Mr.T

I guess it depends on the amp, but in my experience ...... if the amp has a 'Tuner out' socket you still have to turn down the output control from the amp to tune in silence.

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1403738937' post='2485914'] +1 to using the MS60B and B3 this way. Powerful tools. That 2 band para is great; lets you select both Q and frequency ( and of course boost/cut amount). [/quote] Out of interest.... Do you have a standard amp setting, then use the parametric EQ just to dial out any unwanted frequencies? If so, what Q and frequency settings do you tend to use?

[quote name='Mr.T' timestamp='1401231584' post='2461597'] Thanks for the tip. I am gigging twice this weekend with my RH450 and will try and soundcheck my gear (without the Guitard) and just tweak the 100 to 250hz area as you suggest. I will then not touch my amp all night and see what affect the g**tar frequences are having on my sound. [/quote] I just want to say.. 'Thanks Bill' for that tip, it has really helped me with getting my sound. I have set the frequency centres on my RH450 to 100 200 800 2000 For the last two gigs I have not needed to touch my EQ settings.... Happy days! Tonight we were auditioning for a new DrumHitter in a hall that has been impossible to get even a half-decent bass sound. All I had to do was dial down 4 clicks (approx 6db) of 100hz from what has become my standard setting.....and it was job done!

@dave bass5 Just a thought.... What about plugging your Zoom into the effects return of your MB amp, then trying out all the amp and pre-amp sims? You could then post your findings.... and take it from there.

I tried a BDDI, but prefered the VT as it has a mid control. Also the 'Character' control offered a HUGE range of sounds from 'Old School' to 'Modern'. ....Good luck with your tone quest. :-)

The VT pedal can be a fussy little bugger, and certainly needs some time spent with it.... as a little goes a long way! I did not use it for distortion, more to add warmth and thickness to the LM2. I found that the VT (set fairly neutral) added that 'certain something' to my sound, that I could not get from the LM2 alone.

As much as I wondered why you did not like the RH450.... I am almost shocked that you 'hated' the VT pedal! I used one in front of my LM2 for several years, and that set-up could produce just about any tone imaginable.

It sounds like you are pretty much where I was at a few months ago..... I was happy with my LM2 + VT pedal, but wanted to simplify my gear. I was only using the pedal to shape my tone, not to add distortion (as such). I also am a 'set it and forget it' kind of player! The RH certainly does what I need, all in one box. .......but as I said .......It did take about a dozen gigs to get the sound where I wanted it.

I am wondering why you were not keen on the TC450? I was using a Markbass LM2 and also found my Sansamp (VT Bass) needed to be on all the time. A couple of months ago I picked up a TC RH450 , and although it has taken me a dozen gigs, I think my sound is now the best it ever has been! The RH450 is definately 'coloured', but I Like the colour (with some fairly minor EQ'ing). If you want to explore Amp Sims..... I would keep your Markbass, as it is fairly neutral (my LM2 seems to be!).

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1402874629' post='2477530'] Having been married to AltoTractor for over 30 years, I can confirm this statement is not true. [/quote] It always pays to shop around for the best deals! ;-)

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1402868807' post='2477484'] [/quote] $700 can buy a lot of head!

As others have already said.... Old Trace gear was built to last, and be repaired if needed. If the price is right, buy it and get it serviced, it should give many years of good service.... They are pretty bullet proof! After taking the 'lightweight' route and selling my SMX250, I tried (too) many amps before settling down again with a set-up I was happy with.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1401230782' post='2461588'] I EQ for every room, because every room sounds different. The main differences in rooms tend to be in the midbass, 100 to 250Hz, so that's where I usually have to adjust for the room, leaving all else alone. That means you need an EQ capable of working within that bandwidth alone, a graphic or parametric. 3 or 4 band EQs typically don't give you the adjustment accuracy that you need to account for room acoustics. [/quote] Thanks for the tip. I am gigging twice this weekend with my RH450 and will try and soundcheck my gear (without the Guitard) and just tweak the 100 to 250hz area as you suggest. I will then not touch my amp all night and see what affect the g**tar frequences are having on my sound.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1401173900' post='2460703'] That would be it. In an old band I was in we had the same problem, guitarist with different sounds for each song, with no thought of actually getting each sound to be the same volume. All you can do to stop it becoming worse is stay at the same level and plug away with the drummer, if you start upping volumes as well it will become dreadful. I`d suggest recording a rehearsal, then as a band listen back to it - then spend a whole rehearsal working on getting the guitar levels equal on all songs. That does need a willing guitarist though. [/quote] I have suggested that our Guitard needs to set his Patch levels and EQ settings. All I got from him were sarcastic comments! Our Roadie/Soundguy has also told him that he drowns out our singer... And got a similar response. Maybe I should start another thread titled.....'How do I get our Guitard to sort his sound out?'

