TC Electronics - Potential new 'Amp Tweaker' for the RH450. Testing to commence very soon!

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='864847' date='Jun 12 2010, 12:33 AM']sorry for the qoute guys.
I'm sure I've seen pictures on the huge ass talkbass thread with the either the RH450 or the classic450 powering 3 cabs.

I'm intrigued as to what kind of things you can set. I realise it has the tubetone voicing thingy, however would it be possible to change the whole voicing of the head from "vintage tubetone" to hi fi?

I know some people would like a hifi head with the amount of tweakable possibilties (I'm not one though)
things like this would be truelly useful, as then you would have an amp for everyone.

Also, I don't know if it's been mentioned before, but could you have one of these tweaked tones be stored on the head and be able to switch between one preset to another using the memory bank things? As in I could change from my super glassy high to my low reggae slighty double bass tone setting on the fly?[/quote]

Basically, the answer is YES

At a normal 'tweaker' level without this extra software im testing, the amp has many possibilities. When mine first arrived I had one preset set up for passive jazz/bridge pickup/nice warm mids/completely clean. Another preset was a more aggressive almost Sansamp voicing eg Precision with a pick/slightly sucked mids/boosted treble/tubetone on 1/3, (this makes the amp sound almost Ampeg like with some hair when you dig in).

Then, you can have a completely clean fingerfunk setting, or a setting for a DB.

The EQ is extremely flexible as it is - if you check the TC site it explains the semi parametic EQ.

You also then have a very useful Spectra Comp Compressor which you can vary for each preset. This is quite useful for slap so you dont have peaking notes.

Here is the list of features on the RH450:

[url="http://www.tcelectronic.com/rh450features.asp"]http://www.tcelectronic.com/rh450features.asp[/url]

The Classic still retains the same tone, but more stripped down for those who do not need the extra features.

[Musicman20]

Well chaps/ladies

Ive had fun with this, and realised the RH450 is pretty much set up perfectly. The extra high end option (Tweetertone on the new cheaper combos) would be nice for those craving more treble bite, but for me the amp is really nice as it is.

Ive been feeding back the information to TC and they are taking the results/opinions of the Team and hopefully using them in the next generation of TC amps. All the equipment is being picked up next week so thats me signing out of this one, and awaiting the next product they announce!

[charic]

Is there any news of the software you had going public? Just saw this thread and have been thinking I'm missing a bit of BITE in my sound currently. Not a lot but a bit...

Sorry above the thread revive

[Musicman20]

[quote name='charic' post='1080897' date='Jan 7 2011, 11:51 AM']Is there any news of the software you had going public? Just saw this thread and have been thinking I'm missing a bit of BITE in my sound currently. Not a lot but a bit...

Sorry above the thread revive [/quote]

Hi!

No probs! Me thinks the tweetertone on the new combos, etc, and on the Blacksmith, and that is part of the test results.

Personally, for me, the treble is perfect on the RH450. I like a very sweet high end, slightly slightly muffled, with a hint of bite, so thats me sorted! Sometimes Musicman basses can be VERY aggressive, so the slight taming works wonders when you crank the treble on the basses.

I cant imagine TC will make a new RH amp for a while as they have a few new other amps on the go.

Maybe later this year!

Tweaker software would be cool, but personally, I nearly almost use the amp flat all the time.

[Phil-osopher10]

I really like the idea of this. The best part would be being able to swap pre sets with others in the bass chat community to heear their tone etc. sounds good

[charic]

Yeah I was hoping for the tweaker software. Maybe I should try setting the amp back to flat. I just miss the bite a little bit and the staccato sounds like it might be a bit extreme for what I am after.

As the high pass filter on the ACG goes up to 10k I just feel like it's lacking now that I can't use that area if that makes any sense?

[mcnach]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1080918' date='Jan 7 2011, 12:05 PM']Tweaker software would be cool, but personally, I nearly almost use the amp flat all the time.[/quote]

Same here.

I like the idea of that software and I'll want it want it want it... but myb experience with my RH450 was that I started out tweaking centre frequencies here and there... and finally I settled with pretty much flat settings using the default parameters. Just very minor tweaks depending on where I'm playing.

I would still like to have access to other tweaks, but chances are I will continue using my amp as is.

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='822380' date='Apr 28 2010, 06:56 PM']These are the areas you can tweak on the first version....

