Markbass Megathread PART 2

[Jeff Scott]

So, if I want to use my RavenLabs blender for upright bass
instead of the MB preamp, I can do it by switching the
effects loop to series?? Will the MB eq still be effecting the
tone of the head, or will I just be able to use the RavenLabs
or Sansamp for my tone?
I would ask this privately, but I figure there have to be others
like me who just don't quite understand the difference, and
I'll be the dolt who asks the question.

Vic, from the above I gathered that B String intends to run his Raven Labs Blender into the FX loop, perhaps he can clarify this. To me, it sounds like he is inquiring about running the output of his RLB in to the FX return on the MB. If that is the case, it is irrelavent whether the loop is in series or parallel as the FX return is just bypassing the input stage of the amp.

 

[B String]

Vic, from the above I gathered that B String intends to run his Raven Labs Blender into the FX loop, perhaps he can clarify this. To me, it sounds like he is inquiring about running the output of his RLB in to the FX return on the MB. If that is the case, it is irrelavent whether the loop is in series or parallel as the FX return is just bypassing the input stage of the amp.

I am being told that there is no way I can use the Ravenlabs
as the preamp for my upright, if I use the LMII. Either way
I will be going through the LMII eq. I've been able to do this
with my Focus, or GK amps, or Woods amps etc. I sometimes
also use a Sansamp Paradriver as a preamp. I like options.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I don't see why you can't do this. The RL PMB-II and MDB-1 (I am not sure which you have) both put out plenty of signal to drive the LM II to full output, so who says it can't be done?

 

[B String]

I don't see why you can't do this. The RL PMB-II and MDB-1 (I am not sure which you have) both put out plenty of signal to drive the LM II to full output, so who says it can't be done?

Vic, is saying that no matter what, the signal is going
through the eq section of the LMII. Unlike say a GK head,
where you can go from the RavensLab into the effects
return and bypass the front end (eq) of the amp. The LMII
makes you go through the eq section. In parallel, you have
equal amounts of your eq or effects. In series, you can very
the mix of your eq and the amps eq, if you're using something
that will let you mix the signals, but you're still going through
the eq section of the LMII.
I think I got this right, but I'm not trying to be Vic's
spokesperson. He's much more knowledgeable than I am.

 

[Vic]

Vic, from the above I gathered that B String intends to run his Raven Labs Blender into the FX loop, perhaps he can clarify this. To me, it sounds like he is inquiring about running the output of his RLB in to the FX return on the MB. If that is the case, it is irrelavent whether the loop is in series or parallel as the FX return is just bypassing the input stage of the amp.

Oh, ok, if that's the case, then yeah, you're right, and I misunderstood his post. I thought he was still plugging the bass into the front of the amp, but was trying to decide if the RLB should go inline before the amp right after the bass or in the efx loop.

BTW Jeff, checked out your band. Way cool stuff.

 

[B String]

Oh, ok, if that's the case, then yeah, you're right, and I misunderstood his post. I thought he was still plugging the bass into the front of the amp, but was trying to decide if the RLB should go inline before the amp right after the bass or in the efx loop.

BTW Jeff, checked out your band. Way cool stuff.

So wait...... you're saying that if the effects loop is in
series, I CAN go into the effects return and bypass the
LMII eq section? Correct??

 

[KJung]

So wait...... you're saying that if the effects loop is in
series, I CAN go into the effects return and bypass the
LMII eq section? Correct??

This is like that old 'who's on first' routine

If I understand all the above, and also the block diagram in the manual, here's the scoop:

- The effects return is before the tone controls... so a pre plugged into the effects return will bypass the input stage of the LMII, but not the EQ and filters.

- If you bypass the input stage (i.e., plug the pre into the effects return and plug your bass directly into that), then the setting of the loop (series/parallel) won't matter, because there is no signal coming from the input stage of the amp.

So, I think Vic's statement above that you cannot use the LMII as a pure power amp still stands.... since there is no 'post EQ' effects loop setting. And, if I understand this correctly, if you are going to bypass the input stage of the amp by running your bass into an outboard pre and then directly into the effects return, the series/parallel setting of the jumper becomes a moot point.


K

 

[Jeff Scott]

B String, I was thinking that you wanted to have the ability to use the EQ on the LM II. Vic is right, the EQ is still in the signal path but you could just leave them flat. Having them in the signal path can have it's advantages, if you decide you need more tone shaping. The EQ on the RL is at different points than the MB so they may compliment each other. I have a PHA-1, time to do some experimenting!

Thanks for the compliment, Vic, on my band's music.

 

[Vic]

This is like that old 'who's on first' routine

If I understand all the above, and also the block diagram in the manual, here's the scoop:

- The effects return is before the tone controls... so a pre plugged into the effects return will bypass the input stage of the LMII, but not the EQ and filters.

- If you bypass the input stage (i.e., plug the pre into the effects return and plug your bass directly into that), then the setting of the loop (series/parallel) won't matter, because there is no signal coming from the input stage of the amp.

