The Conclusions I've drawn about Micro Bass Heads

[bertthebassist]

I gotta ask, what does the "Taste" knob do?

It gives the amp musical taste.
From the manual:

TASTE
This unique feature adds to the superiority of the T’s tonal qualities. Leave the control in the centre position if
you seek a more “natural” sound. When turned to the right (clockwise) towards »RICH« the sound gets increasingly fatter with lots of low-end punch, ending in a warm, vintage-like tone. When turned to the left (counterclockwise) towards »DRY« this control adds urgent attack and midrange growl.

The “TASTE” control allows you to quickly and effectively soften those instruments which sound
a little harsh and scathing. At the same time bass guitars with a muddy, booming neck pickup gain
definition by turning the “TASTE” control towards the “DRY” position.​

 

[Michael Eisenman]

We were shaded, under a large tent,
Though it was about 90 degrees F.
I was only running (pretty hard) one 8 ohm cabinet. The amp can support a 2 ohm load. The I squared * R heating would have been even worse.
The pedestal fan remedied the situation.
Fan noise has never been a concern of mine.

Yes; that’s a great feature. I have two EA Wizzy 12 M-Lines (each 4Ω, 200W, and very efficient). I can pretend that I have a D-800+ by running my Subway+ DI pedal > AI Focus > EA Wizzies—carefully. I use the effects return, since the Subway+ DI has an HPF. Certainly enough volume for the stage, and if I need more, I can send a DI from the Subway to FOH.

I don’t have a problem with fans, either, as I usually have a little Vornado pointed at me. Between my tinnitus and my earplugs, I don’t hear it.

 

[_Obra_]

Gallien Krueger Legacy has it all!

 

[Stranger Danger]

The difference here is that Andy isn’t discounting or questioning what other players think they need or don’t need.

My intent was to keep someone from making the same mistakes I made. Which is why I typically dip my toe on occasion.

Have a great day

 

[Appogee]

I am curious. Have you ever actually used an effects loop or is it just something you think you need? I used to like the idea of it until I actually tried it and found it to be anemic and pointless.

It is the way I route my signal from my pedal through my main amp head.

 

[kgbeast]

After reading this thread, reviews and watching some YouTube videos, I have decided not to get a micro head. Mostly because the fan noise which will be a minus in a small place during jamming and mostly drinking. So I opted for a perhaps somewhat out of the box option. Basically I bought an $80 monoblock amplifier from Amazon (Doukaudio... I think) and connected it to NUX MLD pedal which I already had for quite sometime.
Connected to a single 15” cab. I think the setup sounds acceptable. The amp is actually a subwoofer amp but with full mode switch. It is advertised as 300w. It is louder than I need by a factor of 2 or 3, but I would not give it more than 200w. This amp does not have any fans and is extremely quiet as far as bg noises go. MLD pedal gives me the amp front end with 3 amp models. I would like to know if anyone more knowledgeable in this, has tried similar setup and found it functional as a small, garage jam type of rig. I can not say neither good or bad about this as I have nothing to compare this to.

 

[InkCow]

After reading this thread, reviews and watching some YouTube videos, I have decided not to get a micro head. Mostly because the fan noise which will be a minus in a small place during jamming and mostly drinking. So I opted for a perhaps somewhat out of the box option. Basically I bought an $80 monoblock amplifier from Amazon (Doukaudio... I think) and connected it to NUX MLD pedal which I already had for quite sometime.
Connected to a single 15” cab. I think the setup sounds acceptable. The amp is actually a subwoofer amp but with full mode switch. It is advertised as 300w. It is louder than I need by a factor of 2 or 3, but I would not give it more than 200w. This amp does not have any fans and is extremely quiet as far as bg noises go. MLD pedal gives me the amp front end with 3 amp models. I would like to know if anyone more knowledgeable in this, has tried similar setup and found it functional as a small, garage jam type of rig. I can not say neither good or bad about this as I have nothing to compare this to.

I have the 100w version of this: I had basically the same idea. It… doesn’t work great. Mine only has an 1/8” input, which come to think of it I haven’t tried since I started using the MLD, so needed an adapter; has banana plug speaker jack, which is fine; but the things I don’t like are the fact that the volume knob is also the power switch (at zero) and it’s extremely noisy (although that might be the power supply).

 

[agedhorse]

For clarity and accuracy sake, those amps are rated using peak metrics, using the maximum power supply it’s clear that in BTL mode it will deliver less than 150 watts RMS.

For those models that operate in BTL mode, the minimum load is 8 ohms.

 

[Appogee]

I opted for a perhaps somewhat out of the box option. Basically I bought an $80 monoblock amplifier from Amazon (Doukaudio... I think) and connected it to NUX MLD pedal which I already had for quite sometime.Connected to a single 15” cab. I think the setup sounds acceptable.

I was considering whether I should do the same thing... As I'm intending to always be using a multiFX pedal for tone shaping purposes, why not just buy a basic power amp.
However, I realised that, if the multiFX pedal ever fails, I'd be left amp-less and completely unable to do any toneshaping at all, other than pickup blend and tone control on the bass.
Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but I'm still going to get a basic Micro Bass Head as a backup.
Besides, it'll be easier to carry around for quick-and-dirty open mic nights where I just want to "get on and get off" pronto.

 

[BassyBill]

I was considering whether I should do the same thing... As I'm intending to always be using a multiFX pedal for tone shaping purposes, why not just buy a basic power amp.
However, I realised that, if the multiFX pedal ever fails, I'd be left amp-less and completely unable to do any toneshaping at all, other than pickup blend and tone control on the bass.
Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but I'm still going to get a basic Micro Bass Head as a backup.
Besides, it'll be easier to carry around for quick-and-dirty open mic nights where I just want to "get on and get off" pronto.

