If the limiter is coming on too early, then you need to turn the Gain knob down. You should be able to turn the Gain down enough to prevent the limiter from engaging. If you're still getting too much limiting (or even any) with the Gain turned way down, then you must be sending in too hot of a signal. You could try plugging into the Active input which attenuates the input signal -10dB, and this should allow you to turn the Gain knob up some more. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about where the Gain knob ends up -- even if it looks like the Gain is turned down too low, if it's on the verge of (but not yet) engaging the limiter, you should still be able to get full output to your speakers with the Master knob. When running into the back of the amp, the limiter (and EQ) are bypassed and only the Master knob will be functional.
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Thank you for this. In most cases I would agree entirely (I still agree for the most part and I am not hung up on the visuals of where the gain knob ends up).
I play a passive bass with what I would consider a moderate output and typically dial the Gain down to 3.5 out of 10. Below ~3/10, it starts to lose detail and the signal-to-noise ratio starts to become unfavorable (being picky, here -- definitely usable but still noticeable). Much above 4/10 and the limiting starts to bug me a bit -- this is for my typical, pretty clean/uncompressed style of play; there are situations in which the action of the limiter is fun and musically advantageous (and, again, I recognize that a lot of people like it).
I don't think I've ever had the BB800 up to full output, but, even with the Gain at 3.5/10, I've never had to crank the Master to get as loud as I wanted to (loud enough to keep up with an active drummer in practice, running through a single, 8 Ohm cab). Maybe I'll have a better handle on this if and when I get to use it in a louder, live situation, but I haven't noticed a problem there, so far.
The rather obvious step of trying the pad hadn't occurred to me -- I am so habituated to not using (and not liking) them. I'll give it a shot the next time I plug into the amp. It'll be a cheap, easily reversible experiment (my favorite kind).
As it is, I'm not saying that the limiter is bad, just that, if they were designing the amp specifically for me, it would come on a little later and its action would be a little lighter. I notice a difference, there, when running into the front vs. the back of the amp (if one is running a pedal or some other sort of pre between the bass and it) but it's pretty easy to try that, too, and decide which way you like better.
I've grown quite fond of using my F-2B tube preamp into the back of my BB800 nowadays, but when I do plug my passive P-Bass (w/flats) into the front of the BB800, I don't notice any limiting until the Gain knob is at about 7/10. I also have a Wal bass, which has a greater output level than my P-Bass, but I've turned down the Wal's internal trimpot so it now has the same output level as the P-Bass (don't have to change any levels when switching basses).Thank you for this. In most cases I would agree entirely (I still agree for the most part and I am not hung up on the visuals of where the gain knob ends up).
I play a passive bass with what I would consider a moderate output and typically dial the Gain down to 3.5 out of 10. Below ~3/10, it starts to lose detail and the signal-to-noise ratio starts to become unfavorable (being picky, here -- definitely usable but still noticeable). Much above 4/10 and the limiting starts to bug me a bit -- this is for my typical, pretty clean/uncompressed style of play; there are situations in which the action of the limiter is fun and musically advantageous (and, again, I recognize that a lot of people like it).
I don't think I've ever had the BB800 up to full output, but, even with the Gain at 3.5/10, I've never had to crank the Master to get as loud as I wanted to (loud enough to keep up with an active drummer in practice, running through a single, 8 Ohm cab). Maybe I'll have a better handle on this if and when I get to use it in a louder, live situation, but I haven't noticed a problem there, so far.
The rather obvious step of trying the pad hadn't occurred to me -- I am so habituated to not using (and not liking) them. I'll give it a shot the next time I plug into the amp. It'll be a cheap, easily reversible experiment (my favorite kind).
As it is, I'm not saying that the limiter is bad, just that, if they were designing the amp specifically for me, it would come on a little later and its action would be a little lighter. I notice a difference, there, when running into the front vs. the back of the amp (if one is running a pedal or some other sort of pre between the bass and it) but it's pretty easy to try that, too, and decide which way you like better.
