Markbass combo query?

[soulstar89]

I tried the combo again earlier today, the FSW setting is definitely brighter and totally different to the Flat and Scooped switch settings.

interesting this popped up. Im on the lookout for a new combo or head and cab. I tried the combo you got at Denmark streets wunjo's in central London. Wanting to give GK and laney digbeth a try before i decide.

I was going to suggest contacting Markbass directly to get an answer.

 

[Baker69]

I got mine from Bass Direct in Warwick, they are on offer and at a very good price of £689

 

[Baker69]

They’re £709 at Wunjo’s.

 

[soulstar89]

I got mine from Bass Direct in Warwick, they are on offer and at a very good price of £689

Oh thanks for the heads up. I hate making choices lol. The Markbass doesn't have a headphone or aux input does it?

Bass direct is close to bass bros.

 

[Baker69]

No it doesn’t have an aux in or headphone socket, a shame really on a product this expensive, I guess it’s just aimed at being a small gigging combo and not a practice amp?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi guys, I’ve just bought a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV Combo, I’m a bit confused on the 3 way switch on the control panel?

The Manual states that the 3 positions are FLAT / SCOOP / FSW (Footswitch). I think the (optional) footswitch possibly selects between the Flat or Scoop modes (if the switch is in the FSW position), however in the FSW position it is a different sound to the Flat or Scoop? I prefer the FSW position sound-wise but what is going on here?

I don’t want a Flat setting (which I assume is all tone controls at 12 O’Clock), or a Scooped setting (which I assume is for slapping), so is the FSW setting the default setting based on the 4 tone knob settings selected by the user thus making the 3 position knob actually a 3 way EQ switching selector?

A flat setting and adding a little low end and low mids is a good sound for ensemble work. Scooped as you said good for slap.

I think if you download the owners manual, you’ll find the answers you are looking for.

 

[Baker69]

A flat setting and adding a little low end and low mids is a good sound for ensemble work. Scooped as you said good for slap.

I think if you download the owners manual, you’ll find the answers you are looking for.

As has been said earlier in the posting the owner’s manual is, well, crap! It does not refer to how the amp operates when it is in FSW setting or why it is a brighter sound. Also it is not clear from the Markbass web site as to what exactly the optional footswitch does, I have read conflicting information with it either toggling between the Mute and the Flat or the Mute and the Scooped or between the Flat and the Scooped.

Again, if you had a footswitch and you select the Flat sound do you lose your user configuration on the 4 band EQ, ie does it revert back to it on a second press of the footswitch?

 

[Jev1]

I don't have the amp in question, but I do find that "flat" in Markbass terms is not actually flat. IME, there seems to be a baked-in tone on every Markbass amp (that I've played through anyway) and it take a little tweaking of EQ to dial in what I would consider a flat tone. Is it possible that with the switch on FSW setting, it's bypassing the EQ settings on the amp itself and that Markbass tone is what the OP just happens to like?

 

[MIMike]

You know what they say; judge with your ears, not with your eyes. If it sounds good to you in FSW mode, leave it there.

I am curious, does the sound change when you adjust the tone settings in ANY of those three switch modes?

 

[Baker69]

I’ve just been experimenting further with the combo, perhaps it was my imagination initially but the Flat and FSW do now sound to me pretty much alike? In my head the FSW setting had sounded brighter but I’m not so sure now, I might have just been having a ‘senior’ moment?

There is a blue LED which lights when you select the Scooped position so I’m assuming the footswitch must at least activate this, where the mute option comes into it I don’t know?

 

[Baker69]

You know what they say; judge with your ears, not with your eyes. If it sounds good to you in FSW mode, leave it there.

I am curious, does the sound change when you adjust the tone settings in ANY of those three switch modes?

Yes the tone does change when you adjust the EQ controls.

 

[MIMike]

In all three switch modes?

 

[Baker69]

In all three switch modes?

I think so yes. I’m assuming without a footswitch in FSW mode it must default to the Flat setting, if there is a 2 button footswitch present the one button will toggle between Flat and Scooped and the other button is mute on/off?

 

[factory presets]

I am curious, does the sound change when you adjust the tone settings in ANY of those three switch modes?

