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Hi Rumblers
I've some questions about how the Overdrive works:
I've had a R500C for several years now but never have had a need to use the overdrive function. But I've recently been asked to play with a 'classic rock' band, and I'm thinking that having a slightly grittier sound available would not go amiss.
So, when I engage Overdrive, the Gain still masters the OD effect. Is this correct?
If so, other than providing an input level does the Gain level have any purchase over the Overdrive sound?
Is there a way to get the Drive sound to blend in to the Clean from 'off'? I can't find a way to get a minimal drive setting as when the drive knob is on zero there is still quite a strong effect present.
Or is the Overdrive function not meant for 'subtle drive' and I'd be better off with a Drive pedal?
thanks
I've some questions about how the Overdrive works:
I've had a R500C for several years now but never have had a need to use the overdrive function. But I've recently been asked to play with a 'classic rock' band, and I'm thinking that having a slightly grittier sound available would not go amiss.
So, when I engage Overdrive, the Gain still masters the OD effect. Is this correct?
If so, other than providing an input level does the Gain level have any purchase over the Overdrive sound?
Is there a way to get the Drive sound to blend in to the Clean from 'off'? I can't find a way to get a minimal drive setting as when the drive knob is on zero there is still quite a strong effect present.
Or is the Overdrive function not meant for 'subtle drive' and I'd be better off with a Drive pedal?
thanks
Gain (and all eq including the buttons) is before drive, and it has a "master vol" which You can use to match the clean volume (set to 0 is a mute).
If your sound is "too driven" back off the gain (even to 0) and add master vol/drive level to match volumes. Also You can turn down your bass too if that has a ton of output.
Also what sounds too much of a drive separated, can be really pleasant in the mix. Also if you turn down treble/high mids, that makes the sound less harsh. But as always YMMV.
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Good, concise explanation, dORSY. NHM, you might get a bit more understanding from JakobT's excellent description in the Rumble Talks section of the Rumble Club Wiki page, entitled Fender Rumble Overdrive, Adjust Gain, Drive and Level to Taste. I've enjoyed a nice low warmth, with the occasional snarl, on my 500 for many years.
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Or we can refer our beloved block diagram.
Fender Rumble Club
Which corrects me that Master and EQ are POST-drive
EXCEPT Vintage, which involes some compression too AFAIK!
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Yes! Rumble talks Fender Rumble New Vintage Voicing and OverdriveOr we can refer our beloved block diagram.
Fender Rumble Club
Which corrects me that Master and EQ are POST-drive
Fender Rumble Club
The owner’s manual describes the Vintage tone shaping filter this way: “Creates a dark tone rich with harmonics and some natural compression.” The specifications state: “Dynamic compression (-9dB max) with low pass (-6dB/oct) @ 400Hz”. The Vintage feature on V3 is a newly developed analog circuit that emulates the input/output transfer characteristic of a single vacuum tube amplifier stage. Tubes have a natural compression when driven hard and this circuit mimics that response. Low pass filtering is applied which emphasizes the low notes to give the ‘thickening’ effect you hear.
So vintage affects drive significantly!
Or we can refer our beloved block diagram.
Fender Rumble Club
Which corrects me that Master and EQ are POST-drive
Well, yes, if we all understood the deeper nuances of those symbols, that'd be great. But, many of us have only a rudimentary understanding of such things, or reading maps, or reading music, for that matter. Sometimes, even written descriptions can be hard to understand. The best understanding is from doing successfully. Good luck, @NHM.
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Attention: Rumble Club Wiki Edit Alert!
Thank you, @dORSY , for pointing out the existence of the Low Pass Filter (LPF) in the Vintage voicing shape button as explained in the Rumble Talks section of the Rumble Club Wiki! This has now been indicated in the link to Fender Rumble New Vintage Voicing (with Low Pass Filter LPF) and Overdrive. Now, this fact will be easier to find in future LPF/HPF discussions.
Thanks, dORSY, for pointing this out.
Rumble On!
.thanks for the helpful advice.
I guess I need to wait until I can play at volume and in context (i.e.in rehearsal - for us here in the UK, still some way off...). Playing at home it feels as though there is too big a difference between no OD and minimum OD, but perhaps in practice this won't the case. Can more subtle amounts of drive can be achieved by just cranking the gain and not using OD?
I guess I need to wait until I can play at volume and in context (i.e.in rehearsal - for us here in the UK, still some way off...). Playing at home it feels as though there is too big a difference between no OD and minimum OD, but perhaps in practice this won't the case. Can more subtle amounts of drive can be achieved by just cranking the gain and not using OD?
I prefer a 'clean' sound, but, that said, try getting your clean settings where you want them, then add a bit of OD and, using your longest cable, stand as far away from the amp as possible to hear what your tweaks are doing. Inconvenient maybe, but it's the only way to hear what any audience(remember those?)will hear. I've found that what sounds good to me, standing within 5-6 feet of the amp is not what the room 'hears'.
don't really think. as rumbles have a limiter built in. kinda fool-proof stuff it is. i like my r100 with low gain, master past 12, it is a good compressed sound. but loud for most environments
if you need subtle drive and dont wanna pay a ton, give this a shot. i use one for EQ/DI/color. driven sound can be blended with clean, so you can add as much as needed.
Behringer | Product | BDI21
My LT25 with my one of a kind custom built 4 string. I'll tell you all about that work of the lone luthier's art one day. It has quite the story behind it.
Attagirl, Chick! @ChickWithaRic, you are now member #1305 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome to TalkBass in general and to The Club in particular. Put that Club number in your TB Signature for instant recognition as a bassist of distinction. Please check out our repository of all Rumble knowledge, the Rumble Club Wiki page.
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Rumble On!
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Have a question about using a pedal compressor,on my Rumble 500 combo. Should I use one to get the solid thump I want to hear?
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If you own a bass, you should own a good outboard compressor. They don't even have to be very expensive. It's an essential part of a bassist's tool kit. You should also chain your compressor right at the start of your fx loop. For a good cheap starter, search on Amazon for the Kokko compressor. It requires an external 9v pedal supply, but it should work well for you.
Ok,Thanks,I used one years ago,rack mounted. With so many settings and knobs,bit overwhelming. I found a pedal compressor here locally,for $50,might have to do some experimenting. It is a Boss CS-3 Compressor Sustainer.
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I really, really, dislike too many settings. I'm a musician, not an astronaut. Simple and cheap is good. If you hate it, you can throw it at somebody.
@ChickWithaRic,not real familiar with a compressor,been awhile,may sound dumb. I figure you plug the compressor into the amp,where plug the instrument in to,and then plug the compressor between instrument and amp,if I am following it right?
Exactly. Plug your bass into the pedal, plug the pedal into the amp, and then spend all day futzing with it to your heart's content.
WARNING: Compression can become addictive. Use it only under the supervision of a responsible person.
I look forward to the story. Very cool looking axe!
