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How to utilize gain and master controls on G-K MB210?

jlh60

jlh60

Aug 21, 2009
77
23
Warren ,Mi
#1
I'm used to older amps with only a volume and no gain control. I've used PA's with a gain and clip light, set gain until it clips and back it off. This sets the optimum preamp level. Then set volume for sound level.
The MB210 does'nt have a clip light. I assume the controls are used the same as on a PA. How do I set the gain to optimum level? The manual does'nt explain this.

Jim
 
#2
I have a 700RBH210 combo and, truth be told, it is pretty tough to get the Pre to clip. Mine has a clip light. I have never seen it come on. I thought there was something wrong with it!!! I usually set it at about 2 o.clock. There is a ton of headroom, so push it til you don't like the results...
 
#5
My manual says the same thing. It seems opposite of the way the gain is usually set. On any mixing boards I've used, the gain sets preamp level and the master sets the sound level. Guess I'll just have to twist knobs till I like the sound.

Thanks
Jim
 
#6
jlh60 said:
My manual says the same thing. It seems opposite of the way the gain is usually set. On any mixing boards I've used, the gain sets preamp level and the master sets the sound level. Guess I'll just have to twist knobs till I like the sound.

Thanks
Jim
Click to expand...

That'll work.

I think it's different because it's different (so helpful, I know). With a mixing board, you want to get the signal as hot as you reasonably can to give yourself as much clean gain as possible, and perhaps to keep noise down.

With your GK amp, the gain will, if you crank it far enough, give you distortion. It's actually pretty musical if you're into that kind of thing. Even sounds good with my Strat in a pinch.
 
#7
Ok, I'm going to resurrect this thread. What if you want to get as much of that gk growl as possible from the gain (by turning it to, say 2 or 3 o'clock) but still maintain a reasonable volume? Wouldn't the only way to be crank the gain and lower the master?

It's still bizarre to me that the master sounds best at 3 o'clock and then you adjust the gain...

Then why bother with a master knob? Why wouldn't GK skip the master knob and just design it to always be at 3 o'clock?

But here's my thinking: This one goes to 11!
 
#10
GroovinOnFunk said:
Ok, I'm going to resurrect this thread. What if you want to get as much of that gk growl as possible from the gain (by turning it to, say 2 or 3 o'clock) but still maintain a reasonable volume? Wouldn't the only way to be crank the gain and lower the master?

It's still bizarre to me that the master sounds best at 3 o'clock and then you adjust the gain...

Then why bother with a master knob? Why wouldn't GK skip the master knob and just design it to always be at 3 o'clock?

But here's my thinking: This one goes to 11!
Click to expand...

Set the Master to 3 o'clock and set the Gain to your liking and if you want GK Growl - turn up the Boost. The Boost adds a post E.Q. gain stage using G.I.V.E. technology adding “growl” as it is turned up.
 
#11
i have this amp
i run it as the manual says to
using the gain control to your liking, running the boost at "noon" and running the master at "3 o clock"
i adjust my tone knobs to my liking, which is treble at "9 oclock", high mid at "10 oclock", low mid flat and bass set flat. thats when using basses with flatwound strings, when i have a bass with round wound strings ill usually boost the low's a little more.
 
#13
Originally Posted by GroovinOnFunk 
Ok, I'm going to resurrect this thread. What if you want to get as much of that gk growl as possible from the gain (by turning it to, say 2 or 3 o'clock) but still maintain a reasonable volume? Wouldn't the only way to be crank the gain and lower the master?

It's still bizarre to me that the master sounds best at 3 o'clock and then you adjust the gain...

Then why bother with a master knob? Why wouldn't GK skip the master knob and just design it to always be at 3 o'clock?

But here's my thinking: This one goes to 11!
Click to expand...

Set the Master to 3 o'clock and set the Gain to your liking and if you want GK Growl - turn up the Boost. The Boost adds a post E.Q. gain stage using G.I.V.E. technology adding “growl” as it is turned up

GroovinOnFunk said:
Right, but my question was: what if you want to run it so you have a high gain sound but at a low volume?
Click to expand...

Turn the Master down.

Again, if the master vol is supposed to live at 3 o'clock, then what the heck's the point of having it at all?
Click to expand...

For more control of the sound and the recommend Master setting is only a starting point - I usually set my Master somewhere between 1 and 3 o’clock.

Try this - close your eyes and set the knobs to wherever you think the amp sounds best.
 

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