Like you, I didn't care much for the limiting on the BB800, so I usually run the Gain at 6/10 when going into the front to avoid engaging the limiter. I also never cared for padded/active inputs on the few amps I've tried them on, to me they always seem to rob some of the tone. I usually use a small pedalboard (with a just a few things: HPF, compresser, phaser, Barbershop), but I'm always very careful to maintain unity gain throughout the path equal to my bass' natural output level, keeps things predictable.
I really like the Quilter, and I hope you get yours working in a way that suits you.
Thank you.
I tried it again a little while ago. Plugging into the active input (I have the BB800 -- separate inputs rather than a switch for the pad -- I misspoke earlier) was a no-go with my passive bass; it dulled the tone greatly. I got good results (plugging into the passive input) with the Gain in the 3/10 to 4.5 or 5/10 range. 6/10 was not bad, but I could feel the limiter engaging more than I liked. I could feel it engaging at 4.5, too, but I liked the effect more, there. Even at 3.5, I can feel it just barely come on, but there it's akin to a light bounce from a clean tube pre. 3/10 felt a little stiff to me.
I play with both EQ knobs within a click of noon -- sometimes right at noon. Interestingly, I liked the "scoop" side of noon (again, just a click) with the Gain up a bit higher (4.5/10). I see 3 to maybe 5/10 on the Gain (with my instrument, tastes, and touch) being where I'd use this amp 95%+ of the time (though I could see venturing higher for an effect or for some styles).
The amp works pretty well for me -- it's not my #1 amp, but it's capable, practical, easy to set, and easy to play. It plays well with my MAS 112 and AK Hathor cabs and I'd feel confident covering most gigs with it.
The limiter is interactive between the Gain and Master controls. Doesn't matter where the Gain is, if you have the Master too low: your sound will be choked.
The most open, least limited tone occurs with the Master cranked. I personally prefer the tone with the Master turned up to at least 160w (even just for bedroom practice).
Don't be afraid to crank that Master knob, is the name of the game. The Quilter is not like a normal amp, where you dial in your tone with the preamp and the Master is just a volume control!
The most open, least limited tone occurs with the Master cranked. I personally prefer the tone with the Master turned up to at least 160w (even just for bedroom practice).
Don't be afraid to crank that Master knob, is the name of the game. The Quilter is not like a normal amp, where you dial in your tone with the preamp and the Master is just a volume control!
When I had and was gigging the BB800 I was usually running the around 3-4 and tending to open up the master. I never felt like I was getting into limiting except the few times when I tried the gain more in the 7-ish range. I preferred the tone with the gain low.
Using a passive Jazz.
Using a passive Jazz.
At the second service this morning I decided to solo the bridge pickup on my Brubaker Xtreme 5. The complete opposite of not enough mids and I kept the Quilter flat.
I found that if I want to get silly with the mids:
As a general rule I use the passive input with all of my active basses. The only reason I wouldn't would be if I were overdriving the input, which was an issue I had with my Veyron. All of my Brubakers have Bartolini NTMB preamps and I set the internal boost control at around +10dB. That's hot... and the Quilter handles it perfectly.
1. the 2nd tone control: turn to around 2 or 3 o'clock. This rolls of some (not all) highs. If you have too much highs at the bass, address that too.
2. Pull back the Depth until the mids come forward.
3. Gains: Turn up the gain and/or master. Apologize later
I gave the band a beating second service... and they loved it. Welcome to punchtown, population me. It can easily be done with the BB800, just not in the usual way.
BTW I didn't do any of these tweaks with the setup I use to get more mids. Didn't boost them at the bass either. More volume with flat treble (which equals less perceived volume than with treble forward) gets it done for me. Favoring the bridge pickup does the trick.
I tried the B/amp, nice... but I don't have anything that needs that much fixing. My $150 Samick Greg Bennett Corsair kills with my BB800 set flat.
