Electric Bass: Difference between revisions - Bose Portable PA Knowledge

Line 72:

=== Tone options ===

Many bassists have found results they like using only the {{L1}} system (typically a 2 {{B1}} system) using the existing presets. To my ear, however, the system alone can sound a bit dry and lacking ~~color~~, even with the full extended-bass package.

Many bassists have found results they like using only the {{L1}} system (typically a 2 {{B1}} system) using the existing presets. To my ear, however, the system alone can sound a bit dry and lacking warmth, even with the full extended-bass package.

----

The alternative is to feed the {{L1}} with a signal that has been put through a ~~preamp of some sort~~. This can be accomplished in any one of several ways:

The alternative is to feed the {{L1}} with a signal that has been put through some external device that can color the sound in a manner that is pleasing to the user's ear. This can be accomplished in any one of several ways:

* A rack-mount preamp

* A tube direct box

* A pedal such as the SansAmp Bass Driver DI

* A modeler such as the Line6 BassPODxt

I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve had excellent results using the Line6 BassPODxt. By using the BassPODxt<nowiki>’</nowiki>s amp and speaker cabinet models, combined with the Studio Direct output mode, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve been able to get a tone that I find very pleasing…quite close to my old bass rig. It also offers some added flexibility to cure problematic EQ situations; for example, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve found that the simple expedient of changing the cabinet model for different venues (indoors vs. outdoors, for example) can improve the sound dramatically in a single step.

I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve had excellent results using the Line6 BassPODxt. By using the BassPODxt<nowiki>’</nowiki>s amp and speaker cabinet models, combined with the Studio Direct output mode and no preset (00), I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve been able to get a tone that I find very pleasing…quite close to my old bass rig. It also offers some added flexibility to cure problematic EQ situations; for example, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve found that the simple expedient of changing the cabinet model for different venues (indoors vs. outdoors, for example) can improve the sound dramatically in a single step.

The Line6 equipment is well thought out, but it should be noted that the best results can only be obtained if the user takes the time and effort to learn how the system works. Many musicians lack the time or patience to dive deeply into devices such as these and seek a simple "plug and play" answer.

There<nowiki>’</nowiki>s also the issue of "true" tube tone. Digital modeling can do many wonderful things, but it is not able to provide genuine tube tone. Fortunately, for bassists this is not nearly as critical as it is for electric guitarists, and the Line6 gear is able to produce excellent tone in its own right.

Recently, as an experiment I tried using an Ampeg SVT-DI tube direct box combined with a bass preset I like (63, Active Bass 3) instead of the BassPODxt. The results are good, and at present this is my default setup.

=== Thump ===

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 === Tone options ===
-Many bassists have found results they like using only the {{L1}} system (typically a 2 {{B1}} system) using the existing presets. To my ear, however, the system alone can sound a bit dry and lacking color, even with the full extended-bass package.
+Many bassists have found results they like using only the {{L1}} system (typically a 2 {{B1}} system) using the existing presets. To my ear, however, the system alone can sound a bit dry and lacking warmth, even with the full extended-bass package.
 ----
-The alternative is to feed the {{L1}} with a signal that has been put through a preamp of some sort. This can be accomplished in any one of several ways:
+The alternative is to feed the {{L1}} with a signal that has been put through some external device that can color the sound in a manner that is pleasing to the user's ear. This can be accomplished in any one of several ways:
 * A rack-mount preamp
+* A tube direct box
 * A pedal such as the SansAmp Bass Driver DI
 * A modeler such as the Line6 BassPODxt
-I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve had excellent results using the Line6 BassPODxt. By using the BassPODxt<nowiki>’</nowiki>s amp and speaker cabinet models, combined with the Studio Direct output mode, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve been able to get a tone that I find very pleasing…quite close to my old bass rig. It also offers some added flexibility to cure problematic EQ situations; for example, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve found that the simple expedient of changing the cabinet model for different venues (indoors vs. outdoors, for example) can improve the sound dramatically in a single step.
+I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve had excellent results using the Line6 BassPODxt. By using the BassPODxt<nowiki>’</nowiki>s amp and speaker cabinet models, combined with the Studio Direct output mode and no preset (00), I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve been able to get a tone that I find very pleasing…quite close to my old bass rig. It also offers some added flexibility to cure problematic EQ situations; for example, I<nowiki>’</nowiki>ve found that the simple expedient of changing the cabinet model for different venues (indoors vs. outdoors, for example) can improve the sound dramatically in a single step.
 The Line6 equipment is well thought out, but it should be noted that the best results can only be obtained if the user takes the time and effort to learn how the system works. Many musicians lack the time or patience to dive deeply into devices such as these and seek a simple "plug and play" answer.
 There<nowiki>’</nowiki>s also the issue of "true" tube tone. Digital modeling can do many wonderful things, but it is not able to provide genuine tube tone. Fortunately, for bassists this is not nearly as critical as it is for electric guitarists, and the Line6 gear is able to produce excellent tone in its own right.
+Recently, as an experiment I tried using an Ampeg SVT-DI tube direct box combined with a bass preset I like (63, Active Bass 3) instead of the BassPODxt. The results are good, and at present this is my default setup.
 === Thump ===