Just Curious about Bass Knob

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Do people set their gain on their bass amps with the bass knob at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%? Just curious. In my mind, it makes sense to set it at 50%.

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[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

I go wide open with the gain, since bass knobs typically only decrease output.

 

[SullySierra]

It's best to set it with the knob turned all the way up. If you only turn the knob to 50% when setting your gain, you could introduce a clipping signal if you ever turn the knob up past 50%.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

100%.. Though I never have used one, Never needed one with the proper amplified power needed as well as audio gear

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

I think he's asking where you set the pot on the amp if you are controlling volume remotely via bass knob.

 

[SullySierra]

I think he's asking where you set the pot on the amp if you are controlling volume remotely via bass knob.

I go wide open with the gain, since bass knobs typically only decrease output.

If you set the gain at wide open, you're almost definitely gonna clip. You should set your gain pot on the amp using an o-scope. I downloaded a 1kHz test tone from YouTube. I play that through a head unit at 75-100% volume (since some head units can't be turned all the way up without distorting). I unplug the speaker wires from the amp so I'm not hearing that test tone the whole time and I adjust the gain until I get a nice smooth curve on the o-scope. All while the bass knob (if present) is turned all the way up.

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

If you set the gain at wide open, you're almost definitely gonna clip. You should set your gain pot on the amp using an o-scope. I downloaded a 1kHz test tone from YouTube. I play that through a head unit at 75-100% volume (since some head units can't be turned all the way up without distorting). I unplug the speaker wires from the amp so I'm not hearing that test tone the whole time and I adjust the gain until I get a nice smooth curve on the o-scope. All while the bass knob (if present) is turned all the way up.

We're answering different questions. You're answering where you have your bass knob while you set gain on the amp. I'm answering where I set my gain on the amp if I have a bass knob.

You shouldn't use 1khz to set the gain on your bass amp. Your low pass filter will attenuate 1khz to the point of nonexistence. Ideally, you should check for clipping on multiple frequencies because your amp likely doesn't produce a completely flat frequency response. I recommend the app called "Tone Generator". My remote gain control has a clipping indicator on it, so I know exactly when I start clipping.

OP is seasoned enough to effectively set gain. He's asking because he's curious what others do.

 

[SullySierra]

We're answering different questions. You're answering where you have your bass knob while you set gain on the amp. I'm answering where I set my gain on the amp if I have a bass knob.

You shouldn't use 1khz to set the gain on your bass amp. Your low pass filter will attenuate 1khz to the point of nonexistence. Ideally, you should check for clipping on multiple frequencies because your amp likely doesn't produce a completely flat frequency response. I recommend the app called "Tone Generator". My remote gain control has a clipping indicator on it, so I know exactly when I start clipping.

OP is seasoned enough to effectively set gain. He's asking because he's curious what others do.

OP asked where you have the bass knob set when setting amp gains. He wanted to know if you turn the knob to 25, 50 75 or 100% while adjusting the gain pot on the amp. I thought I was answering that question. Definitely not trying to insult anyone's experience/intelligence. I set my amps in the manner I described and it's worked well for me.

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

OP asked where you have the bass knob set when setting amp gains. He wanted to know if you turn the knob to 25, 50 75 or 100% while adjusting the gain pot on the amp. I thought I was answering that question. Definitely not trying to insult anyone's experience/intelligence. I set my amps in the manner I described and it's worked well for me.

It's ambiguously worded, so I can appreciate both of our interpretations. I personally leave gain maxed if I have any remote adjustment. If it sounds/smells like I'm overdoing it, i turn it down, but that allows me to turn it all the way up if I'm listening to something less bass-heavy.

 

[SullySierra]

It's ambiguously worded, so I can appreciate both of our interpretations. I personally leave gain maxed if I have any remote adjustment. If it sounds/smells like I'm overdoing it, i turn it down, but that allows me to turn it all the way up if I'm listening to something less bass-heavy.

At the end of the day, we're all jamming out and that's what it's all about! I'm gonna check out that Tone Generator app.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

OP is seasoned enough to effectively set gain.

View attachment 26511

 

[Beerad93]

It's ambiguously worded, so I can appreciate both of our interpretations. I personally leave gain maxed if I have any remote adjustment. If it sounds/smells like I'm overdoing it, i turn it down, but that allows me to turn it all the way up if I'm listening to something less bass-heavy.

This is interesting. I have a bass knob and have set gains at amp with multimeter with remote knob in the full position and I always feel like I'm cutting myself short. At times, I have just turned the gain up quite a bit more at the amp. And will drive around and adjust gain remotely according to what I'm listening. Comes in handy when you want some bass on "you got lucky" by Tom Petty. Glad to see I'm not the only who has done this. I have yet to master setting gain. I have only a multimeter and want to set it perfectly but I only have a multimeter and I always feel like I get a better result if I go by ear.

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

View attachment 26511

Is that Dexter?

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

I've never had a bass knob. That's why I was curious where people set there bass knob while setting the gains on their amp. 50% made sense to me because then you could turn it up on low bass songs and turn it down on bass heavy songs. Thanks for the dig @Popwarhomie

 

[SullySierra]

I've never had a bass knob. That's why I was curious where people set there bass knob while setting the gains on their amp. 50% made sense to me because then you could turn it up on low bass songs and turn it down on bass heavy songs.

Setting your bass knob at 100% while setting your gains assures you that you don't clip. You'll know that, when the bass knob is maxed out, your amp is functioning at it's highest setting without clipping. You can always turn it down when extra bass isn't needed and you won't have to worry about pushing it too far when you want to crank it.