Output difference

[Pete Nixon]

Hi, I currently run a Vincent Akurat (p bass) and a Vincent Metropol (jazz bass) but the Jazz bass has a lower output into the desk of about 3-4 db than the p bass. My pedal board is simple, Shure wireless, origin effects compressor and rupert neve rndi and in ears. Any easy way to negate this volume difference, possibly by a pedal.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Chris Chong]

Hi, I currently run a Vincent Akurat (p bass) and a Vincent Metropol (jazz bass) but the Jazz bass has a lower output into the desk of about 3-4 db than the p bass. My pedal board is simple, Shure wireless, origin effects compressor and rupert neve rndi and in ears. Any easy way to negate this volume difference, possibly by a pedal.
Thanks in advance.

Would it be easier to put stickers/tape marks on the OE compressor input knob for matching levels.

 

[ahbass2500]

Adjust levels on your existing pedals.

Buy a clean boost pedal and only turn it on for the lower output bass.

Buy a Southampton All Things Equal or Ashdown Bass Exchange and run different buffer levels by bass.

Buy a volume pedal (either pot in a pedal or expression pedal style) and use it to adjust output.


Having tried all of the above options, I find I prefer the clean boost option.

 

[Slevage]

This will work-Clean/boost pedal: use it to boost the weaker signal.

My choice- 2 channel preamp

 

[RattleSnack]

Easiest thing is just to compensate input on your compressor, by cranking Input for that Jazz bass. That compressor has to be set differently when you switch, anyway.
If that's not appealing, you could add a pedal before compressor and just turn it on for Jazz. If you only need clean boost, then any booster pedal will do, like MXR Booster or TC Mini Spark. If you need EQ, get clean preamp, like TC normal Spark, or Ampeg Classic Analog Preamp, or MXR Bass Preamp...

 

[groovaholic]

Alternately - lower the pickup in your P-Bass to reduce its output to the same level as the Jazz bass.
Then increase gain slightly some place later in your signal chain...

 

[prndltech]

A boost pedal like the TC spark or spark mini can solve the issue for not much money.

 

[FullumMusic]

Since the first thing in your signal chain is your wireless, boost the level on your wireless to compensate for the lower output of the J Bass. Just bump the level on the wireless until it hits the compressor threshold the same as your other bass.

I got a few wax pencils in different colors, and i used each color to mark the settings for different basses with different outputs, or different compression needs. That way when i plug in a bass, i just turn the knobs so the hashes point to the wax pencil mark. Quick & easy. No dialing in new settings. And wax pencils will wipe clean if you need to remove or change your settings.

 

[Geri O]

I second the TC Spark or even the Mini-Spark. Works very well for such gain-matching tasks. Simple on and off.

 

[Slade N]

Boss line selector - trim for each bass

Or eq pedal to adjust level for one bass / bypass for the other

 

[Grahams Groove]

Could go super tiny for a pedal boost if bird space is at a premium. Search for ‘AWOL Nano Boost’…

 

[birminghambass]

A passive volume attenuator is what I use. Mini pedal with a knob and foot switch. Like $35 on Amazon. EHX and JHS also make one if you absolutely have to have a name brand.

 

[brianrost]

Any easy way to negate this volume difference, possibly by a pedal.

I assume you want to switch between basses when performing and not have a noticeable volume change. I also assume whoever is running the mixer can’t be bothered to move a slider.

Plenty of solutions:

Reduce volume on the P bass by lowering the pickup or just turning the volume knob down

Use a clean boost pedal with the J bass

Use a volume pedal

Etc.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

...origin effects compressor...

That's your most efficient answer right there...leveling out volume is arguably the prime reason for using outboard compression.

Alternately - lower the pickup in your P-Bass to reduce its output to the same level as the Jazz bass.
Then increase gain slightly some place later in your signal chain...

This is also a good (and free) suggestion, but be careful as changing pickup height can also alter perceived tone in addition to output. Totally reversible though, so just take note of where you currently are and you've got nothing to lose trying this. I prefer the tone of P pickups when they are a little more backed-off.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Hi, I currently run a Vincent Akurat (p bass) and a Vincent Metropol (jazz bass) but the Jazz bass has a lower output into the desk of about 3-4 db than the p bass. My pedal board is simple, Shure wireless, origin effects compressor and rupert neve rndi and in ears. Any easy way to negate this volume difference, possibly by a pedal.
Thanks in advance.

The GLXD Shure wireless has a gain function.
The compressor has a gain function.
Use one of those.

 

[logdrum]

ZIO ( not the bass preamp version but that is good too ) Clean boost. One of the modes is a low cut also because I find that boosting jazz bass brings a lot more low end, Your desk meter will say it's all matched but the jazz bass will still not cut,

Another solution if you are doing quick changes is the Radial Bassbone because you can plug 2 basses and already preset the output of each. There is some rudimentary EQ to address the bass boost inherent on jazz basses (of course negated by not matching the volumes. Also with the scoop EQ, jazz bass will be lower output if you keep the pickup volumes the same, You may not even need a pedal

 

[Basspaolo]

I prefer a graphic equalizer pedal that allows me to boost or cut the volume (via the level slider) and make EQ adjustments to avoid overly drastic sound changes.

 

[ad9000]

Hi Noel,
I deal with this issue by using a Radial Bassbone, but if you have any boost or EQ pedal that's relatively neutral when set flat, stick it in the pedal chain and adjust the weaker output bass to match the level.

 

[monsterthompson]

Hi Noel,
I deal with this issue by using a Radial Bassbone, but if you have any boost or EQ pedal that's relatively neutral when set flat, stick it in the pedal chain and adjust the weaker output bass to match the level.

I was trying to recall which Radial product would handle this. It looks like the Big Shot might also do the job. Fewer bells and whistles and a smaller format.

 

[erratick]

This is pretty common. One of the good strategies above was

Boss LS-2 or similar. It's made for this situation.

Also easy: 2 channel pre-amp and volume match (or multiple preset like the programmable bddi from Tech21).

More complicated, but okay- ABY box- but on the input path of the higher bass you attenuate output, or you juice the output on the quieter instrument. I've done that one because I already had the components.