The iOS bass player thread. (Jamup XT, Audiobus, Multitrack DAW and more)

[Rip Topaz]

I use the B15 in Jamup strictly for clean tones. I have a preset just for my flats bass, and it really cops that old school tone well. I can't compare it to a real B15, but I know that I like what I hear, and to me it (my preset) sounds like the bass on old records. Having the LA-2A in front of it really helps.

 

[JimmyM]

I wouldn't even bother with an amp sim with a nice preamp like that unless it's for dirt. But hey, who am I to say what you should like?

 

[Rip Topaz]

Well, a real B15 just isn't in the cards, so a sim will have to do.

And it REALLY beats the crap out of carrying my 70pound combo amp.

Are you saying to just use the LA-2A? Haven't tried that yet. Hmm..

 

[adambomb]

Did you guys see the Virtual thread? IK showed up.

Since the giving out to JimmyM the link to this thread they have probably showed up to this one too and just like the other are probably lurking around and not saying anything just creepin around...... I saw the interactions and wow rip that's not just your name but its what you do as in "a new one"
I also gave some advice hopefully Brian will take it well. Unfortunately for them they can't go in and delete anything that was said like they could on their own forum.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I promise I won't bring that type of outburst to this thread.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.

 

[adambomb]

Speaking of "the fender tone" that's one of the things I like about mine is the strong punchy throaty sound mine gives now put it on maxed out volumes and it will distort a bit like any of the 6l6 power sections should. Now a 6v6 power section fender is another story....it will distort early like it should. That's why guitarist love the old 6v6 fenders the harmonic distortion from those 6v6s are beautiful. The 6l6 should by nature distort late, but also full of harmonics that are very musical. The b15's have 6l6s in their power section don't they JimmyM?

 

[adambomb]

I promise I won't bring that type of outburst to this thread.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all.

It got pretty heated at one point and I was like ........wow. And started reading faster and faster to get it all in before I put anything on there

 

[Rip Topaz]

What really cracks me up is IK's tagline.

Musicians First.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

...I don't know, dude..."boxy" or "dry" are the last two words I'd use to describe my 64 B-15N and the 77 B-15N I used to have. And V4B's don't sound the least bit Fender-y to me. True, they'll overdrive great at high levels, but they also sound pretty awesome clean, too. I understand they don't hit everyone's buttons, but too many folks think they're only good for overdrive when the clean sounds are way great as well.

Keep in mind that the B15's I played through were the house amps at college, and old beat up clunkers in the crappy project studios that I have almost always frequented. 70's models, ridden hard and put away wet.

But yeah, a little boxy. I always thought I'd like to try the head through a more modern cab, but never got around to it.

As far as the V4B goes, yes, definitely that thick Ampeg tone from the front end, and a nice source of clean tube tones at reasonable volume levels. But everyone I know who's using one now, uses it for heavily overdriven sounds. Shame, seems like a waste of a nice amp, at least to a clean freak like me...

But we were talking about output stages. To my ear, the V4B sounds less controlled than an SVT when driven hard, and more like a typical 6L6 output stage, like a Fender, Traynor or ???

 

[JimmyM]

Well, a real B15 just isn't in the cards, so a sim will have to do.

And it REALLY beats the crap out of carrying my 70pound combo amp.

Are you saying to just use the LA-2A? Haven't tried that yet. Hmm..

Oh sorry...forgot the LA-2A is a compressor and not a preamp.

 

[Rip Topaz]

Still, it might be cool. I'll try in the morning.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

...The b15's have 6l6s in their power section don't they JimmyM?

Yes, but there's a lot more to an output stage than the type of bottles fitted. For instance, in Fenders, a blackface deluxe has more power, brighter, fizzier distortion and far less sag than a tweed deluxe. Both use 6V6's, but one is cathode bias and low voltage, the other is true class A/B, and up over 400 volts.

The beauty of the SVT is in the circuitry around the output tube. When you look at the schematic, it resembles a Macintosh hi-fi amp more than a typical MI amp. Beautifully sophisticated design, and a real rocket ship at the time. As nice as the B-15 was, and as good as they sound, the electronics were less advanced, and closer to the RCA cookbooks that early designers relied on.

Like the SVT, a good chunk of the magic in the B-15 was also in the clever cab design. At the time, Fender and Marshall were still just throwing speakers in boxes...

 

[nick98338]

I haven't been following this thread very well as you guys are talking about a lot of stuff that's still uncharted territory for me. I did download a few of the apps yer all talking about, but I've yet to start playing with them.

I did however get a neat toy for xmas:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And coupled it with the purchase of this for $20 (bought a lot of instruments):

And I was playing with it for a couple of hours last night. Lots of stuff to get creative with.

Anyone have any experience, ideas, thoughts, comments? I know it's a bit of a derailment here, but it's on topic with the thread, ay?

