Passsive EQ @ Markbass TTE - what's so special about it?

my question as well

 

Just spitballing here, but if noon for the knob in question already had some of that frequency rolled off, then technically, anything above noon would be putting more of it back...

Not sure if that's the case, but logically it seems like that would be at least one way that it would make sense, at least to me.

 

I just received a good education on the topic from here, and threads linked therein:

Passive tone stack

Lots of good interesting stuff from very smart members.

 

I never got to understand those interactive passive eqs...... made me sell my Weber Mywatt

 

I do have to say, the more I read on the topic, the more I appreciate the GK EQ structure that I have on all my personal amps. I really don't use it for much outside of minor tweaks, but it's very intuitive... I take it for granted, but probably shouldn't.

 

Nifty little tool to see how some of those tone stacks work in a more interactive fashion: TSC

 

I don't think people think that much about it. I think they try an amp, see if they can get their favorite sounds out of it, and buy or don't buy as the mood strikes. They just want to eat the steak and don't care how you kill the cow. I spent well over 30 years not caring my own self, and honestly, I still don't care very much other than mild curiosity about how things work.

 

FWIW

the TTE500 is a phenomenal amp. Ugly as hell, but damn it sounds good.

 

This thread has made for some good reading.

Last night using my Markbass TTE501 for the first time in a full band setting, i was getting very frustrated with my lack of note clarity when i had the tone knobs dialled in to a typical gritty rock setting at Bass - 1oclock; Mids - 2-3oclock; Treble - 4oclock. I ended up swithing on my MXR81 Preamp and cranking the mids and treble on it to get a usable tone.

I wasn't even aware of Passive EQ or that there was a different type of EQ model than what standard class D amps use. (Please pardon my ignorance!!!). So after looking at of the other threads linked up here about passive eqs, I need to raise everything full to get an open tone and then only use the eq knobs to cut specific frequencies?! Am i right in saying this?!

 

Try taking the compressor and contour valves out of the equation first by setting the controls to 0 to begin with. As a starting point I set the bass and treble at 6-7 and reduce the middle when practising at home. Raise the mids when in a band environment. The compressor will tighten the bottom end considerably so use sparingly especially if the gain is high.
The contour control can then be added gradually until you have the right amount of treble rolled off. This can be subtle when listening to just the bass. If you want clarity keep it low or off.
I also find leaving the tone controls at midpoint and buying a RMI Lehle Classic Boost pre worked really well !

 

Thanks kasbrey,

I had a go with my amp today in my garage and found my preferred settings were bass 2 o'clock, mids full and treble full. The sound was so much nicer, full clear notes. Im also aware i just did a test run in a little box garage, probably 8ft by 15ft, so there will inevitably be condition changes when in a real gigging environment.

I have the onboard tube compression switched off at all times anyways. My Cali76 is my main compression unit so I don't need any further limiting/compression.

The Contour I usually have around 10 o'clock mainly to take away the background hiss. But you are right it is subtle.

 

Have you gigged it again since your frustrating first? Any better now?

 

Yes, what a difference! Just what the doctor ordered. It's the tone I've been after. The vintage warmth from the preamp section and enough clarity for a modern player from the digi power section. Contour is turned right down ( nearly off) and the built in compressor just in so clipping the low-end now and again. Sounds nice having it at the end of chain in conjuction with my cali76 at the start.

Thanks for the feedback and advice. I was considering selling this amp after that gig using the EQ in the wrong way.