I want to make sure before commenting on it, but it is absolutely brutal and inexplicable to have a permanent speaker sim as part of your XLR out.. baked in EQ aside, that’s enough for me to never consider buying one of these
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I don't like my Rumble 100, help me find a solution
- Thread starter Christian C
- Start date
Because they built in a mid scoop.. that thing that every somewhat experienced basis chimes in with as basic advice, “scooping the mids like that mainly sounds good in the bedroom without any bandmates”
might not like it, that is an opinion. the basic concept is that the XLR out acts like if you've mic'd the combo (did You know it's AFTER master volume for that particular reason?
). and does a damn good job at it. without needing a mic, or the risk of kicking it around. works like a charm live, had many compliments about my tone using it (from a lot of good bass players and FoH sound guys too) and never a bad word. i also got an XLR box in front, if anyone wanted my pre-preamp/cabsim signal, hint: noone wanted. never.
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I don't know whether anyone's suggested this or not, but if the 100 has a gain knob (I can't remember) turn it all the way off. I'm a happy, satisfied Rumble user, and I do that with my 200 and 500 heads to achieve maximum clarity. It really makes a difference.
On the other hand, I'm someone whose bass tone taste resides with Jamerson, Duck Dunn and Carl Radle, and who thinks Entwistle, Squire, Geddy, et al sound like they're guitarists, not bassists. So, perspective is everything and the gain knob adjustment might get you only 1% closer to what you want to hear.
On the other hand, I'm someone whose bass tone taste resides with Jamerson, Duck Dunn and Carl Radle, and who thinks Entwistle, Squire, Geddy, et al sound like they're guitarists, not bassists. So, perspective is everything and the gain knob adjustment might get you only 1% closer to what you want to hear.
Do you play with a pick?
If not, try it. See if it makes a difference. Of course, that's if you want to keep the rig...
I would urge you not to spend good money putting lipstick on a dungheap.
Find something else that works for you.
If not, try it. See if it makes a difference. Of course, that's if you want to keep the rig...
I would urge you not to spend good money putting lipstick on a dungheap.
Find something else that works for you.
Hey, I want to come back and say. I played tonight and the 2nd band played a Rumble 500 and it really did sound fantastic. It may not be a tone for everyone, but I do think it does a certain thing fantastically.might not like it, that is an opinion. the basic concept is that the XLR out acts like if you've mic'd the combo (did You know it's AFTER master volume for that particular reason?
I think it’s that it’s not a “modern” sounding amp. It has a very vintage sound profile- slightly scooped mids and the high end is rolled off a bit- like speakers from the 50’s and 60’s.
I've used a few and don't immediately despair when they are on the stage.
I think the tone stack works but as always, you cant fight it. Just let it do what it does well enough.
The other thing is that you need to be reasonable with your expectations, its a budget range so that might be reflected in how it performs over a while.
YMMV.
I think the tone stack works but as always, you cant fight it. Just let it do what it does well enough.
The other thing is that you need to be reasonable with your expectations, its a budget range so that might be reflected in how it performs over a while.
YMMV.
No, not for me at least. I'm into the vintage tone but my Rumble is muddy. That's different from vintage warmth.
The Rumble 800, the latest addition to the series, has a pre/post EQ switch for the DI. Can't say if it still has the speaker sim and compressor, though.
In practice I don't think it's that big of an issue. Any venue or studio that requires a DI will stick their own DI box between your pedalboard and the amp anyway, rendering the amp's own DI unnecessary. And more and more bass players have their own DI and/or preamps with DI outs.
So the botched DI is not the reason I wouldn't buy a Rumble. The tone is. It's not that bad, I just think an amp should sound good with flat EQ knobs whereas the Rumble only sounds good to me if I cut the bass and boost the high mids significantly.
I heard demos of the Ampeg Pf50t and it's a modern-sounding, scooped tone with flat EQ knobs. Totally different from what I associate with a vintage tone: fat, warm, compressed, with a hint of breakup.
So I really don't know what sounds good anymore.
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As mentioned, I always bring one with me, never ever used it to the FoH (always offering it), they go from the amp's DI. Why? If You ask me, cause it's exaclty the tone I set and monitor with my amp, always adjusting it to the room and the band mix, just like if it was mic'd. Not to mention You can use the amp's OD...
Watch:
At 14:10-ish they switch from mic to XLR. It is VERY similar, almost identical. And that is exactly the point IMHO.