This sort of approach works for me. My current favoured setup:

Tech 21 Bass Flyrig (with built in Sansamp, of course, plus cab sim and DI for FOH)
GR Bass Pure Amp 800 (pretty much just a power amp - a really GREAT power amp)
GR Bass AT212

 

[kgbeast]

I have the 100w version of this: I had basically the same idea. It… doesn’t work great. Mine only has an 1/8” input, which come to think of it I haven’t tried since I started using the MLD, so needed an adapter; has banana plug speaker jack, which is fine; but the things I don’t like are the fact that the volume knob is also the power switch (at zero) and it’s extremely noisy (although that might be the power supply).

Mine has the power switch and is very quiet. Also the inputs are RCA connectors. I use XLR to RCA cable.

 

[kgbeast]

For clarity and accuracy sake, those amps are rated using peak metrics, using the maximum power supply it’s clear that in BTL mode it will deliver less than 150 watts RMS.

For those models that operate in BTL mode, the minimum load is 8 ohms.

I do not think this applies to the amp I bought. Mine is a mono amp , nothing to bridge. Also people routinely use it for Buttkickers that are 4-ohm. My speaker is 4-ohm as well. I agree about the power though. The power supply is 32V 5 amp... So 160W . Either way it is louder than I need.

 

[jthisdell]

Why settle for “sounds acceptable” or “doesn’t work great”?

My TH into Berg cabs always sounds great

 

[InkCow]

I do not think this applies to the amp I bought. Mine is a mono amp , nothing to bridge. Also people routinely use it for Buttkickers that are 4-ohm. My speaker is 4-ohm as well. I agree about the power though. The power supply is 32V 5 amp... So 160W . Either way it is louder than I need.

Usually these are bridged already internally. The modules they use are class-d stereo boards that are hard wired bridged for mono units.

 

[InkCow]

Mine has the power switch and is very quiet. Also the inputs are RCA connectors. I use XLR to RCA cable.

A power switch would be a big improvement alone for mine. Like I said, I haven’t tried it since I got my MLD, but I could use its headphone out into the 1/8” jack.
I might try another power supply at some point (18v), but, honestly, the Gnome made it irrelevant because it’s more convenient in nearly every measurable way.

 

[bherman]

You're right. It's simply the humble opinion of a 68 yr old player who's used amps for over a half century.

Another 68 yr old player here - I wonder if there was something wrong with your BB unit? I use one all the time, both at gigs (where of course fan noise doesn’t matter) but also in my little, quiet practice room at home and never notice it. And I’ve definitely had amps with loud fans (think Mesa Walkabout, for instance).

No matter since yours is gone, but just wondering if a faulty fan was the culprit.

 

[agedhorse]

Usually these are bridged already internally. The modules they use are class-d stereo boards that are hard wired bridged for mono units.

Correct, they operate internally in BTL mode or in rare cases PBTL mode.

 

[agedhorse]

I do not think this applies to the amp I bought. Mine is a mono amp , nothing to bridge. Also people routinely use it for Buttkickers that are 4-ohm. My speaker is 4-ohm as well. I agree about the power though. The power supply is 32V 5 amp... So 160W . Either way it is louder than I need.

Yes, it does apply. Internally it’s BTL. No amp is 100% efficient, 160 watts is just the rated power supply power assuming that’s accurate.

BTL operation would provide the maximum of:

Voltage limited: (32V x .707) ^2 /4ohms = 127W theoretical maximum rms into 4 ohms.

Current limited: (5^2 x 4) = 100 W theoretical maximum rms into 4 ohms.

This is why the details (and the math) are important when comparing products. The mini amp’s discussed earlier are all far in excess of this.

 

[SJan3]

Another 68 yr old player here - I wonder if there was something wrong with your BB unit? I use one all the time, both at gigs (where of course fan noise doesn’t matter) but also in my little, quiet practice room at home and never notice it. And I’ve definitely had amps with loud fans (think Mesa Walkabout, for instance).

No matter since yours is gone, but just wondering if a faulty fan was the culprit.

Hello fellow "68". I really liked the BB800, very powerful. But the fan came on early, got louder as the amp heated up and it got pretty warm. For me, it was offensive at rehearsal. Not so much on the job.
I had read elsewhere that the fan was very noisy so I assumed this was normal, but not for me. I'm always willing to say perhaps I was wrong in that it wasn't normal.
I'd run a poll but it's a moot point for me now. I'm glad yours is quiet and thanks for your response.

 

[kgbeast]

I was considering whether I should do the same thing... As I'm intending to always be using a multiFX pedal for tone shaping purposes, why not just buy a basic power amp.
However, I realised that, if the multiFX pedal ever fails, I'd be left amp-less and completely unable to do any toneshaping at all, other than pickup blend and tone control on the bass.
Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but I'm still going to get a basic Micro Bass Head as a backup.
Besides, it'll be easier to carry around for quick-and-dirty open mic nights where I just want to "get on and get off" pronto.

Yes, it does apply. Internally it’s BTL. No amp is 100% efficient, 160 watts is just the rated power supply power assuming that’s accurate.

BTL operation would provide the maximum of:

Voltage limited: (32V x .707) ^2 /4ohms = 127W theoretical maximum rms into 4 ohms.

Current limited: (5^2 x 4) = 100 W theoretical maximum rms into 4 ohms.

This is why the details (and the math) are important when comparing products. The mini amp’s discussed earlier are all far in excess of this.

I got it. Yes the switch on it is labeled "PBTL". Thanks.