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The Combo Club

#6,101
GwenOnBass said:
My VT Bass Deluxe has a top drawer DI! Some folks at TB say the VTBD sounds more Ampeg than the Ampeg SCR-DI. No experience with that. One of the things the VTBD packs that I do use is its cab sim. It's a very effective LPF with a steep roll-off at 5khz. The HPF in the cab sim is much more gentle, so there's a Broughton HPF in front of it.

A mike seems to be the best idea! (With the clear understanding it's for my bass, not my - alleged - singing.) The BA108v2 Plus is a tone monster. :drool:
Click to expand...

M, me thinks you’ve given me my next purchase idea (I mean, other than the obligatory combo amp. I’m working towards one for every day of the week and ready to hit the weekend).

I’d really like to try the Ampeg for a small gig sometimes and the VT DI is a perfect idea. I owned a 2nd gen VT pedal a number of years ago and liked it, but now realize I failed to take advantage of what it truly had to offer. I do remember how sensitive the knobs were; touch ‘em ever so slightly and you’d be given a brand new tone.

I currently own, through a swap, Behringer’s BD121 pedal. Sonically, it’s not. As to listen to and has DI, but to me is poorly constructed and not gig-worthy. I can’t even use the 9-volt because the wires pulled off the harness.

Then I could dial in any of the Ampeg tones I want and be assured of a decent sound, regardless of power limitations.

Hmm...

As for your mic comment, absolutely. That particular mic is not for vocals but only for the amp. End of story, sound guy.
 
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#6,102
iagtrplyr said:
M, me thinks you’ve given me my next purchase idea (I mean, other than the obligatory combo amp. I’m working towards one for every day of the week and ready to hit the weekend).

I’d really like to try the Ampeg for a small gig sometimes and the VT DI is a perfect idea. I owned a 2nd gen VT pedal a number of years ago and liked it, but now realize I failed to take advantage of what it truly had to offer. I do remember how sensitive the knobs were; touch ‘em ever so slightly and you’d be given a brand new tone.

I currently own, through a swap, Behringer’s BD121 pedal. Sonically, it’s not. As to listen to and has DI, but to me is poorly constructed and not gig-worthy. I can’t even use the 9-volt because the wires pulled off the harness.

Then I could dial in any of the Ampeg tones I want and be assured of a decent sound, regardless of power limitations.

Hmm...

As for your mic comment, absolutely. That particular mic is not for vocals but only for the amp. End of story, sound guy.
Click to expand...
I bought an inexpensive(comparatively)bass drum mic to use for an older amp that didn't have DI. It would be horrible as a vocal mic, thereby eliminating any confusion as to usage.:smug: I'm currently 140 miles away from it, but IF I remember, I'll post what kind it is in a coupla days.
 
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#6,104
Ooh Ooh, a mic-in-front-of-the-combo discussion! Anyone who uses a mic in place or alongside a DI, let us know what it is if you can. I’ve had a Shure PG40 (if I remember) that’s a low-mid level vocal mic, but since I don’t sing anymore I’ve incorporated into my recording attempts. To Soul Reflection’s ears and my mine too, it’s not been too bad.

As one who’s not entered the world of recording before, I found you can drastically change what you record by proper mic placement and it doesn't take much movement, one way or another, to make a difference.

I like GP’s kick drum mic idea. I’d assume it’d be able to take the physical pounding with lower frequency response to boot.
 
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#6,105
iagtrplyr said:
Ooh Ooh, a mic-in-front-of-the-combo discussion! Anyone who uses a mic in place or alongside a DI, let us know what it is if you can. I’ve had a Shure PG40 (if I remember) that’s a low-mid level vocal mic, but since I don’t sing anymore I’ve incorporated into my recording attempts. To Soul Reflection’s ears and my mine too, it’s not been too bad.

As one who’s not entered the world of recording before, I found you can drastically change what you record by proper mic placement and it doesn't take much movement, one way or another, to make a difference.

