Great tutorial on getting Mark's tone. Even though you advise on cutting the mids (contrary to what most MH bass tone tutorials advise), people need to keep in mind that mids encompass a wide range that isn't just one specific frequency. Whether you cut or boost mids depends on what frequency the mid control covers on your specific gear. With the SCR-DI, the mids cover 500hz, which can be responsible for a lot of the muddiness in a mix or a tone, so cutting it would be the right move in getting Mark's tone, which is more prominent in the higher mids to really get that bite.
Thanks for the detailed comment - you are absolutely SPOT ON! Great advice. The goal in mimicking Mark's tone is to add a dense bassline that has enough bite to cut through the mix (Tom's guitars and Travis' drums are a lot to compete with!). Everybody should experiment with their specific equipment. If you know what frequencies your tone knobs control, that's great info to help you shape the right sound 🤘 appreciate your insights!
Just got back into playing after my wife snagged the HMNIM pink jag. I picked up the Ampeg di and it makes a world of difference but was missing something. I ran my old digitech rp355 guitar pedal before it, clean channel and added in a compressor preset and the took off! I did use a bit more bass on my SCR, but love where im at. Been chasing Marks tone for 20 years, tbis definitly helped!
This is a great video, running the same rig now. Did you do the follow-up video @3:57 about how you're running into garageband? I checked your channel and didn't see it. Great work, great tone, thank you for the videos!
Awesome, glad to have you here! I haven’t posted part 2 yet. But I’m on it. I have had a couple requests for part 2, and I think it will clear up some other questions I’ve gotten about tone on the channel 🤘🏽
Thanks, man! This is golden. I was looking for this literally for ages! Maybe you can help me out with the fine-tuning? I've got an Ampeg SVT-4 Pro head and Ampeg 410HLF cab from mid-2000s and never got *that* close to his sound. Always tried to boost the mids when I should've done the opposite...I feel kinda stupid now. The SVT-4 has two knobs for the mids. It also comes with an on-demand graphic 9-band EQ but let's ignore that one for now as I use it primarily to adjust sound to the venue. The right pre-EQ DI sound for FoH is what I'm after. (I'm primarily a live musician.) So: - Midrange: for boosting/cutting the mids at chosen frequency and - Frequency Select: for choosing the center frequency (1=220 Hz, 2=450 Hz, 3=800 Hz, 4=1.6 kHz, 5=3 kHz) What center frequency do you think would work best? I'm leaning towards cutting option 2 (450 Hz) but maybe you got a better idea. I'm playing an active Ibanez SRX500 with HH Stingray-esque pickups. I'm about to upgrade my passive PJ bass with Seymour Duncan QPs, too. Would you add any pedal or pre-amp to add the last bit of spice? If so, which one?
Glad this video was helpful dude! I’ve gotten a ton of great feedback on it so far. According to another commenter, my Ampeg SCR-DI’s mid knob = 500 Hz. So I would say option 2 on your SVT-4 Pro. Let me know how that works out for you! As for pedals, I use the Scrambler setting on my SCR-DI box. You can get the Scrambler as a separate pedal, so you might want to try that for a bit of grit: amzn.to/3TRCgjJ P.S. - You’ve got one of my dream rigs. I never made the step up to SVT-4 or the SVT Classic, but always wanted to 🤘
@@reubenrock As promised, reporting back from last band practice: So in the meantime, my PJ - with a reversed P just like Mark's - arrived back from the luthier with upgraded Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders. Insanely good high-output pickups! I'll never go back to something else. Then I dialed in the amp very close to your suggestions: Tube Pre-Amp Gain cranked just a tad before clipping range. Compressor at around 4:1 ratio. Ultra-Low button enabled. Low and High tone knobs at around 1-2 o'clock. Scooped the Mids to like 9 o'clock with center frequency at 450 Hz. Horn of 410HLF cab at like 1/4 for a bit more high-end crisp - though, not too much or it becomes rather nasty. And what can I say? That just nailed it! My bandmates couldn't believe it either. For the perfect sound, I will have to add some drive for a bit more grit and better punch for the band mix. But the hunt is finally over. Thank you so much! This was awesome advice. What can I do to send you some thanks?! PS: Yeah, the SVT-4 is my dream amp but it's also a real b***h to carry around... Currently planning an alternative live rig with a rack-mounted SansAmp RBI and a much lighter Class-D bass amp for smaller venues - and my back :D
@@hydraulixx dude this RULES! I’ll bet your rig sounds badass. Thanks for replying back. I know other people are gonna see these comments and follow along. So this is going to help a bunch of folks nail the tone they’re after. That’s repayment enough for me!
