right (unless I screw it up, but then I tell the team not to touch anything and I'll fix it on my side, which is usually pretty easy). But I agree, there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and it might not be for everyone.
Also, I used to prepare my sound with headphones or a small PA speaker at home, and then the sound through the real PA was totally not what I expected. Then I got some good in-ear headphones and a good FRFR speaker, and the sound I prepare at home is identical to that we get FOH with the band. I've said this before, but my time during the sound check is ridiculously short because the sound is always right (unless I screw it up, but then I tell the team not to touch anything and I'll fix it on my side, which is usually pretty easy). But I agree, there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and it might not be for everyone.
For clean, no cab needed but once you get dirty grindy tone they sure help 
For clean, no cab needed but once you get dirty grindy tone they sure help
This. I don't really use overdrive or distortion on bass, so for 25+ years of playing, I've never felt the need for a cab sim. My signal chain has always been primary DI out of the preamp of my amp, with a Countryman Type 85 DI directly on the instrument for a safety track that can be reamped later, if necessary. That being said, I do own and use a DSM & Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station, now.
