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Need help finding my ultimate amp.

B

bmmcwhirt

Guest
Jun 28, 2017
6
3
Indiana
#1
I'm just learning to play and I have a Yamaha TRBX 304 That I currently use through an iRig HD 2 and Sony Studio headphones.

This was initially ideal as I live in a house with several people and knew that especially just starting out they were not going to want to hear me. I also use a Novation Circuit as drum machine.

Now I've decided that I want to start looking for an amp. I'm not in any hurry so I'm trying to do as much research as possible. I've listened to several cabs in the store and I prefer the way 10s sound for my style.

Hopefully someone can help me find something that meets as many of my desires as possible if not all as it's a lot of wants. What makes this more difficult is I have a budget planned of about $700.00USD

- I am not set on separate head/cab or combo so either is fine.
- I do want a setup that is 2x10 and expandable to 4x10 or 2x10+1x15
- I want 200W+ on the 2x10 and amp, welcoming suggestions on power for the expansions
- I want aux input with mix control for using the Novation Circuit
- I want a DI/Line output that is pre-eq
- I want wide enough freq response to accommodate the Boss SY-300 when I get one

If it helps, I have hopes of playing a wide rage of styles but one of my main intents is to play real bass with techno and trance style drums and synths. Initially just using the Novation Circuit for accompaniment and eventually adding in the SY-300 to enhance and layer the bass.

Of course I'm open to all advice. This is just based on the research I've done so far.

I'm also fortunate enough to live close to Sweetwater, SamAsh and a GuitarCenter so once I have some suggestions I have a good chance that one of the stores will have units I can try out and hear in person.
 
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#3
Stumbo said:
I suggest adding an HPF to your list; TBr fdeck produces a popular and well received unit.

For wide frequency response, you might check out Barefaced Bass cabs.
Click to expand...

Ok, I found them and it looks like Series 3 is the latest or I could just print a board and populate it. Probably just look at buying and just keeping the schematic in case I have to service it. That said, I was under the impression that bass amps expect the input to be instrument level. I understand the need for the HPF, but the unit is listed as pre-amp. Could you explain more, is this just for the HPF and not the pre, or if not what is the need for the pre?

I should also mention that the Yamaha is an active bass. I've seen a few amps that have a switch for active/passive but most do not. Is having an active/passive switch something I should add to my list?

Thanks.
 
#6
Both the Fender and the Carvin(which I really like) have one major issue, they do not have an aux in so I have no way to connect the Circuit for my drums. The Carvin BX700-10.2 setup was screaming at me except for the no AUX in issue. The same goes for the Fender, it has less features but well known for being a work horse.
 
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#8
Linnin said:
WHAT?!!! But of course the Fender Rumble has a AUX In. All of them. From the 15 to the 500. Plug in your drums. Plug in your stereo. Hell, plug in the Zombie Apocalypse!
Click to expand...

Ahh, I forgot to look at the back, since there is no aux level/mix control I over looked it. I'll keep that in the list.

I have a question. Most of the amps have line out post EQ and I know everywhere I've run sound we wont allow that to connected to the house sound board, they have to use a DI box before the amp. This seems to be par, so why are amps made with line out post eq?
 
#9
bmmcwhirt said:
Both the Fender and the Carvin(which I really like) have one major issue, they do not have an aux in so I have no way to connect the Circuit for my drums. The Carvin BX700-10.2 setup was screaming at me except for the no AUX in issue. The same goes for the Fender, it has less features but well known for being a work horse.
Click to expand...
Small, cheap mixer with effects send to one mixer channel, mixer output to effects return, and you can run anything into any amp with a loop and have total control of levels and things like an HPF filter on individual channels and some have effects built in that sound very good. Analog Mixers | Sweetwater Behringer mixers are decent, but I'd probably go with the 3 channel ART or a Mackie for the sub $100 range.

Oh, yah, if your cab is good for it, the amp section of those Carvin BX's to 20-20KHz, so the cymbals will shine.

Nothing wrong with the Rumbles either. I'm guessing a bit dark for a complete drum kit. @Linnin could tell you.
 
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#11
BadExample said:
Small, cheap mixer with effects send to one mixer channel, mixer output to effects return, and you can run anything into any amp with a loop and have total control of levels and things like an HPF filter on individual channels and some have effects built in that sound very good. Analog Mixers | Sweetwater Behringer mixers are decent, but I'd probably go with the 3 channel ART or a Mackie for the sub $100 range.

Oh, yah, if your cab is good for it, the amp section of those Carvin BX's to 20-20KHz, so the cymbals will shine.

Nothing wrong with the Rumbles either. I'm guessing a bit dark for a complete drum kit. @Linnin could tell you.
Click to expand...

I've never used an efx loop like that before. What is your opinion of the Mackie Mix 8? How would you wire it to the bx700? I've always just wired from the console to the pa amp rack.


JimmyM said:
I'll throw the Ampeg BA-210 at you for your consideration.
Click to expand...

This was at the top of my list till I came across the Carvin BX700-10.2 setup. Not out yet as it's defiantly less expensive.
 