The BB800 never quite became my #1 go-to but I also can't bring myself to part with it. For backup, rehearsals and certain rough loud gigs, I find it's well worth hanging on to.
I've never liked the sound with my upright bass and home trials didn't go so great to use it as a power unit for my tube preamp.
But on other occasions (where I'm only now starting to realize, I actually do like some compression) it works quite well with my electric basses. And what $450 alternative is going to bring that much "slam"!
The DI thing (or lack thereof) has already been debated ad nauseam. I'll just say that while I can work with what they gave us here, it has made me appreciate everyone else's approach that much more.
I think of it as the VW bug of amp heads, but with a V8 motor swapped in.
I've never liked the sound with my upright bass and home trials didn't go so great to use it as a power unit for my tube preamp.
But on other occasions (where I'm only now starting to realize, I actually do like some compression) it works quite well with my electric basses. And what $450 alternative is going to bring that much "slam"!
The DI thing (or lack thereof) has already been debated ad nauseam. I'll just say that while I can work with what they gave us here, it has made me appreciate everyone else's approach that much more.
I think of it as the VW bug of amp heads, but with a V8 motor swapped in.
When using it as power for your tube pre, did you run into the front or the back (XLR innput) of the amp?The BB800 never quite became my #1 go-to but I also can't bring myself to part with it. For backup, rehearsals and certain rough loud gigs, I find it's well worth hanging on to.
I've never liked the sound with my upright bass and home trials didn't go so great to use it as a power unit for my tube preamp.
But on other occasions (where I'm only now starting to realize, I actually do like some compression) it works quite well with my electric basses. And what $450 alternative is going to bring that much "slam"!
The DI thing (or lack thereof) has already been debated ad nauseam. I'll just say that while I can work with what they gave us here, it has made me appreciate everyone else's approach that much more.
I think of it as the VW bug of amp heads, but with a V8 motor swapped in.
I tried both. No technical problems - just felt kind of sterile. (IIRC the XLR input was pre-master.)
Do you wish you'd picked up the 802 instead for the EQ stuff?The BB800 never quite became my #1 go-to but I also can't bring myself to part with it. For backup, rehearsals and certain rough loud gigs, I find it's well worth hanging on to.
I've never liked the sound with my upright bass and home trials didn't go so great to use it as a power unit for my tube preamp.
But on other occasions (where I'm only now starting to realize, I actually do like some compression) it works quite well with my electric basses. And what $450 alternative is going to bring that much "slam"!
The DI thing (or lack thereof) has already been debated ad nauseam. I'll just say that while I can work with what they gave us here, it has made me appreciate everyone else's approach that much more.
I think of it as the VW bug of amp heads, but with a V8 motor swapped in.
I do not; I have a minimal approach to EQ and the BB800 covers what I use in that department. (Mostly cutting lows in an extra boomy room.)
I have a BB800. I think it's great. I use it with a Phil Jones C4.
I have the 802 and find its' tone absolutely gorgeous.....same with my Interbass micro/pedal amp.
jdthebassman
play to live live to play
I use my BB-800 with a audiokinesis 1505 the sound is opposite of what you describe rich lows,mids defined, high end crispy.
I've had the 802 for over six months now and while it's a fantastic amp I find the extra EQ doesn't really add much of anything.
I just got an 802 and still have the 800, say least for the moment. Haven't really A/Bed them aside from a quick listen for fan noise (802's is noticably quieter in low volume practice at home - mostly, I think, because it's speed controlled - though not quite as quiet as the Glock Blue Rock or the Eich T-900 I had) and background hiss (802 has less - this is through the cab - haven't tried the DI yet).
My initial impression, though, is that the top EQ band lets you dial in more treble presence than is easily achievable with the two-kniob of the BB800 but, again, I've not A/Bed them meaningfully beyond the above and only in the last month or so did I start to get a feel for what I could do with more creative use of those controls and some makeup gain, when warranted.
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