Thanks, oren. Just to be sure we're on the same page, those clips were recorded with a mix of the Full Circle Pickup and a Shure Beta 57 mic. I've never used a Planet pickup, so I can't comment on that.
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Double Bass NEW Euphonic Audio iAMP Doubler
- Thread starter peterpalmieri
- Start date
Thanks, oren. Just to be sure we're on the same page, those clips were recorded with a mix of the Full Circle Pickup and a Shure Beta 57 mic. I've never used a Planet pickup, so I can't comment on that.
Anyone else using these?
I'll have one in hand tomorrow.
I'm thinking about mics.
Either the DPA4099 or the Audio Technica ATM340
I'll have one in hand tomorrow.
I'm thinking about mics.
Either the DPA4099 or the Audio Technica ATM340
Well, I took the plunge and ordered one of these from Bob G. It arrived yesterday and I've had some time to play with it a bit.
Setup
Loud German carved bass with gut wrapped in silver for the D and G strings; Evah pirazzis for the E and A. Fishman Full Circle pickup and VL-208 speaker cabinet.
First Impression
Wow, this thing is LIGHT but it feels very very sturdy. Well built.
Plug it in.
It lights up! Two things happen in my brain. (1) I realize that the front panel is strikingly obvious, or user-friendly. (2) Those illuminated switches are going to be great in the corner of a dark bar or under those glaring stage lights. The switches that are illuminated are the channel selector and the mute. Whats more, when you power it up the amp is automatically is muted. Very wise EA people!
Furthermore, the feet on the amp keep it from sliding around when you plug a cord into it so you can plug in with one hand keep a firm grasp on your bass with the other.
Tone
Plugging into channel one, my first thought is that the amp is very "mids" aggressive. This reminded me of the Wizzy10 cab, but not quite as severe. When left totally flat, the Bb up to the Eb on my G string have a very primitive piezo pick up sound. Yes, I was a bit worried.
I dialed back the Mids on the tone control, centered at 600Hz about -10dB and the treble down about -4dB. Ok. This is working.
Now it's happening. Actually, this is really nice. Bob G. mentioned that this things got some ass. He was right. It's not flabby and out of control as I sometimes felt about the iamp800. It's just right. Each note has weight and bloom to it.
When I turned up the low end about +4dB it was just too much bottom. Nice to know that it's there, but probably will just leave it flat.
Granted, this has all been in my living room. What I'm pleased about the Doubler tone wise is that the EQ really moves things around and that can be very useful from room to room. I know that if I need some more definition I can up the mids a bit and it will cut like a knife. So far, it's really sounding great in my living room. I'll take it out tonight on the NYE bar gig.
I should mention that the tweeter and mids knobs on the VL-208 are wide open.
Volume
After reading this thread, my main concern was volume. Initially, the amp did seem a little on the quiet side. I had the gain cranked and the master up pretty high too. Yes, everything in my house was rattling, but I know how loud things can get on stage and was a little apprehensive about the volume level I was hearing.
So, I started twiddling.
I realized that I could open the gain way up by using a little screw driver (or a kitchen knife for that matter) to turn the little recessed thumb screw on top of the amp.
Now it's cookin'. This amp will definitely be loud enough for me. If need be I can always utilize the DI, which, given the reputation of Mike et al at EA is going to sound great.
I should also mention that my old P bass sounded REALLY good through channel 2. I dialed back the mids (centered at 800Hz on the second channel) about -8dB and I'm in business.
And I haven't gotten my hands on a mic yet, but with the phase variation and notch filter right there on it's face this amp is just screaming for a mic to be plugged into it.
More later.
Setup
Loud German carved bass with gut wrapped in silver for the D and G strings; Evah pirazzis for the E and A. Fishman Full Circle pickup and VL-208 speaker cabinet.
First Impression
Wow, this thing is LIGHT but it feels very very sturdy. Well built.
Plug it in.
It lights up! Two things happen in my brain. (1) I realize that the front panel is strikingly obvious, or user-friendly. (2) Those illuminated switches are going to be great in the corner of a dark bar or under those glaring stage lights. The switches that are illuminated are the channel selector and the mute. Whats more, when you power it up the amp is automatically is muted. Very wise EA people!
Furthermore, the feet on the amp keep it from sliding around when you plug a cord into it so you can plug in with one hand keep a firm grasp on your bass with the other.
Tone
Plugging into channel one, my first thought is that the amp is very "mids" aggressive. This reminded me of the Wizzy10 cab, but not quite as severe. When left totally flat, the Bb up to the Eb on my G string have a very primitive piezo pick up sound. Yes, I was a bit worried.
I dialed back the Mids on the tone control, centered at 600Hz about -10dB and the treble down about -4dB. Ok. This is working.
Now it's happening. Actually, this is really nice. Bob G. mentioned that this things got some ass. He was right. It's not flabby and out of control as I sometimes felt about the iamp800. It's just right. Each note has weight and bloom to it.