Yes. The knobs make a difference in all three settings. Bloke posted primitive schematics in the Markbass club suggesting the EQ runs in parallel with the FX loop. To my geriatric ears it sounds like the knobs are parallel to the shaping as well.

Damn. I guess I should go back and see where the vintage sits in the chain.

Edit: hard to be sure. But the old school seems to make much more difference than the EQ does. Possibly sounds like that because it paints with a broader brush. Changes more frequencies at once.

I'd be interested to hear what MB has to say on the subject. To my mind parallel ain't really parallel without a mix knob.

 

[factory presets]

where the mute option comes into it I don’t know?

It's a kill switch, in case your tuner don't have that function.

 

[SJan3]

Hi guys, I’ve just bought a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV Combo, I’m a bit confused on the 3 way switch on the control panel?

The Manual states that the 3 positions are FLAT / SCOOP / FSW (Footswitch). I think the (optional) footswitch possibly selects between the Flat or Scoop modes (if the switch is in the FSW position), however in the FSW position it is a different sound to the Flat or Scoop? I prefer the FSW position sound-wise but what is going on here?

I don’t want a Flat setting (which I assume is all tone controls at 12 O’Clock), or a Scooped setting (which I assume is for slapping), so is the FSW setting the default setting based on the 4 tone knob settings selected by the user thus making the 3 position knob actually a 3 way EQ switching selector?

No, the footswitch simply toggles between the flat and scooped modes utilizing the EQ settings you've already selected. The 2nd switch is simply for Mute. I can't believe how out of whack this post has gotten.
And, if not using a footswitch, the Flat and SW settings sound the same. It is in effect a 2 way switch if not using a footswitch.

 

[SJan3]

Hi guys, I’ve just bought a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV Combo, I’m a bit confused on the 3 way switch on the control panel?

The Manual states that the 3 positions are FLAT / SCOOP / FSW (Footswitch). I think the (optional) footswitch possibly selects between the Flat or Scoop modes (if the switch is in the FSW position), however in the FSW position it is a different sound to the Flat or Scoop? I prefer the FSW position sound-wise but what is going on here?

I don’t want a Flat setting (which I assume is all tone controls at 12 O’Clock), or a Scooped setting (which I assume is for slapping), so is the FSW setting the default setting based on the 4 tone knob settings selected by the user thus making the 3 position knob actually a 3 way EQ switching selector?

No, the footswitch simply toggles between the flat and scooped modes utilizing the EQ settings you've already selected. The 2nd switch is simply for Mute. I can't believe how out of whack this post has gotten.
And, if not using a footswitch, the Flat and FSW settings sound the same. It is in effect a 2 way switch if not using a footswitch.

 

[Baker69]

I imagined the FLAT position would instantly give you sort of an ‘everything at 12 O’Clock’ setting, however from what you’re saying it doesn’t.

So, if for instance you set the EQ controls to quite extreme settings eg High at full, Low complexity off, when you select the FLAT sound with the foot switch you aren’t getting a Flat setting you’re getting whatever the EQ is set at?

 

[Aloe]

but the Flat and FSW do now sound to me pretty much alike?

yeah, it should be exactly like this. there's also a LED that marks when the 'fsw' is into the 'scoop' mode.

and yes, all the EQ controls work at any switch position, it should be pretty easy to verify having the amp.

 

[factory presets]

I imagined the FLAT position would instantly give you sort of an ‘everything at 12 O’Clock’ setting, however from what you’re saying it doesn’t.

So, if for instance you set the EQ controls to quite extreme settings eg High at full, Low complexity off, when you select the FLAT sound with the foot switch you aren’t getting a Flat setting you’re getting whatever the EQ is set at?

Not exactly. Those settings don't reset the EQ. They impose their own boosts, cuts or whatever to make the described sound. The EQ then adds or subtracts frequency levels from that sound so you can make your bass sound nicer. Pretty standard stuff.

Youre also getting the sound of their dual band, no knob limiter.

 

[Baker69]

Incidentally, I’m surprised there isn’t a Mark Bass Club here on the TB Forums, unless there is one and I can’t find it???