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NEED HELP! Simple live sound needed! LOL

ChrisPatterson

ChrisPatterson

Guest
Mar 9, 2012
20
2
53
Gadsden, Alabama
#1
Okay this is going to show my complete stupidity about bass gear and live sound but I need help. Ive been playing for many years but have always struggled to have a decent sound that just doesnt sound like a roar LOL. I have 2 presets in my Zoom B2 pedal that Id love to translate into my live sound. I DO NOT like tinky, bright, clacky bass...I dig more of an old, Motown sounding Bobb Babbitt, James Jamerson (or even JPJ "Lemon Song") sound and alot of that is in the fingers, I know. I can get EXACTLY what Im after in the studio and play pretty much with the same "technique" live. I am TERRIBLE with getting a good live sound out of my amp and really need to get this handled quickly as I have a few higher profile gigs coming up that I need to have a "better" tone for.

Live, I use the 4 x 12 and 15" Carvin cabinets that came with my Redline R1000 Bass head (and if it matters I play with my fingers and use a Fender Precision and a Fender Jazz) I also have 2 cabinets with 2 15" in each that I dont use but have available.

Sooo...my question is this: Is it possible to NOT use my amp head at all and somehow use JUST my Zoom Pedal dialed into the preset I like and adjusted for the characteristics of the cabinets I am using? Could you use something like a power amp to push the pedal? I know that technically I could just show up with just the my Zoom pedal used as a DI and run through the monitors but it usually sounds like **** when Ive tried that. Im really just trying to figure out how to get a good sound live with as little thought as possible! I dont want to have a ton of pedals and Im not chasing some unique Geddy Lee type signature tone or anything...just a simple "normal" bass tone. Or is there a VERY SIMPLE 200+ watt combo out there that would be good and easy to dial in the sound Im looking for?

Sorry to show my complete ignorance about live sound!
 
#4
I'd suggest plugging you bass straight into your amp, nooning your parametrics, adjusting to taste, and doing the same with your bass. Sounds like you want to dial down your treble and tone and maybe boosting the mids a little. If you're looking for warm, solid bass tone you shouldn't need anything but a good bass and a good amp.
 
#5
Possibly ditch the 15 or try one of the 2x15s by itself. Agreed on leaving the eq flat to start- see if you like the voicing of the amp where its "noon" is. Remember that the contour control on carvin is usually flat all the way left. To the right is usually a scoop at 500 hz.

Probably roll off the highest highs to start, then see where you're at. Try subtractive eq for problems first, it often does better than boosting highs or mids when it's boomy or adding bass when it it honky or tinny.
 
#6
I have a Zoom B2 that I use as my primary tone, through a lot of different backline amps. Here's what I do...I go from the Zoom to a DI box first, then go from the parallel out on the DI to the amp (the amp is just used as a monitor). The DI's XLR goes to the PA.

I then tweak the amp's eq to adjust for the room/cab characteristics. I just try to get an acceptable tone from the amp, and have to keep in mind that the sound going to the PA is not what I am hearing. I have gotten many compliments on my live tone from sound engineers and other bass players.
 

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