Does Anyone Use The -15 db Button?

[deckstirparnell]

Great idea for really hot basses (of which I have 3), but it muds up and kills the tone so therefore I don't use it. I just turn those basses down and have lots of headroom available on the volume pot.

 

[agedhorse]

Properly designed, a pad (or gain scaling function) has no effect on tone.

(Of course there are exceptions)

 

[HolmeBass]

Ironically I usually only ever use it on my quietest amp when I am playing with unamplified acoustic instruments. I never use it to tame the output of my basses per se.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I never use it.

 

[ofajen]

No. It really is ok to use an active bass without the volume cranked all the way up.

Otto

 

[tbz]

No. That's what Input Gain knobs and Clipping LEDs are for.

 

[ofajen]

That said, I do use the less sensitive inputs on my old tube amps when I plug in a synthsizer's output. That way I can have somewhat nominal volume settings on both. Otherwise, one has to be turned down too much.

Otto

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Tried -15dB to stop the inbuilt compressor doing too much compressing.

Turned off the compressor and went back to 0dB.

 

[InhumanResource]

I don't use it, in fact I like my gain really high and master kind of low (not overdriven but I find that the gain cranked really makes this rig come alive and breathe). However, the John East preamp in my jazz bass has the internal gain pots bottomed out as it outputs an INSANELY hot signal if turned up a bit. I can see the pad being useful if you have a really hot preamp like that.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

For home use, I use an Ampeg BA-210v2 with a Fender Elite Jazz and a Kubicki. Both basses are 18v with active/passive switch. I engage the -15db switch when using active and disengaged in passive mode. If I don't use the -15db while in active the volume is way too sensitive and I can only go up to 2-3 on the volume before it gets too loud. So I have more volume adjustment/range if I use the -15db.

I like to keep the volume on the bass turned up just so I get the compression to kick-in as I have it adjusted on my pedalboard compressor (Markbass Compressore). I do have the option of turning down the volume output on the compressor but it's easier to just engage the -15db on the amp.

 

[DavC]

gotta try to match the basses output with the amps input ... max gain without clipping for the best S/N ratio !

 

[The Regulator]

Never

 

[ThuzzleFump]

And even that can be quite loud... I never fire it up past 8 pm.

Dude, you have the coolest mom evar.

 

[Ewo]

I just look at the clip light on the input stage of my amp. I turn the input gain knob down to where it won't clip on the hottest signal I'm gonna send the amp--on the bass, volume wide open and some bass boost.

Even though my basses are active, I've never needed to use the pad.

 

[bassfran]

I have used it occasionally when playing the active 5'er through unfamiliar backline.

 

[Doner Designs]

Seems pointless unless the amp only has a single volume control that operates at the back end of the power amp. Seems to me that it's redundant on any amp with an input gain knob (which is most of them).

 

[tfer]

My Ibanez SRX500 is HOT. Into my PF500, it is clipping with the gain at 3.

I use the pad for that bass, but I don't use that bass live.

 

[mojomike001]

There's nothing wrong with having on option which you may or may not ever use. It's better than not having the option.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I have a -10 on my Marcus Miller Swr pre


From the comments maybe I should try it without the pad

 

[mojomike001]

If -15db is too much, you just raise the gain or the drive a bit more.