SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Dear Bass Chatters, I have finally spend ages researching the best amp for both double bass and electric (of course like everything this is just an opinion) anyway. I have only heard great things about the Markbass Mini CMD121P, I was wondering if someone would clear up some things; Obviously if I was using electric bass, no questions asked I'd plug straight into the 1/4 jack (normal input) When plugging in double bass though how does everyone else approach this? 1 - Do I need a pre-amp? 2 - Can I plug straight into the XLR input? (with a jack to XLR cable? which is the right cable?) - I'll be going through my K&K bassmax pickup. 3 - Do some people not use the balanced input and go straight through the normal 1/4 jack. 4 - What are VLE and VPF filters? (something to do with scooping the mids?) 5 - SPEAKER OUT SPEAKON / 1/4” COMBO JACK (If I wanted to plug another cabinet) 6 - SPEAKER OUT 1/4” JACK (If I wanted to plug another cabinet) (whats the difference between the two) 7 - Tuner Out ( Does this mean I can plug for example my Boss Chromatic Tuner into this rather then putting it in my normal signal chain?) 8-9 What are the return and send effect used for? 10 - What are pre-post equlization control switches used for? 11- What are ground lift control switch used for? 12 - Line Out XLR? (Sending the signal to the front of house) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Custom-Balanced-Microphone/dp/B000NP3GCQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1379495568&sr=8-6&keywords=jack+to+xlr+planet+wave If anyone can answer any of the questions, I would really appreciate it! I've been using a ParaDriver Sansamp for all of the gigs i've done until eventually I'm in a jazz funk band and big band orchestra which obviously going straight into front of house isn't an option. (Can't wait to try this amp out, been using my Laney RB4 for about 5-6 years and it's about time I had an adequate amp!) Many thanks, Andrew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 A few answers. You can (1) plug straight into the jack socket (with or without a preamp, like a PlatPro) which obviously utilises the EQ of the combo or (2) into the effects send/return circuit which bypasses the combo's EQ section (if you wanted only to use an external preamp for EQ). Its most useful in my opinion to go with a preamp into the jack socket as the preamp can do things the combo can't (eg, my PlatPro has a high pass filter to cut boom and a phase switch wich is useful for fighting feedback) and combining the two EQ sections gives you huge tonal flexibility The VLE and VPF filters respectively (1) progressively roll off treble and (2) scoop mids in favour of treble/bass, so they are almost an EQ section on their own and allow even more flexibility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 Hi Clarky, Okay great suggestions, I can't find the preamp that you mentioned though, have you got a link? Thanks for clearing up the VLE and the VPF. Can't wait to try out this amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I use to have this amp its great, would have liked the 15 tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 (edited) [quote name='AndrewRichards' timestamp='1379501693' post='2213351'] Hi Clarky, Okay great suggestions, I can't find the preamp that you mentioned though, have you got a link? [/quote] Fishman Platinum Pro bass EQ [url="http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/fishman-pro-eq-platinum-bass-preamp-di-for-electric-and-acoustic-bass--43699"]http://www.dv247.com...tic-bass--43699[/url] Steve has one for sale on the forum [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/217159-fishman-platinum-pro-eq-preamp/"]http://basschat.co.u...-pro-eq-preamp/[/url] There are other preamp options (you own one of them, although it doesn't have a phase switch) eg from LR Baggs and the very simple Fdeck (which you have to get sent from the US by a friendly TalkBass'er). The PlatPro is very easy to get hold of though and liked by many Edited September 18, 2013 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 [quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1379502628' post='2213364'] I use to have this amp its great, would have liked the 15 tho [/quote] Awesome. I did look at the 15 but as the 12 is so much lighter and i'm going to be doing lots of carrying. The 12 seemed the better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1379502966' post='2213368'] Fishman Platinum Pro bass EQ [url="http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/fishman-pro-eq-platinum-bass-preamp-di-for-electric-and-acoustic-bass--43699"]http://www.dv247.com...tic-bass--43699[/url] Steve has one for sale on the forum [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/217159-fishman-platinum-pro-eq-preamp/"]http://basschat.co.u...-pro-eq-preamp/[/url] There are other preamp options (you own one of them, although it doesn't have a phase switch) eg from LR Baggs and the very simple Fdeck (which you have to get sent from the US by a friendly TalkBass'er). The PlatPro is very easy to get hold of though and liked by many [/quote] Awesome cheers Clarky, the only problem is because I use two separate pickups the preamp would have to have two inputs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 Heres my other thread regarding my setup. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/217357-pickup-and-preamp-helpsuggestions/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Then its gets more expensive. This is getting good reviews on Talkbass. Its from UK based Headway (£255 at BassDirect) [url="http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/edb-2/"]http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/edb-2/[/url] Do you really need two pickups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 Well theres two ways to look at this; My Plywood bass (G4M) sounded very one sided when I used just one K&K (bassmax) pickup, I looked at some information on talk bass and lots of people were using two Bass max pickups to balance it. (It's a big difference to the G string is basically unamplified with just one pickup) I also had a luthier install the pick up. I run this into my Sansamp (2x bassmax one on each side) (even though the sansamp has been so useful, turning up to a gig, plug straight in. It makes the bass so very 'electric' It doesn't sound very natural almost very compressed). So i'm looking for a more natural sounding setup. I should (fingers crossed, as long as I like the bass) have one of Paul Bryant soloist basses by the end of the year. (start of next year) depending on when he finishes it. So I was looking for another setup completely. I hear great things about the Realist so was probably going to try that on the Bryant. (I would still need a preamp though) So If I could find a pre-amp which would be useful when I change my setup. I suppose I could connect a microphone with the additional preamp slot? but anyway for now I need a better pre-amp for my current setup. (Also finally i'll be using a good amp so will have control off my sound rather then going straight into the PA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 If you can make the SE bass bash on Saturday (bit of a trek from Devon I know - see separate thread for details), you could try my MB 121 with your bass and mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 [quote name='PTB' timestamp='1379505634' post='2213410'] If you can make the SE bass bash on Saturday (bit of a trek from Devon I know - see separate thread for details), you could try my MB 121 with your bass and mine. [/quote] Hi, thanks for the offer very kind. I unfortunatly have a gig myself on Saturday so won't be able to make it. I know a local shop has just got one in, so i'm going to have to go and try it. I just wanted to know additional information about the amp before I go and try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1379504417' post='2213393'] Then its gets more expensive. This is getting good reviews on Talkbass. Its from UK based Headway (£255 at BassDirect) [url="http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/edb-2/"]http://www.headwaymu.../product/edb-2/[/url] Do you really need two pickups? [/quote] Also Clarky, until I get a new preamp do you think my upright will sound okay going straight into the amp? Did you have any problems when not using a pre-amp with the upright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Should be OK sounding. Ask PTB, he has several years of playing with this combo, mine is a relatively recent acquisition. better still just bring your bass to the shop and plug in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 I am also ready to try it out on Friday, should be great! Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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