When I turned up the low end about +4dB it was just too much bottom. Nice to know that it's there, but probably will just leave it flat.
Granted, this has all been in my living room. What I'm pleased about the Doubler tone wise is that the EQ really moves things around and that can be very useful from room to room. I know that if I need some more definition I can up the mids a bit and it will cut like a knife. So far, it's really sounding great in my living room. I'll take it out tonight on the NYE bar gig.
I should mention that the tweeter and mids knobs on the VL-208 are wide open.
Volume
After reading this thread, my main concern was volume. Initially, the amp did seem a little on the quiet side. I had the gain cranked and the master up pretty high too. Yes, everything in my house was rattling, but I know how loud things can get on stage and was a little apprehensive about the volume level I was hearing.
So, I started twiddling.
I realized that I could open the gain way up by using a little screw driver (or a kitchen knife for that matter) to turn the little recessed thumb screw on top of the amp.
Now it's cookin'. This amp will definitely be loud enough for me. If need be I can always utilize the DI, which, given the reputation of Mike et al at EA is going to sound great.
I should also mention that my old P bass sounded REALLY good through channel 2. I dialed back the mids (centered at 800Hz on the second channel) about -8dB and I'm in business.
And I haven't gotten my hands on a mic yet, but with the phase variation and notch filter right there on it's face this amp is just screaming for a mic to be plugged into it.
More later.
Hi Peter
Yes, I did run the pickup through channel 2. I didn't have to EQ the mids out as drastically, so I guess what I'm hearing and not liking on my bass is centered closer to 800Hz rather than 600Hz.
However, I want to keep that channel open as I see a DPA4099 mic in my future.
So I stayed with the pickup in channel 1. I cut back the tweeter and mid drivers on the VL-208 to about 50%. Then I brought the mid knob on the amp to about -8dB, the bass to about +2bB and the treble to -4dB.
Is that drastic? I don't know, nor do I really care. I'm using my ears to judge, not numbers. The amp sounds really good. I can't wait to throw a microphone in the mix.
Yes, I did run the pickup through channel 2. I didn't have to EQ the mids out as drastically, so I guess what I'm hearing and not liking on my bass is centered closer to 800Hz rather than 600Hz.
However, I want to keep that channel open as I see a DPA4099 mic in my future.
So I stayed with the pickup in channel 1. I cut back the tweeter and mid drivers on the VL-208 to about 50%. Then I brought the mid knob on the amp to about -8dB, the bass to about +2bB and the treble to -4dB.
Is that drastic? I don't know, nor do I really care. I'm using my ears to judge, not numbers. The amp sounds really good. I can't wait to throw a microphone in the mix.
I'm curious how you are setting the mid and tweeter controls on the VL208. When you say 50% do you mean noon or 9 o'clock? I run mine just slightly less then noon.
Oh word. Yea, I meant noon time.
Sometimes I dial em back to about Nine or Ten O'clock.
Sometimes I just leave the mid at noon and turn the tweeter off, although the cross over between the mid and tweeter is the ****. As in really good.
Sometimes I dial em back to about Nine or Ten O'clock.
Sometimes I just leave the mid at noon and turn the tweeter off, although the cross over between the mid and tweeter is the ****. As in really good.
Ok, so on last nights gig I definitely had to to turn those mids up.
I think I was suffering from a "what sounds good in the living room doesn't have clarity on the gig" situation.
I am really happy with this amp. It's got a fatness to it. Something about it reminds of the Woods, but I'm not sure what and I sold my Woods off some time ago.
I just can't wait to pair it up with a mic.
I think I was suffering from a "what sounds good in the living room doesn't have clarity on the gig" situation.
I am really happy with this amp. It's got a fatness to it. Something about it reminds of the Woods, but I'm not sure what and I sold my Woods off some time ago.
I just can't wait to pair it up with a mic.
Hey guys did you see EA just revamped their website? http://www.eaamps.com/
I also decided to start a club thread on the EB side that I thought might be fun and interesting...Not sure it makes sense to have DB specific club thread...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8478725#post8478725
I also decided to start a club thread on the EB side that I thought might be fun and interesting...Not sure it makes sense to have DB specific club thread...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8478725#post8478725
Thanks for the update there Peter. The new site is a good improvement.
Took the Doubler and one VL208 to rock band rehearsal last night and it was plenty loud enough with my active 5 string. The band is not as loud as some of the rock bands out there but it still gets loud. Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keys, drums and vocals. This amp sounds great with the porkchop.
Anyway, my question for all the EEs and physics guys here is this: Is phase independent of volume?
In other words, if I am running a mic and pickup simultaneously with a desirable phase relationship and then change the volume on either the mic or the pickup, will the phase relationship between the two change?
Thanks!
Took the Doubler and one VL208 to rock band rehearsal last night and it was plenty loud enough with my active 5 string. The band is not as loud as some of the rock bands out there but it still gets loud. Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keys, drums and vocals. This amp sounds great with the porkchop.