#12
bmmcwhirt said:
I'm just learning to play and I have a Yamaha TRBX 304 That I currently use through an iRig HD 2 and Sony Studio headphones.

This was initially ideal as I live in a house with several people and knew that especially just starting out they were not going to want to hear me. I also use a Novation Circuit as drum machine.

Now I've decided that I want to start looking for an amp. I'm not in any hurry so I'm trying to do as much research as possible. I've listened to several cabs in the store and I prefer the way 10s sound for my style.

Hopefully someone can help me find something that meets as many of my desires as possible if not all as it's a lot of wants. What makes this more difficult is I have a budget planned of about $700.00USD

- I am not set on separate head/cab or combo so either is fine.
- I do want a setup that is 2x10 and expandable to 4x10 or 2x10+1x15
- I want 200W+ on the 2x10 and amp, welcoming suggestions on power for the expansions
- I want aux input with mix control for using the Novation Circuit
- I want a DI/Line output that is pre-eq
- I want wide enough freq response to accommodate the Boss SY-300 when I get one

If it helps, I have hopes of playing a wide rage of styles but one of my main intents is to play real bass with techno and trance style drums and synths. Initially just using the Novation Circuit for accompaniment and eventually adding in the SY-300 to enhance and layer the bass.

Of course I'm open to all advice. This is just based on the research I've done so far.

I'm also fortunate enough to live close to Sweetwater, SamAsh and a GuitarCenter so once I have some suggestions I have a good chance that one of the stores will have units I can try out and hear in person.
Click to expand...

I would suggest the Mesa D800, but you would spend the whole budget on the head. You might be able to locate a used one. Mesa is a great company.

Other than Mesa, I would go with the Ampeg PF series or Peavey mini max head. Then look for a used 2x10, 2x12 or 1x15 cab that sounds good with the amp you buy. Can add additional cabs later. I was able to find a pair of used Epifany UL2 1x15's cabs for under $400.
 
#13
probably could also invest in low latency soundcard and start looking at software, specially for electronic music, likewise expression controllers/switches that work with midi continuous controllers to control the software. and yes a little mixer will help greatly as well. the amount of effects and BPM synchronized effects is priceless for electronic music. as far as amp plenty high powered used stuff floating around doing live electronic music i always used you basic sealed ampeg 10" cabinets plenty of used ones as well and clean high powered solid state amps.
 
#14
bmmcwhirt said:
I've never used an efx loop like that before. What is your opinion of the Mackie Mix 8? How would you wire it to the bx700? I've always just wired from the console to the pa amp rack.
Click to expand...

I didn't see a manual download for that mackie, but I'm guessing it would suite you well. Just looking at the picture of it, It think you would run the loop out from the BX to a channel input, probably 1 or 2, since it's mono. Adjust the level input so it rarely clips (OL on a mackie). You then have input to the mixer from the BX, and at this point the BX would work as usual. Then connect L or R main out from the mackie to the BX return. This disconnects the BX preamp from the amp and runs it through the loop, but it is coming back, subject to the controls of the channel input and the main output controls. You want TS (mono 1/4" cables) for this so the mackie knows it's getting an unbalanced input. Optionally, you can use the DI out set to post eq to the XLR input on the mackie... I've done both and don't see any real difference.

Then to get drums in... are they stereo or mono? Mono no problem, stereo we need to find the mackie manual. Not sure how AUX IN works, don't have that on my Beheringer. Tape in should work or two TS/mono to a pair of channels (3/4 or 5/6). We just need to discover if the stereo in will mix down to one channel on the output... I've not tried that. You could split the return of the main out that is going to the BX with a simple "Y" cable, then pipe both channels to a stereo or PA, being careful not to blast the woofers with too mach bass.
 
#17
"I'm just learning to play... "

"What makes this more difficult is I have a budget planned of about $700.00USD"

... one thing I have learned in the last 45+ years of playing these things, is that every time I think I have found my 'ultimate amp' (your title), tastes and/or playing circumstances change, and I end up seeking the next 'ultimate' ...

With that said, by all means do your legwork trying anything and everything you think may work, and then exhaust every possible chance to try to find your ultimate (for now), used ... that way after you have been at it a while longer and desire the next ultimate, you can move on without taking as much of a hit ... and get into something now even better than you thought paying the 60% of a new price ... remember, everything classifies as used once you drive it off the lot or out the door .. ;)

.. welcome to TB ...

... JMHO's, as always ...
 
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#19
tjh said:
"I'm just learning to play... "

"What makes this more difficult is I have a budget planned of about $700.00USD"

... one thing I have learned in the last 45+ years of playing these things, is that every time I think I have found my 'ultimate amp' (your title), tastes and/or playing circumstances change, and I end up seeking the next 'ultimate' ...

With that said, by all means do your legwork trying anything and everything you think may work, and then exhaust every possible chance to try to find your ultimate (for now), used ... that way after you have been at it a while longer and desire the next ultimate, you can move on without taking as much of a hit ... and get into something now even better than you thought paying the 60% of a new price ... remember, everything classifies as used once you drive it off the lot or out the door .. ;)

.. welcome to TB ...

... JMHO's, as always ...
Click to expand...

This!
 

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