Dood

Well, these guys were set up next to me at London Bass Guitar Show when I was on the Shuker stand, but I didn't get a chance to talk to them. Turns out they do lightweight valve amps! https://www.rheingoldmusic.de/Amplification

I've owned the Big Twin II. I've sold it so that I can buy some FR800's, but very sadly my car broke in the meantime leaving me with no cab and zero cash. (F'd off!) - I will be getting a Big Baby II in the meantime for sure. What I [i]can [/i]tell you though, having tested the theory, is that the Big Twin II is the BEST cabinet I have tried for reproducing full spectrum audio. I've played CD's and digital audio through it and have been frankly astonished at how good it sounds when you crank it up. Like the very best in PA gear but better suited to us bassists. Finally a cabinet with a decent tweeter and crossover in it that is designed for [i]that[/i] purpose. If I could have kept it (i.e. funds were not an issue) I absolutely would. Placing 'amp sims in line with this cabinet will be very well received but if there's one thing it will reveal, and that's SISO - feed it with the good stuff and that's what you'll hear back, just like running cab sims in to a PA or studio monitors. There are a few that have struggled with the Big Twin II and I reckon that is due to not being used to the apparent 'lack of colour' in these cabinets that can shape a bass tone. Sometimes experienced when plugging a bass straight in to studio monitors with no EQ etc. I do have a couple of cabinets here that are well know for their colour and yes they sound absolutely epic, I gigged them last night and very impressive they were too, but if you want a carte blanche to start with (PA type fold back) then this is the way to go personally. You also have the huge bonus of being able to use the Big Twin II or BB2 as PA cabinets, keyboard monitors or even cabinets for Kemper/AxeFX/Helix guitarists too.

Just re-read again - Did the engineer also mean that he didn't want bass in the monitors? Some engineers just don't know how to set up their monitors and pump way too much low end through them. The speakers can't handle it and sound rubbish. So prefer to use a bass amp instead.

Unless he is expecting the amp to provide the FOH sound with only a smidge in the PA for spread. But that would depend on venue and PA sizes. That I can't be sure without knowing the details.

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1493372709' post='3287813'] So here's something that's been on my mind lately. You know how when we play an open E, we're not actually hearing much of the 41Hz fundamental, however the harmonic content is sufficient for the brain to interpret it as an open E? Would it be possible to process that existing tone in some way, without actually adding any lower frequencies, to trick the ear/brain into thinking that it's actually hearing a note that's an octave lower? Has anyone made a pedal that does this? S.P. [/quote] I use the TC Sub'N'Up Octave pedal that can just produce the octave below E note. I'm sure the TonePrint editor could tweak to perfection for your needs?

I'm going to go out on a limb and be controversial. If I am recording or playing and want to create a warm valve sound, yes I might use a bit of drive to give it bite, but generally it's not the amp I go searching for. It's always a really good cabinet simulation that I can tweak. For example, in a signal chain, sometimes there isn't even an 'amp' in it. It's really amazing what you can do running a pair of cabinet IRs in parallel with each other with some DI mixed in. Ok, so that can be outside the limitations of some pedals, but it does work. A REALLY cheap solution I use sometimes is a DI pedal with a built in 'cab sim' on it. Nothing fancy, it's just a peaky EQ circuit, but it works so well with drive pedals. Hopefully this will help, but I appreciate it's not a solution for everyone.