Hey Ruben, I’m new to using pedals for my bass as I’ve previously used modeling amps. I know you’re using the focus right but if run this through my amp, will it work the same? I know stupid question but I want to be certain
The amp will color the sound. I run mine through a fender bassman 40 practice amp, and it doesn’t sound nearly as good vs the DI box directly. You’ll have to mess with your amp settings to find a combined tone you can live
Hi, I'm still somehow unable to adjust it according to your settings. I run it through an Ampeg pf 350 effects loop and the speakers are GALLIEN-KRUEGER CX 210 and GALLIEN-KRUEGER CX 115. The bass is a squiar squier affinity, but the pickups are turned SPB3. It still lacks that bite and tinkling. I know it's hard at a distance like this, but can you think of something?
This is just personal taste and opinion: I don’t use 15” speakers at all. Only 10” speakers. These settings sound good played through my fender rumble 40. I’m not using the effects loop, but I should be to keep a more pure tone from the Ampeg SCR DI. I have the fender EQ settings dialed in a little to help the speaker sound right, and it’s pretty good. But it’s not perfect. That’s why I never mic up my cab in my UA-cam covers. The best tone comes from the DI signal.
So I just got a zoom bx1 four and wanted to know what I could use in it for this type of tone I’m using a Shechter stiletto extreme 4 but I think it’s too heavy for this tone and I’m using cobalt 105 strings
Hi man, great video. I love Blink, Hoppus is amazing. Question for you. if im using just an amp, do you recommend still getting a DI box? Or is it only used with a computer interface. I haven't gotten into that yet, as Im just starting my Bass journey.
100% yes I'd still recommend a DI box! I think you'll find that you can dial in a sweeter tone with the DI box in front of your amp vs the amp alone. A compressor helps a tone too
yeah, I'd run the same settings if plugging into an effects loop. Might need some adjustments based on the speaker cabinet or room size or something though
You can get amazing results with the BDI21. It sounds a little different than the Ampeg, but it's still excellent tone. Just use the "SVT style" settings from page 2 of the BDI21's manual: static.rapidonline.com/pdf/35-4288.pdf
Hello, sorry, I don't speak English and maybe you say it in the video, but do you have the +15db input signal adjusted in the DI? Is the DI as from the series or is it modified on the pins?
Excellent video man, and great covers. It would be interesting to understand how the BDI21 compares to the Ampeg DI. I currently own the BDI21 and use it almost entirely in the 'SVT Style' settings. I wonder if the Ampeg SCR DI is a worthwhile upgrade, or if the difference isn't enough to justify the spend.
That’s a GREAT question. I am going to make a video on the topic, because I still have both pedals. The SVT setting on the BDI21 is excellent. Sounds really nice. But I was surprised how much I loved the SCR-DI when I upgraded. It was exactly the sound I was after. Hardly ever use my Behringer DI anymore
I have a EBMM Stingray a 6x10Ampeg and the SVT 7 Pro… what am I missing?? Im assuming a PBass with new strings will get me there? Anything else I would need?
Sounds like you've got everything. The stingray should sound cool, too! Wish I had one. I would just take what I recommend in the video and apply similar tone settings to your SVT 7. Use the compressor, too. Should give you good results
The musicman will definitely sound different! My mini stingray doesn’t sound anything like my p bass. But the p bass should sound almost exactly like the MH signature and squier tones
Probably! But I have no idea. I'm not currently using any software modelers. Basically what you're looking for is a compressor + some ampeg SVT tone. Then make adjustments to your tone until you like what you hear. I tend to cut the mids, which is the opposite of what many people say to do for "Mark Hoppus tone"
Hello, of all the UA-cam videos of Mark's tone, yours is the best by far. I have some questions one question: first, can I use a preamp like the BD121 or the Ampeg SCR-DI with a comboamp like the rumble? If so, how would you connect it? Second, do you put the compressor before the preamp? Thanks for the help
Thanks so much! To answer your questions: yes, you can use the BDI21 or the SCR-DI in front of a combo amp. I have a Fender Rumble 40 and use it with these pedals frequently. I plug the bass > tuner > Opto Comp > SCR-DI or BDI-21 > Fender Rumble 40 input. Then I keep the EQ on my Rumble pretty flat and use the DI box for tone. If I had a bigger Rumble amp with an effects loop, I would probably run the DI box into the effects loop return and bypass the Rumble's preamp. Unfortunately the Rumble 40 doesn't have an effects loop.
Hey sup i love your videos! i just wanna ask one question how you were setting your behringer BDI 21 for mark hoppus tone before you get yourself the ampeg one? because i think i'm gonna get the behringer one, the ampeg one is too expensive for me x) thank you!