Full parametric Tone control section (Bandwidth, Gain, Freq, all four bands) ...[/quote]

Intrigued ... what does the 'bandwidth' option do to the two shelving controls ... bass & treble ?

Andy

[stenobass]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='822193' date='Apr 28 2010, 06:06 PM']I think one of the main features is going to be the low pass filter. Those craving even more sparkle and more bright high end will now be able to get it.[/quote]

Hi,

sorry for being late here...I am waiting for my RH450 to arrive and I have a question:

I play through 2 EBS Neo cabs that have a tweeter control, can I have the sparling highs through the cabs or will the head cut these beforehand?
I noticed the 450 Combo has a tweeter control on the back of the cab...


Thanks a lot!

Stefano

Edited May 25, 2011 by stenobass

[Musicman20]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1244351' date='May 25 2011, 03:15 PM']Hi,

sorry for being late here...I am waiting for my RH450 to arrive and I have a question:

I play through 2 EBS Neo cabs that have a tweeter control, can I have the sparling highs through the cabs or will the head cut these beforehand?
I noticed the 450 Combo has a tweeter control on the back of the cab...


Thanks a lot!

Stefano[/quote]

Hi

The tests we followed through basically led to the RH750 having the Tweetertone, which means you can indeed add a lot more sparkle than the stock Classic 450/RH450 sound.

It still sounds like the 450, but more power and the ability to zing up the high end.

The RH450 for me sounded great anyway without it...it depends how much modern zing you like. It still has the ability to give you plenty of treble.

Yep, just use your tweeters on your cabs as normal...you wont get super high zingy highs, as mentioned, but it will still make a difference.

The RH heads in general have a nice treble to them IMO.

[stenobass]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1244362' date='May 25 2011, 04:22 PM']Hi

The tests we followed through basically led to the RH750 having the Tweetertone, which means you can indeed add a lot more sparkle than the stock Classic 450/RH450 sound.

It still sounds like the 450, but more power and the ability to zing up the high end.

The RH450 for me sounded great anyway without it...it depends how much modern zing you like. It still has the ability to give you plenty of treble.

Yep, just use your tweeters on your cabs as normal...you wont get super high zingy highs, as mentioned, but it will still make a difference.

The RH heads in general have a nice treble to them IMO.[/quote]

Hi,

thanks a lot for the swift reply!

I currently use the Markbass head TA501, but was intrigued by the nice features of the RH450 (tuner; 3 memory presets) and ordered one even without testing it...reading all the forums and threads it appeared that the RH450 would not be capable to bring out the zingy high end. I must admit that I like the sparkling highs a lot, but never had to increase the highs on the TA501 and just let the tweeter control on the EBS cabs at 0. I play Status basses so I am just a bit worried that the RH450 may not the right choice for me loving the zingy tone that the Status basses can deliver...

Edited May 25, 2011 by stenobass

[Musicman20]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1244384' date='May 25 2011, 03:34 PM']Hi,

thanks a lot for the swift reply!

I currently use the Markbass head TA501, but was intrigued by the nice features of the RH450 (tuner; 3 memory presets) and ordered one even without testing it...reading all the forums and threads it appeared that the RH450 would not be capable to bring out the zingy high end. I must admit that I like the sparkling highs a lot, but never had to increase the highs on the TA501 and just let the tweeter control on the EBS cabs at 0. I play Status basses so I am just a bit worried that the RH450 may not the right choice for me loving the zingy tone that the Status basses can deliver...[/quote]

Try it out...see how it goes.

If you arent keen, then return it for the RH750!

[stenobass]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1244629' date='May 25 2011, 08:10 PM']Try it out...see how it goes.

If you arent keen, then return it for the RH750! [/quote]

Yeah, will do!

[charic]

It does go quite high anyway mine is was actually sounding a little too zingy at the last practice but a bit of tweaking will soon sort that

[stenobass]

[quote name='charic' post='1245839' date='May 26 2011, 05:13 PM']It does go quite high anyway mine is was actually sounding a little too zingy at the last practice but a bit of tweaking will soon sort that [/quote]

Thanks, the RH450 will be with me next week so I will report on here. Hopefully in time for an outdoor gig, I am really curious how it will go!

[stenobass]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1245847' date='May 26 2011, 05:23 PM']Thanks, the RH450 will be with me next week so I will report on here. Hopefully in time for an outdoor gig, I am really curious how it will go![/quote]


Hi there,

last Tuesday I collected my RH450 and had a go with my Status basses at home.