Helix LT is looking very enticing, especially as I am gigging with In-Ears more and more. Shame I don't have two buttons to my name to rub together right now. Looks like a nice piece of kit in reviews.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1493551917' post='3289041'] I love my zoom and record all my gigs (and a large amount of the practices) but I can't really imaging using it as a monitor, as all it would give me is the sound on stage, whereas I am trying to hear mostly the things that i am responsible for. If I could hear that where I was I wouldn't need the monitor would I? [/quote] [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1493558528' post='3289092'] one reason to go that way is that you control the volume (i.e: reduced, if it's loud), essentially acting like a set of earplugs, but with a much clearer sound than you get from any earplugs. You can also add complexity to the minimal equipment shown here by adding some kind of EQ, and/or feeding in further signals if you add a small mixer: you could add your own instrument, or another microphone elsewhere onstage, or a monitor mix and then the zoom adds 'ambience'... [/quote] WIB, McNach has hit the nail on the head and has reiterated my own point. It won't do the job of a full on In-Ear Mix, hence the reason why I have specifically called it 'Personal Ambient' rather than specifically a 'Monitor Mix'. This is a cheap (ish) solution to an active ear-plug. You can turn the volume up or down in small increments, something you can't do with ear plugs and not only that, you'll get a nice crystal clear sound to boot.* * Do not expect a decent sound if you are trying to use cheap ear buds!! Probably more likely to do damage. You need to be able to block out as much sound in the first instance!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osfmCcVfllo[/media] I've embedded the video now.

Here's a review of the possible complexity of the SpectraComp if you go under the bonnet and take a step further than just the TonePrints. There's nothing else like this on the market and is by far my favourite Comp pedal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSmuETz_hEw

[quote] [size=5][color=#000000][font=Helvetica]GS Mini-e Bass[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Helvetica]Thanks to breakthrough Taylor design, the GS Mini Bass offers players a remarkably inviting small-scale acoustic bass that’s compact, lightweight and ultra-comfortable on the hands. Adding to the popular heritage of our GS Mini family, this four-string bass sibling is even more impressive for its ability to create natural-sounding bass notes despite a condensed 23-1/2-inch scale length — about 10 inches shorter than the scale length of a standard bass guitar. Part of the magic is the custom nylon-core strings (with phosphor bronze wrap wire) developed with our friends at D’Addario exclusively for the bass (in fact, no other strings will work on it). Together with our patented dual-prong bridge pin design, the bass not only sounds great but also yields a slinky feel. And with the condensed fret spacing, playing bass is now physically easier on anyone’s hands, from kids to bass newbies to seasoned bass players craving a couch-friendly option. It’s an inspiring tool to have on hand for writing, recording demos, and jamming with friends. The bass comes equipped with our ES-B onboard electronics, along with a hard bag featuring adjustable backpack straps for easy portability.[/font][/color][/size][/quote] Full Specifications here: [url="https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini-e-bass"]https://www.taylorgu.../gs-mini-e-bass[/url] My Video review for BassChat here! [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_i-tOwOYTc"]http://www.youtube....h?v=a_i-tOwOYTc[/url]

Not the first bass I owned, but certainly a cherished one I had to sell when I was younger came up on eBay for sale again. Just watched it change hands. Guess it could be the last time I'll ever see it. Feeling a bit, you know, nostalgic and rubbish at the same time that maybe watching it come and go over this last year, it's just not meant to be. Like many facets to what was my music career. I think I'll thin my herd down to the bare minimum and round things up. On the subject though, I do have my first bass. A Marlin Sidewinder. It needs a bit of work, but I played the s**** out of it every night and day solidly when I started out. It really has enjoyed layers of blood, sweat and tears!

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1493229237' post='3286774'] What's the benefit to having a balanced output (Thumpinator) as opposed to unbalancer (Micro Thumpinator)? [/quote] [i]Most[/i] electric instruments, pedals and amplifiers use unbalanced connections in the main signal path, often balanced connections are the ones that interface with their 'outside world' such as a PA desk or recording suite.

