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No, that's not correct. The blue line, from the FX Send, is the one PRIOR to the cabs. The red XLR Out and yellow Headphone Out graphs are after the Cab Sim circuits. So, they are simulations of the response from the drivers (speakers). So, although the "all 12s" setting shows some scoop, the Cab Sim seems to also add some more scoop!
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I would guess, the contribution from the driver(s) would be similar to the cab sim, given that it is a sim of the driver(s). I dunno if I'd bet money on that though.
Well, the amount of compression the Rumble offers depends on several things. ... ...
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Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think a flat output means the end result is flat, per se. I believe a "flat" output insures that the input--no matter its character-- is unchanged by the output device. So a "flat" output theoretically reproduces the input signal without added "color." No boost or decrease in input freqs.
Tim
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I agree 100%! That's why I posed the question. I suppose I've misinterpreted the graphs offered. Thanks for correcting my heading. How flat is a bass (or guitar) amp's frequency response ever likely to be? I guess I'd like to see representative graphs of other types of instrument amplifiers.
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I suppose if you were to input a signal of pink noise or white noise or whateverfreakin'color noise and could achieve a flat frequency curve 20-20k or 40-4k, then whatever you then put thru that would be true flat output of whatever the input signal was. I'm not sure what you've accomplished in doing so. With all the harmonics of any given note, all equally reproduced, is that going to give one the sound one wants from a bass instrument? Idk. But maybe we're slicing and dicing to point of absurdity. The manufacturers build in a sonic signature so their product sounds a certain way. We, the end-user, tweak that to our own liking and, hopefully KILL the audience with our sonic magic...! Regardless what the curve looks like.
Tim
Guitar Amps (especially Fender-derived) typically have a scooped response curve similar to the one on the Rumble, as the guitar is mid-forward and the scoop helps even things out.
Uncle Doug Tone Stack Video
Out of curiosity, I've noticed that a buddy's R500c and even my workhouse R40 have similar tonal characteristic as my Genz Benz 500c. I know Fender bought GB before the revised Rumble line, do you suppose they absorbed some of that DNA?
If so, I dig it.
If so, I dig it.
You can’t. In order to callibrate for a flat response you need a reference such as white noise or the sweeping tone mentioned earlier.
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Compression cannot flatten frequency response (unless we’re talking multiband comp). It can be used to “flatten dynamics” (reduce dynamic range) but that’s a different subject. That said, compression will have an effect on the tone of the signal. This is why comp. pre or post EQ does make a difference.
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Flat response = no colouration = ''transparent'' soundI suppose if you were to input a signal of pink noise or white noise or whateverfreakin'color noise and could achieve a flat frequency curve 20-20k or 40-4k, then whatever you then put thru that would be true flat output of whatever the input signal was. I'm not sure what you've accomplished in doing so. With all the harmonics of any given note, all equally reproduced, is that going to give one the sound one wants from a bass instrument? Idk. But maybe we're slicing and dicing to point of absurdity. The manufacturers build in a sonic signature so their product sounds a certain way. We, the end-user, tweak that to our own liking and, hopefully KILL the audience with our sonic magic...! Regardless what the curve looks like.
Tim
If you want a flat response monitor speakers (for example) you need to get the same output signal as the input signal (or as close as possible). And white noise can be used to callibrate such speakers among other types of gear.
For Guitar and bass cabinets, they all have a special character or colouration of the signal. Some brands are known to colour the signal more than others. Which isn't a bad thing if that's what you're going for. I value flexibility, choices. So I'd rather have a cabinet that is relatively flat-ish sounding plus, of course, the choice of EQ and other types of colouration (distortion, shape filters etc) up to me on any given occasion.
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D
That's one of the things I like about my GR Bass AT Cube 500 combo. The carbon fiber enclosure is very stiff considering how thin and light it is. Very clean, uncolored reproduction that the amp is designed to deliver to it. It also has a wider dispersion field, great for filling a room with danceable bass lines! Even if it's just me, at home, dancing to my own drummer.
Much has been made of the Rumble sound coloration, and whether other, more «neutral» amps are preferable. For myself, I can only say that I don’t regard the question as hugely important. What is important to me, however, is whether I like the sound I can get out of my amp, and if I do, I don’t care that much whether it’s flat or not.
My point is if you have a flat-ish sounding cabinet, you can always add character. But if your cabinet is colouring the signal by design, then it won't be possible (or much more difficult) to get a transparent sound if you ever wish to do so. So it's more limiting in regards to the choices you have.
What are brands/models best known for a more transparent sound? I thought Fender was one of them.
Maneuvering around either a point A or point B isn't inherently more limiting. It depends on where you're trying to go and the equalization tools you have to get there.
