My overly bright bass

[Jeff Scott]

A key element that perhaps I missed somewhere; is the bass going straight to the PA console from a line out on the OP's bass head (is he even really using a bass amp - what kind, cabinet, etc.?). Depending on this, what is the sound droid doing to the bass EQ at the console?

 

[toowrongfoo]

Third post in a row, but reading everything I'm leaning towards the compressor being set wrong, thus adding unwanted gain/signal and thus making things over-obvious.

There are only a handful of compressors that can be used obnoxiously w/o this. The DBX160a being one of them.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Third post in a row, but reading everything I'm leaning towards the compressor being set wrong, thus adding unwanted gain/signal and thus making things over-obvious.

There are only a handful of compressors that can be used obnoxiously w/o this. The DBX160a being one of them.

I prefer Aphex 661 Expressors, they sound superb and can be set up to used really simply, or with full control of all parameters.

But, I don't really think compressors is the real issue here, just the OP not knowing how to get a good, meaty, deep tone out of the gear he already hash.

 

[toowrongfoo]

And just lumping the last two posts you made, we really don't know yet, do we? We don't know if it's some crazy wild setting.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Defend? I dunno about defend. Anyways, I hope the best for all.

 

[Korladis]

This morning during a church set of 4 somewhat mellow songs, I really struggled with string noise from my fingers as I changed chords.

My bass just seemed really bright. It’s an active,jazz looking ESP/LTD. I used a compressor for the first time live, with everything set to 12 noon. There are passive and active input jacks on the amp, and I used the passive in an attempt to soften the sound. Just felt like I was battling the instrument the whole time.

It’s got round wounds on it, so I’m going to try half rounds, which I have seen lots of love and hate for around here. Apart from changing strings and adjusting the tone knobs on the bass itself, are there any other things that I should try? Maybe with the compressor or technique?

Any and all ideas appreciated. I’m new at performing in front of people; it’s much easier to make mistakes and adjustments in my home! Thanks in advance...

Why don't you just turn down the highs a bit?

 

[Chrisk-K]

Why is it so difficult to roll down the treble knob?

 

[Munjibunga]

Do what I do: play on the same strings for a minimum of six years. Sooner or later they won't be so bright in appearance or sound.

 

[NOVAX]

Destroy all tweeters.

Ok well then disable them.

 

[mcnach]

This morning during a church set of 4 somewhat mellow songs, I really struggled with string noise from my fingers as I changed chords.

My bass just seemed really bright. It’s an active,jazz looking ESP/LTD. I used a compressor for the first time live, with everything set to 12 noon. There are passive and active input jacks on the amp, and I used the passive in an attempt to soften the sound. Just felt like I was battling the instrument the whole time.

It’s got round wounds on it, so I’m going to try half rounds, which I have seen lots of love and hate for around here. Apart from changing strings and adjusting the tone knobs on the bass itself, are there any other things that I should try? Maybe with the compressor or technique?

Any and all ideas appreciated. I’m new at performing in front of people; it’s much easier to make mistakes and adjustments in my home! Thanks in advance...

The active input just has an attenuator, and often it's not a nice one... I'd plug into passive by default, and adjust the input gain to suit. Only if you cannot adjust the input gain or the bass is too hot I'd use the passive input.

Regardless... it won't do anything to soften the tone.

I'm surprised you cannot tame the brightness with an active bass by turning the treble down. If that's not doing it then strings are the obvious thing to try next so you're on the right path..

 

[Old Blastard]

First, fire the drummer.
Second, is this the first time you've played this set up in church? Did the bass work well before the compressor? If so, I'd knob tweak at home to dial it in.

 

[Nunovsky]

The active input just has an attenuator, and often it's not a nice one... I'd plug into passive by default, and adjust the input gain to suit. Only if you cannot adjust the input gain or the bass is too hot I'd use the passive....

I do this exactly because I don't like how the active pad on my GK MB Fusion 500 sounds.

What compressor are you using? If it sounded ok before, maybe you need to experiment a bit with it.
Second, you say that you plug into an amp. Can't you try adjusting the eq?
Third, does that excessive brightness come from your amp or from the PA? Try talking to the sound guy to tame that.

 

[projectapollo]

TI Flats for church. You will like them.

 

[Gt6s]

Change to flats. My Yamaha BB424 was overly bright when I got her. Flats sorted it. I now use them on all my basses. Laurence

 

[Stumbo]

Why did you add a compressor? What problem were you trying to solve?

 

[St_G]

The Visual Sound Comp 66. It's a Ross-type with the addition of a tone knob, designed specifically to add back in the highs that tend to get lost in a compressor (so, to you main point about comps and their tendencies, yes). Not sure they still make it under the newer Truetone name or not. And in any case, I've never found it especially well suited for bass.

Oh, also there's the Janglebox and its iterations.

And the SD Doubleback (or its more recent basscentric descendent the Studio Bass) can be set to add back unaffected highs.

There may be others.

I'm aware of no compressor that makes the tone brighter, esp. to point of being overly-bright. Not being a jerk but if you know one that does, what is it so I can look into it.

 

[Wfrance3]

Your passive input jack is going to give you boost, not cut, so switch back to active. Put all at noon on your amp. Double check the manual that came with your compressor. All at noon is probly not the way to go with that. Read up here on what folks are doing with that particular compressor and also look at one or two YouTube videos demoing that pedal. You’ll get it. - you may find you do t really need compression. If you roll back on the treble a little o your active bass that may help you.

 

[Wesley R]

Or tapewounds.
Your ears will love them , so will your fingers.

Gotta love tapewounds!

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I'm aware of no compressor that makes the tone brighter, esp. to point of being overly-bright. Not being a jerk but if you know one that does, what is it so I can look into it. Compressors shave off transients, which is where most of the high frequency content lives. Ones that minimize this loss or downplay it in attractive ways are typically "good" compressors. Ones that minimize it ways characterized as dull or cloudy are typically "Behringer" compressors.

Seriously, I'd like to find one that makes a bass guitar tone bright.

Yeah, but he said his brightness problems were during shifts, which would be at the end of notes, when the compressor is probably more open than squashing, and the makeup gain is actually boosting the signal. Makes sense to me.

Also, my diamond compressor adds a little sparkle to the top end and thinkens up a low bump while also somehow making it tighter. It's magic.

 

[sawzalot]

So....

You should be using the active input. It has nothing to do with "softening the sound", it lowers the gain so you don't distort the preamp stage of your head. But more important: First time using the compressor live and it suddenly sounds different--this should be your main clue.

Setting all the knobs at noon is sort of like evenly mixing all the paint colors together and hoping the painting looks beautiful. Learn what a compressor does and what all those knobs do. My suspicion is the compressor is crushing the signal which is killing your low end. When compressors are really working hard on a signal funny things can come out the other end, which is probably what you're hearing. Basically, shut off the compressor, use the right input, and then spend some time with the compressor to figure out how to make it sound good.

Tom