Good job finding the flat EQ on the amp I guess! Your ears do not deceive You!
https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/fender-rumble-500-frequencies/#3-rumble-500-actual-flat-frequencies
(note that there is the speaker after this as the last filter, so this is still not completely flat coming from the speakers)
My 2cents is if sb struggles with "mud" or basically any "tone", they just dunno how to EQ or what frequencies to cut/boost. Or having a smaller amp then needed, so it farts out/distort/compress/whatever. Mud is not coming from the amp (see video above) but the room. People should identify what freqs are causing it (lows oviously
) and use the damn EQ/hi-pass to make it work.I'd suggest a multiband EQ pedal to anyone, and just fiddle with the sliders to at least hear what freq. does what.
As somebody wise once said: "a little EQ goes a long way".
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Look into either a Mesa WD800, 800, 800+ or TT800 for a head.
Mesa Subway1x15's for the cab.
You won't regret it, they are worth every cent. If you're going to fork out money get something that is high quality sound, that will last and that has great customer service/warranties.
I owned and sold Rumble gear. I'm not going to bash the Rumbles because many people love them.. The V3 500's were good but still were a little too boomy for me. Best of luck in what you finally decide to do.
PS.. There's a reason why so many people here choose and praise the Mesa Subway line of bass gear... it is VERY high quality.
Mesa Subway1x15's for the cab.
You won't regret it, they are worth every cent. If you're going to fork out money get something that is high quality sound, that will last and that has great customer service/warranties.
I owned and sold Rumble gear. I'm not going to bash the Rumbles because many people love them.. The V3 500's were good but still were a little too boomy for me. Best of luck in what you finally decide to do.
PS.. There's a reason why so many people here choose and praise the Mesa Subway line of bass gear... it is VERY high quality.
Please go back and read some of the replies. Those that don’t care for them have specific reasons
For me, the mids have a very awkward sound, and I feel the amp definitely lack clarity. Wet blanket was a good description
I would not say it sounds vintage
There are gobs of amps that have a signature sound. Like, when you hear a bass break of a player recorded on an Ampeg B15, it has a very distinct flavor. Insert a gazillion brands in that spot and it applies.
EQ aint got nuthin to do with it. There is not an on board knob twiddle or button smash in the world that will remove it. It's a Rumble.
As mentioned, I always bring one with me, never ever used it to the FoH (always offering it), they go from the amp's DI. Why? If You ask me, cause it's exaclty the tone I set and monitor with my amp, always adjusting it to the room and the band mix, just like if it was mic'd. Not to mention You can use the amp's OD...
Watch:
At 14:10-ish they switch from mic to XLR. It is VERY similar, almost identical. And that is exactly the point IMHO.
Good job finding the flat EQ on the amp I guess! Your ears do not deceive You!
https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/fender-rumble-500-frequencies/#3-rumble-500-actual-flat-frequencies
(note that there is the speaker after this as the last filter, so this is still not completely flat coming from the speakers)
My 2cents is if sb struggles with "mud" or basically any "tone", they just dunno how to EQ or what frequencies to cut/boost. Or having a smaller amp then needed, so it farts out/distort/compress/whatever. Mud is not coming from the amp (see video above) but the room. People should identify what freqs are causing it (lows oviously
I'd suggest a multiband EQ pedal to anyone, and just fiddle with the sliders to at least hear what freq. does what.
As somebody wise once said: "a little EQ goes a long way".
I'm aware the Rumble's DI is designed to sound exactly like the mic'ed cab. I'm also aware that, traditionally, the DI signal includes more low frequencies than an amp can reproduce, and it's supposed to be an unaffected signal, so Fender's (and other manufacturers') choice to offer a post-EQ and post-Master volume only DI is quite odd (as is the choice to make the effects loop return unaffected by the Master volume).
My EQ is 9, 9, 5, 9, quite different from the Rumble's actual flat (basically 10, 2, 2, 10), which to me is still too bassy and too scooped.
Mud is definitely coming from my Rumble. When I plugged the ports, the low end became less muddy. When I cut the bass and low mids, the low end gets even tighter. I'm not a FOH guy but I can tell when frequencies come from the amp. Plus so many people agree it's a dark sounding amp with flabby low end.
Go ahead, lift with your back. At least they are light.
Do You actually hear the mud You're talking about in the video?
hint: Invalid Link Removed
Listen to the clip there for demonstration.
Sound is coming from Your amp, but the mud is created "by the room", reflections.
EG: at home I got a square room (perfect for standing waves basically). At a certain volume I can make/eliminate mud by turining the bass knob between 9 to 9:30. Who knew, right?
Playing louder needs turning the bass down even more. That's physics.
Learning how to EQ is a skill.
measurements don't lie. Your ears might. (and please, please, please accept physics, Your room is never perfect, unless it is anechoic chamber!)
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