I like GP’s kick drum mic idea. I’d assume it’d be able to take the physical pounding with lower frequency response to boot.
Click to expand...
I spoke to a tech at whatever online outfit I bought it from and he said it would work fine, which it did the 2-3 times I used it. Now it sits in a duffel-type bag along with the 2 Superlux guitar amp mics I bought and don't use/need any more. I got this stuff for a particular situation at a place we played regularly. Then the situation changed. 'Course if I sell them[at a loss]then within a month I'd need them again. Aaaaarrrrgh!
It was a Gear One MK1000 kick drum mic from Musicians Friend.
 
Last edited:
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#6,106
iagtrplyr said:
My kingdom for a metronome! If only someone Dari g enough could give me a plethora of choices.
Click to expand...
Here's another choice. Got one of these for practice and makes practice tons-o-fun! :bassist:

31I-kCBcX8L._AC_.jpg


Also great for threatening drummer that he can be replaced! :roflmao:
 
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#6,107
bhendrix said:
Here's another choice. Got one of these for practice and makes practice tons-o-fun! :bassist:

View attachment 3606443

Also great for threatening drummer that he can be replaced! :roflmao:
Click to expand...

That’s neat. I’ll have to look it up. Myself, I’d rather play with a simple drum beat than a m’nome. How many different beats can ya get outta that box, b?

I’ve got the built-in rhythms on my Zoom B1on pedal, but I also like playing with backing tracks on YT too.
 
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#6,109
iagtrplyr said:
That’s neat. I’ll have to look it up. Myself, I’d rather play with a simple drum beat than a m’nome. How many different beats can ya get outta that box, b?

I’ve got the built-in rhythms on my Zoom B1on pedal, but I also like playing with backing tracks on YT too.
Click to expand...
A veritable plethora of beats are available. From simple metronome to several rock, blues, jazz, latin, etc. I like being able to add fills (for as long as you want by simply keeping footswitch pressed) and then nice transition with two quick taps.

Nice and compact, great build quality - would make an awesome "stocking stuffer" for all the bassplayers who've been good this year! :D
 
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#6,110
iagtrplyr said:
That’s a little cutie pie, isn’t it? 6 1/2” driver, I presume, or 8”? How’s the tone, CR? Does it weigh 60 lbs (Morrighan reference)?
Click to expand...
She sure is! It's an 8"
Tone is kind of mid/high dominant. I roll off the mid and treble, boost the low to get some umph. But it's a tiny box. Can't expect pant legs flappin'
But not getting the Morrighan reference....?
 
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#6,111
redstrand said:
Don’t let Jeff Berlin see this:roflmao:
I use one on my phone too to help me stay dialed in
Click to expand...

and another clear case of Morrighanbait. On record here and elsewhere, and to anyone who'll listen, Jeff Berlin is always golden in my book. He never spoke to me about metronomes, and I didn't get into that here. I own a metronome, now two, and a little Korg "drum machine" that I've yet to figure out. It doesn't see much use.

Considered all the apps for that sonic screwdriver I carry around and, briefly, lost today. Turned in at the customer service desk to my relief. Searched for those metronome apps and said, naw. I know my way around the little Korg MA-1. My primary use for a metronome are finger independence exercises. They're kind of boring to grind but the payoff over time <ahem> is excellent IMO.
 
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#6,112
iagtrplyr said:
M, me thinks you’ve given me my next purchase idea (I mean, other than the obligatory combo amp. I’m working towards one for every day of the week and ready to hit the weekend).

I’d really like to try the Ampeg for a small gig sometimes and the VT DI is a perfect idea. I owned a 2nd gen VT pedal a number of years ago and liked it, but now realize I failed to take advantage of what it truly had to offer. I do remember how sensitive the knobs were; touch ‘em ever so slightly and you’d be given a brand new tone.

I currently own, through a swap, Behringer’s BD121 pedal. Sonically, it’s not. As to listen to and has DI, but to me is poorly constructed and not gig-worthy. I can’t even use the 9-volt because the wires pulled off the harness.

Then I could dial in any of the Ampeg tones I want and be assured of a decent sound, regardless of power limitations.

Hmm...

As for your mic comment, absolutely. That particular mic is not for vocals but only for the amp. End of story, sound guy.
Click to expand...
I’m not gonna say that it’s anything like the VT, but I will suggest also trying the LR Baggs Stadium DI. I use it for rehearsals with a PA and find it entirely satisfactory. One of the features I appreciate is that it can be phantom powered, like the VT. I’ll caution that 24V Peavey phantom power is not sufficient (it requires 48V) so I keep a Pedaltrain Volto charged and ready to power the LR Baggs—which covers many hours of playing.
 
