paddy109 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Hi all - now I really dont confess to be anything but a novice when it comes to sound and setting up and really need some help. My issue is bottom end sound is a bit undefined and not punchy enough. D and G sound good but overall I would like more thump and definition. I am playing Strunal 50/4 with Innovation golden slaps - k&k bassmax - fishman pro plat - ashdown giant effects return - gk 212mbe. The band plays a mix of country, bluegrass style. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 All down to EQ pal- your gear is certainly good enough to get you a good sound. Lose the low frequencies and boost the low mids and go from there- keep all other frequencies flat until you have the sound you like. I know people that simply remove all bass and then add until they get the bottom they like. You would be surprised how little bass you need when playing at volume- it is these bass frequencies that will muddy up your tone and make you less defined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 As above, for me, I like a scooped sound, but with any sound related issues, set everything flat/at midday, and take it from there. Reduce what you don`t want first, then find out what you like and add to it slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyheath Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 sound advice! no pun intended, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 Thanks for the advice will give it a go before gigging at w'end. When setting the platinum pro flat/midday is this the sliders at the bottom or half way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Half way will be flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 OK - messed about with my sound this morning (poor neighbours). Definitely sounds better but difficult to know how good this will sound at a gig but I have a good place to start. Thanks for the advice - I think I assumed that ramping the bass up would help! Paddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I usually find that the scratchier/middier it sounds on its own, the better it will be in the mix. Whereas when I`ve got a great bassy sound on it`s own, it just sludges in the mix, being all wallowy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1354719443' post='1889545'] I usually find that the scratchier/middier it sounds on its own, the better it will be in the mix. Whereas when I`ve got a great bassy sound on it`s own, it just sludges in the mix, being all wallowy. [/quote] Could we get this on a t-shirt or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Keep playing with the EQ, try putting everything on 5 then moving one dial at a time too see what they do. If you still can't find something you like, you could try a compressor, they can help with definition and punch. Most important thing is that you will find you sound different in a mix to solo. Don't EQ yourself on your own then get disheartened if you don't sound as good in a mix. Get your band to jam and play with the EQ then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 [quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1354718610' post='1889523'] OK - messed about with my sound this morning (poor neighbours). Definitely sounds better but difficult to know how good this will sound at a gig but I have a good place to start. Thanks for the advice - I think I assumed that ramping the bass up would help! Paddy. [/quote] Also bear in mind that you're stood close to the amp,those low frequencies are big long soundwaves and it will likely sound very different to an audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Never fix eq or timbral issues solo when you are trying to sort out the sound in the mix. Ever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vsmith1 Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Also remember the Fletcher-Munson curves - ie what we hear at lower volume levels is not the same as at higher levels. So sat in a bedroom with the amp down low won't same the same (nevermind room acoustics) as in a gig situation (nevermind the rest of the band playing as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Fletcher-Munson? Now that makes sense then - at home and I have my amp fairly loud my sound can sound pretty good. As soon as I ramp the volume and play with the band my sound goes all to sh*t! Thanks for all the top advice - will sort it in practice tonight and gig tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1354789125' post='1890307'] Also bear in mind that you're stood close to the amp,those low frequencies are big long soundwaves and it will likely sound very different to an audience. [/quote] Nothing to do with wavelength per se, everything to do with the room acoustics.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 This may be of some help:- http://blog.basschat.co.uk/equalisation/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 Thanks guys- just got back from a gig in Bristol and my DB sounded so much better and I was even able to keep my volume down and cut through the mix with a good thump. My band all commented how good my sound was and even asked me to turn down a little - that's a first. Respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 That`s the power of increased mids, methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1354978540' post='1892555'] That`s the power of increased mids, methinks. [/quote] true. Regardless of what I do with the amp at home (usually flat, with cut bass) I nearly always find myself adding mids at gigs. I always have the mids on the bass a little past the centre detent too anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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