Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Alembic F-1X Megathread
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
I run mine into a racked parametric EQ and power amp, then into a pair of Fearfuls. The parametric is there to really fine-tune the rig to a stage, but the Alembic sounds perfectly fine on its own.
A lot of big national tours rack up the Alembic in front of all the other system components simply for the clean tube warmth that the preamp provides.
Lonnybass
A lot of big national tours rack up the Alembic in front of all the other system components simply for the clean tube warmth that the preamp provides.
Lonnybass
So I have a handle on an F-1X in good condition for a nice price, I'll be checking it out Wednesday. What's a good power amp to pair with it? What kind of sensitivity numbers should I be looking for? Will that change if I add an SF-2 or other eq?
I need something that can drive a 15/6/1, so 700 or more watts at 8 ohms would be ideal. And light and affordable of course.
Here's some I found on CL:
Crown XLS 2500
CARVIN DCM1540L
Carvin dcm2000, dcm2500, dcm2570, dcm1540L
Peavey IPR-1600
This is a new world for me... Bridging, sensitivity, etc... Oy.
I need something that can drive a 15/6/1, so 700 or more watts at 8 ohms would be ideal. And light and affordable of course.
Here's some I found on CL:
Crown XLS 2500
CARVIN DCM1540L
Carvin dcm2000, dcm2500, dcm2570, dcm1540L
Peavey IPR-1600
This is a new world for me... Bridging, sensitivity, etc... Oy.
Just stumbled onto this discussion...
I used and F1-X/SF-2 combo for a long time, but about 5 years ago I decided to "simify" things and went from one amp to another...but after I switched to fEARful cabs about 6 months ago I pulled the Alembic stuff out, and - wow! The even response of my 15/6/1 is perfectly suited to the musical warmth and responsiveness of the F1-X.
I understand why some may be concerned that the EQ on the F1-X is limited. However, my experience has been that this is a minor issue in the real world. The F1-X EQ is more versatile than you would think, once you get used to the idea of boosting frequencies by cutting others. It also is important to realize that the time controls are interactive, which means that adjusting one affects what te other two can so. The result is a versatile EQ system that produces a wide variety of very musical tones. Especially when combined with a cabinet that produces a fairly flat frequency response there is rarely need for more EQ than the F1-X can provide. At least for me, more EQ choices usually mean more chances to make my tone an ugly mush. I suspect that too much EQ is by far the bigger problem for most of us, not too little.
That said, if you have a need for more EQ you can easily add an outboard device into the effects loop. I am a huge fan of the Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. I also have used an Empress ParaEQ and liked it a lot.
Bottom line: the F1-X/fEARful combo is absolutely killer.
I used and F1-X/SF-2 combo for a long time, but about 5 years ago I decided to "simify" things and went from one amp to another...but after I switched to fEARful cabs about 6 months ago I pulled the Alembic stuff out, and - wow! The even response of my 15/6/1 is perfectly suited to the musical warmth and responsiveness of the F1-X.
I understand why some may be concerned that the EQ on the F1-X is limited. However, my experience has been that this is a minor issue in the real world. The F1-X EQ is more versatile than you would think, once you get used to the idea of boosting frequencies by cutting others. It also is important to realize that the time controls are interactive, which means that adjusting one affects what te other two can so. The result is a versatile EQ system that produces a wide variety of very musical tones. Especially when combined with a cabinet that produces a fairly flat frequency response there is rarely need for more EQ than the F1-X can provide. At least for me, more EQ choices usually mean more chances to make my tone an ugly mush. I suspect that too much EQ is by far the bigger problem for most of us, not too little.
That said, if you have a need for more EQ you can easily add an outboard device into the effects loop. I am a huge fan of the Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. I also have used an Empress ParaEQ and liked it a lot.
Bottom line: the F1-X/fEARful combo is absolutely killer.
Last edited:
With my fearless f115 i dug my navigator more so thats what ive been usung ... but i didn't give the f1-x much of a chance. Ill have to give it a deeper trial sometime. I generally agree that *tone controls* like the f1-x and sf2 are superior to a semiparametric EQ. Smaller number of more profound adjustments will give better tone, and the arcing shapes of the curves are more musical.
But the Nav rocks too. All I use the EQ for is a click or two of cut where i hear harshness, or maybe fatten up the low mids a touch. Im not really tone sculpting with it. I mostly just use gain comp and 1-3 clicks of enhance.
But the Nav rocks too. All I use the EQ for is a click or two of cut where i hear harshness, or maybe fatten up the low mids a touch. Im not really tone sculpting with it. I mostly just use gain comp and 1-3 clicks of enhance.
Like S Wood,
I also just stumbled across this thread!
Series Bass + fEARful 15/6/1 combined with Bag End 15" on one blended side and
TC 1212 on the other blended side of the rig. All through an SF-2.
Blended channels (of the Superfilter) via a small format mixer.
I know, no F1-X.... yet.
OK, I scored a great condition F-1X off CL. The DI out sounds good and it sounds big into the effects return of my MB800. Big thick bottom end, but the low end isn't TOO low, and it's pretty articulate and punchy. The EQ may not be the most versatile but the basic sound is great and BIG. Really interested to try it with a band.
Now I just have to finish my 12/6/1 cube, get my pro-lite 2.0 DSP and I'll be all set to quake some earth.
Now I just have to finish my 12/6/1 cube, get my pro-lite 2.0 DSP and I'll be all set to quake some earth.
OK, I now have a Minty F-1X and a Crest Pro-Lite 3.0, and it sounds BIG. I now want some eq sculpting power. It sounds like people are in general recommending the SF-2, but those are rare... I've only found one, it's $650 and in another state. Is that price a bit high?
Is there another great-sounding eq/filter/toneshaper I should look at that's cheaper and easier to find?
Is there another great-sounding eq/filter/toneshaper I should look at that's cheaper and easier to find?
That price is about right and there is nothing else really like it. A rane parametric would be the next best but its a whole different animal.
Just to check a couple of things before I drop $$ on this:
- The SF-2 seems to be set up as 2 separate channels. Do I need an external patch in order to use both filters?
- Can it do the seemingly easy thing of boosting my low mids or high mids?
- What are the "filter gain" and "damping ratio" controls? Does one of them control the resonance bump at the cutoff frequency?
- The SF-2 seems to be set up as 2 separate channels. Do I need an external patch in order to use both filters?
- Can it do the seemingly easy thing of boosting my low mids or high mids?
- What are the "filter gain" and "damping ratio" controls? Does one of them control the resonance bump at the cutoff frequency?
No, just plug into channel A, and set the switch to "mono".
Absolutely.
"Filter Gain" controls the amount of the filtered signal in relation to the direct (un-filtered) signal.
"Damping Ratio" controls the amount of resonance within the filtered signal, including the resonance bump at the cut-off.
I have uploaded the manual for you:
Alembic SF-2 manual
...and you are still welcome to come check out mine if you'd like, before you make the purchase.
Thanks for the info! PM coming your way......and you are still welcome to come check out mine if you'd like, before you make the purchase.
Quoted for lack of clarity...
Are you saying I should be happy with the F-1X as is, with no additional eq control? If so, thank you for your opinion, duly noted.
I ran a f1x and sf2 for awhile and I do "get it", really I do but it was complete overkill for me so I sold both, regretted selling the f1x and recently picked up a f2b and am a happy camper.
Thanks esa372 for the nice visit and educating me about the SF-2. Now I really know I want one. Anybody have one they want to sell me?