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#6,114
CosmicRay said:
She sure is! It's an 8"
Tone is kind of mid/high dominant. I roll off the mid and treble, boost the low to get some umph. But it's a tiny box. Can't expect pant legs flappin'
But not getting the Morrighan reference....?
Click to expand...

Her and others’ flashbacks to a day when men were men, a gallon of gas was under a buck, and you hAd to drive a forklift to move your Peavey combo around!
 
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#6,115
chupacerveza said:
I’m not gonna say that it’s anything like the VT, but I will suggest also trying the LR Baggs Stadium DI. I use it for rehearsals with a PA and find it entirely satisfactory. One of the features I appreciate is that it can be phantom powered, like the VT. I’ll caution that 24V Peavey phantom power is not sufficient (it requires 48V) so I keep a Pedaltrain Volto charged and ready to power the LR Baggs—which covers many hours of playing.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much, Chupacerveza. I’ll be sure to look it up. I’m an Ampeg guy by nature, and M is right that the VT models are quite ‘Peggy. I may even give the Behringer another run to see what it sounds like. It’s just I have to plug it in now.
 
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#6,119
.
Gig Report

Date and Time: November 23, 2019 at 10am to 1pm local time
Location: local VFW Dance Hall
Ocassion: Family Reunion of Beloved Local Singer/Guitarist
Remuneration: Barbeque Brisket and Turkey Lunch, good lunch hang
Gear: Fender VM Starcaster bass with Fender Rumble Studio 40 amp
Small PA with 2 Shure SM58 mics and one omnidirectional mic
Other Instruments: (all acoustic) 2 to 3 rhythm guitars, 1 to 3 fiddles, 1 to 2 mandolins, 1 ocassional accordion
Musical Genres: Bluegrass, Country, Gospel (Jazz & Boogie Woogie after)
Aesthetics: Quite fun, great musicians, elite subset of monthly jam group, very appreciative audience, terrific food, rowdy running little kids but none got hurt(!), few audience members sang into the mics with good intentions, if not great voices, a 5-string bassist from the audience played my BEAD bass quite well* for a few songs!, PA almost always seemed on the verge of feedback but not actually ringing. (After everyone was through eating and announcements and stories were all finished and most musicians gone I got to play & sing some Jazz & Boogie Woogie with the best of the best one-on-one! Whew!!)

*Pic I took between songs with guest bassist. Beloved local singer/guitarist and Patriarch of the clan shown behind omni mic. This is all musicians except me:
20191123_121845.jpg

.​
 
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#6,120
G-Dog said:
.
Gig Report

Date and Time: November 23, 2019 at 10am to 1pm local time
Location: local VFW Dance Hall
Ocassion: Family Reunion of Beloved Local Singer/Guitarist
Remuneration: Barbeque Brisket and Turkey Lunch, good lunch hang
Gear: Fender VM Starcaster bass with Fender Rumble Studio 40 amp
Small PA with 2 Shure SM58 mics and one omnidirectional mic
Other Instruments: (all acoustic) 2 to 3 rhythm guitars, 1 to 3 fiddles, 1 to 2 mandolins, 1 ocassional accordion
Musical Genres: Bluegrass, Country, Gospel (Jazz & Boogie Woogie after)
Aesthetics: Quite fun, great musicians, elite subset of monthly jam group, very appreciative audience, terrific food, rowdy running little kids but none got hurt(!), few audience members sang into the mics with good intentions, if not great voices, a 5-string bassist from the audience played my BEAD bass quite well* for a few songs!, PA almost always seemed on the verge of feedback but not actually ringing. (After everyone was through eating and announcements and stories were all finished and most musicians gone I got to play & sing some Jazz & Boogie Woogie with the best of the best one-on-one! Whew!!)

*Pic I took between songs with guest bassist. Beloved local singer/guitarist and Patriarch of the clan shown behind omni mic. This is all musicians except me:
Click to expand...
Man, all that and no pics of the food?:laugh:

Looks like a great gig!
 
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