BASS
TONE TALK, PART 2: PASSIVE VS. ACTIVE BASSES | Adam Nitti
Welcome back! In the first installment of my A passive bass’s volume control controls its its boosted nature. Another benefit is that
“Tone Talk” series, we talked about basic tone master volume, but it should also be noted that adjustments made to your volume knob usually
quality and inventoried primary factors that backing down on the volume control also varys will not affect your tone in any discernable
influence your sound. In this article, I wanted the tone of the instrument. Different instruments manner. Active basses also tend to have a more
to specifically discuss the differences between react in different ways, so it is important to be compressed signal output, which can often
passive and active basses because there is aware of the variation in sound that occurs translate into a perception of greater sustain or
often a lot of confusion regarding how their when manipulating either of these controls. a more controlled and balanced dynamic level
respective designs relate to tone. The “Passive Passive basses are usually considered to be when you play. Active basses also usually have
vs. Active” debate is still alive and well in the more dynamically sensitive than active basses, a better signal-to-noise ratio, and are generally
cybersphere, and there are many folks very meaning that they translate how hard or how quieter when it comes to dealing with electronic
passionate about which configuration they feel soft you play in a more direct and accurate interference or other power-related anomalies
is superior. Is one better than the other and how manner. They can sometimes be less forgiving on stage or in the studio.
do they differ? Truthfully, it would be impossible when using sloppy or inconsistent technique, to declare one configuration as being the but conversely, they can handsomely reward Finally, it should be added that there are also
“best” just based on specs or design; but at players that exhibit smoothness and control basses that are switchable between active and
the end of the day, different players gravitate over their execution, dynamics, and expression. passive modes. This is obviously a fantastic
towards different configurations when seeking
to replicate the ideal tone they are hearing in
feature that makes an instrument even more
ACTIVE
versatile and able to fit well into a variety of
their heads. It all comes down to a matter of
situations. I have always appreciated the
preference. In this column, I hope to at least Active basses utilize a powered preamp circuit individual strengths and characteristics that
shed some light on the basic differences that requires a battery (or two). Active preamps both passive and active basses offer, and
between the two. generally provide greater control over tone- subsequently have examples of both in my
shaping, because their onboard EQs allow you recording arsenal to satisfy a variety of recording
to either boost or cut frequencies assigned to contexts. Deciding which instrument is the
each tone knob. Some active circuits have a best for you requires playing and comparing
Passive basses have simple controls for tone separate bass and treble knob, and some many different examples and discovering
and volume and don’t require a separate EQ have an additional knob for boosting or cutting which elements speak to you the most. In the
or battery for a powered circuit. When both the midrange. Many modern basses with active meantime, I hope I have helped to demystify
volume and tone controls are turned all the way EQs also offer toggle switches that allow you to some of the basic differences for you.
up, a passive instrument’s tone is essentially choose between multiple frequencies assigned set to “flat,” and you are theoretically getting to a single tone knob (usually the midrange). the complete foundational tonal character Other preamps incorporate dynamic tone from the bass throughout all of its frequencies. controls that interact with each other in a Think of the tone control on a passive bass as variable fashion based on how much boost or basically just a low pass filter control that lets cut you dial in for each frequency.
PASSIVE
you buffer how much of the higher frequencies
are allowed to come out of the instrument. There are other benefits, as well. For example,
Generally speaking, the more you turn it down, when using very long instrument cables that
the less high frequencies you will hear. But in build up greater capacitance over distance,
reality, it actually changes the bass’s tonal an active bass’s signal is able to overcome
character among the other frequencies as well. potential degradation in tone because of
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October 2019
Happy tone-hunting!
Adam Nitti
Nashville-based Adam Nitti balances his roles as a
solo artist, sideman, and educator. He has filled the
bass chair for Kenny Loggins, Carrie Underwood,
Dave Weckl Band, Michael McDonald, Susan
Tedeschi, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mike Stern, Brent
Mason, Wayne Krantz, and Christopher Cross, while
also releasing five solo CDs to date. As a Nashville
session bassist he has played on multiple Grammy-
winning and Grammy-nominated albums, and is
also the founder of...
AdamNittiMusicEducation.com
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