I do not know what my neighbours think...BUT I must say that this little beast sounds great! I have the impression that my basses sound more natural than through my (now ex-)Markbass TA501 which is a great amp, but seems now a bit harsh compared to the RH450. The TC is maybe not so loud and you have to crank the highs a bit to get that nice high end zing, but has a more organic sound, at least to my ears. This may be also due to the 2 small EBS Neo cabs (110 & 112) I use with the head and this could change using different cabs, but I am extremely happy so far. The footswitch is another great addition too.

Will update my review once I gigged it!

Any suggestions regarding the ideal cabs for the RH450? need something very light and portable, I am looking at the TC RS112, has anyone tested these yet?

Cheers,
Stefano

[Bass Culture]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1262803' date='Jun 9 2011, 03:25 PM']Hi there,

last Tuesday I collected my RH450 and had a go with my Status basses at home.

I do not know what my neighbours think...BUT I must say that this little beast sounds great! I have the impression that my basses sound more natural than through my (now ex-)Markbass TA501 which is a great amp, but seems now a bit harsh compared to the RH450. The TC is maybe not so loud and you have to crank the highs a bit to get that nice high end zing, but has a more organic sound, at least to my ears. This may be also due to the 2 small EBS Neo cabs (110 & 112) I use with the head and this could change using different cabs, but I am extremely happy so far. The footswitch is another great addition too.

Will update my review once I gigged it!

Any suggestions regarding the ideal cabs for the RH450? need something very light and portable, I am looking at the TC RS112, has anyone tested these yet?

Cheers,
Stefano[/quote]

Stefano,

I use my RH450 with a Barefaced Super Twelve T (2x12) and couldn't be happier. The cab weighs in at a little over 40lbs and, together with the amp, is the finest sounding combination I've owned in thirty years of playing. Got mine made with the 'old skool' silver cloth option and it looks the dog's too!

[Musicman20]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1262803' date='Jun 9 2011, 03:25 PM']Hi there,

last Tuesday I collected my RH450 and had a go with my Status basses at home.

I do not know what my neighbours think...BUT I must say that this little beast sounds great! I have the impression that my basses sound more natural than through my (now ex-)Markbass TA501 which is a great amp, but seems now a bit harsh compared to the RH450. The TC is maybe not so loud and you have to crank the highs a bit to get that nice high end zing, but has a more organic sound, at least to my ears. This may be also due to the 2 small EBS Neo cabs (110 & 112) I use with the head and this could change using different cabs, but I am extremely happy so far. The footswitch is another great addition too.

Will update my review once I gigged it!

Any suggestions regarding the ideal cabs for the RH450? need something very light and portable, I am looking at the TC RS112, has anyone tested these yet?

Cheers,
Stefano[/quote]

I would suggest the RS210 for a compromise of good tone/'fairly' compact/lightweight for ceramic/pretty loud

[markstuk]

I have exactly the same rig and could not be happier (for now) ...:-)

[quote name='Bass Culture' post='1263989' date='Jun 10 2011, 02:57 PM']Stefano,

I use my RH450 with a Barefaced Super Twelve T (2x12) and couldn't be happier. The cab weighs in at a little over 40lbs and, together with the amp, is the finest sounding combination I've owned in thirty years of playing. Got mine made with the 'old skool' silver cloth option and it looks the dog's too![/quote]

[Floyd Pepper]

[quote name='stenobass' post='1262803' date='Jun 9 2011, 03:25 PM']Any suggestions regarding the ideal cabs for the RH450? need something very light and portable, I am looking at the TC RS112, has anyone tested these yet?[/quote]

Hi,

I've just recently done a couple of small gigs with my RH450. For one of them, I took my RS210 only and for the other, I took the RS212 only. I know that rooms, acoustics, etc can change, but the RS212 was fantastic on it's own. Depends on the sound that you want but I was really impressed with it's all round capabilities compared to the RS210 which was good but less versatile on it's own.
Sounded great with both my Jazz and the Status.
Cheers,
J

[stenobass]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

After reading some good/excellent reviews on the Barefaced cabs I am really considering them; for partability reasons (my back is aching) I am looking at the Midget T, once again it would be a purchase without having the opportunity to test them as they are not available it Italy...will think about it after having used the RH450 with EBS Neo cabs at the next gig.

Cheers!