Ahhh........Thanks very much for this, it explains a lot. I recorded 4 covers tracks this week at a recording studio through the Terror Bass and all the sound guy got was noise out of the DI until we turned the gain right off, I normally have Gain around 1PM and Vintage Dirt is what I like. We were struggling for time so just went with what we could get out - its just a demo for pub rock. What I got was quite a surprise indeed, as its a lovely warm clean tone. Nowhere near what I would normally play, but also not what I would have expected from the amp. Its actually got me thinking about my sound.
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ORANGE BASS TERROR: The Review!
- Thread starter Moos3h
- Start date
Ahhh........Thanks very much for this, it explains a lot. I recorded 4 covers tracks this week at a recording studio through the Terror Bass and all the sound guy got was noise out of the DI until we turned the gain right off, I normally have Gain around 1PM and Vintage Dirt is what I like. We were struggling for time so just went with what we could get out - its just a demo for pub rock. What I got was quite a surprise indeed, as its a lovely warm clean tone. Nowhere near what I would normally play, but also not what I would have expected from the amp. Its actually got me thinking about my sound.
Yeah. I guess if you want that much gain, you'll have to mic a cabinet. My last amp didn't have a separate gain and volume knob, so I'm in heaven. That is a ton of gain,, but if you wanted to use it live, you'd have to to go all cabinet. -Which I have done before.
I've been lurking around here for a few days and I'm looking for one of these Bass Terrors used - just in case anyone here has 2nd thoughts about theirs.
Also, on the subject of the too-hot DI; I've been playing through an SVT-II for several years now, and that DI was also too hot. In my opinion it's a moot point because A.) I'd prefer to put a mic in front of my cabinet anyway; I paid a lot of money for this rig because I like the sound of it, and I'd like that sound to be out front too, and B.) if the soundman feels he needs to mix in a DI for clarity, then it needs to be a clean, dry signal anyway, not one that's been EQ'd for the rest of the circuitry in the amp, my cabinet, my taste and my position on stage.
Also, on the subject of the too-hot DI; I've been playing through an SVT-II for several years now, and that DI was also too hot. In my opinion it's a moot point because A.) I'd prefer to put a mic in front of my cabinet anyway; I paid a lot of money for this rig because I like the sound of it, and I'd like that sound to be out front too, and B.) if the soundman feels he needs to mix in a DI for clarity, then it needs to be a clean, dry signal anyway, not one that's been EQ'd for the rest of the circuitry in the amp, my cabinet, my taste and my position on stage.
So, did anybody try taking the signal for the desk from the effects loop?
Is it more manageable than the DI regarding signal strength?
Is it more manageable than the DI regarding signal strength?
That's it, I can't stand this no more......I'm trying one of these babies out tomorrow.
I'm guessing that DI wouldn't be too hard to mod to make it quiet.
I'm guessing that DI wouldn't be too hard to mod to make it quiet.
I bought a microphone attenuator that does -25 db. Haven't been able to test it but I hope so. Shure has a -50 db flavour as well.
Orange said the DI is line level +4 db, which is probably with the gain set very low. Microphone level is 60 db lower and mixing desks can take that too so I don't think it is too much attenuation
. I read someone used a -40 db pad with succes too so...Anyway, I run the preamp close to saturation to compress my playing so I'm not afraid it's gonna be too much
.(and even if it is, it's switchable to -20 and -15 too so
)I may have to get this. I don't want full on distortion, but I want a nice semi gritty rock tone. Kind of like Robert Deleo of STP has, and even Gene Simmons.
Listen t these videos to get an idea of what I'm looking for.
Now, obviously, Robert's isnt QUITE as drivey as Gene's but you get my point.
Anyway, I know it's not a full on tube head, but do you think this would fit my needs??
Listen t these videos to get an idea of what I'm looking for.
Now, obviously, Robert's isnt QUITE as drivey as Gene's but you get my point.
Anyway, I know it's not a full on tube head, but do you think this would fit my needs??
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
I just tried one out at the store through their Ampeg 610, I noticed straight away how warm and round it sounded, there was a nice texture and fullness going on - I was mainly using a clean tone, it was kinda dark sounding as well but that may have been because of the Ampeg 610 - this combo worked very nicely for me though. I must say I was very pleased with it so I ended up putting a deposit on it and will pick it up in about 2 weeks. I guess it was one of those times when you know your going to buy something within the first minute you start playing through it.
