Tried it out last nite- playing Hard rock with my EV 1x15" - NO PROBS at all with the LOW notes.. we were tuned down to Eb too. All seemed fine to me.
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Noticed something with the Markbass amps
- Thread starter BullHorn
- Start date
Tried it out last nite- playing Hard rock with my EV 1x15" - NO PROBS at all with the LOW notes.. we were tuned down to Eb too. All seemed fine to me.
You might consider trying a head without a switching power supply. All of the new super-lightweight heads have this. The way that i understand it is that amps with transformers (ones that aren't very light and have a switching power supply) are able to store power in the transformer. This results in more immediate response in projecting lower notes because it takes more power to sound a lower note at the same volume as higher ones. They are able to do this because they have power on tap. On the other hand, amps that have switching power (markbass,GK mb500, the puma amps, AI, etc.) draw their power straight from the outlet, without storing power in a transformer. So if you're plugged into a circuit that has a lot of voltage and for lack of a better word is a "clean" power source, then you may not hear any problems with lower frequency clarity. But, if you were in a GC, where there may be 50 amps running on the same circuit, the markbass may have been being starved of power. Same thing if you're playing with your band. If you're plugged into the same outlet or circuit that two guitarists an maybe a keyboard player and a p.a. are running off of as well, then you're probably not getting enough juice to throw out those notes as you need.
So there are a couple of solutions that I am aware of. One is to get one of those Monster power conditioners that has a transformer. The only problem with this is that they are pricey and heavy..(which kind of makes a 6 lb. amp pointless IMO). The second is to just get a head that is light but still has a transformer like an aggy ag500 or epi ul502.
I have to end all of this by saying that i really like the markbass stuff, as I have 3 of them, but i have noticed what you are talking about and am starting to like them more in small, low volume applications and less in my 10 piece dance band.
I wasn't the only one hearing this.
I paid so much, I'm not going to say these things for no reason. Other people noticed it too, both at the shop and at the gig.
articulation on the E string is your problem...not the amp...
1) Change your strings
2) When you change your strings make sure that you get a good witness point at the bridge saddle by pressing down on the string firmly just in front of the bridge.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
The VPF appears to be somewhat similar to Eden's enhance control, cutting mids, boosting bass and treble. Using it may be contributing to the problem.
Virtually all of us Eden users have learned that Enhance is wonderful for solo practice, but at a gig it must be turned off. In a band situation, it just doesn't work well.
Virtually all of us Eden users have learned that Enhance is wonderful for solo practice, but at a gig it must be turned off. In a band situation, it just doesn't work well.
alexclaber
Commercial User
This is entirely incorrect. Power is stored in the capacitor bank not in the transformer. SMPS amps tend to have stiffer voltage rails because the capacitor bank is recharged more frequently due to their transformer operating at a much higher frequency.
Alex
I understand, like i said, that was the way that i understood it, but your explanation makes more sense. However, if the capacitor bank has to be charged more frequently, then would the result be the same? What if the capacitor bank isn't fully recharged when you need to slam down on the "d" on the "b" string and the power just isn't there? The only reason i ask this is because i too have noticed lack of low end with the markbass stuff with different cabs, basses and strings in many different situations. I say this because i have an sd800 and owned a ul502 too for a short time, and the low end response on the (IMO and the opinions of the other people who were there) epifani was better even with the lows flat on the epi and boosted on the sd800 (side-by-side comparison).
A couple things here. First... hello!
Regarding the 502, I have one also, and it is BIG down low... too big in some cases. So, I hear what you are saying there.
However, switching power supplies have come a long way, and I don't think that's the issue here.
I owned the SD800 for a while, and my feeling is that head has a bit of a hole in the lower mids, which makes the low end seem a bit 'loose' with some cabs. It's kind of an oxymoron of 'huge low end' that can sound 'weak and blurry' in some situations. I'm not sure why this is with that particular head (which sounds KILLER with a more mid oriented cab like the Berg AE410).
I don't experience ANY of that with the LMII, SA450 and F1 (OK, I kind of like this MB stuff
). While the LMII, etc. doesn't have the headroom or deep low end response of the SD800, it is voiced more evenly, and results in a more punchy low end that 'seems' louder, clearer, and cleaner (again, with some cabs) than the SD800 (I'll credit Tom Bowlus with identifying this issue first... I couldn't figure it out for a while).The 502 is a real love/hate thing with me. The low end is just SO good, but there is just something wrong with the mid voicing and EQ of those heads. In a 'perfect' room, they sound great. In a less than perfect room, I can't seem to dial out the suck. I don't have this problem with most other heads.
K
I've never used the VPF in a rehearsal setting.
I don't know. At the shop it sounded weird and so it did at the gig. Here in my room, it sounds real nice. :/
I don't know. At the shop it sounded weird and so it did at the gig. Here in my room, it sounds real nice. :/
I just tested the amplifier at a rehearsal again.
80% of the EQ settings I used, there was insane resonance when I played the note A. Bad rehearsal room?
I tried VPF setting, it sounded horrible no matter how much/little I dialed in.
I also tried VLE settings, it sounded nice with VLE at around 11 o'clock because for some reason, lows were hardly heard in the mix. Lacked balls/definition.
I played with the Master volume at around 4 o'clock (!!!) and it was heard but not felt from most of the spots in the room.
I'm sad. :/
80% of the EQ settings I used, there was insane resonance when I played the note A. Bad rehearsal room?
I tried VPF setting, it sounded horrible no matter how much/little I dialed in.
I also tried VLE settings, it sounded nice with VLE at around 11 o'clock because for some reason, lows were hardly heard in the mix. Lacked balls/definition.
