+1. Why they are on almost every bass head I've ever played is a mystery to me. Much rather have a compressor option.
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GK MB200 owners: contour switch on or off?
- Thread starter xroads
- Start date
+1. Why they are on almost every bass head I've ever played is a mystery to me. Much rather have a compressor option.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
AND, the "scoop" is too extreme with too wide of a "Q" and at too low of a frequency.
Rob G are you checking this thread?
I think a "slap switch" should have a -4db cut @1khz. (personally)
My MB200 contour switch is always off. I wish they would make it a mute switch (are you listening RAG?)
I don't think I ever use it with the band, but I'll use it sometimes when playing alone.
I think it's kind of like the "loudness" feature on a stereo, only use it on low volume settings. I treat it as a way to fill out the sound when i am playing at a low level, when I crank it it get's switched off.
I like the contour knob on my GK 400RB III. My MarkBass has a VPF knob that does the same thing.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
This for me. I love how it sounds playing solo but in a band setting, I need the mids to cut through.
Hopkins
Commercial User
The contour knob on my 700rb II should be called the nobody can hear you in the mix knob. I am assuming the contour switch is basically the same thing. If you play in a band setting I would never suggest you use it. Practicing in your bed room if it sounds good then go for it.
That contour knob is as useless as teats on a bull.
If you want to cut out most all of your mids, just use the knobs and leave SOMETHING in the middle of your tone.....
If you want to cut out most all of your mids, just use the knobs and leave SOMETHING in the middle of your tone.....
Very interesting comment, as I leave mine on all the time. Of course being in a Jazz big band is not exactly a high volume gig. I normally use it through a 410mbe cabinet, although I've been running it into my Acoustic 301 while practicing in my garage. We're playing at UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans next weekend, I'm thinking of using the MB200 through the 301 there.
Mine is ON all the time.
I rather like the scooped sound it provides.
Cheers
Davyo
I rather like the scooped sound it provides.
Cheers
Davyo
I used to leave mine on all the time too but when playing with the band I found myself adding a lot of mids. Which is how I arrived at the on for solo playing because I love how it sounds but off for band playing because it's easier to dial into the right sound for the mix.
I don't use the contour control on my GK 700RB or 1001RB but I used the switch on the MB200. It sounds totally different on the MB200 than the RB heads to my ears.
At low volumes it fattens up the tone. At high volumes it makes it too fat, costs clarity and articulation, and generally overtaxes the system. So I only use it at lower volumes.
I think the "scooped" bass helps to make the entire band mix sound more "creamy". My domain is in the 60hz - 300hz area and share the 300hz - 800hz area with the keyboards and guitars. They can have the rest of the spectrum (800hz - 20khz).
But with the contour engaged I can sneek into the 10khz area (hehe)
If you don't have keys in your band then I guess you gotta bump up your mids to fill in the gap.
But with the contour engaged I can sneek into the 10khz area (hehe)
If you don't have keys in your band then I guess you gotta bump up your mids to fill in the gap.
