So people of Basschat land, today is a new amp day, can i present the Form Factor Audio Bi1000. 1000w RMS of clean transparent power amplification.
I took a complete punt on this amp. They have a good rep in PA speakers in the states and this is their first toe into the amp world.
It's been around for 1-2 years and has a few artists like Taylor Swift's and Mylie Cyrus' bassist that use them. Also Steve Aurajo at the bass hang has given it great reviews and speaking to him on email he also gave it a massive thumbs up.
I also spoke heavily to a guy on talkbass who seems pretty high in the world of bass, he has played with George Lynch and other rock gigs, and he also rated it highly.
Previously I had a Hartke LH1000, then moved to Darkglass M900, but I have been using less and less dirt and craved more the simplicity of the Hartke in a lighter weight package. In addition I am pretty happy with my tone via my board so I wanted something just to pump out what I give it.
Never played it first, and I saw a great deal and managed to get hold of this amp brand spanking new
The specs are as follows
SPECIFICATION:
Model: Bi 1000
Configuration: 1 x 1000 Watts | Class D Amplifier
Power Rating: Power 1000 Watts RMS @ 4Ω | 600 Watts RMS @ 8Ω
IN/OUT: Active| Passive | Tuner | Send | Return | Amp Direct | Direct Out | Speaker Out
Connectors: 2 x NL4 Speakon™ | 1 x Powercon™ | 6 x Neutrik 1/4" | 1 x Balanced XLR
Finish Options: Powder Coated Steel
Finish Color: Black
Controls: Gain | Limiter | Master | Mute
Tone Controls: Bass | Mid | Mid Frequency Selector Selector | Treble
Weight: 10Lb | 4.5 Kg
This was copied from the web site (they also do a 400w version).
First impressions.
Well made, rugged chassis, with a slightly rough finish, but nice rough. It's solid and feels it's weight, which is fairly light, not the lightest.
The power supply is not a normal kettle lead, it's a speakon type connection which I like, and they gave me 2 leads with European plug ends.
The voltage has to be set in the factory, there is no switch.
Dials are really simple, straight up is flat, then it's boost or cut, you select your mid frequency you want to affect with the central dial.
Knobs feel nice, sturdy and tactile.
The mute button is big and glows bright Luke sky walker light sabre green when engaged.
No pops turning on and off or plugging and unplugging instruments.
There is no fan so it is deathly quiet, small white noise from the solid state pre amp when on, but obviously disappears when muted, this is certainly not very noticeable unless you are not playing and sat right next to it in a silent room.
On to the sound - only played at bedroom volume (next step is mrs out the house volume) very articulate, transparent clear and reactive. You pluck it transmits your bass sound, you play hard/soft etc it reproduces it.
Loads of bass on tap on the dial, the mid selector works very well and you can tweak away as you need.
I have not put my pedals through it yet, but I do not see why it would not be good.
One bad point is the DI is affected by vol and gain, you turn up on stage, the DI to FOh goes up too.
So far so good, I really like it, it's a powerful articulate with a great tone that lets your bass shine through.
I will update as it goes along, and I think I may just have the first one in the UK!!!