I set the gain to where the limiting works for whatever gig I am playing, and then use the master for volume like any other amp.
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I set the gain to where the limiting works for whatever gig I am playing, and then use the master for volume like any other amp.
IMHO the number one advantage the BB800 has over other amps is Quilter's proprietary dual-stage limiter in its preamp. This is what gives the amp its noticeable heft and weight many have described, along with its seemingly bottomless power.
Sure, the two knob EQ is simple and refreshing, but the magic is the limiter! Ride that GAIN knob into nirvana. With EQ flat, it simply amplifies the signal one puts in and enrobes it in heft behind the limiter.
The BB800 has replaced a 2000 Watt power amp that used to drive my Fearless cabinets and I am never going back to rack mounted gear for a bass rig!
Cheers!
Same here, my Quilter has replaced my rack rigs too. They'll pretty much only be used for show now, large outdoor shows and such.
It's replaced a QSC3002 (a relative, lol).
I'm very impressed with this unit.
I'll be playing my first gig with this head a couple Genzler Bass Array 112 cabs at a local rock and roll dive bar this Friday. I'm very excited to hear how these puppies sound with my pedals and my 4003. I'm be sure to report back.
And as much as I love the Quilter, I despise the detents. If one dimes the gain - puts it on 10 - then there will be a place on the master (around 8:30 o'clock) where the volume will be either way too soft or way too loud.
I wonder what the thinking was behind the detents, because they are a pita.
I wonder what the thinking was behind the detents, because they are a pita.
Interesting - I just heard of another gentleman doing the opposite: diming the master to minimize the "squash" factor. (All my tube amps are set up like that and the remaining volume knob can get awfully fussy - sure wouldn't want a detent, there!)
Sounds like whether it was the intent or not, the detents might serve to discourage some folks from trying to "hack" certain compression behaviors by diming either volume control.
It didn't sound that way from the language describing the circuit in the manual. Diming the gain has a cool sound to it, all tubey and stuff, but in order to tweak-in the volume, either the gain needs to be lowered, or the volume on the bass has to come down - which is essentially the same thing, reducing the effect of the squish.
But believe me, this is far from a deal-breaker. I didn't buy the amp as a compressor, but what is here - tone controls included - would work a lot better if the detented pots were changed to smooth rotation.
They remind me of the detents my old Eden heads had. Those knobs eventually got noisy and needed replacing. Hopefully that's not the case with the Quilter.
Hadn't thought of the detents as a deal-breaker, but they certainly are. For lower/moderate volume stuff, I have found several amps have a sweet spot for volume settings, and being a hair off (depending on the sensitivity of the pot) can be too loud or too quiet; not ridiculously, but annoyingly. I'm sure I could adjust my signal chain and/or technique, but I'd rather not feel like I'm working around the amp.
Interesting, I had to go back and double check, hadn't noticed the detents to be honest- the taper (despite points) is a non- issue for me, even dialing back to bedroom volume to play at. I don't think i'd be dialing the input all the way up though, there's better ways to skin that cat with other tools on hand....
I've got to admit, I like the detents. I didn't think I would, but for me, they make it super easy to get repeatable results, and I've never had a problem with feeling like I needed to be in between any two positions, however, I can understand how it might annoy somebody else. By the way, I also love the big chicken head knobs, and the sloped front panel, and....... well...... you get the idea : )
I don't have an issue with needing to be in between detents either. My concern is that they are more prone to failure than the smooth action pots. The detents IMO do not add value or enhance performance in any way and are not necessary.
It's a great amp, and it isn't a deal breaker. But I will be annoyed if I still have the amp in 5 years and they become noisy like my Eden ones did.
It's a great amp, and it isn't a deal breaker. But I will be annoyed if I still have the amp in 5 years and they become noisy like my Eden ones did.
I'm curious why you feel detented pots are more prone to failure? I've seen plenty of smooth action pots get noisy, and even fail. Often you can clean them using Deoxit, but sometimes they simply have to be replaced. Seems to me it's kind of the nature of the beast, and probably has more to do with the individual quality of the component rather than whether it's detented or not.
I'm only asking because I've never heard of this particular quirk before and I'm always trying to learn.
From what my Tech said, carbon/ dirt etc can collect in the valleys(?) then making them scratchy. And no they aren't always able to be cleaned. I've never had to replace a smooth action pot ever due to noise. Damage yes. The detent pots didn't wear out, they were rarely turned.
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
- Jul 3, 2001
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- Former Technical Communications Developer, QSC Audio
That's not how detented pots are constructed. Your tech is misinformed.
Funny... I had to go back and check too. The detentes are a complete non-issue for me. I don't consciously use them. I set the gain for how hot I want whatever bass I'm using and then set the master for the room. I keep the volumes wide open on my bass and don't consciously go for amp coloration with controls... I guess if I'm getting any limiting it's via manual dynamics aka hands.
I've never had an issue with detente controls over smooth on anything that I can recall. Had lots of them on home audio.
They're no issue for me. Seems like a psychological thing.