Awesome, thank you so much! I’ll make a video about Hoppus tone with the Behringer DI box. It’s easy. I use the “SVT Style” settings on the BDI21 and run a compressor in front of it.
No mids! Not with the SCR-DI anyways. I get better results with the mids cranked down. Love your covers, I've watched a lot of them already! Keep up the great work dude 🤘
correct, no amp. I use an amp when I practice, but my little Fender Rumble 40 just sounds okay... Instead, I use a DI box (Ampegt SCR-DI). From the Ampeg SCR-DI box you can run an XLR cable into your recording interface, your PA system, or into the effects return on your bass amp (to bypass the preamp and get your tone from the DI box instead). Hope that helps!
@@GrantRaymondG I use both in my signal chain. SansAmp is early in the chain. Ampeg last in chain. SansAmp helps with more color and a slightly different style of distortion that I like better than the Scrambler on the Ampeg. But the 2 together make a fantastic, no amp option. The sound guys at every venue I play love how much available tone I give them to shape for the room.
Great tutorial on getting Mark's tone. Even though you advise on cutting the mids (contrary to what most MH bass tone tutorials advise), people need to keep in mind that mids encompass a wide range that isn't just one specific frequency. Whether you cut or boost mids depends on what frequency the mid control covers on your specific gear. With the SCR-DI, the mids cover 500hz, which can be responsible for a lot of the muddiness in a mix or a tone, so cutting it would be the right move in getting Mark's tone, which is more prominent in the higher mids to really get that bite.
Thanks for the detailed comment - you are absolutely SPOT ON! Great advice.
The goal in mimicking Mark's tone is to add a dense bassline that has enough bite to cut through the mix (Tom's guitars and Travis' drums are a lot to compete with!).
Everybody should experiment with their specific equipment. If you know what frequencies your tone knobs control, that's great info to help you shape the right sound 🤘 appreciate your insights!
Just got back into playing after my wife snagged the HMNIM pink jag. I picked up the Ampeg di and it makes a world of difference but was missing something. I ran my old digitech rp355 guitar pedal before it, clean channel and added in a compressor preset and the took off! I did use a bit more bass on my SCR, but love where im at. Been chasing Marks tone for 20 years, tbis definitly helped!
Right on! Glad it helped. Hope you love the pink jag - mine was a gift from my wife, too. Nice to have women that enable us…. 😂
What are your settings for the BDI 21, I can't find the SVT Settings anywhere. Are they what you have them set at in the video? Thank you.
This is a great video, running the same rig now. Did you do the follow-up video @3:57 about how you're running into garageband? I checked your channel and didn't see it. Great work, great tone, thank you for the videos!
Awesome, glad to have you here! I haven’t posted part 2 yet. But I’m on it. I have had a couple requests for part 2, and I think it will clear up some other questions I’ve gotten about tone on the channel 🤘🏽
@@reubenrockpart 2 please!
Are you able to do this on a regular jazz bass?
Sounds fun & round. Perfect uplifting 🎸🤘
🤘🤘
Thanks, man! This is golden. I was looking for this literally for ages!
Maybe you can help me out with the fine-tuning? I've got an Ampeg SVT-4 Pro head and Ampeg 410HLF cab from mid-2000s and never got *that* close to his sound. Always tried to boost the mids when I should've done the opposite...I feel kinda stupid now. The SVT-4 has two knobs for the mids. It also comes with an on-demand graphic 9-band EQ but let's ignore that one for now as I use it primarily to adjust sound to the venue. The right pre-EQ DI sound for FoH is what I'm after. (I'm primarily a live musician.) So:
- Midrange: for boosting/cutting the mids at chosen frequency and
- Frequency Select: for choosing the center frequency (1=220 Hz, 2=450 Hz, 3=800 Hz, 4=1.6 kHz, 5=3 kHz)
What center frequency do you think would work best? I'm leaning towards cutting option 2 (450 Hz) but maybe you got a better idea. I'm playing an active Ibanez SRX500 with HH Stingray-esque pickups. I'm about to upgrade my passive PJ bass with Seymour Duncan QPs, too.
Would you add any pedal or pre-amp to add the last bit of spice? If so, which one?
Glad this video was helpful dude! I’ve gotten a ton of great feedback on it so far. According to another commenter, my Ampeg SCR-DI’s mid knob = 500 Hz. So I would say option 2 on your SVT-4 Pro. Let me know how that works out for you!
