Helix bass preamp with power amp and bass cab?

[dantheprophet]

Hey all, I've decided to try something a little different. I'm using my helix with a power amp and bass cab with the bass preamps in the Helix. I've gotten some really awesome results with my guitar and guitar cabs. But when I attempt to make a tone for bass, it comes out really muffled. It does not matter which preamp I'm using. Anyone have a similar experience? Anyone have any tips to make a killer bass tone?

[bassbene]

It depends on the type of cabs you are using. I am using a similar setup with very transparent cabs (Glockenklang) which are similar to FRFR cabs. With "character cabs" like a Ampeg810 or something similar, it might be hard.

One approach is to use an EQ to compensate for the cabs frequency response: Pull out some mids (that are likely to be emphasized by the cab) and crank the highs (which are killed by the cabs). Another option would be adding subtle distortion which will add more highs and high mids - and through the cab it might not sound like "distorted".

 

Can you describe the kind of sound you are after?

[dantheprophet]

Hey

18 hours ago, bassbene said:

It depends on the type of cabs you are using. I am using a similar setup with very transparent cabs (Glockenklang) which are similar to FRFR cabs. With "character cabs" like a Ampeg810 or something similar, it might be hard.

One approach is to use an EQ to compensate for the cabs frequency response: Pull out some mids (that are likely to be emphasized by the cab) and crank the highs (which are killed by the cabs). Another option would be adding subtle distortion which will add more highs and high mids - and through the cab it might not sound like "distorted".

 

Can you describe the kind of sound you are after?

I'm going for something punchy and distorted. Thanks for responding, I will look into an FRFR solution next. I've gotten some real awesome bass tones when recording on my DAW. But can't seem to replicate it on a bass cab. But it totally makes sense why. 

[WeatheredChoyy]

Hey @dantheprophet I use my helix floor for my bass rigs and have had nothing short of amazing tones!

 

I go from my bass (77 Ripper) into the helix. I don't use a preamp I use a full bass amp (no cabinet...yet).

 

Lately I've been using the SVT 4PRO. I set up my compression, pitch shifting and volume pedal before the amp, then the amp, some reverb and delays after and a little compression.

 

After that my signal chain splits, one split goes to my 1/4 inch outs, this I feed to the effects return input on my GK1001 rb which powers my 410 on stage cab! The GK acts as my power amp only and I don't find it to color my tone much at all. my stage sound is punchy as hell and moves plenty of air.

 

The other split in my chain heads through the Rhino 610 cab in helix and out my XLR to FOH.

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

[EnglishPA]

I got an HX Stomp a couple of weeks ago and am running it into the fx return of my Markbass LM2 and 2 Markbass 2x10 cabs.  I don’t use any cab sims, but with Preamp or Amp sims it sounds great.  I’ve also been experimenting with the 4 cable method, so I can incorporate the Markbass preamp section into the chain, either in place of one of the simulated preamps/amps, or run in parallel.  I’ve had great results so far, not only with bass amp sims but also with many of the guitar amps, as long as they are tweaked to taste.  I believe the Markbass set up is relatively transparent so the character of the different simulated amps (eg SVT, GK800, Bassman etc) shine through and significantly alter the tone of my rig.  As someone has mentioned above, if you have a very colored bass amp setup it might not be so successful.  I’ve yet to try the HX Stomp setup at a gig or band rehearsal yet (due to obvious quarantine reasons), so I haven’t been cranking the volume too much but I’m hopeful it will work out!