I have a midi controller/keyboard and I use Sample Tank. Mine is an older version, but I'm sure your version will serve you well. I use the two to do all of my keyboard/organ/string sounds in my recordings. I also use the controller/keyboard to trigger different software for all of my drum sounds.

 

[adambomb]

Yes, but there's a lot more to an output stage than the type of bottles fitted. For instance, in Fenders, a blackface deluxe has more power, brighter, fizzier distortion and far less sag than a tweed deluxe. Both use 6V6's, but one is cathode bias and low voltage, the other is true class A/B, and up over 400 volts.

The beauty of the SVT is in the circuitry around the output tube. When you look at the schematic, it resembles a Macintosh hi-fi amp more than a typical MI amp. Beautifully sophisticated design, and a real rocket ship at the time. As nice as the B-15 was, and as good as they sound, the electronics were less advanced, and closer to the RCA cookbooks that early designers relied on.

Like the SVT, a good chunk of the magic in the B-15 was also in the clever cab design. At the time, Fender and Marshall were still just throwing speakers in boxes...

I know Steve. I have and have studied the schematics too. I also knew that would really get you going on a rant
First you said it sounded boxy then you praised the clever cab design.
The amps are definitely great to each it's own sound but the speakers that are being pushed have a bigger role to play than most people give credit.the rocketship wouldn't be as highly regarded if the speaker and cab weren't also a perfect match for the amp design it is a perfect "recipe" . The most simple designs may outshine the most complex. I bet that get you going too .

 

[Duke21]

I wouldn't even bother with an amp sim with a nice preamp like that unless it's for dirt. But hey, who am I to say what you should like?

Well, I like the B15 for dirt as well, the 1966/64 B15 on Jamup lack a bit oomph on its own but with the LA-2A or even better the Turbo Rat in front the B15 can really gnarl. I've used this combo on my recent Tom Sawyer play along which is on my SC channel.

 

[Duke21]

I have a midi controller/keyboard and I use Sample Tank. Mine is an older version, but I'm sure your version will serve you well. I use the two to do all of my keyboard/organ/string sounds in my recordings. I also use the controller/keyboard to trigger different software for all of my drum sounds.

I would love to have a small midi keyboard to use with my NLog synth etc. what I'm looking for is an app which have a nice organ that is Audiobus compatible! And now when I've 2 iPads it will really nice to find an app which nails the Moog Taurus bass pedals. If I find one I will really consider getting a bass pedal midi controller!

 

[Duke21]

Yes, but there's a lot more to an output stage than the type of bottles fitted. For instance, in Fenders, a blackface deluxe has more power, brighter, fizzier distortion and far less sag than a tweed deluxe. Both use 6V6's, but one is cathode bias and low voltage, the other is true class A/B, and up over 400 volts.

The beauty of the SVT is in the circuitry around the output tube. When you look at the schematic, it resembles a Macintosh hi-fi amp more than a typical MI amp. Beautifully sophisticated design, and a real rocket ship at the time. As nice as the B-15 was, and as good as they sound, the electronics were less advanced, and closer to the RCA cookbooks that early designers relied on.

Like the SVT, a good chunk of the magic in the B-15 was also in the clever cab design. At the time, Fender and Marshall were still just throwing speakers in boxes...

I must say Steve, you really knows your stuff!

 

[Duke21]

I wouldn't even bother with an amp sim with a nice preamp like that unless it's for dirt. But hey, who am I to say what you should like?

Over the last two years Jimmy you have actually came closer to us been a virtual player. I remember two years ago you will swear by using an amp, a cab and mic on stage. But even you "got a bit soft around the edges" as I recall you are using a REDDI now!!

 

[JimmyM]

I know Steve. I have and have studied the schematics too. I also knew that would really get you going on a rant
First you said it sounded boxy then you praised the clever cab design.
The amps are definitely great to each it's own sound but the speakers that are being pushed have a bigger role to play than most people give credit.the rocketship wouldn't be as highly regarded if the speaker and cab weren't also a perfect match for the amp design it is a perfect "recipe" . The most simple designs may outshine the most complex. I bet that get you going too .

Ya, I really don't care whether the design is simple or complex as long as it gives me what I want. I'm sure one of these amp sims is harder to put together than a B-15 That's OK.

As for the magic, both are equally magic IMHO. Done both head and cab with other gear, and the magic seems to be there regardless as long as one of the ingredients is in the mix. Put them together, though, and WHAMMO!!!

 

[Duke21]

One thing which is really nice for us which use iOS amp sim and such is that the tone out of these apps really evolved.
At home I've a Sansamp PDDI, a Sansamp Oxford and I've tried a VT bass. Two months ago I would still get better tone on my Sansamps and my other pedals, now, I use the PBDDI but as a DI and not as an amp sim! The latest updates in Jamup in additions to getting a 30pin interface made major improvement in my tone. I actually stopped dreaming about getting a real amp. But, if you get really fed up by your B15 or any of your Ampegs, just send them to me I'll keep them dry and warm!