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To those who only run their amps 'flat': why?

#81
I started using a flat EQ on amps as a means to compare basses. Then I started using it for pretty much everything.

By "flat", I mean all the tone/freq controls a their midpoints. I know in the vast majority of cases the sound is not truly flat, but I don't care. I also don't care about idiosyncrasies between amps or basses. That means I will often get a different sound, but I don't care about that either.

The thing is, when I'm playing, I'm not looking for a specific sound, I'm looking for a good sound -- and for me, "good" has a fairly wide range. Most of the time, I have all the control I need just with my fingers.

That doesn't mean I never touch the controls. My last gig, I had to crank down the upper band on my amp because the sound was just too clanky and reactive. But most of the time, flat is fine.
 
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#82
I usually run the amp flat, but that doesn't mean my sound is flat. When I first bought my iAMP I also bought an EA CXL112. I found the cab too flat. I then got a wizzy that sounds great.

So basically, I like the sound of my bass and the sound of the cab. I do not need (or want) the amp to colour the sound. However, I do use the amp's EQ to compensate for the room when necessary.
 
#84
Jim Carr said:
You should go into the effects receive to achieve that.
Click to expand...
The only thing about most "bass amps" that is remotely "Flat" is the power amp section, not the pre-amp and not the cabinets—and even those may have an HPF, limiter, and other voodoo.

To test this, I recommend each of the "flat (earth?)" ;) people connect their bass to a good quality mixing board with a good DI. Listen to your instrument with the mixer EQ set at unity/zero EQ and use a basic set of studio headphones, like the classic AKG 240 cans or whatever the current standard is.

You will hear what your bass sounds like without an amp. IMHO, that is "Flat." Pretty boring, too.
 
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#86
I find that setting an amp flat is great when you first buy it. My personal rule is to set the amp flat at the store. If I like that, I consider buying it. Having it set flat for a gig sounds odd though...
 
#87
lz4005 said:
Some people try to solve every problem by changing strings, or by using pedals, or changing speakers, or changing pickups.
I don't understand either why so many seem to be afraid of turning knobs and sliders on their amp. I suspect it's because they don't understand how to use them.
Like OP, at gigs I always start with everything at 12:00 and adjust as needed so I can hear myself well. Sound guy and PA does the rest.
Click to expand...

I agree that EQ is amazingly versatile. There are so many combinations that it can be overwhelming (especially if one doesn't know what each frequency boost/cut is prone to do to your sound. I've had amps for years where I stumble into a great, different sound.

I can't believe some builders cited earlier think that a well build/designed amp must sound great flat. I'm not sure if that is the most obvious statement in the world or a most ridiculous statement. Garbage in, garbage out, nice sound in, nice sound out. And guess what, you'd be hard pressed to find any amp over $200 dollars that wouldn't sound great flat with a great bass played into it,or lousy with a lousy bass!
 
#90
I try to buy an amp that sounds great with the cab I'm using and when the controls are centred. If I like the sound with the EQ "flat" then I know the gear and me are on the same wavelength.

From then on I'll get the best sound quickly and easily by only making small adjustments (or mostly none at all).

If you are running the controls flat you are still using the amp's EQ. I don't believe there is any benefit in twisting knobs. Excessive EQing to get a good sound usually means I'm trying to find a sound the amp doesn't have. That tells me the amp is not for me.
 
#92
noon isn't always flat. noon is noon. some eq is boost/cut, some is cut only, some is active, some is passive, some is parametric.
that said, noon gives you the most range for on-the-fly adjustment up or down. however that is only meaningful if the eq adjustment fixes your issue on the fly.

americans often love potential. they value having the option to make changes almost as much, and sometimes more, than the actuality. others are guilty too, but americans seem to really excel in this.
 
#96
There's nothing magic about "flat" if by that you mean using the mid-points of the settings. Find what produces the sound you are looking for (bedroom, rehearsal room, most common gig setting) and adjust from there. I had an old blond bassman, which to my ear was perfect at 7-7-7 on the tone/presence controls (and usually volume). But every room is different. I was only playing one band at the time, and it was a sound that set well in that group. For my two cents, the louder you play the more the room comes into the mix, and you have to adjust. Same with PA support, with that, the amp is just a monitor, so whats the setup that gets you in the mood.
 
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#97
I'm not going to read 5 pages, so this has assuredly been said...

"Flat" (knobs straight up at 12 noon) is my starting point with Baxandall or other active EQ sections.
Fender/ passive tone stacks, I start Bass 2 o'clock, Mid full up 5 o'clock, treble 1 o'clock. This is generally close to "flat".

"Flat" sounds best to me playing at home, and generally sounds good/great straight away with a band. It's easy & reliable.
I will EQ as needed to suit what I want at the time from there.
 
#99
Meh....I never run my amps EQ's flat..........I experiment all the time, using the EQ on the bass, the EQ on the amps and the EQ on a SansAmp BDDI......

If the amp was supposed to be run flat they would never have put an EQ system on it in the first place.......

I'm an EQ junky.........the more dials and sliders I have , the happier I am......

If Jimmy Page had listened to everything everyone said about what not to do with an amp......well....you know the story.....
 
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#100
I only started leaving my EQ flat just relatively recently but I must say it's really been a game-changer for me. I agree that amps sound their optimum when left flat, and I immediately noticed how much more natural my tones were when I started doing this. It's really helped me focus on getting my sound from my finger positioning and attack. Of course there are times (different rooms mostly) where a little EQ tweak might be necessary but a LITTLE tweak is usually all it needs without choking the natural sound with unnatural EQ additions (subtractive EQ is a whole other discussion and worthwhile practice). Generally my SVT 5-Pro sounds great flat on the clean channel in most rooms. Give me a bass with roundwounds, simple 3 bands of EQ that I'll probably leave flat anyway, and I will find my sound :)
 
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