THE SECRET TO A GREAT BASS TONE | Understanding Gain Structure

This video will explain the meaning and importance of creating a good 'Gain Structure' on your amplifier. This technique will make your sound engineer very happy and they'll probably buy you a pint for knowing this.

By sending a strong, clean signal to the Front of House (mixing desk/PA) there will be fewer problem frequencies for the engineer to deal with. This should make his job easier and allow the Bass to sit nicely in the mix, making all the difference in getting a great Bass tone both on stage and out front.

I turn up to so many rehearsal studios where the EQ on the house rig has been maxed out but the gain is almost entirely off. This lesson will show you how to set the gain effectively, in order to get a strong clean level instead of using the EQ controls like volume buttons!!
Just remember to check the Gain Structure each time you alter the EQ settings on your amp.

Hopefully this lesson will spare the lives of rehearsal Bass amps everywhere.

Gear Used:
Fender Squire Vintage Modified '77 Jazz Bass
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Roundwounds
Ampeg Portaflex PF-500
Ampeg SVT Classic 15e Cabinet

Recorded in HD on a Canon EOS600D

Title Music: The Future Dub Project - Victory
Copyright of The Future Dub Project 2014
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Twitter: @FDubOfficial

Thanks for watching!

[SDRockman]

All things, no matter what subject it is, can be understood perfectly when people take the time to explain it, like this guy did.

[thisdyingsoul]

I thought I already was dialling a decent tone with the same head into a Traynor 2x10 and 1x15 cabs. After this video came up in my feed I decided to try the tip provided. I'm very impressed. My tone sounds huge at any volume now. Thanks for this. You helped fix a problem I didn't even realize I had.

[grillman]

For the people who don't have a peak light it's gonna be a bit tougher but nothing you can't manage. At low volume play a strong note like he did and higher your gain until you notice the signal distorts and is not clean anymore. Back up the gain a little bit. Set the volume at the desired level. You're all set.

[riconaka]

Thank you for this Video! I commented on another video regarding getting distortion coming out of a 8 Ohm cabinet from a 500W amp. I am going try adjusting my gain and see how it will improve the sound. I have the -10db button engaged since I have active EQ on my bass.

[kabutoid]

A very useful step by step tutorial. Definitely gonna give it a try the next time I'm in the studio.

[onzkicg]

Nice, I didn’t see gain in this light before, I always thought it’s just support for volume or set to 2-8 o’clock to get distortion. Thanks for clarifying.

[ampthebassplayer]

Don't cut your mids! Mids are where the tone lives!

[joeleebass]

thank you. i didn't know how to use the gain until now :)

[ChezzOnBass]

T H A N K. Y O U!!! You saved me from selling or trading my speaker cab by making this adjustment to my amp.

[fjaviermont]

I just noticed my amp doesn't have a "Peak" light ._.

[Karmakatt]

Although I've heard this before I appreciate your explanation. One concern however before setting all that up is... what Volume do you have on your Guitar (Pups)..
That plays a significant role in setting your Amp. I am curious on your response although I think this vid is 4+ Years old..

Cheers Mate,

L.R.

[sixsentsoldiers]

Hello InThePockett, I got a 15e also. Been very lack luster. How is it with the Kappa vs. Stock?

[niel]

So after all this years... how is the ampeg head holding?... thank you for such a great video

[Truthsayer]

Dumb question—isn’t the gain the input signal going into the preamp, pre-eq? And if so, why does the eq affect the gain light?

[Jihadbearzwithgunz]

My only correction here. Is the eq on the pre amp does not effect your input level the eq that will effect this is a active bass pre amp the input gain enters into the preamp of the amp (eq section the protect or clip light indicates you are over loading the preamp section which can lead to failure..) Still pretty good for people who dont know how to set gain stage..

[MichaelWilliams-flhx]

When I followed the advice here I found that I can't get any volume. I thought it funny to buy the POWER of AMPEG only to have the peak light control my volume to nill. Asked a buddy and long time Ampeg user about it and was told not to worry about the peak light but to get what I need out of the amp. Been happy ever since :P

[Spritsailor]

The compressor would have taken out a lot of the peaks. Then the gain is turned up to increase the tones you do want in the I mix.

[paulojimenez]

Can someone please help, can I put diferen speakers to this amplifier in this video?

[bjmarchives]

Does the svt 15e stand out fine on its own for practice or small rooms? I don't need a 410hlf yet.

[mfsoab]

Nice Video!
I tried it on my Bugera BTX36000, with the signal coming from active electronics/eq inside the bass, through the pedal board and a rack gate/compressor and the only way to get the clipping light to do even a little blinking was to crank up the makeup gain on the compressor to the limit... that kind of made me wondering if thats a normal thing to more ppl ?