Is there a proper way to use a bass knob?

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

I did earlier today what helotaxi said to do. I maxed out my remote and and then slowly raised the gain on my amp till till it got as loud as I felt safe.
The funny part is is that the gain ended up being exactly where I had it in the first place. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

So I guess I did it right the first time with my initial assumption. Atleast I now know I can max out the remote without fear of something going horribly wrong.

good to know, thanks

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

Okay, the safe way to use a gain knob, is to turn the gain to optimum setting on the amp, and then use the remote knob to control that range, thus having the ability to have the remote cranked for optimum performance, but being able to turn it down. You don't have to have your remote plugged in to do this, just set your amps gain and then plug in the remote, same difference.

The way horsemanwill said to do it, is NOT wrong, it's just another way. For the beginning user, it may not be as "safe" so you better know your system before doing that. But it is a completely functional way of doing it.

And before you make a blanket statement about the President of a company, and a amp that HE DID help design, you need to be sure you are right. In this case, you are completely wrong. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

Okay, the safe way to use a gain knob, is to turn the gain to optimum setting on the amp, and then use the remote knob to control that range, thus having the ability to have the remote cranked for optimum performance, but being able to turn it down. You don't have to have your remote plugged in to do this, just set your amps gain and then plug in the remote, same difference.
The way horsemanwill said to do it, is NOT wrong, it's just another way. For the beginning user, it may not be as "safe" so you better know your system before doing that. But it is a completely functional way of doing it.

And before you make a blanket statement about the President of a company, and a amp that HE DID help design, you need to be sure you are right. In this case, you are completely wrong. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

with the way helotaxi stated provided the gains are set correctly there is no need to "know" your system as no matter what you will be within the safe operating range of all of your equipment. the other way is pretty stupid as there is potential for damage so why would want to suggest that to someone at all?

 

[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

with all being said the OP got what he wanted from this post so i'm glad to hear he is satisfyed with is system.

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

with the way helotaxi stated provided the gains are set correctly there is no need to "know" your system as no matter what you will be within the safe operating range of all of your equipment. the other way is pretty stupid as there is potential for damage so why would want to suggest that to someone at all?

SOME people may want to have that control. I don't know.

Obviously the Owner of the company that will is using, told him to just do it that way. For him, that is most functional, but horsemanwill knows his system like the back of his hand.

I'm not suggesting it. Notice I said for beginners (such as OP) this would not be the safest way.

I don't understand why you would want to argue with me over offering a completely functional way of using a remote gain knob. It's just information, I clearly said the latter was better, and safer.

But it is not the ONLY option.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

SOME people may want to have that control. I don't know.Obviously the Owner of the company that will is using, told him to just do it that way. For him, that is most functional, but horsemanwill knows his system like the back of his hand.

I'm not suggesting it. Notice I said for beginners (such as OP) this would not be the safest way.

I don't understand why you would want to argue with me over offering a completely functional way of using a remote gain knob. It's just information, I clearly said the latter was better, and safer.

But it is not the ONLY option.

im not argueing about anything merely questioning the suggestion of such a method to someone as the op that is all

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

im not argueing about anything merely questioning the suggestion of such a method to someone as the op that is all

Sorry, I got all fired up for no reason.

Yeah, I should have been more clear that I would not recommend that function for the OP, just that it's a function. Honestly, I know my system, but I would just use it the easier way, mainly cause I just want the ability to turn it down. But I don't have a knob, I just have a switch so I can turn it off....knobs are pricey ftl.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

well in case it was missed i did change my statement to the fact that you should make sure you know what the amp is capable of. now in my experience 9 out 10 times i see a bass knob installed in a vehicle the owner has the gain and the knob cranked all the way. there are even some circumstances where doing this will not cause any damage as no distortion is sent. as i stated it was the way i was suggested of doing it, now did i do it? no because i dont' use the knobs i prefer not to. know shane was right in mentioning make sure you know your system. we all should that's another reason why i would suggest it. i'd assume the OP knew his system.

 

[timaishu 10+ year member]

Okay, I have a question.

What does a sub sound like when its distorting? I did what helotaxi said to do about setting the gains and it seems to have worked. But Im still afraid to turn my knob (lol) all the way as it gets really loud and really deep.

Like, how will I know? Will it suddenly sound different?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You may or may not be able to tell the difference. If it's loud enough there's no reason to try to turn the knob any higher. You could in fact turn the gain on the amp down a bit to allow you to use the full range of the knob without any concerns.

As far as this whole ID thing, I don't care who the guy is, I don't care who he's giving the advice to. It was bad advice. You don't tell someone to wail away on the gain with no other considerations. You don't remove the actual gain setting from the equation. I've seen smart people give bad advice in the past without thinking about what they're saying. It happens, I've done it myself.

Supergumby - if your remote terminal on your amp is labeled bass EQ or something like that then it isn't a remote gain, it's just messing with the bass boost.