TC Electronic RH450 discussion - Tweaking the Preamp

[IronMaiden]

You guys are making me G.A.S. I think having too much tweaking capabilities is better than not having enough. You know, you don't have to "twist every knob."

I have definite uses for low-pass, high-pass, fully parametric eq. Baking in my own custom sound would be pretty awesome so I can then deal with room acoustics later.

 

[peterhfi]

Hey. I bow to your infinite knowledge! Can you expand on this a little bit? Do you mean to dial down the input and the preset gain, so you can crank up the master, to get more of a "gain stage" tube amp effect?

+1 Would be great to get some more detailed information about that.
Thank you
Peter

 

[bassmeins]

is it possible, to root the di signal with the software?

f.e. ... is there a way, to get compression, but no eq and no tubetone to the di in the post modus?
thanks!

 

[tremblap]

Dear all

I know this thread is old, but is this software going to be released anytime? Having a flat voicing (20Hz highpass and 20k lowpass) could be very interesting...

 

[ahilgaz]

Yes, I am very interested in the software, especially changing the settings on my Staccato.

So what's going on? Why is there no follow-up on the thread? Can we get any info about the the software? and if it is going to be released?

 

[IronLung1986]

oh this is way cool! they certainly picked a good group to participate in the test. TC just seems like a great company in general. so many companies carry their history around like a ball and chain, but TC's innovation and enthusiasm are like a breath of fresh air.

 

[tremblap]

yes, I just want to release the (add your favourite swear word) 5k low pass to at least 10K, and that would be my dream (lightweight) amp! Now it is a little dark to my taste...

 

[vedi]

don't wanna be a smart*ss. let me assure you that I also follow this topic and would be really happy to get my hands on that SW...

it's a bit too dark for me - sometimes, yes. but I was able to restore some of the sizzle (compared to EBS HD350 I used in the "before time") by boosting the tweeter in the speaker. just my 2c. already mentioned that, but noone seemed to notice. or were just too mad, because this is about tweaking *the amp*, and not other pieces of gear.

 

[Musicman20]

Hi chaps.

The testing is now over, and TC have taken the written forum/emailed results and no doubt watched the videos KJung made.

I think we shall see a product evolve from it, but not quite yet.

Hope this helps! I still LOVE my TC gear.

 

[dood]

Hi all - I appreciate the testing period is long since over. I have read the whole thread from start to finish. Damnnnn I need a cup of coffee now! Ha!

Anyway - I have two questions for the testers out of sheer interest. Is there some sort of 'high pass' built in to the RH450? Like - even a subsonic filter? below 20Hz as an example.

Also - given the ability to adjust the EQ centre frequencies outside of the standard parametric - what was the lowest sweep available from the Bass control? The standard lower limit being 70Hz. Could it have gone as low as 40Hz say?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Dooooooooood!

 

[Vic]

Hi all - I appreciate the testing period is long since over. I have read the whole thread from start to finish. Damnnnn I need a cup of coffee now! Ha!

Anyway - I have two questions for the testers out of sheer interest. Is there some sort of 'high pass' built in to the RH450? Like - even a subsonic filter? below 20Hz as an example.

Also - given the ability to adjust the EQ centre frequencies outside of the standard parametric - what was the lowest sweep available from the Bass control? The standard lower limit being 70Hz. Could it have gone as low as 40Hz say?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Dooooooooood!

You have it backwards. It's actually a low pass filter, since it cuts off the high end (basically every thing above 5K).

 

[dood]

You have it backwards. It's actually a low pass filter, since it cuts off the high end (basically every thing above 5K).

Hey Vic! Wow! Quick reply

Yeah - I'm aware of the low pass at 5k. Apologies - I guess I should have made that clear. I'm not sure if it's the bass centre being set high or what - but there's definitely less boost in the sub regions in comparison to another amp I have.

I wanted to know if anyone had run a test or knew if there is a definite low end roll of through the signal path.

I might have a go at running an RTA to see what results I get. As I say, just out of interest.

 

[Vic]

Hey Vic! Wow! Quick reply

Yeah - I'm aware of the low pass at 5k. Apologies - I guess I should have made that clear. I'm not sure if it's the bass centre being set high or what - but there's definitely less boost in the sub regions in comparison to another amp I have.

I wanted to know if anyone had run a test or knew if there is a definite low end roll of through the signal path.

I might have a go at running an RTA to see what results I get. As I say, just out of interest.

Ahh, ok, my bad... not that I know of, but if not, it could simply be in the design of the amp to not spend too much energy in the low lows which usually translate to what I call boom and gloom on stage. Bottom line is, I don't know for sure, but I do think you're right in that the low end on these amps is pretty "controlled" sounding. I personally like that, tho.

 

[dood]

Ahhh nah that's ok! Easy to have got confuzzed with my post - especially as the thread talks about the lowpass filter lots.

'Controlled' is a really acurate description I think. I like your 'boom' and 'gloom' too. I can hear in my mind what you mean by that too!

Yeah - my boat is out on it at the moment. It'd be nice to push the centres to where I am more use to them being - which would certainly make a good amp great (for me that is) but with my current set up - it doesn't seem to gel. yet! - Though, I grabbed the head as a lightweight solution for just practicing / rehearsing because my gigging / live head/rack is a bit of a beast for chucking around!!!

