Markbass amps do not have dB cut at input...why?

[Bassis78]

So, I looked and didn't see a thread on here regarding my question...hoping someone can give me some insight! Thank you in advance!

I'm checking out Markbass amplification because I need a small, portable amp for rehearsals that has a bit more output than what I currently have.

I went to the store the other day to check a few out with my own bass. I noticed that I was 'clipping' the amp at a very low GAIN level. If I boosted my mids or bass on the guitar at, the clipping got worse and worse. I know my bass has a hot output, but the lack of dB cut on the Markbass confused me as most, if not all higher end amps have this feature (am I correct?).

I tried three different Markbass heads - the Marcus Miller one (800watts), the tube one (800), and the Little Mark (250). They all clipped at very low levels of input gain.

Am I missing something? Should I steer clear of these then? Anyone have similar concerns/issues?

Thank you again!

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Turn the gain down more? Use less boost? Buy an amp with an input pad?

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Also, to me at least, a clip light means absolutely nothing as long as the sound is what I want. Was it distorted or were you listening with your eyes?

 

[Bassis78]

I am not looking for snarky replies. I am not an imbecile - I know to do those things you "suggested."

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Nothing snarky at all. I never implied you were an imbecile either. I elaborated on my initial reply, asking if you were more concerned with the light than the sound. Nothing against you but I believe a reasonable question.

 

[aledeville]

Why not turn down the volume of your bass?

 

[Element Zero]

I owned the CMD210 combo around ten years ago for a few months. To my recollection, the older MarkBass amps did not clip as easily and i never had a problem with mine. However, a couple years ago when I was looking for a new rig I briefly looked at MarkBass again but noticed how low the Gain had to be to not have the clip light annoyingly flashing. I ultimately chose a different product and am very pleased.

I'll mirror what the other guy asked... does it sound distorted to you? Or is it merely the light that's throwin you off?

 

[Stumbo]

@fdeck's HPF-Pre v3 has a volume control. Win-Win with the adjustable HPF too!

 

[el murdoque]

I use to set the gain on the Markbass gear like I set most gains - dial it in roughly and then fine tune until the clipping light comes on on the very hard peaks. Then I turn it down just a tiny bit more and I'm set.
This method fails when the gain is at the lowest possible setting and the clip light still comes on. That's where I'd start using the pad.

If that means that you have to run a hot bass with the gain at 8 o'clock and you want to activate the pad so you can run the gain at 12 o'clock - then you could set the knob at 8 o'clock, pull it off the amp and reattach it in the position most pleasing to your eye because the issue is purely cosmetic.
Only when your bass puts out so much juice that the amp starts clipping at the lowest possible settings, something seems fishy. I have a very hot active bass with active pickups that can overdo it quite easily, especially with the bass boosted on the basses preamp, but never had problems with any markbass gear.

 

[TrevorG]

I am not looking for snarky replies. I am not an imbecile - I know to do those things you "suggested."

I've just been going over this very subject with some VERY knowledgeable chaps on another bass site where my ignorance about clipping lights was corrected. The only critical issue regarding that light is the Tweeter(if the cab has one) . The amp and main drivers are not in peril . That's why guitar amps don't have clipping lights.. They don't have tweeters!

 

[DWBass]

If those amps are clipping at low gain, something is wrong. I routinely have my gain at noon and set my volume accordingly on my Markbass Blackline 250. No clipping on any of my 4 basses. I owned a LMIII previously and same thing. No issues. May be your bass is extremely hot.

 

[SteveBassJr]

That clipping situation is what made me decide to move on from MB.
I went Aguilar and have not had the same issue. My Genzler amp doesn't have that problem either. Im not sure why the clip comes on even at low gain levels. Ibwas running a passive bass that didnt have a hot signal either.

 

[sigterm]

My LMIIIA clip lights up for peaks at 2, and is pretty steady at 7, really breaks up at 9+. When I switch between actives and passive I use a AB and each side is plugged into a different input with gain set to the bass. Nothing adverse is happening at the cab.

 

[Steve J]

So, I looked and didn't see a thread on here regarding my question...hoping someone can give me some insight! Thank you in advance!

I'm checking out Markbass amplification because I need a small, portable amp for rehearsals that has a bit more output than what I currently have.

I went to the store the other day to check a few out with my own bass. I noticed that I was 'clipping' the amp at a very low GAIN level. If I boosted my mids or bass on the guitar at, the clipping got worse and worse. I know my bass has a hot output, but the lack of dB cut on the Markbass confused me as most, if not all higher end amps have this feature (am I correct?).

I tried three different Markbass heads - the Marcus Miller one (800watts), the tube one (800), and the Little Mark (250). They all clipped at very low levels of input gain.

Am I missing something? Should I steer clear of these then? Anyone have similar concerns/issues?

Thank you again!

I own a Hartke KB15...Single gain control, active pickups, 3-band eq. Works like a champ from music room to live gigs.

 

[Peteyboy]

It is the one thing about my Littlemark III that annoys me. I only ever plug passive bases into it directly. No pedals at all. Still clips no matter how low I set the pre. I say clips, but what I mean is the clip light goes on. Who knows at what threshold that is set to activate. Is there is an industry standard for that?

 

[Peteyboy]

My LMIIIA clip lights up for peaks at 2, and is pretty steady at 7, really breaks up at 9+. When I switch between actives and passive I use a AB and each side is plugged into a different input with gain set to the bass. Nothing adverse is happening at the cab.

Lights up for peaks at 2. Mine too.

 

[dnp41]

This somewhat surprises me. I also have a MB amp, and although I most of the time play passive basses, I can run my gain at least around 10-12 o clock. There also isn't any issue when I use another preamp in front of it, and I strongly believe I play pretty loud and some of my basses have a pretty hot signal (like the SD Quarter Pounders or EMG actives).

 

[BogeyBass]

Oh god no markbass.

They work for many. Not for some.

Ive overheated them in less than half hour. Found the EQ annoying. Pass

Maybe they work for you. Dont sound like good start.

 

[StatesideRambler]

OP when you wrote "they clipped" was that in reference to the clipping light or was the sound, in fact, distorting noticeably?

I own a couple Markbass amps and have played others and for the most part I turn the knobs, listen to the sound and ignore the clipping light. I confess that I don't play active basses so I don't view it the same way. As a retired engineer I look at design decisions with a jaundiced eye. Indicator lights are pretty high on the "what were they thinking?" list as is the term "gain" on any control panel that isn't lab or industrial.

 

[marmadaddy]

@fdeck's HPF-Pre v3 has a volume control. Win-Win with the adjustable HPF too!

@Bassis78 Hey Mark, it's Mike from Me and The Boyz. I've had a similar issue with one bass that has an 18v preamp but it's very subtle and only when I don't use a compressor.

I use a MarkBass LMIII with this HPF. I'd be happy to let you try them out.