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1493229237' post='3286774'] What's the benefit to having a balanced output (Thumpinator) as opposed to unbalancer (Micro Thumpinator)? [/quote] You can use it as a DI box and send signals in the same way that the DI output on an amplifier can to a mixing desk over a long distance without picking up noise, such as mains hum. Professional microphones use the same design (you'll use a 3 pin XLR cable to connect between source and destination)

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1493320237' post='3287524'] Thanks, Dood. I had a quick look on the Guitar Interactive site but couldn't find the Ampeg reviews. Any chance you could dig out a link, please? [/quote] I've most of my reviews listed here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248043-doods-100-online-video-reviews-all-the-gear-artists-and-more/ though some of the early issues are currently offline. The good news is that the review in question is available and it's in this magazine: [url="http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=2790a35c-e2e4-435d-9361-3d3f9e251ad7"]http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=2790a35c-e2e4-435d-9361-3d3f9e251ad7[/url] hopefully this link will work for the video on it's own: [url="https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/videoplayer?issue=32&umbracourlname=dv_ampeg_ba115_and_ba110_reviewmp4"]https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/videoplayer?issue=32&umbracourlname=dv_ampeg_ba115_and_ba110_reviewmp4[/url]

Yamaha were the first company to bring out a production five string and the Japan BB models are amongst a favourite of mine. One day I'd love to own a BB3000, but this is certainly getting the juices flowing! Congratulations indeed!

[quote name='mark76' timestamp='1493234092' post='3286834'] Four4lyfe! Seriously though, does anyone know the fundamental frequencies of the lowest notes on a 5 and 8 string bass? The F# on the latter must be pushing close to subsonic. [/quote] [image][url="http://blog.benztown.com/imaging/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bass-drum-key.jpg"]http://blog.benztown...ss-drum-key.jpg[/url][/image] {edit} image now viewable.

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1493232146' post='3286807'] The Spectracomp is a superb little compressor. The default tone print seemed to have a bit of a bloated mid range to my ear (it didn't sound anything like the one in my old RH 450 amp, unfortunately) but there are some great tone prints available on the TC site that should cover pretty much any type of compression you're looking for. My personal favourites are the Fed Comp for tonal transparency and the Muscle Comp for a big, punchy tone. Let us know your thoughts on the Ampeg, I've been tempted by one of those myself! [/quote] I love the SC!! (I'm sure BCers will know that by now!) - I think the TonePrint Editor really opens up the possibilities. I've even been able to use the SC (or Hyper Gravity that I own as well) as a rather cool EQ pedal too. I also really like that you can set the controls to a particular position then disable them altogether, essentially locking the pedal operation in the editor. I've also reviewed a couple of Ampeg combos in the past with the scrambler circuit on. I was surprised at how useable it was and got some really cool 'Sheehan' style low-gain drives with it. Just a nice bit of bite.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1493229689' post='3286782'] A wise white haired, and somewhat bearded raggedy old man I met in a monastery in Tibet once said: A bass with strings four: leave bar and close the door A bass with strings five: make music come true alive That could be complete nonsense and perhaps I have never been to Tibet but I play fives [/quote] Another wise man said, "Drums stop, very bad, Drums stop, very bad...."

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1493226700' post='3286743'] Ha touché, brilliant! [/quote] He he! You might wanna take a screen shot of that as the chances of anything else witty coming from me for the rest of the year is unlikely!

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1493222208' post='3286683'] Any more than four is for people who wish they played something else. [/quote] Any more than four is for people who [i]can[/i] play something else.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1493218646' post='3286624'] Nice vid. Cheers for the name check! [/quote] Well deserved chap

[quote name='Ba55me15ter' timestamp='1493220322' post='3286649'] Got it. I like the thinking, but how much better would it be than a nice pair of good, moulded earplugs? [/quote] Having tried it? Much better. I have some amazing moulded plugs - but you have no control over what goes in to your ears. You could of course add a little mixer with EQ in between if you wanted that would then give access to boosting and cutting of specific frequencies too. I use a headphone extension cable to my moulded monitors when I need to be a bit further away.

Just posted a review video discussing an ambient mix solution I am using for my IEMs. Let me know what you think on the thread. I'm sharing it here to cross link with this thread. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/304769-ambient-in-ear-mix-on-a-budget-zoom-h2n-recorder-and-in-ear-monitors/