Just wondering if anyone has preferred settings for this amp. I can never properly EQ this badboy,
Thanks
Thanks
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Double Bass Preffered Settings for GK MBS-III
- Thread starter darrenmccarthy
- Start date
Darren,
It would be helpful if you included the brand of pickup you are using in your user profile. That way we don't have to guess.
Ric
I thought you were psychic!
I'm using a standard realist and find it difficult to get away from a nasal middy or wolly boomy sound,
Thanks
I'm using a standard realist and find it difficult to get away from a nasal middy or wolly boomy sound,
Thanks
And the answer to the question on eq is it depends on the room, venue, and noise levels.....
I usually roll all the high and mid high off, contour full clockwise, then use the mid's and low to eq starting at 12 oclock on both.
Small moves and keep adjusting until I get what I need for the given gig we are playing.
There is no perfect setting for all given gigs....
I usually roll all the high and mid high off, contour full clockwise, then use the mid's and low to eq starting at 12 oclock on both.
Small moves and keep adjusting until I get what I need for the given gig we are playing.
There is no perfect setting for all given gigs....
Darren,
Here's a couple of suggestions. Although the input impedance of the GK is 1 megohm I'd suggest that you get a buffer preamp like the HPF/Pre Version II from Francis Deck.
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It's very reasonable and can solve a lot of different problems.
It's also possible that the Realist is the problem.
I don't know how long you have had yours but mine only lasted about 4 years before they had to be replaced that's one of the reasons that I changed to a different pickup.
Just my take though. I'd try playing the bass through a different amp and see if the bad sound migrates to a different rig.
Ric
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I have a very old Realist that sounds like you describe so maybe they do that just before they see the bright lights.
Fdeck's HPF helps both smooth the mids and tighten up the lows so I would recommend that once you know your pickup is good. You might try just a bit of contour and rolling off the highs and mids as has been suggested. The amp is limited and can go boomy if you add bass but it can surely get the job done.
Fdeck's HPF helps both smooth the mids and tighten up the lows so I would recommend that once you know your pickup is good. You might try just a bit of contour and rolling off the highs and mids as has been suggested. The amp is limited and can go boomy if you add bass but it can surely get the job done.
If your having that much trouble, the best setting would be to set it in someone else's hands and find something that suits you better.
Although my comments may all be redundant by now, I'll say that I'm not a big fan of the Realist / GK MB150 combination. Nevertheless, the first thing I'd do is get an HPF-Pre from fdeck. You may also want to try using just a touch of the contour control on the MB150, which can take a little honk out. I also like to set this amp on something to get it off the ground a little, but no higher than chair height, and keep it behind you and the bass. Placement can make a very big difference in sound and can be more effective than EQ. Finally there can be quite a bit of difference in sound depending on how you use the volume and output level controls relative to each other. You may want to experiment with their settings. I tend to run the volume control around noon and the output level control as needed -- 9 o'clock or so for most of my gigs. Some people do just the opposite.
Thanks for taking the time to post. I hadn't thought of a pre amp. What exactly does it do? Boost the signal and additional eq?
And I'm not sure my realist is on the way out although it may be wishful thinking. I have had this problem from the get go. I always raise the amp a little bit. Thanks for the well informed advice everyone.
And I'm not sure my realist is on the way out although it may be wishful thinking. I have had this problem from the get go. I always raise the amp a little bit. Thanks for the well informed advice everyone.
I'd definitely endorse the HPF-pre route. Out of my various amps it seems most effective on a GK and transforms it, as has been mentioned in the previous posts. I run bass at 12oclock and treble and the two mids at 9oclock. Also play around with the limiter, it seems to have a significant effect on the sound - remember that clockwise is less.
BTW I use an Underwood but I'm sure the same rules apply.
BTW I use an Underwood but I'm sure the same rules apply.
Darren,
It raises the input impedance to better match the piezo to the amp. This can help with the timbre (tone} quality. F Decks little gem also gives you a Variable Hi Pass Filter to help dial out the boom and a Phase Switch that may help with feedback at higher volume levels. Series II also has a volume control, that can help tame the Realists stronger signal. So it only effects the EQ with respect to input signal strength and input volume level.
Ric
I would also recommend to reinstall the Realist. Moving it just few milimeters on one or the other side can make miracles.
In my experience, Realist through the GK combo sounds fine without preamp and with just a little EQ.
The HPF then can only improve the sound.
In my experience, Realist through the GK combo sounds fine without preamp and with just a little EQ.
The HPF then can only improve the sound.
Darren,
Here's the PDF from David Gage's shop on installing the pickup.
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It's interesting that on the manual's picture the bridge foot covers the whole pickup. On my bass, the pickup is larger than the bridge foot, so I have the option to place the pickup under the foot either centrally or slightly aside. That can make the difference in sound.
Jaromir,
When I owned one, my Realist was bigger than the bridge foot as well, so I would have been able to do that as well. My Mirecourt Bass is a 5/8th's size so I guess it has a smaller bridge.
When I eq for upright, I tend to fallback on the same settings... treble, high mids/low mids at 9 o' clock, and bass around 3 o' clock. I almost treat the bass as a volume knob. The sound always blends well with my natural acoustic sound, and fills out the low end nicely.
Hi Ric,
I do have an Ampeg B15, but have also been playing on my teacher's GK MB150 recently. The tone settings I use are generally universal... I try to cut out the treble and mids and only add bass if necessary. It helps blend with the acoustic sound and makes it feel less "artificial."