Anyway, my question for all the EEs and physics guys here is this: Is phase independent of volume?
In other words, if I am running a mic and pickup simultaneously with a desirable phase relationship and then change the volume on either the mic or the pickup, will the phase relationship between the two change?
Thanks!
It's been a long time since I was up on this stuff, but I think it depends on the circuitry. In a classic passive setup changing the resistance of the volume pot will have an effect on the phase angle of the signal due to its relationship with the inductance of the pickups (and the capacitance of a passive tone control). I'm no longer knowledgeable enough to guess the extent of the effect.
Not sure about more active types of circuitry.
Thanks Oren
I'm hoping that the way the amp is set-up phase and volume will be independent.
Dr URB? Fdeck? Any thoughts here?
I will wait a bit and perhaps leave a message for the good folks at EA.
Well....try it. Set up a sound that you like with a certain mix of mic and piezo, and set the phase such tat you get your best sound.
Then change the volume ration.
Then change the phase...
If you get a better sound by readjusting the phase than you know...well, you get a better sound when you readjust the phase after a change in mix.
...this may be an iterative process where with that new phase you may get a better sound by adjusting the channel volumes.....which then requires a phase adjustment.
Or, you may find that after a new volume setting there is little change by readjusting the phase.
Then change the volume ration.
Then change the phase...
If you get a better sound by readjusting the phase than you know...well, you get a better sound when you readjust the phase after a change in mix.
...this may be an iterative process where with that new phase you may get a better sound by adjusting the channel volumes.....which then requires a phase adjustment.
Or, you may find that after a new volume setting there is little change by readjusting the phase.
Wneff,
I don't plan on waiting around for an answer before I start experimenting!
The DPA4099 microphone should arrive tomorrow . . . .
Ok.
Just spoke to Gary at EA.
The gain stages of the amp are totally independent of phase. This is good news, because it means that if you have your phase adjusted to your liking, but need a little more pickup volume (or mic volume) mid gig, changing the gain on either channel will not change the phase relationship.
I also found out that the DI out on the amp IS affected by the mute switch and is PRE-EQ. Both good things IMO, IME.
Just spoke to Gary at EA.
The gain stages of the amp are totally independent of phase. This is good news, because it means that if you have your phase adjusted to your liking, but need a little more pickup volume (or mic volume) mid gig, changing the gain on either channel will not change the phase relationship.
I also found out that the DI out on the amp IS affected by the mute switch and is PRE-EQ. Both good things IMO, IME.
Hi guys
I have one of these coming in very soon, and I can't wait to see how it sounds with my new Veillette Archtop (eye candy below).
I also use an Aria EUB, Fylde Bouzouki and a Brook Acoustic Bass Guitar at most gigs, so this amp will be a terrific addition to my arsenal and should tease out all those lovely woody tones I used to get from my iAmp.
One question: Anyone know if the Markbass dual footswitch will work with the Doubler? I'm hoping to use it to switch channels and mute output.
Cheers from the UK
Gareth
I have one of these coming in very soon, and I can't wait to see how it sounds with my new Veillette Archtop (eye candy below).
I also use an Aria EUB, Fylde Bouzouki and a Brook Acoustic Bass Guitar at most gigs, so this amp will be a terrific addition to my arsenal and should tease out all those lovely woody tones I used to get from my iAmp.
One question: Anyone know if the Markbass dual footswitch will work with the Doubler? I'm hoping to use it to switch channels and mute output.
Cheers from the UK
Gareth
Don't know about the footswitch thing; just call EA and ask. They are super friendly and informative.
Both my electrics sound great through this amp.
As far as my upright goes, I've realized there's no need for such drastic Mid and Hi cuts as I'd posted before. I'm not sure what I was hearing there, but I've settled on something like -2 or -4 dB for Mid and -2 for Hi. This amp is a workorse, just like my old iAmp800 was.
EDIT: Gareth -- you're in the UK. I can call them for you and ask, or if you want just send em an email.
Both my electrics sound great through this amp.
As far as my upright goes, I've realized there's no need for such drastic Mid and Hi cuts as I'd posted before. I'm not sure what I was hearing there, but I've settled on something like -2 or -4 dB for Mid and -2 for Hi. This amp is a workorse, just like my old iAmp800 was.
EDIT: Gareth -- you're in the UK. I can call them for you and ask, or if you want just send em an email.
- Mar 22, 2000
- 1,972
- 73
- Disclosures
- Big Cheese Emeritus: Gollihur Music (retired)
The footswitch must be a momentary contact; you may be able to determine that from MarkBass documentation or by using a continuity device or VOM.
Nice looking Veillette, they make some sweet instruments. Hope they'll be at NAMM this week, I always like to say hi and check out their basses.
The EA guys are very accessible via email.
BTW on the EQ front it's going to be very specific to your bass, strings and pickup. I'm finding I add a slight touch of mids or leave them flat.
