Recommended protocol for comparing two cabs

[gtirard]

I already had a GR Bass 210, I just received a Barefaced Super Compact, and I'd like to compare them. For the moment I don't store them in the same location, so I'll wait until I get a chance to test them side by side, and be able to play them loud without annoying my neighbours and familly. I'm trying to anticipate the best testing protocol, in order to avoid waisting the opportunity.

What would you do?

My goals are: for fun and science, in order to better know my gear and help choosing one or the other for the next gig, and possibly write a post here on Talkbass if it can be of any interest for the community.

My first thoughts:

• Send the same audio sources to both cabs one after the other: using a loop feature of my HX Stromp, or a Daw in reamp mode with the HX Stomp
• Test with 2 or 3 simple loops, representative or "normal" bass lines, one with finger style, one with a pick, and one with pick + distortion (I'm not interested in slap)
• Use my ears to listen and right down my comments, but also record each test with a mic. I only have a SM58, but I heard that if I remove the cover it's almost like a SM57?
• Use a DB meter on my smartphone to measure the levels and see if the difference between the official measures of sensitivity make a big difference in real life (the Barefaced SC have a sensitivity of 97dB, the GR Bass 210 claims 103dB - but when I play them in different locations, they just both sound super loud)
• Use a frequency analyser on my DAW to compare the frequency response
• Then, only if the results are interesting, I would probably write an article, with inserted SoundCloud samples, rather than make a Youtube video, but I'm not sure…

Do you think it's worth it? How would you do it? I'm afraid to spend a lot of time and effort and finally get an unusable result…

 

[StayLow]

Ambitious! Yes, please.

I suggest some recorded full mix music through there with these protocols, in addition to bass lines.

Godspeed.

 

[bottomzone]

That's an involved undertaking and I'd like to read the article and hear the audio!!!

 

[Wasnex]

Some ideas:

Is the cab loud enough with usable power? Usable power is the minimum between how much power the amp can push into the cab and how much power the cab can handle.

Does the cab play as high and low as you want? Do you like the tonal balance, and how easy is it to dial in a usable tone. Keep in mind, how the cab sounds when you play by yourself (bedroom tone) is not necessarily a true representation of how well the cab will work for you on stage with a band.

What is your perception for how the cab responds to your playing inputs? Do you feel an intimate connection to your sound or does it feel distant?

Is the cab transparent or does it tend to conceal the unique character of your bass or amp? This is not necessarily good or bad; it depends on what you want.

I use my rig as my personal monitor, so I am most concerned with my perceptions while playing. A cab can sound great with recorded material, and yet not feel right when you pick up a bass and start playing through it.

What other qualities stand out as desirable or undesirable? This relates to qualities such as slam, heft, bloom, punch, focus, clarity, smoothness, glass, air, clank, grind, growl, etc. Don't worry about anyone's descriptors and definitions other than your own.

How heavy, bulky, and easy to lift is the cab?

Keep in mind that amp cab pairing can be significant. A cab may sound great with one amp, and mediocre with another. Also keep in mind that what you like may not appeal to the next person.