I played with the Master volume at around 4 o'clock (!!!) and it was heard but not felt from most of the spots in the room.
I'm sad. :/
If feel for you bud. But don't despair, I have made mistakes in the past thinking it was the gear, but realizing it was the room. If you are playing LOUD in a small-ish room nothing sounds right.
My advice is run the LMII completely flat on the eq.... VLE at 9:00 and VPF off. If that doesn't sound 'awesome'
either:
1. you dont like MB amps
2. you are asking too much from a 8 ohm cab
3. the room you are playing is effecting what you are hearing
4. you have a faulty unit.
Solutions:
1. try a different bass
2. try a more robust cab preferably 4 ohm ( or add another 8 ohm)
3. get the hell out of that room
4. return your amp and exchange it
My .02
My advice is run the LMII completely flat on the eq.... VLE at 9:00 and VPF off. If that doesn't sound 'awesome'
either:
1. you dont like MB amps
2. you are asking too much from a 8 ohm cab
3. the room you are playing is effecting what you are hearing
4. you have a faulty unit.
Solutions:
1. try a different bass
2. try a more robust cab preferably 4 ohm ( or add another 8 ohm)
3. get the hell out of that room
4. return your amp and exchange it
My .02
I love the sound of the amp when I solo at home. I just find it weird that it hardly cuts in the mix, after all the good things I've read about it around TB. The bass is an American Std. Jazz Bass, no reason to use a different bass.
There's also a Fender Rumble 100w combo in that room that cuts in just as well, which makes no sense. The unit is not faulty because it's bloody loud on it's own.
I'd love to say it's the room and get out of it, but it's the 2nd time I'm having this.
There's also a Fender Rumble 100w combo in that room that cuts in just as well, which makes no sense. The unit is not faulty because it's bloody loud on it's own.
I'd love to say it's the room and get out of it, but it's the 2nd time I'm having this.
Well, if I were you, I'd just chalk it up to the fact that not everyone likes the same things. There's absolutely no reason you should have to torment yourself trying different settings to get yourself to like it. I love Markbass and find it has MY sound, which is traditional clean Ampeg sound for those scoring at home, but it's not for everyone. It just seems like it because a lot of people own them. But if you don't like it, you don't like it.
I love the sound of the amp when I solo at home. I just find it weird that it hardly cuts in the mix, after all the good things I've read about it around TB. The bass is an American Std. Jazz Bass, no reason to use a different bass.
There's also a Fender Rumble 100w combo in that room that cuts in just as well, which makes no sense. The unit is not faulty because it's bloody loud on it's own.
I'd love to say it's the room and get out of it, but it's the 2nd time I'm having this.
First time I tried MB gear I knew it was not for me. Just accept it and get something else...
Too late to get something else. I love the sound, I just hate it not cutting properly.
We're playing in a 100% cement room with poor acoustic covers on the walls and ceiling. I was suggested to try raise the combo away from the floor because it's possibly eatting up all the low end. I will try it next time.
We're playing in a 100% cement room with poor acoustic covers on the walls and ceiling. I was suggested to try raise the combo away from the floor because it's possibly eatting up all the low end. I will try it next time.
Well, if you can live with a paradox like this... Good luck... Personally, I think that life is too short to play with gear that doesn't do what I want...
I have yet to buy a MB or other micro-amp mostly due to a shortage of money in recent times, but I've also been skeptical after reading reports of them not having enough low-end guts in a live setting. Big impact that is felt as well as heard is a critical part of my sound and my bands all agree with this philosophy. I do love the rig I have built, as it delivers room-shaking sound easily, and I plan to keep on using it until something fries.
Since my financial situation appears to be picking up for the better, I plan to buy one of the micros in the near future - if not for use as a main amp - for the entirely practical purpose of keeping it in my gig bag in case of a main rig failure. Something fatal happens to a critical component at a gig, and I can reach inside the bag, and have 500 watts of power to continue with minimal interruption.
Since my financial situation appears to be picking up for the better, I plan to buy one of the micros in the near future - if not for use as a main amp - for the entirely practical purpose of keeping it in my gig bag in case of a main rig failure. Something fatal happens to a critical component at a gig, and I can reach inside the bag, and have 500 watts of power to continue with minimal interruption.
If you are playing in a 100% concrete room, that is a BIG part of your problem. You'll have problems getting any lows in there with out huge cabs.
Try increasing your bass eq.
Or try increasing your low mid eq.
I bought a parametric eq as I dont care for the 40hz of the bass eq on the LMII. I find 80hz cuts thru anything. But again if you are playing in a small concrete room you're screwed no matter what IMO.
Try increasing your bass eq.
Or try increasing your low mid eq.
I bought a parametric eq as I dont care for the 40hz of the bass eq on the LMII. I find 80hz cuts thru anything. But again if you are playing in a small concrete room you're screwed no matter what IMO.
I've been using my markbass for quite some time now and have never had a problem with it.
I'm using a six, four and 5 string fretless through it and have never had any tonality issues.
Hmmm.....
I'm using a six, four and 5 string fretless through it and have never had any tonality issues.
Hmmm.....
It's all an individual preference. I think my LMII has got low end cajones beyond what I've ever asked from it...and I play as loud on stage as the sound engineer will allow. Pants flapping loud. Guitarists crying uncle loud. LOUD. I've never had an issue with my 4 or my 5 string...in fact, my B string is what usually induces the cries for mercy from the guitarists.
What are my settings for this type of volume?
EQ flat. VLE at 9:00. VPF off. Pre at 11:00, master at 12:00 (9:00 or 10:00 for rehearsal).
I'm running into two 8 ohm cabs...a custom-built 1x15", and a non-neo Avatar 212.
-Mark
