What features would you include? Passive and active inputs but do you include 2 jacks or a pad switch? Rotary 4 band EQ, 3 band rotary with sweepable mids or graphic EQ 7 bands or higher? Built in compressor? Class D? How many watts? I'm in a unique situation to be able to design an amp for a custom build and am curious as to what people look for in a bass amp. Of course my first inclination is to just make it like I want it but I would like to hear opinions on what others are looking for. The slate is clean, how would you design your bass head?
I have a few amps, but they all have one thing in common. The sound in all of them is clean, clear, articulate, and full. That is absolutely paramount for me.
Here is the short version of what I want, which is a compendium of the best features of 4 different amps:
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800-watts rms into 4 ohms. 500-watts works in most conditions but the extra headroom of an 800-watt amp is really nice to have. It should be able to handle a 2Ω load like my DNA-800 amp.
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Class D is the key now days. My Eden TN-226 (225-watts rms into 4Ω) weighs just 4.7-lbs. My DNA-800 amp (800 watts into 4Ω or 2Ω) weighs in at just 4.8-lbs.
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Simplified EQ with Bass (30Hz), low-mids (anywhere between 250Hz and 500Hz) high-mids (2KHz) and treble (shelving for everything above 2KHz). My DNA-800 uses this with the low-mids centered at 500Hz.
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one (or possibly 2) semi parametric controls. One on my Eden Nemesis RS400 (2008) allows me to boost my low mids, which is essential to my sound using my passive '82 Jazz Bass. Two semi-parametrics as found on my Eden TN226 class D amp allows me to boost the low mids and still dial in the room if needed. Three of them on my Eden WT500/800 amp gives me more control than I ever use. I think the 1 semi-parametric going from 40Hz to 10KHz would do the trick nicely for the vast majority of my playing, but I'd be happy to take two if offered.
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Shape control like one on David's DNA-800. It adjusts over a much wider range than David's Eden amps do. It boosts the bass while slowly cutting the mids and slowly boosting the treble. Night and day better than the Enhance on the Eden amps which is too radical in its changes and doesn't have a wide range of adjustments. You can also use a footswitch to turn the Shape on and off. So you can set up an EQ setting that works with the group and then add a second EQ setting by just using the shape button over the normal setting. With that you can switch on the EQ plus Shape setting for solos or low-level home playing and then with the footswitch turn the Shape control part off and revert to your original settings.
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Bass boost button like I have on my TN-226 so you can just boost the bass without scooping mids or boosting the highs. This appears to boost the bass at a higher frequency than the 30Hz of the Bass EQ. It's really a very pleasant boost without adding mud to the mix.
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Compressor Adjustable for at least Threshold and Ratio like on my DNA-800 amp. That compressor is really nice and you can add just a touch of sustain if you like or run the ratio up high enough to totally eliminate any dynamics or attack whilt the not plays on as long as you have the not fretted. Plus, since this amp doesn't use a fan, it is always dead quiet.
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If no adjustable compressor, then an Auto-compressor like the one on my Eden TN-226 amp. Played it once where my power clipping light started flashing and cutting the bass EQ didn't stop it. Turned on the auto-compressor and raised the gain a bit (gain acts like a threshold control when compressor is on and flashes when engaged) to get it flashing. It compressed the peaks of my sound that were triggering the power clipping and yet I couldn't really tell it was on. There was no noticeable drop in attack or dynamics, but the peaks weren't quite as high as before and the clipping light no longer flashed. It really works well. Conversely the auto-compressor on my Eden WT amp is really harsh. It's good for slap and that's about it in my opinion.
All of the features I mentioned come from the following amps:
Eden Nemesis RS400 (from 2008) with 400-watts rms into 4Ω
Eden WT500 upgraded to 800-watts rms bridged into 8Ω
Eden TN-226 class D amp with 225-watts rms into 4Ω
DNA-800 (May 2021) class D amp with 800-watts rms into either 4Ω or 2Ω