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
I love it. Its the amp that got me to love tube amps.. I wish ampeg did a 200 watt head so it would break up earlier.. which is why I'm looking at the orange head... but this terror bass has caught my eye..
Damn this is tempting. To make it even worse I've already got (and am generally fairly happy with) the Tiny Terror g----r amp... it's not super versatile, but what it does, it does REALLY well.
Same thing with the Terror bass, it's like a P bass, one basic sound, but it's a sweet one!
The EQ is limited and you can't stray too far: you can boost the mids or scoop and dirty it up by cranking the gain. It seems to me the EQ contols are fairly subtle compared to other heads but the Q is really wide so cranking the bass will make the G string sound fatter without making the E and A strings overbearing.
Nice and simple!
The EQ is limited and you can't stray too far: you can boost the mids or scoop and dirty it up by cranking the gain. It seems to me the EQ contols are fairly subtle compared to other heads but the Q is really wide so cranking the bass will make the G string sound fatter without making the E and A strings overbearing.
Nice and simple!
A few questions:
1.) Like the tiny terror guitar head, does the bass terror come with a padded gig bag?
2.) What is the wattage output on the amp when it is running at 8 ohms? still 500W?
3.) Finally, where is the switch to go back and forth between 4 and 8 ohms? (the product description says the impedence is switchable)
1.) Like the tiny terror guitar head, does the bass terror come with a padded gig bag?
2.) What is the wattage output on the amp when it is running at 8 ohms? still 500W?
3.) Finally, where is the switch to go back and forth between 4 and 8 ohms? (the product description says the impedence is switchable)
1.) Yes it does
2.) it is still 500watts
3.) The switch is at the back of the amp next to the speaker jacks
2.) it is still 500watts
3.) The switch is at the back of the amp next to the speaker jacks
I just got it and haven't had a chance to gig on it yet. I'm recording this weekend (mostly DI) and back to gigging next weekend, so it'll be awhile before I have a more informed opinion. But I spent some time with it last night and today through my Ampeg 610 and I can tell you I really like it. The SVT-II does not have pre/post gain controls so you can only get the grit by cranking it up (loud). Having the pre-gain on the Terror is great. It's a different kind of distortion - a little rougher. Not buzzy like a fuzz box, but not as smooth as the SVT cranked. I like it though, and you can certainly dial in how much you want. The sound is very fat - plenty of low end with the 610 - I found myself rolling off the lows. My SVT had smoother highs I think. Even if I cranked the highs it never got harsh or spikey. Not that the Terror is harsh, but... it's a tube thing. The Terror is not quite as adjustable as the SVT-II, but that's fine; I never used the Ultra Hi, Ultra Low or the Graphic EQ on the SVT anyway. Ampeg's choice in mid freq. is cool, but I basically found the one I wanted and then left it there.
While I definitely get the thick, woolly blues/rock vibe - which is what I want - there is something quicker/tighter than the SVT. My initial feeling is that I really like it, but only gigging will tell. It's a "feel" thing. Tubes can have a soft, lush feel to them - which can create a great bedding for the rest of the band to ride on, or they can feel squishy, depending what you want. This amp feels quicker and has a punch that I was really diggin' today.
I do have a word of caution. I bought this used and it arrived damaged in shipping. On the top of the main chassis, behind where the tubes are, there is a PC board with several relatively heavy components on it. That board is supported by 5 standoffs screwed into the top of the chassis. I suspect this amp was dropped, upside down, in shipping and the weight of this PC board snapped off all 5 screws. They are very small screws and could easily be snapped off by over-tightening them; I feel it is a poor design. I repaired it myself (very tedious), but now I'm nervous about it. It feels easy to drop. And it's in a gig bag, not a road case. That may have to change. I'll post again in a few days with pictures showing the standoffs I'm describing here.
Every choice we make involves a tradeoff of some sort. At this point, the pros outweigh the cons for me. I'm sure I'll miss the SVT, but my back is already thanking me
and my ears are still very happy!