So, I think Vic's statement above that you cannot use the LMII as a pure power amp still stands.... since there is no 'post EQ' effects loop setting. And, if I understand this correctly, if you are going to bypass the input stage of the amp by running your bass into an outboard pre and then directly into the effects return, the series/parallel setting of the jumper becomes a moot point.


K

What he said.

 

[koobie]

B String, I was thinking that you wanted to have the ability to use the EQ on the LM II. Vic is right, the EQ is still in the signal path but you could just leave them flat. Having them in the signal path can have it's advantages, if you decide you need more tone shaping. The EQ on the RL is at different points than the MB so they may compliment each other. I have a PHA-1, time to do some experimenting!

Thanks for the compliment, Vic, on my band's music.

I'm using a tubed preamp into the efx return of the LMII, works like a charm. Like Jeff noted, you're going through the LMII's eq, but I see it as a win-win scenario since the eq on the two units compliment each other. I don't see a downside to this approach (other than the additional eq complexity) unless you're coming from an audiophile's standpoint where any & all additional circuitry is shunned.

 

[DbNBassist]

I played a gig last night and the gig on after us used my amp. (LMII + Hartke) and he could not stop raving about how nice it sounded after the gig.

He also compared me to Geddy Lee but that's a story for another day.

 

[rok51]

Played my first gig with the LMII last night. Private party outdoors on a long covered porch with PA support-I honestly don't need it from a volume standpoint, but it's there, so why not? Due to depth issues, we were setup very wide. The PA helps us achieve a cohesive stage volume, which, to me...is a good thing. I can't help but love this little amp. It is so responsive to such small changes. On a few classic songs, I dialed in a tiny bit of VLE...and found myself smiling and turning around expecting to see one of my old 2X15 cabs. The LMII just captured that vibe for me-a fun and easy tweek to make onstage. Most of the night it was set flat with no filters. Master was between 8:30 and 9:00-that was all I needed. I sense the beginnings of a beautiful relationship here.
Thanks to all for bringing the LMII to my attention.

Another benefit of using the LMII is all of the 'real estate' which is now available on top of my cabs to set my large mug of iced well water- much more stable than on top of my SKBs...even when using anti-slip mats...

On a related note, my warranty paperwork arrived yesterday...about two weeks after my amp did.

Kim

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Hoping Ken and others will chime in here. I've heard it said that you can get the LMII pretty close to the TF tone. Can someone describe the LMII settings used?

More curious than anything.

 

[CElton]

I believe that I have read that the DI is post EQ. With that, has anyone used their LMII as just a pre for In-Ears say like in a church gig???

Just wondering...might be able to dump some other stuff if this can do double duty.

Thanks...Chris

 

[Vic]

I believe that I have read that the DI is post EQ. With that, has anyone used their LMII as just a pre for In-Ears say like in a church gig???

Just wondering...might be able to dump some other stuff if this can do double duty.

Thanks...Chris

I haven't actually tried this yet, but there's no reason I can think of why a "DI-only" application like this wouldn't work great.

 

[jmain]

I believe that I have read that the DI is post EQ. With that, has anyone used their LMII as just a pre for In-Ears say like in a church gig???

Just wondering...might be able to dump some other stuff if this can do double duty.

Thanks...Chris

Chris,

Where would you hook up the IEMs, Tuner Out?

BTW: Nice quilt on the 55-02!

 

[CElton]

Chris,

Where would you hook up the IEMs, Tuner Out?

BTW: Nice quilt on the 55-02!

We have an Aviom system so I would be getting the in-ear signal from the FOH. I was thinking that I could use the LMII as a pre and DI and send that signal from the LMII to the FOH. I'm assuming it's OK to run it without a speaker load.

Kind of overkill, but hey it's small enough, would give me a little EQ and would allow me to get rid of my BodXT.

That way, whether it's a stage rig or in-ear gig, I'm covered.

 

[Eublet]

We have an Aviom system so I would be getting the in-ear signal from the FOH. I was thinking that I could use the LMII as a pre and DI and send that signal from the LMII to the FOH. I'm assuming it's OK to run it without a speaker load.

Kind of overkill, but hey it's small enough, would give me a little EQ and would allow me to get rid of my BodXT.

That way, whether it's a stage rig or in-ear gig, I'm covered.

If it let's you kill two birds with one stone, then it would be fine. I don't know that I'd get a head like this just for IEM use.

 

[CElton]

I don't know that I'd get a head like this just for IEM use.

Definitely not. I know I could use a DI box, but it could come in handy as a small pre too. I am much more looking forward to the thunderous sounds it will make being used as it was intended!!!

...I am also looking forward to the light load in and out.

 

[jmain]

We have an Aviom system so I would be getting the in-ear signal from the FOH. I was thinking that I could use the LMII as a pre and DI and send that signal from the LMII to the FOH. I'm assuming it's OK to run it without a speaker load.

Kind of overkill, but hey it's small enough, would give me a little EQ and would allow me to get rid of my BodXT.

That way, whether it's a stage rig or in-ear gig, I'm covered.

Right on. Just had me thinking. I might use my PHA-1 as a pre to the board and use the headphone out as a monitor.