• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Markbass CMD121P Question?

M

Mikefish07

Apr 6, 2003
201
0
Visit site
#1
Ok, I went and did it and bought another Markbass CMD121P. Those of you who read my earlier review know that this thing surprised me and my band. So here's the question:

Is it better to run the CMD121P in Stereo (300W X2) by connecting them with the DI out of one into the XLR input in the other?

Is it better to find a cable and run one CMD121P and just use the speaker of the other combo and get 500 watts. (I know in this setup I'm wasting one amp but it's still a good backup)

Which would be louder one 121p running 2X12 at 500watts or 2 121p running stereo at 300watts each?

Thanks for the feed back in advance.
 
#2
I could be wrong but I don't think the XLR input will handle the signal from the DI out of the other amp. AFAIK it's designed for piezo type pickups on acoustic basses that have and XLR.

You'll probably find in terms of perceivable volume you won't notice much difference between running either 1x500w and 2x300w.

I'd be tempted to go 2x300 and use some kind of crossover (some multi-fx units can do this) to create a bi-amp rig, one amp handling the mids and highs, and the other the lows.
 
#4
The tuner out is also a line level output. Run a cable from it into the input of your second combo.

In all honesty, though, I think you're just as well off using two speakers into one head. Going from 500w to 600w isn't as huge a gain in volume as it sounds.

BTW, you do know that Markbass is coming out with a Traveler 121P cab in September, right? Might be something to consider if you'd rather save a little money.
 
#5
Mikefish07 said:
Ok, I went and did it and bought another Markbass CMD121P. Those of you who read my earlier review know that this thing surprised me and my band. So here's the question:

Is it better to run the CMD121P in Stereo (300W X2) by connecting them with the DI out of one into the XLR input in the other?

Is it better to find a cable and run one CMD121P and just use the speaker of the other combo and get 500 watts. (I know in this setup I'm wasting one amp but it's still a good backup)

Which would be louder one 121p running 2X12 at 500watts or 2 121p running stereo at 300watts each?

Thanks for the feed back in advance.
Click to expand...

:) Sometimes I think I'm weird. I would have set up both amps the minute I got the second one home and tried it both ways :)

Go on then - go run the experiment and let us know how you go......
 
#6
I heard about the 121p cab only but I happened to find a used second 121p combo. I've been impressed so I thought buy it and have a stereo setup or at least a backup head. Do you think it best to go tuner to input or effects out to input? If one amp can control the tone of the second that would make this easier. Thanks.
 
#7
Never used the effects out. I've used the tuner out, though, and yeah, it would be cool if you could control the tone with one amp. Well, that's one point in favor of running both cabs with one head.
 
#9
Mikefish07 said:
Can anyone tell me if the tech wise 2X300watts stereo = 600watts vs 2x12 at 4ohm = 500watts. No real volume difference?
Click to expand...
Mathematically, no! You need to double your wattage to gain 3dB (assuming system efficiency remains unchanged, which in this case it does). But who knows. The might be a subtle audible difference if you actually try it.

As for controlling both cabs with one amp, most amps have the effects loop "post preamp". That means that if you use the effects send to feed the signal to the second amp, there's a pretty good chance any EQ changes on one amp should be transmitted to the other one. I'm not sure if the markbass effects loop is definitely post-pre, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

While you're there, try the XLR out too. If that's also post-pre, you could use the XLR out on amp 1 to go to amp 2, then use the xlr on amp 2 to to go to the (PA if necessary).
 
#13
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I COULD BE WRONG.........

First, I love my 121P combo. With my UL112 cab, its a killer
setup. Much louder and bigger than just the combo alone.

In my experience, the Markbass amps like the LMII and F1,
work considerably better at 4 ohms. Much more head room
and less squashing of transients. I honestly believe you would
benefit more from a second speaker than just using another
combo amp. As good as the 121P is, it lacks a little on the low
end. After all, it is a VERY smal box. Adding another box might
give you everything you like about the 121P, with more lows,
or sweeter highs, etc, and much more volume.

If you want to use the speaker from your combo alone, you'll
need a female to female 1/4 jack, and a 1/4 to 1/4 speaker
cable. Not the best way to hook up a speaker from a high
power amp.
 
#14
B String said:
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I COULD BE WRONG.........

First, I love my 121P combo. With my UL112 cab, its a killer
setup. Much louder and bigger than just the combo alone.

In my experience, the Markbass amps like the LMII and F1,
work considerably better at 4 ohms. Much more head room
and less squashing of transients. I honestly believe you would
benefit more from a second speaker than just using another
combo amp. As good as the 121P is, it lacks a little on the low
end. After all, it is a VERY smal box. Adding another box might
give you everything you like about the 121P, with more lows,
or sweeter highs, etc, and much more volume.

If you want to use the speaker from your combo alone, you'll
need a female to female 1/4 jack, and a 1/4 to 1/4 speaker
cable. Not the best way to hook up a speaker from a high
power amp.
Click to expand...
I've done it while ABing my B-15N heads with it. Works fine, actually.
 
#15
I finally tried the two CMD121Ps together at practice and whoa it's loud. I don't know what's going on technically but I can tell you that the second 121p adds a lot more depth and fuller sound. I had the controls about the same on both and running them stereo through a Boss ME50 flat. I also tried my sansamp that I hadn't used in a long time and again whoa it sounded like my old Eden. I like it running stereo even though I have to hassle with both controls but it sounded so full. I tried to get the cabs as close together because I thought they would couple better but didn't realize that the vent on the 121p is on the left and when you put them next to each other it covers one vent. I'm going to throw away all my catalogs because I think I've finally found what I was searching for. It's light, It's loud and It's small. And now it's full and warm sounding. :-)
 
#16
Instead of separating them, I would suggest stacking one on top of the other. I think it sounds much bigger and fuller, plus it eliminates the chance of phasing or comb filtering.
 
#17
I tried that but the input jack and controls would be covered. There isn't enough space between the top of one and the bottom of the other to fit the cable unless I ran the input into the effects return. That actually how I want it (stacked) but I can't figure out how.
 
#18
You could stilt the top combo with a couple pieces of wood. Might have to use a right angle plug for the bottom amp. It might also make changing its settings on the fly a little difficult. But IMHO, if you're stacking them, unless you're running effects blended with a clean signal, I think you would want them to have the same sound and volume. I don't know...it's always fun to sit around and play with stuff like that, but in the end the no-nonsense way always goes best for me.

BTW, you're really making me want an extension cab for my combo. If only the combo didn't already do everything I need...
 
#20
I did want to stack but having them both on the floor actually gave me more bottom. Running the ME50 with a stereo chorus and a touch of reverb sounded really nice. I think I'll just leave it alone and stop buying anything for a while. Thanks for your suggestions.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back