I have 2 different MarkBass combo amps. I took one of them into a MarkBass service shop yesterday. The service rep said that I had the Gain and Master settings wrong. He stated that I should have the Master turned all the way up and bring up the Gain as needed. This is completely contrary to how I've been told in the past that the Master should never be higher than the Gain. I am confused now. What is the general opinion here?
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Gain vs Master settings on MarkBass combo amps
- Thread starter Timothy DeHan
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- gain control markbass master
Sounds like your service man doesn't know the product.
1. Set Gain by increasing until clip light flashes, then back off until no longer flashing.
2. Use Master to control you volume.
*If you boost any tone controls, this may affect Gain setting and clip light may flash again. Simply back off Gain a bit more until flashing stops. Readjust Master to taste.
Good luck
1. Set Gain by increasing until clip light flashes, then back off until no longer flashing.
2. Use Master to control you volume.
*If you boost any tone controls, this may affect Gain setting and clip light may flash again. Simply back off Gain a bit more until flashing stops. Readjust Master to taste.
Good luck
Straight from Markbass website:
Support – Markbass
How do I set my gain and volume levels?
Here’s what we suggest: set your bass volume on full, and start with the gain and master controls off. Play your bass at your hardest level, and turn up the gain until the blue clip light starts illuminating. Now back off your gain level so that it’s at its highest level without clipping. You’ve found your optimal gain level. Now use the master control to set your desired output volume.
Support – Markbass
How do I set my gain and volume levels?
Here’s what we suggest: set your bass volume on full, and start with the gain and master controls off. Play your bass at your hardest level, and turn up the gain until the blue clip light starts illuminating. Now back off your gain level so that it’s at its highest level without clipping. You’ve found your optimal gain level. Now use the master control to set your desired output volume.
Some/many of us don't put the bass volume all the way up for that reason.
I know I don't.
Maybe for certain kinds of music it's different, I dunno.
Don't change the volume on a gig after soundcheck.
The sound guy will hate you for it.
Once the volume is set for the band, no one should change their settings.
At about 1:20, Dino explains the “master full adjust with gain” method. Works well with old school style amps. Approximates how amps without 2 volume knobs would work. (This method also works well on Rumbles, i feel it makes them sound their most tube-like.)
after that, he explains the “adjust gain just under clipping” method on the SVT-7. This is exactly how I dial my Markbass, I think it sounds best this way. (Consistent tone at any volume.)
I know this is an Ampeg video, but my point is different methods, different amps, different goals.
as for the 2nd question, I also run my bass guitar volume a bit under full, just in case
I'm gonna take a wild guess that the majority here don't have Sound Guys.
At least it shouldn't be assumed.
Fair enough.I'm gonna take a wild guess that the majority here don't have Sound Guys.
At least it shouldn't be assumed.
When my band gigs, we always do a soundcheck and get the levels right.
Then we have a agreement that no-ones changes the volumes.
The guitarist does use a boost on solo's but the overall band volume stays the same.
If we play without a soundguy or a gig where only vocals are in the PA, we set the volume to the drums.
If the rest of the band stays at a reasonable level throughout the show, there is no need to turn my bass up. If I do need to be quieter for certain parts of a song, I just play lighter. If I truly need to get louder and/or the songs calls for it, I can stop on an effect pedal and get to where I want to be.
Also, I play with my bass volume on full ALWAYS. It's one less thing to remember when playing live, ensures my effect pedals work properly, and does not mess with the sound going to the sound person.
In other words, having the option to get a bit louder is a good thing.
I think that was the point of the poster you quoted.
Technically the way he sets it, gives the highest possible headroom at the preamp. However, it's not always best to do it this way. Personally I find that on many circuits, this can lead to a sound that is somewhat anemic.
As others have said, you want the gain to be as high as you can while still being as clean as you want it. If you want to overdrive the amp, then that's fine. A big advantage of turning up gain on the front end is making sure you have a greater signal to noise ratio.
As far as your concern about setting volume on the bass, there's not a lot of reason a bass player would need to turn "up" from an already appropriate volume unless you're taking a solo section. If you need to be constantly turning up and down to match the band, either you're lacking in dynamic touch control or something is wrong with the band. Now... I sometimes turn my volume down at the bass, but that is exclusively to "clean up" overdrives so that I have clean and dirty tones at my fingertips. It has nothing to do with output volume.
Once sound levels are set you should not change them. If you need a little more, just dig in harder 
As far as the gain level is concerned, I had an LMT800 for years… loved that thing. Always was complemented on my tone. I set the gain to where the blue clip light came on when I dug in… and left it there! I did not back it off. I loved the front end of it pushed. Maybe the tube softened the clipping (I had the tube/SS knob centered always). Define toy don’t want the master dimed and using the gain as volume. I don’t think you’ll get the granite SS out of that amp you’re looking for.
As far as the gain level is concerned, I had an LMT800 for years… loved that thing. Always was complemented on my tone. I set the gain to where the blue clip light came on when I dug in… and left it there! I did not back it off. I loved the front end of it pushed. Maybe the tube softened the clipping (I had the tube/SS knob centered always). Define toy don’t want the master dimed and using the gain as volume. I don’t think you’ll get the granite SS out of that amp you’re looking for.
Don’t listen to him. I've never needed to have my MB master at more than 5.
Not a bad thing. I dime my volume on the bass and sound crew likes it because I don't turn up once it's set.
Gain in how much signal you are sending the preamp.
If you turn up your gain, you reach a point where you start to clip the preamp.
Is that a bad thing? Depending on the genre, many of us like distortion in our sound and that can add warmth and character. Depending on what amp, you will be adding true tube distortion and that has a sound.
There is nothing wrong with hitting the preamp hard if the sound suits your taste.
If you turn up your gain, you reach a point where you start to clip the preamp.
Is that a bad thing? Depending on the genre, many of us like distortion in our sound and that can add warmth and character. Depending on what amp, you will be adding true tube distortion and that has a sound.
There is nothing wrong with hitting the preamp hard if the sound suits your taste.
I use my fingers to control my playing dynamics.
I agree. I am in the camp of always playing with my bass volume all the way up all the time in the name of consistency. (There’s lots of other thread discussions on that topic here on TalkBass). If I ever need to get louder/quieter than my playing technique can control at a gig, I will use the master knob on my amp, but that probably happens 0 to 2 times per gig on average. I try to not change anything on the sound guys end after sound check. I’m fortunate to play with people who understand this and also keep their volume consistent so we don’t get into volume wars. It’s a shared philosophy of consistency among band members that helps the overall sound, and means I typically don’t need to adjust any volume knobs, on bass or amp, during a performance.
I know a few people that repair jet planes for a living. They don't know how to fly them.
hmmmmmm.... this service rep is the certified MarkBass service rep in the Seattle area, recommended by MarkBass. If not him... who fxxxing else?