If I do test the theory, I'll post my results.

 

[KJung]

Ahhh nah that's ok! Easy to have got confuzzed with my post - especially as the thread talks about the lowpass filter lots.

'Controlled' is a really acurate description I think. I like your 'boom' and 'gloom' too. I can hear in my mind what you mean by that too!

Yeah - my boat is out on it at the moment. It'd be nice to push the centres to where I am more use to them being - which would certainly make a good amp great (for me that is) but with my current set up - it doesn't seem to gel. yet! - Though, I grabbed the head as a lightweight solution for just practicing / rehearsing because my gigging / live head/rack is a bit of a beast for chucking around!!!

If I do test the theory, I'll post my results.

Every bass head has hi pass filtering. The RH450 seems 'normal' (i.e., rolling off the deepest of the low end... i.e., below 40hz or so). Heads like the TecAmp Puma and EA iAmp800 and the old SWR heads that have that hi pass set VERY low sound great in the basement, but can just destroy speakers when pushed on the gig (not necessarily doing damage, but just compressing like crazy as the typical bass cab speaker goes beyond xmax).

The RH450 seems very 'normal' in the low end compared to most bass amps. The main thing with the RH is the cut-off of the upper treble to my ear.

 

[dood]

Every bass head has hi pass filtering. The RH450 seems 'normal' (i.e., rolling off the deepest of the low end... i.e., below 40hz or so). Heads like the TecAmp Puma and EA iAmp800 and the old SWR heads that have that hi pass set VERY low sound great in the basement, but can just destroy speakers when pushed on the gig (not necessarily doing damage, but just compressing like crazy as the typical bass cab speaker goes beyond xmax).

The RH450 seems very 'normal' in the low end compared to most bass amps. The main thing with the RH is the cut-off of the upper treble to my ear.

Hi Kjung, thank you for joining the discussion I guess my response to your points is to find where those low end roll off points are and if there is any correlation in what I am hearing between amplifiers. It could just be the tonal centre being higher on the RH - it could be something else! - I'm just a bit geeky and I like to understand why things sound the way they do.

I defintely hear the roll off of the top end - it's interesting to hear how much better distortion sounds through the RH head in comparison to a more 'hifi' preamp. i.e. the RH rolls off a lot of that top end fizz. It's be nice to be able to readd the top end for chordal work though, IMO.

 

[dood]

Were there any thoughts on my second question guys? :-

Also - given the ability to adjust the EQ centre frequencies outside of the standard parametric (In the tweaking software) - what was the lowest sweep available from the Bass control? The standard lower limit being 70Hz. Could it have gone as low as 40Hz say?

 

[KJung]

Were there any thoughts on my second question guys? :-

I believe so. However, remember, the start of the shelving frequency has nothing to do with how 'low' the control operates. Setting a shelving semi-parametric at 70 hz (or 40 hz) doesn't result in 'more bass' being boosted, but rather less lower midrange being boosted along with the deeper bass. Of course, the hi pass filtering is also not impacted.

The primary reason to set a semi-parametric very low (or having a fixed bass shelving control starting at a low point (my TecAmp Puma bass control is set to a shelving start point of 30hz) is primarily to cut rumble without sucking the punch out of your tone.

I typically move the shelving start point of my RH450 down a bit to around 100hz, just to separate that control a bit from the lower midrange band.

 

[dood]

Thanks again Ken,
That's food for thought, should the ability to tweak future TC heads become a reality in the future.

I understand where you are coming from with reference to setting the shelving bass parametric and that the result with a higher shelf frequency means more 'lower mids' being boosted. - Interestingly, that did raise a thought in my mind that I went to try out later. I pulled the bass end frequency shelf down on the RH so that I could boost the lows for my drop tunings - but spent more time scooping out the middles to make the low bass appear more prominent. To an extent it has worked, but in some ways I wonder if I am having to use two controls to get the effect I would prefer from just one. I'll crack out the other amps later today to compare again. I have to admit - even though the RH450 is not my 'main' amp - I'm actually struggling to get the tones I like from it. Which is a real shame at the moment - as the facilities on board make it a total winner in all other aspects.

 

[KJung]

Thanks again Ken,
That's food for thought, should the ability to tweak future TC heads become a reality in the future.

I understand where you are coming from with reference to setting the shelving bass parametric and that the result with a higher shelf frequency means more 'lower mids' being boosted. - Interestingly, that did raise a thought in my mind that I went to try out later. I pulled the bass end frequency shelf down on the RH so that I could boost the lows for my drop tunings - but spent more time scooping out the middles to make the low bass appear more prominent. To an extent it has worked, but in some ways I wonder if I am having to use two controls to get the effect I would prefer from just one. I'll crack out the other amps later today to compare again. I have to admit - even though the RH450 is not my 'main' amp - I'm actually struggling to get the tones I like from it. Which is a real shame at the moment - as the facilities on board make it a total winner in all other aspects.

It is a rather 'voiced' head compared to many others out there, and I also find it a bit picky regarding cabinet matching. With a warm, mid voiced cab, it can sound very dull and lifeless. With the right bass and cab it sounds GREAT though, as long as you don't need 'Marcus Miller sizzle' up top.

On the gig with my Bergantino AE410 and the bright, grindy Sadowsky, it kills!