As for pedals, I use the Scrambler setting on my SCR-DI box. You can get the Scrambler as a separate pedal, so you might want to try that for a bit of grit: amzn.to/3TRCgjJ
P.S. - You’ve got one of my dream rigs. I never made the step up to SVT-4 or the SVT Classic, but always wanted to 🤘
@@reubenrock As promised, reporting back from last band practice:
So in the meantime, my PJ - with a reversed P just like Mark's - arrived back from the luthier with upgraded Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders. Insanely good high-output pickups! I'll never go back to something else.
Then I dialed in the amp very close to your suggestions: Tube Pre-Amp Gain cranked just a tad before clipping range. Compressor at around 4:1 ratio. Ultra-Low button enabled. Low and High tone knobs at around 1-2 o'clock. Scooped the Mids to like 9 o'clock with center frequency at 450 Hz.
Horn of 410HLF cab at like 1/4 for a bit more high-end crisp - though, not too much or it becomes rather nasty.
And what can I say? That just nailed it! My bandmates couldn't believe it either. For the perfect sound, I will have to add some drive for a bit more grit and better punch for the band mix. But the hunt is finally over.
Thank you so much! This was awesome advice. What can I do to send you some thanks?!
PS:
Yeah, the SVT-4 is my dream amp but it's also a real b***h to carry around...
Currently planning an alternative live rig with a rack-mounted SansAmp RBI and a much lighter Class-D bass amp for smaller venues - and my back :D
@@hydraulixx dude this RULES! I’ll bet your rig sounds badass.
Thanks for replying back. I know other people are gonna see these comments and follow along. So this is going to help a bunch of folks nail the tone they’re after. That’s repayment enough for me!
Thank you so much 🤗🤘
No problem 👍
I have a Jackson js2 concert bass and a squire bronco bass will the Jackson work because my bronco bass is broken 😅
I’ve never played a Jackson bass, so not sure what the pickups sound like. But if it has precision pickups, then you should be good!
Hey Ruben, I’m new to using pedals for my bass as I’ve previously used modeling amps. I know you’re using the focus right but if run this through my amp, will it work the same? I know stupid question but I want to be certain
The amp will color the sound. I run mine through a fender bassman 40 practice amp, and it doesn’t sound nearly as good vs the DI box directly. You’ll have to mess with your amp settings to find a combined tone you can live
Hi, I'm still somehow unable to adjust it according to your settings. I run it through an Ampeg pf 350 effects loop and the speakers are GALLIEN-KRUEGER CX 210 and GALLIEN-KRUEGER CX 115. The bass is a squiar squier affinity, but the pickups are turned SPB3. It still lacks that bite and tinkling. I know it's hard at a distance like this, but can you think of something?
This is just personal taste and opinion: I don’t use 15” speakers at all. Only 10” speakers.
These settings sound good played through my fender rumble 40. I’m not using the effects loop, but I should be to keep a more pure tone from the Ampeg SCR DI. I have the fender EQ settings dialed in a little to help the speaker sound right, and it’s pretty good. But it’s not perfect. That’s why I never mic up my cab in my UA-cam covers. The best tone comes from the DI signal.
So I just got a zoom bx1 four and wanted to know what I could use in it for this type of tone I’m using a Shechter stiletto extreme 4 but I think it’s too heavy for this tone and I’m using cobalt 105 strings
sorry, never used a zoom bx1 before! looks like a sweet pedal though. You're probably looking for something like "SVT tone" in your presets
Hi man, great video. I love Blink, Hoppus is amazing. Question for you. if im using just an amp, do you recommend still getting a DI box? Or is it only used with a computer interface. I haven't gotten into that yet, as Im just starting my Bass journey.
100% yes I'd still recommend a DI box! I think you'll find that you can dial in a sweeter tone with the DI box in front of your amp vs the amp alone. A compressor helps a tone too
Will the settings be the same if I connect the DI box to the effects loop?
yeah, I'd run the same settings if plugging into an effects loop. Might need some adjustments based on the speaker cabinet or room size or something though
@@reubenrock Thx 🙂
Ruben, Thank you for the information. What settings would you suggest if you have the AMPEG SGT DI
I’m not sure! I haven’t had a chance to play the SGT yet. But I really want one…
Can you get the same results with the BDI21? The Ampeg pedal is ridiculously expensive now.
You can get amazing results with the BDI21. It sounds a little different than the Ampeg, but it's still excellent tone. Just use the "SVT style" settings from page 2 of the BDI21's manual: static.rapidonline.com/pdf/35-4288.pdf
Hello, sorry, I don't speak English and maybe you say it in the video, but do you have the +15db input signal adjusted in the DI? Is the DI as from the series or is it modified on the pins?
Great question! Nope, I don’t have the +15 turned on.
