Author Topic: Tweaking (Read 218 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** July 04, 2010, 05:56:09 PM »

I've never been one to do any tone tweaking from my instrument... just max everything out on the bass, set a tone on the amp, and go with that all night long. Since I've been playing my Series I more and more, I've found myself doing a bunch of fiddling around with the filters and volumes to get a particular tone for each song. The problem is that the output from the bass may vary quite a bit as I blend the neck and bridge PUPs. I would imagine that would be a problem for the FOH. How (or can you) compensate for that or do you just count on the sound man actually doing his job? Series IIs have a master volume... does that address this particular issue? If so, is it possible to add a master volume to a Series I?

This may be a dumb question, but here goes: I'll be running direct via a F-1X and I have a ART Pro Channel running in the effects loop. Having the DO set to pre means none of my processing will be in the signal and post means the F-1X circuitry will be in the signal... is that right? What about the effects loop... is it included in the post signal?

edwin · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2010, 06:42:48 PM »

I can answer some of your questions:
Pre means the signal coming out of the DI is just what's going into the input (after going through a tube buffer stage) and through the effects loop (ie. effects but no onboard EQ). If you select post, you get not only the onboard EQ, but also the volume control.

When I had an F1X, I liked this arrangement a lot, but I didn't like the fact that the effects loop was before the EQ, which is good for most tone shaping and filter effect but not so good for reverb and delay. So I modded mine with a post EQ effects loop and put those effects in that loop. I then had to take the post out from different spot so that it would include those effects. It worked out pretty well! Benson now has that unit.

HTH,
Edwin
PS I think it is possible to add a master volume to a Series I. I'm sure Mica would be happy to help you out on that.

mike1762 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2010, 07:22:19 PM »

The effects loop is BEFORE the tone circuitry? That does seem... backwards. So that means if I select pre, my ART Pro Channel WILL be in the DI signal but NOT the F-1X EQ (and volume will not effect the DI signal). If I select post EVERYthing will be in the DI signal... correct?

I have the F-1X set-up very close to its flat setting; therefore, it might make sense to send the pre signal to the board and use the F-1X to control my stage volume rather than the Master Output on the ART. That way the Mixer is getting a consistent signal (except for issue with variable output from the bass if I continue to muck around with the filters/volumes).

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2010, 05:15:24 AM »

Or mess with effects. Put on some effects and everything may seem to be the same volume when you're tweaking tones by yourself, but it can really change how you sit in the mix.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2010, 09:58:23 AM »

All this TWEAKING is available from an F-1X and I haven't done any of it with the one I got from Edwin. No bi-amping, no effects loop-age... even with the pre- and post-EQ that mine offers.
I just plug in and play. I have been fiddling with the tone controls quite a bit, though. In another thread someone suggested setting of 0 - 10 - 0 (Bass, mid, treble) and I thought that was so tweaked that I had to give it a try. I was totally surprised by the tone! Still had plenty of bass in there, even with the bass on 0. I see that I have plenty of learning to do concerning the workings of these controls. Maybe when I get that mastered I will move on to bi-amping and use of the effects loop. And then again, maybe not!

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2010, 01:57:45 PM »

In a previous thread, Mica said flat on the F-1X was about 2-10-2. The midrange is basically a cut control.
Mike

mike1762 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2010, 03:19:11 AM »

I JUST had a chance to go re-evaluate my rig with my new understanding of the effects loop: I was overdriving the crap out of the F-1X. Now everything REALLY sounds clean and tight. I have the F-1X set at 0-10-2: like Benson said... there is plenty of low-end at 0. On my ART I have just a touch of compression, a bit of boost at 200Hz and 400Hz, and the Series I just sings!!! I'm really starting to get spoiled to the Series tone and it's making me want to get one that is a little more ergonomically friendly (a Balanced K sure would be nice).

terryc · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2010, 07:12:17 AM »

mike1762..did you get rid of the 'pigs' from your bass?

mike1762 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2010, 03:37:50 PM »

Pigs?!?!?!

artswork99 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2010, 05:55:32 PM »

The squealing ones :-) nudge-nudge ;-) and all this great tweaking just before your reunion gig on the 31st! How cool. Have fun at your gig!

mike1762 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2010, 06:36:44 PM »

Ahhhhh... I'm sort-of slow!!! We're getting together in Knoxville this weekend for a rehearsal. It should be interesting.

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2010, 07:00:01 AM »

Mike1762.. the thread 'Squeals Like A Pig' in Trouble shooting..you had a problem with the jack socket..did you resolve it??

mike1762 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2010, 09:12:39 AM »

Oh yea, I forgot about that!!! Seems to have resolved for now.