Best of 2010: Top 10 Bass How To’s & Columns
We’re counting down the 2010 Top 10 lists on No Treble this week. Today, we’re featuring the Top 10 How To features and columns, based on reader views.
1. Speaker Impedance: How to Properly Match Your Amp Head with Cabinets
Amplification can be confusing to a newbie coming from a combo amp. If you are new to amps and cabs, this article should be helpful in explaining what speaker impedance is, and how it works with your amp head. You may also want to read my previous article, “Decoding Graphic Equalizers: Get Past ‘Scooping’ Your…
2. Looping Lesson: Programming the Behringer FCB1010 with Mobius
This is a lesson based around use of the popular Behringer FCB1010 MIDI foot controller surface for hand-free control of the freely available and very capable, Mobius looping software from Jeffrey Larson at Circular Labs. The Gear The Behringer FCB1010 Foot Controller has 100 memory positions to store MIDI controller data for up to 5…
3. Decoding Graphic Equalizers: Get Past “Scooping” Your Tone
I get a lot of calls and e-mails from fellow bassists and guitarists alike pertaining to all sorts of equipment problems. One of the most recessing issues I deal with is walking someone through the steps of setting-up their graphic equalizers (you know, the thing with all the sliding tabs that you arrange to look…
4. Cables 101: Instrument vs. Speaker Cables
Many people who have been playing for an extended period of time may be guilty of this. Many may have learned quickly, or still do it after 30 years of playing. But what happens when you use an instrument cable instead of a speaker cable to run your amp? And, furthermore, what are the differences…
5. Ask Damian Erskine: Walking Bass (and getting away from tab)
Q: I’d like to learn to create walking bass lines. I don’t read music so tabs would be preferred. A: Learning to walk is immensely helpful in so many ways. It helps you see the inter-connectivity between chords, helps develop a good time-feel and helps you explore how the arc of a line can affect…
6. Bass Pickups: A Guide to Formulating Your Sound
There are a number of variables to consider in the search for your ideal tone. To date, we have discussed options relative to amplification. Key among the variables that impact bass tone is pickups thus this column concentrates on pickups. While there are many things that contribute to the timbre and tone of your bass…
If you are a working musician – or aspire to be a working musician – you need to be able to sell yourself and your music. At some point you may have to present your work to a record label or publishing company and you will be competing against many other artists for a label…
8. Ask Damian Erskine: Passive vs. Active Circuitry?
Q: I’m just getting back into the bass and there’s something I’ve always been curious about: the differences (as well as the different kinds) of passive vs. active circuitry. What are the main differences between them, why are there only active and passive circuits, and what does it mean to have either in a bass?…
What does it take be become a “great” band? Believe it or not the collective skill of a group is not determined solely by the skills of its individual members. There is a level of ensemble technique that really elevates a band to be beyond average and gets the group noticed. As with all things…
10. Upright Slap Bass (Rockabilly/Psychobilly): Instrument Setup and Equipment
Dr. D’s 3-part Slap Bass series… In addition to having its own specialized musical and technical considerations, Playing Upright Slap has its own particular instrumental setup issues. Here are some basic things slap players need to think about when customizing their bass…