Excellent video man, and great covers.
It would be interesting to understand how the BDI21 compares to the Ampeg DI.
I currently own the BDI21 and use it almost entirely in the 'SVT Style' settings. I wonder if the Ampeg SCR DI is a worthwhile upgrade, or if the difference isn't enough to justify the spend.
That’s a GREAT question. I am going to make a video on the topic, because I still have both pedals. The SVT setting on the BDI21 is excellent. Sounds really nice. But I was surprised how much I loved the SCR-DI when I upgraded. It was exactly the sound I was after. Hardly ever use my Behringer DI anymore
Do the strings need to be particularly fresh?
I guess it could help, but honestly I don’t change my strings very often. Still happy with the tone.
I have a EBMM Stingray a 6x10Ampeg and the SVT 7 Pro… what am I missing?? Im assuming a PBass with new strings will get me there? Anything else I would need?
Sounds like you've got everything. The stingray should sound cool, too! Wish I had one.
I would just take what I recommend in the video and apply similar tone settings to your SVT 7. Use the compressor, too. Should give you good results
If I only have a musicman and a regular p-bass, would the tone be any different compared the MH signature and a squire?
The musicman will definitely sound different! My mini stingray doesn’t sound anything like my p bass. But the p bass should sound almost exactly like the MH signature and squier tones
Is there a way you can replicate this digitally using software guitar rig?
Probably! But I have no idea. I'm not currently using any software modelers. Basically what you're looking for is a compressor + some ampeg SVT tone. Then make adjustments to your tone until you like what you hear. I tend to cut the mids, which is the opposite of what many people say to do for "Mark Hoppus tone"
@@reubenrock Awesome. Thank you.
thanks, great tutorial! even though my gear won't bring me to that sound :/
I hear you! The DI sounds great, but the tone doesn’t sound as good coming out of my Fender Bassman amp
Hello, of all the UA-cam videos of Mark's tone, yours is the best by far.
I have some questions one question: first, can I use a preamp like the BD121 or the Ampeg SCR-DI with a comboamp like the rumble? If so, how would you connect it?
Second, do you put the compressor before the preamp? Thanks for the help
Thanks so much! To answer your questions: yes, you can use the BDI21 or the SCR-DI in front of a combo amp. I have a Fender Rumble 40 and use it with these pedals frequently.
I plug the bass > tuner > Opto Comp > SCR-DI or BDI-21 > Fender Rumble 40 input. Then I keep the EQ on my Rumble pretty flat and use the DI box for tone.
If I had a bigger Rumble amp with an effects loop, I would probably run the DI box into the effects loop return and bypass the Rumble's preamp. Unfortunately the Rumble 40 doesn't have an effects loop.
Thanks for the reply! I really appreciate it
Nice!!!
🤘🤘
Hey sup i love your videos! i just wanna ask one question how you were setting your behringer BDI 21 for mark hoppus tone before you get yourself the ampeg one? because i think i'm gonna get the behringer one, the ampeg one is too expensive for me x) thank you!
Awesome, thank you so much! I’ll make a video about Hoppus tone with the Behringer DI box. It’s easy. I use the “SVT Style” settings on the BDI21 and run a compressor in front of it.
Cool!
🤘🤘
What tuning pedal is that?
Azor Boar tuner pedal: amzn.to/4b5UAMJ (works great!)
No Mids?! Wild.
Huge part of that tone :)
Also… big fan, check out my covers on a gen 2 mark hoppus.
No mids! Not with the SCR-DI anyways. I get better results with the mids cranked down. Love your covers, I've watched a lot of them already! Keep up the great work dude 🤘
🤘🤘🤘
Thanks for stopping by dude 🙏🤘
So you don’t use amps at all? New concept to me. What are you getting sound from then?
correct, no amp. I use an amp when I practice, but my little Fender Rumble 40 just sounds okay... Instead, I use a DI box (Ampegt SCR-DI).
From the Ampeg SCR-DI box you can run an XLR cable into your recording interface, your PA system, or into the effects return on your bass amp (to bypass the preamp and get your tone from the DI box instead).
Hope that helps!
@@reubenrockwhat do you think of the Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass DI ?
I've never played one, but I've watched tons of UA-cam videos and want to get my hands on the VT Bass DI soon. That and the new Ampeg SGT
@@GrantRaymondG I use both in my signal chain. SansAmp is early in the chain. Ampeg last in chain. SansAmp helps with more color and a slightly different style of distortion that I like better than the Scrambler on the Ampeg. But the 2 together make a fantastic, no amp option. The sound guys at every venue I play love how much available tone I give them to shape for the room.