Bass Amp Settings – 2021 How To Guide

What is a Bass Amp?

The Bass Amp or bass amplifier is the audio unit that is specially tuned up for electric bass guitar performance. It is made of a preamplifier (also known as a preamp), tone control, power amplifier, and one or multiple speakers. 

Preamplifier transfers the sound from the bass into the bass amp while the power amplifier works to send it further to the speaker and creates the bass sound eventually.

And just like a power amp works with the speakers, the tone control panel helps the preamplifier to shape up the sound before coming into the power amplifier. This panel is probably the most important part of every bass amp.

Types of Bass Amps

Based on the physical format, bass amplifiers can be either:

Stack Bass Amp

A stacked bass amp is made out of a head or preamp with a matched cabinet or even two cabinets. This way of making a sound is probably the most popular among professional players as they can combine preamps with the different cabinet setup and adjust the sound based on the venue they’re playing at.

Combo Bass Amp

As you may suspect from its name, it comes as a single unit that combines both preamp and cabinet speakers. It is very useful for semi-pro players as it comes in a more compact and portable format that’s perfectly matched. 

Types of Bass Preamps

When you say bass amp, you usually refer to bass preamps or bass heads and this gear belongs to the next types:

Master Volume

This knob will simply determine how loud your signal will be in the end, after you have set all the parameters.

Additional Controls

Not all bass amps have these types of controls and it can vary a lot. So, for example:

• Drive knob will layer distortion or overdrive effect over the input signal
  
  
• Compressor knob will dial a basic compression effect to your bass
  
  
• Additional EQ buttons can shape up the sound further, so for example, Punch will affect low-end sound and Bright will shape up the trebles. Contour button will additionally cut your middle EQ as you won’t be able to get the result that you want with just one Mid EQ knob. A very useful feature for so many genres and sometimes it will come in a knob design

General Tips for Bass Amp Settings

Here’s a quick list regarding how to setup proper bass sound:

When in Doubt, Always Cut First, Then Boost

Always remember that boosting increases the overall sound and brings you closer to clipping. That’s why it might be counter-intuitive but cutting other frequencies off and optionally raising the overall master volume level may give you the same sound.

Watch Out for Input Clipping

Unintentional clipping is usually a bad thing. It will damage your overall bass sound as it will sound distorted in a bad way. Luckily all bass amps will come with the LED lamp that will send a signal if you’re making a clip. We strongly recommend you to avoid getting into this stage and only do it on purpose if you know what you’re doing.

Bass Settings

In specific situations, the sound you’re looking for isn’t found in bass amp setup, but using a proper pickup and tone control position. Switching from bridge to neck position may do wonders for your tone in general. 

Larger Speakers 

If you’re looking for more low-end sound, sometimes your practicing bass amp won’t be enough, especially for the sub-bass spectrum. That’s why a 15-inch bass amp may be a better solution than having a 2 x 12-inch combo.

Strings May Solve the Problem

Sometimes no bass amp setup can help. If your strings are very old, they will result in a dull sound that may only fit some blues songs. Changing the strings will bring an additional layer of brightness and definition to your sound.

Bass Amp Settings for Slap Sound

Slap technique can be used in all music genres, but if it's a regular part of your playing, perhaps you should set the initial sound by having this setup as a starting point.

Slap Sound should be warm but it should also bite a bit. The best way to make such a sound is to create a “smiley” EQ. This means to cut the mids out of the sound while boosting highs and lows. This way your slap sound will be bright while having enough thump to make everyone move. Once your sound begins to sound weak, revert a portion of the mids.

Bass Amp Settings for Funk

The Bass guitar seems to be a fundamental instrument in funk music, so you might think they are doing a lot of setting up to get them to sound right. But it’s quite the opposite and leaving everything “flat” (neutral) will work the best if you have a good instrument. All the sound is coming right out of your playing skills, especially dynamics wise. The only thing that you should watch out for is to keep the signal clean.

But in the end, it depends on what situations are we talking about - for studio recording, we recommend you leave everything flat and for live, adding a bit of mids and compression won’t hurt anyone while it will help you to be heard. 

Also, having a tube amp will be a nice way to get that retro warmth to your bass guitar sound but it may be hit or a miss based on the funk vibe you want to achieve.

Bass Amp Settings for Blues

Blues music is about being mild and pleasant. It doesn’t leave any space for modern or defined bass sound and instead, it will work the best if you do the opposite.

Besides the initial attack that should be achieved by heavy plucking closer to the neck, the rest of the bass tone should be with mids rolled off and emphasized low-end. Trebles aren’t your friend for this genre, too and you should pay more attention to the low-mids as it should provide you with warmth.

Generally, bass guitar should generate more sound texture than become a percussive element in the song. Rolling off some portion from the tone pot on your bass guitar will also help. 

But, as the low-end sound is fundamental to this sound, it will ask you to put the master volume up - these frequencies aren’t so audible in the low output settings so it might be tricky to create a perfect blues sound in the rehearsal room or at home.

Bass Amp Settings for Classic Rock

Classic Rock bass sound is often referred to as powerful but vintage. And by vintage, people usually refer to warm and pleasant. These words should give a bit of a hint on how the sound should be set initially.

The “powerful“ part can be set by dialing the gain knob just right before clipping occurs. The “warmth” is done by finding a sweet spot for your mid-EQ. The rest of the sound is pretty much up to you because when you compare the sound of several classic rock bands you will hear a very different bass tone so it’s hard to think of one setting for all types of classic rock bands. 

But, in general, we would advise you to consider at least a 15-inch speaker if you’re looking for a real rock sound.

Also, bear in mind that bass lines in rock music may have a different role and can be performed both by finger playing or with the pick. In both cases, pay attention to how your drummer is playing - if he’s doing basic patterns, there might be a chance for you to do an extra, otherwise, we recommend you to follow his groove and think about how to accompany that kick sound the best.

Bass Amp Settings for Punk

Punk music is all about a “fight” attitude, so your key will be to follow that vibe.

The best way to do it is to turn the mids and trebles up so that your strings can be heard in the mix a lot. Dialing the gain into occasional clipping may even come in handy for this genre.

As the whole music is fast-paced, you should treat low mids and bass EQ with extra care. Any low frequencies that cause unwanted “oomph” from your bass guitar should be cut in general coming out as it will only create problems in either live performing or song mixing.