Equalizing bass signals to the amp

[klokker]

I'm using my two basses at our next show. One is my passive P bass and the other is an Ibanez with active pickups.

Is there a way, or a box, pedal, or some other way to match the output of my basses so I can avoid screwing up the sound guy when I make the switch? I know this has been asked before, I'm just not finding it.

I'm going into a Shuttle 6.0.

 

[bongomania]

Yeah, there are loads of options. Best bet is to check over in the "effects" forum, as the item you want is in the form of a stompbox, even if it isn't an "effect".

There are two equally-good approaches: Either a pedal that cuts the volume, to bring your louder bass down to the level of the quieter one; or a pedal that cleanly boosts the volume, to bring the quieter bass up. An example of the volume-cut would be the Lehle 3@1, or any passive volume pedal. An example of the boost, well, sheet there are hundreds of clean-boost pedals on the market. Literally hundreds. The EHX LPB-1 is a popular inexpensive choice.

 

[colcifer]

A Boss EQ would also be a good choice.

 

[walterw]

also, if the ibanez is louder because you've got its bass and treble EQ cranked way up, you probably should back that off a bit as well.

 

[walker rosewood]

as mentioned... tons of ways to accomplish this. Here's one:

http://www.carlmartin.com/product_match_box.htm


They also make a box to switch any combo of two instruments and two amps.

 

[39-Bassist]

Another option to level out the passive and active is to change your bass amp out. There are some VERY good quality amps that have an active switch that REALLY does work. And they don't all cost an arm and a leg. But this option is of course only if you have the money and patience of changing your equipment. Just a thought.

 

[georgestrings]

You could go Post-EQ with your DI send, then adjust your levels according to which bass you're using with the amp's input gain...



- georgestrings

 

[bongomania]

I could be wrong, but it seems to me the OP used the word "equalizing" to mean "level matching", nothing at all to do with EQ.

 

[Skitch it!]

A Boss EQ would also be a good choice.

+1 On this, volume boost and the advantage of EQing for a second bass, I used one for a good few years, ('til I left it behind at a gig : ( it is a great EQ for matching 2 basses up in sounds/volume.

 

[TimmyP]

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-bassbone.htm

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-pzpre.htm

 

[uhdinator]

if you are feeding a DI from your amp to the mixer, the DI is usually POST pre amp.
Experiment to see what level your pre amp is on with the passive bass
(say its at 12 o clock) and when you plug in the active bass you turn it down to 10 o clock or what ever level works. You can solo the bass channel on the mixer and see what the level is doing when you adjust your pre amp. thats all you need. Thats why you have a pre amp (too compensate for different input levels from different instruments.

If you are running into a DI box then to the mixer and to your stage amp then you would have to turn the bass down. If you have both then you could run 2 feeds to the board if you have the extra channel. DI feed direct form bass to one channel, DI off of amp to another channel. Then sound guy can set levels for each. As a sound guy I would rather have the DI Box feed direct from the bass
rather than the DI from the amp (EQ of amp not effecting what goes to PA) depending on the experience of the player and quality of the amp used.

 

[DrSmaggs]

I would compare the two basses... see how different the sounds and loudness are and compensate with active controls?

I'm fortunate... I have two Sadowsky basses that sound a tad off from each other, but they have the same overall output volume and sonic characteristics.

 

[phatbass]

Those who know me just know I'm gonna say... Boss LS-2 will do this.

 

[uhdinator]

yep, you can buy another pedal and cables for it and put more stuff in your kit bag to carry, and have more stuff in your signal path,

Or you could just turn down the pre amp a hair when you switch basses

 

[zombywoof5050]

Some active basses have an internal trimpot that adjusts the overall output level. Have you checked to see if yours has this? If so, you could turn it down to match the output of your other bass.