gain and master volume?

[chris_pokkuri]

Hi,

So is it best to max the gain and adjust the master volume or max the master volume and adjust the gain?

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[KJung]

Hi,

So is it best to max the gain and adjust the master volume or max the master volume and adjust the gain?

Thanks,
Chris.

Neither. If you have a solid state preamp in an integrated bass head, there is usually a 'clip' indicator at the pre gain stage. The gain should be turned up to just below the clip level when playing the hardest, loudest, lowest notes, and then the actual playing volume should be adjusted using the master. This will allow the best signal to noise ratio, and the highest volume 'clean' performance from the amp.

If you have a tube preamp in an integrated bass head, you should adjust the pre gain (with the master down so you don't blow your ears out...same with the SS pre gain setting process) for the tone you want... lower gain for more clean and fat, higher levels for more grind/distortion. Then, again, use the master to adjust you actual playing volume.

If you have a preamp/power amp modular rig... most recommend using the same process above (using the pre and master on the preamp), with the power amp volume control all the way up... so again using the master of the preamp as your actual 'volume control'. However, that isn't completely cut and dry like the above. If you are playing at low volumes, it would make sense to lower the power amp volume a bit, etc.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

If you have a preamp/power amp modular rig... most recommend using the same process above (using the pre and master on the preamp), with the power amp gain control all the way up

No, I'd say that most recommend turning the power amp up all the way only if you have a preamp with an extremely weak output.

 

[chris_pokkuri]

Oh right. Thats the way I have usually done it (with solid state). I was sure I read on here somewhere about maxing one of them.

 

[KJung]

No, I'd say that most recommend turning the power amp up all the way only if you have a preamp with an extremely weak output.

+1... I avoid these pre/power amp set-ups at this point given the amazing array of integrated bass heads out there. I was still in my 250 watt BGW power amp/Alembic pre mode of 'back in the day' when you had to turn those power amps all the way up to get anything out of a rig.

With the high power stuff today, it makes sense to follow the same logic as with an integrated head... set the pre-gain to the optimal 'signal to noise' clean level for SS or the tone you prefer for a tube pre, then set the post gain on the pre using the same SS logic of optimizing the input signal to the power amp, and then use the power amp master as your 'volume control'.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I think with their low output voltage capability and high output impedance, the Alembic pres were designed all along to drive inputs of instrument amps, not power amps that require a line-level input signal. That's why you would typically have to max out the gain on a power amp if you use one of them.