Double Bass Markbass users, I need some help!

[IdealWay]

Hey everyone, I recently picked up a CMD121P combo and need some tips about setting my EQ to get a good clean sound. The head in the combo is a LMII. I have a Planet Wing pickup on my bass, and the one at my school (which I also use) has a Realist. I'm also running through an Fdeck HPF/Pre. I'd like to know where you guys set your tone controls (especially the VPF and VLE, which I still don't fully understand) and what kind of sound you get. I'm looking for a clean punchy tone that approximates the actual sound of the bass, only amplified. I know, it's probably impossible without using a mic, but maybe I can come close? I haven't played around a whole lot yet, but it's been a little boomy so far. Any advice or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JtheJazzMan]

I find the cmd sounds nice with the EQs at 12 oclock. I slightly roll off the high mids, but not much.

Then use the VLE to roll off the highs to take away any tinny HF sounds.

Otherwise you may like that treble there for effect.

 

[5StringBlues]

VLE - Passive tone control,as JtheJazzMan says,it just rolls off the highs.

VPF - This scoops out midrange and also makes the frequency of your lows lower while making the frequency of your highs higher.


That's all I got,I haven't had a chance to try my upright with my MB combo yet.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

Works well with upright. Though next Id go beyond natural sounding "bass" amps and go with an actual hifi uncoloured speaker system.

 

[Jaromir]

With Realist, just a little roll off of mids, or/and the VPF at about 9 or 10 o'clock.
With Planet Wing same as above plus some massive roll off of high frequencies - this is where the VLE does a great job.

 

[IdealWay]

With Realist, just a little roll off of mids, or/and the VPF at about 9 or 10 o'clock.
With Planet Wing same as above plus some massive roll off of high frequencies - this is where the VLE does a great job.

So I would boost the VLE instead of rolling off the high, or do both? I'll be using it in an auditorium hmm tomorrow for a performance and want it to be nice and focused. Also, do you set the other tone controls at 12 o'clock?

Thanks guys

 

[dvh]

I find the cmd sounds nice with the EQs at 12 oclock. I slightly roll off the high mids, but not much.

Then use the VLE to roll off the highs to take away any tinny HF sounds.

Otherwise you may like that treble there for effect.

Close to what I do: depending on the venue/volume I sometimes turn the Low control to about 10 o'clock

 

[5StringBlues]

So I would boost the VLE instead of rolling off the high, or do both?

If you boost the VLE you are rolling off the highs.

 

[AMJBASS]

I find with the heads(and the cabinets) you usually need to cut some high mids to take the "honk" out of the sound. I cut quite a bit of high mids on my head, and cut a bit of bass. Gets me a clear warm sound. Although I admit I don't often use the Markbass these days...

 

[IdealWay]

Thanks for all the advice, this is really helpful.

Where do you guys set the VPF control?

 

[Jaromir]

With the VPF one must be careful, I find it to be most useful at around 9 - 10 o'clock. When you turn it up too much, the sound can get lost in the mix.

 

[AMJBASS]

I try to stay away from it. It boosts the lows, and takes out the mids leaving you with a decent sound in your room, but a muddy sound on the gig. The VLE is useful however in taming the highs.