Fender Rumble 500 with amp modeling through FX return?

[brianrost]

It's pretty cool, in that it allows you to daisy chain a couple of amps. If you turn off the built-in amp modeling (vintage, whatever) and set the EQ to zeros, it's probably pretty close to bypassing the pre-amp anyway, right?

No, it's not. There's details in the Rumble club thread.

 

[agedhorse]

That's ridiculous.

Not necessarily. There are plenty of examples of amps that work this way, usually due to the particular architecture the designer chose to achieve their objectives.

My preferences is for the loop to be pre-master, but sometimes the architecture doesn't allow it.

 

[fourstringbliss]

It's pretty cool, in that it allows you to daisy chain a couple of amps. If you turn off the built-in amp modeling (vintage, whatever) and set the EQ to zeros, it's probably pretty close to bypassing the pre-amp anyway, right?

Possibly. I guess if you wanted to daisy chain that makes sense. With the EQ flat (which is 10/2/2/10, if I'm not mistaken) it would work, or modeling (minus cab emulation) could go into the input if you're careful about how hot a signal you're sending to the input.

 

[G-Dog]

OK, I just got a Pod 6 Express and I'm looking to try this on my Rumble 200, which also has an FX Send/Return. So, is the idea that you just plug it into the FX Return? That would bypass the Rumble gain, distortion, and EQ knobs, right? Does volume still work, or is that controlled by the FX box?

I ask about volume control because in another thread, someone mentioned that you could use two Rumbles, out from one FX send into the FX return of the other and the one sending would control the volume, EQ, etc.

The FX loop is after all the controls. ... ... ... Volume must be controlled by the device plugged into the return jack.

Thanks! I'll give that idea a miss, then.

Why not try it, Ritter? Doesn't the Line 6 Pod Express have a master volume control? OR, at least, your bass has a volume control¡

 

[fourstringbliss]

Why not try it, Ritter? Doesn't the Pod 6 Express have a master volume control?

It's worth a shot. I'm probably going straight into the input jack myself - that's what I do with my Ampeg practice amp.

 

[G-Dog]

The FX loop is after all the controls. That's why daisy chaining two Rumbles via the loop connections works. ... ... ...

That's not why chaining works. But that's why the Rumble FX Sender sets the EQ tone and volume for the chained Rumble FX Returner.​

... ... ... If you turn off the built-in amp modeling (vintage, whatever) and set the EQ to zeros, it's probably pretty close to bypassing the pre-amp anyway, right?

No, the Rumble EQs are both boost and cut. So, setting EQs to fully counterclockwise is actually just lowering all their amplitudes below flat, not flattening them. See the frequency curves for the EQ controls.​

... ... ... With the EQ flat (which is 10/2/2/10, if I'm not mistaken) it would work, or modeling (minus cab emulation) could go into the input if you're careful about how hot a signal you're sending to the input.

You're correct that setting Bass/Lo Mid/​

Hi Mid/Treble to 10/2/2/10 o'clock, respectively, is approximately true flat EQ for most Rumbles.​

​

You're also correct that a Rumble FX Send can go to another Rumble's Input that has the appropriately flattened EQ and Gain, so the already EQ'd signal doesn't become too hot.​

​

But, you don't have to worry about cab sim. That is only on the XLR Line Out and Headphones signals, not the FX Send. See the block diagram.​

 

[fourstringbliss]

That's not why chaining works. But that's why the Rumble FX Sender sets the EQ tone and volume for the chained Rumble FX Returner.​

No, the Rumble EQs are both boost and cut. So, setting EQs to fully counterclockwise is actually just lowering all their amplitudes below flat, not flattening them. See the frequency curves for the EQ controls.​

You're correct that setting Bass/Lo Mid/​

Hi Mid/Treble to 10/2/2/10 o'clock, respectively, is approximately true flat EQ for most Rumbles.​

​

You're also correct that a Rumble FX Send can go to another Rumble's Input that has the appropriately flattened EQ and Gain, so the already EQ'd signal doesn't become too hot.​

​

But, you don't have to worry about cab sim. That is only on the XLR Line Out and Headphones signals, not the FX Send. See the block diagram.​

Thanks! This:


explains why the Rumble 500 has always sounded so muddy to me! I set the EQ's "flat" and got a mid scoop!

 

[G-Dog]

Thanks! This:
View attachment 7385636

explains why the Rumble 500 has always sounded so muddy to me! I set the EQ's "flat" and got a mid scoop!

You and lots of others! That's Fender's default signature sound (all manuf'rs have one). But a more usable true flat is just a few tweaks away, as you've found out.

 

[RitterSport]

No, the Rumble EQs are both boost and cut.

Sorry, I meant set to 12 o'clock, but it looks like that's not quite right.

 

[basslicks]

I have a Rumble 500 with a SansAmp XB Driver plugged into the return and it sounds pretty good to me, but maybe I'm not super picky.