Bass Amps

An aggressive bass sound is a crucial component of many music genres, from punk to funk to heavy metal. While a clean tone can do just fine, a more aggressive tone can push your sound more forward in the mix and can really make your playing and the overall band mix come to life. Whether you are trying to give your bass some extra presence in your band or are trying to get the right tone for studio work, it is very useful to familiarize yourself with ways to give your bass some grind and growl.

Imagine if our amps could talk- there would be a lot less incidents of blown speakers and mismatched impedances! While no one- even the most experienced guitar techs- can immediately determine exactly what caused an amplifier to fail without taking a look under the hood, some units do give off warning signs that there is something wrong to prevent that costly replacement or trip to the repair shop. Naturally, if you are really familiar with your amp, then chances are you know when it’s being pushed past its limits or set up incorrectly. But what happens if one day you’re not paying close enough attention or using a different setup? Today, we are going to discuss an overlooked, unsung hero of your amp- the protect light. Chances are you know it’s there, but you may have never seen it come on, or you have and you’re wondering what it’s trying to tell you.

Maybe “dating” is the wrong word but then again, most musicians develop a very close bond with their equipment. There are some significant advantages we gain as we become intimately familiar with a guitar amp and discover the settings that make it come alive for us. But sometimes you may find the need to learn your way around a new amp quickly; occasionally you might want to evaluate a purchase, get to know an amplifier you just bought, or are asked to play a show where the amplifiers are ‘backlined’ or provided (and you can’t control what they give you to play through). Whatever the reason you find yourself in new territory, a simple method many amp techs use can be very useful in “finding the sweet-spot” quickly on any guitar amp.

A constant challenge in dialing in your bass sound live is finding a tone that is clear and articulate, yet maintains power and heft in the low end. This elusive sweet spot will have to be dialed in on each and every stage you play on. Carvin Audio’s bass amps come equipped with all the EQ and tone shaping tools you need to make this happen; it’s just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the controls and using them correctly. This article will give a basic rundown on addressing an important aspect of your tone: your low end, specifically around the 40Hz frequency range.

Whether you are a professional musician, an aspiring student or someone who plays for fun, chances are that sooner or later you’ll want to find a gig. Perhaps you were invited to play a top venue or you were called to fill in for a pro band for the first time. Maybe you were asked to play for a friend’s wedding or lead worship for your congregation at church. Wherever you are invited to play there is always one thing that most gigs have in common: you’re expected to show up ready to play.

In addition to the ever-popular guitar/bass/drum/vocals format, many modern bands have members that double up on keyboards for a few songs, or who exclusively play the keys. The electronic keyboard is a full-range instrument that can really fill up a lot of space, and in the case of synthesizer keyboard, cover an amazingly wide range of sounds. As such, an amplifier that faithfully reproduces its entire frequency range is essential.

If you’re used to playing in small to medium indoor venues, a large outdoor gig may seem a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time playing one. For the most part, getting a great bass sound in a large outdoor venue is a different beast, although not completely so- there are a few adjustments that need to be made. Here we will cover the main differences between indoor and outdoor venues and give you a few tips to get an optimal sound outdoors.

Buying a new amp for your guitar or bass can be one of the most exciting parts of your musical experience. New sounds and options can promise new inspirations. So when you do get the opportunity to pick out a new amp it isn’t unusual to find yourself rushing home to try it out. Unfortunately we sometimes realize later on down the road that we’ve overlooked something important we should have thought through when we went shopping. In order to make sure you get the right tool for the job, stop and think about some of the following considerations.

Live sound technicians at music venues generally use two main methods of running electric guitar and bass guitar through the PA system: Miking up a cabinet, or running a DI (direct injection) from the amplifier head or a dedicated DI box (or direct box). While guitar cabs are more commonly miked up and bass amps DI’ed, either method can work for both instruments depending on the situation, the style of music, and the player’s equipment. This article will give a basic rundown of both methods and help you decide which will work for you, whether you’re a soundman or on the stage performing. 

Have you ever had to play a gig with an amp that’s completely unsuited for the job? If so, don’t worry- it happens to the best of us, and despite our better judgment. Maybe the sound guy said that an amp will be back lined, only for you to find that it does not have nearly enough power to hang with your band. Or maybe another band on the bill is providing the equipment, but that equipment only works well for them. Or maybe it’s even your fault and you underestimated the amount of rig you would need for the show! Whatever the circumstance, it always helps to have a backup plan if you have to play on a big stage with a small amp. Here are some tips to survive this gigging situation with your sanity (and the amp) intact.

In a previous article, we discussed the common equalization points on a bass amp and described how they affect your sound (you can find that here). But in a live setting, there will be times where something is not sounding right and you need to make a quick fix in between songs. Or maybe the soundman didn’t give you ample time to soundcheck properly, and you don’t have time to stop the show and play your bass alone to check and dial in your sound. Or you could be using an amplifier you are not familiar with. These are just a few of the instances where you need to know how to quickly address any issues with your tone on the fly.

The three-piece band or power trio is a staple of rock and roll. Bands like the Police, Rush, Nirvana, and Green Day have gone down in history as three-man musical powerhouses. While a lot of talent is required to make this band format work- as with any other format- a power trio comes with its own set of unique challenges. The biggest one is: How to fill out the sound with only three musicians? Sure, it sounds fine when everyone is chugging along at full throttle, but if the guitarist takes a solo suddenly there is a big old gap in the midrange where the rhythm guitar should be. This is an age-old symptom of the power trio, leaving many bassists to wonder what they can do to make it sound less empty.