Thinking about it a bit more.... I have only been 'EQ Fiddling' since playing with the Guitard in my current band. His sound is all over the place.... sometimes too loud, sometimes too toppy, etc.... Which can make it difficult to hear myself clearly! I could just turn up the wick on my amp, but dont want to drown out our singer. The volume levels in my previous bands (when using my old Trace) were always far more restained and consistant. Maybe that is the problem?

[quote name='Greg Edwards69' timestamp='1401128952' post='2460398'] Or it could be over time with more experience, your ears are more discerning. [/quote] I will discount the 'experience' theory, as I used Trace gear for about 20 years. If anything, my ears are not as good as they were :-)

I am just thinking out loud here, It has only just dawned on me.... Since using my MarkBass and TC amps, I tend to tweak my EQ settings pretty much every gig. However, when I had my Trace SMX and 1x15 + 2x10, I rarely ever touched (or needed to touch) my EQ settings! Does anyone else have a similar experience?

[quote name='Pembo' timestamp='1401047586' post='2459551'] Now this is exactly what I want to hear. I bet my tubey warmth is different to your tubey warmth though [/quote] It sounds like you are after a similar subtle 'Tubey warmth' to me, but in any case the VT pedal will nail anything from subtle to screaming!! The VT certainly solved my problems when I switched from using Trace gear to a more modern lightweight amp. It is one of the best pieces of kit I have ever bought.

I bought a VT Bass pedal for my LM2 for exactly the same reason..... (Wanted some tubey warmth). It did the job perfectly! ....Then I got some GAS for a RH450, which is a 'work in progress'.

I have about a dozen gigs Under my belt with the RH450 powering my 2 1x12 cabs..... I am using the centre frequencies shifted to approx. 250/600/1200/2000 I am tending to use the 250 and 600 controls within 1 or 2 clicks of neutral, depending on the room, with the 1200 at around + 5 to 6 clicks and the 2000 at around + 3 to 4 clicks. The Compression is set to just about kick in and the Tubetone is on 3 clicks. This is a very different sounding amp to the LM2, but with a bit of coaxing to the higher frequencies it is giving me the warm deep sound I need with the clarity I want. I have cut back on the preset levels so that I can run the Master around the 10 o'clock position to avoid to jump in output around the 9 o'clock area! I am finding the mute and tuner an absolute godsend at gigs.... Tuning up has never been so quick and easy. Oh.... And this amp is LOUD.... However many Watts it may be :-) Pretty sure it is going to be 'A Keeper'.

The bottom line is....... If your band has a Guitard and/or DrumHitter that are not working towards a balanced overall sound, it doesn't matter if you use 10", 12" or 15" speakers. ....it will sound crap anyway!!!

I am envious of those of you that have a Guitard that has an interest in the overall sound of the band. Seriously.... The Guitard in my current band takes offense and makes sarcastic comments when either myself of our Roadie/Soundman makes any suggestions regarding his levels or tone! At tonights gig he was apparently completely drowning out our singer in some of the numbers. We only put vocals through the PA and it is often a bit of a battle.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1399739864' post='2447217'] See, I'd hate this... if you mean the sound is kinda there but indistinct and I just don't get why it should be so. I wouldn't put up with it. I want to hear every little thing... and I tend to throw all sorts of things in so it needs to be heard from my POV. [/quote] I hate it as well, but it seems that most Guitards just swamp the sound with mush!!! When I used to gig with my Status, I had an amazing solo sound..... But am finding a Fender (Fitted with TI Jazz Flats) sits in my current bands mix better. ..... Sad, but unfortunately true!