CabZone Bass

The CabZone Bass still has a very simple UI, although it has been substantially expanded from the CabZone LE.

First of all, the CabZone Bass has a fully functional XLR balanced output with ground lift, which will come in handy at live gigs. With this option, you don't need to worry anymore about using a separate DI box to transmit the signal over many meters of cable.

Another important addition is a set of 10 power amp emulations that will let you sculpt your tone even further. The device now allows you not only to emulate the delicate response of a clean power amp but also to add the characteristic harmonic distortion of various overdriven power amp types. Besides, you can now control power amp gain via input volume.

The CabZone Bass features an updated headphones amp, revised universal power intake (it can now work with Power Bank-type power supplies), extended dynamic range, and improved signal to noise ratio. Impulses are now uploaded via USB, so there is no need to buy a microSD card. The device now also features a sturdy aluminum enclosure with recessed knobs. Best thing is, the CabZone Bass has become only marginally bigger in size!

The CAB knob has 11 positions and allows to select the impulse or to switch off the IR section. The Bass firmware version replaces the impulses in the CabZone X with 10 bass-specific impulses from the Bass IR Pack.

By default, the 11 positions of the CAB knob are as follows:

• OFF: the IR section is off.

The first impulse group consists of three options for cabinets with four 10-inch speakers.

• 01 — EBS PL 410.
• 02 — Hartke XL410.
• 03 — TC Electronic BC410

The second group is for cabs with 15-inch speakers with very characterful mids. We've found three great options.

• 04 — Ampeg Heritage B15.
• 05 — Sunn 200s.
• 06 — Mesa RR215.

The 8x10 behemoth has a special place on the list.

• 07 — Ampeg SVT-810E.

Next come three "experimental" impulses. Much can be done to impulses; what we did in impulses 08–10 was use guitar cab speakers for mid- and high-frequency response and leave the low end direct. Or, to be exact, not quite direct but the way they do it in studios: a mild cutoff of anything below 40Hz and an almost uniform response till 1000Hz. Generally speaking, these impulses are a sum of a DI low frequency signal and a guitar cabinet signal. There are no phase issues, so the notes you play won't suddenly disappear.

• 08 — ElectroVoice EVM12L.
• 09 — Orange PPC212 bass edition.
• 10 — Celestion V30 bass edition.

For more details, please visit the Bass IR Pack page.

The stock impulses can be fully or partially replaced by uploading third-party impulses via Micro-USB.

On our website, you can find exclusive impulse packs ready for use with our cabsims.

The AMP knob has 11 positions and allows to select the power amp emulation or to switch off the power amp section.

The 11 positions of the AMP knob are as follows:

• OFF: the power amp section is off.
• A — Neutral Bass. As clean and loud as possible, this neutral power amp has a characteristic roll-off at the edges of the frequency range (-1dB in the lows and highs) which stems from design limitations of the output transformer. The frequency range is interpreted in a way that the signal feels closer and more saturated but doesn't sound compressed. This power amp is practically impossible to overload with input volume. It's a great choice if you want a perfectly clean sound. This power amp is NOT a direct copy of the stock neutral power amp emulation.
• B — Deep Bass. A loud and clear power amp with characteristic correction in the lows and highs. The slight boosts at 55Hz and 10kHz suit modern musical styles very well. The "defined" edges of the frequency range help the bass to cut through the mix. The frequency range is interpreted in a manner similar to Neutral Bass; just like the latter, the Deep Bass power amp is almost impossible to overload with input volume.
• C — 6L6 Bass. A classic American power amp which has given birth to a whole variety of modern solutions. This virtual push-pull (Class AB) amp is based on 6L6 tubes and has been adapted to bass duties. It's almost as straightforward throughout the whole frequency range as the Neutral Bass model, but it does show its own character. It doesn't remain perfectly clean at all volumes, but this "flaw" is what makes it a key element in the bass signal chain. The signal gets saturated with even and odd harmonics in the low end; the lows also have a very slight boost around 100Hz. There's a mild roll-off at 20Hz and 18kHz. This power amp makes even quiet sounds very nuanced, which is something we tried to capture in the emulation. This preset is recommended if you want to round out your sound without introducing considerable distortion.
• D — 6L6 Deep Bass. This model has the same 6L6-based virtual push-pull amp specs as the 6L6 Bass; the difference lies in frequency correction. The mild boosts at 40Hz and 15kHz make the sound "wider" and highlight the edges of the frequency range. This power amp doesn't remain perfectly clean at all volumes: the incoming signal is saturated by even and odd harmonics both in the low end and in the high end. The dynamic curve is similar to that in the 6L6 Bass model.
• E — 6550 Bass. This model is an emulation of power amps that based on large beam tetrodes and has a characteristically sharp low-frequency response. 6550 tubes have found their home both in guitar amps and in Hi-Fi equipment; in our case, they aren't about crystal-clear sound but rather about the thunderous swings of a sledgehammer! This power amp has soft clipping with harmonic distortion in the lows and low mids, resulting in a compressed dynamic range. The highs are open and clear, while the lows are slightly boosted around 40Hz. This power amp model is perhaps the most universally applicable one in the pack.
• F — KT88 Bass. The British take on power amps, built on KT88 beam tetrodes (similar to 6550 tubes). The tight bass, harmonically saturated low mids and mild highs result in a very neat sound character. With no highlighted string clanging, this model works best for classic rock. The harmonic saturation is subtle yet quite noticeable. The dynamic range is less compressed than in 6550 Bass. This model also has a substantial roll-off in the ultra-lows along with a boost around 100Hz.
• G — EL34 Bass M. The British influence continues — this time, with an EL34 tube push-pull amp based on the same principles as its guitar counterpart. This model has a bass boost around 80Hz and a rather steep cut below 40Hz (this eliminates excess subharmonics and makes the core frequency range cut through the mix better). Harmonic saturation is rather noticeable across the whole spectrum, with pronounced distortion in the mids. At the same time, the dynamic range isn't distorted too far, so the power amp has an excellent dynamic response. The larger the input signal amplitude is, the more distortion you hear. This virtual British amp works great for classic rock: just push it with preamp gain or put a +4-6dB boost into the loop.
• H — EL34 Bass O. One more British bass amp option which is also based on EL34 tubes. This version boasts more "open" lows (without the ultra-low roll-off) with a boost around 60Hz; there's also a mild cut in the highs. This virtual power amp has a sharper dynamic curve and introduces way more compression into the signal. Unlike the previous model on this list, EL34 Bass O is better suited for aggressive genres calling for heavy distortion. Harmonic saturation happens across the whole frequency range and is particularly prominent in the low mids. This power amp has a great response to increased gain both in the preamp and in the loop.
• I — KT66 Bass Overloaded. This version of a virtual KT66-based power amp pushes it to the limit. Imagine a tube bass monster with its master volume set to the max, and you'll get the idea. This model introduces compression at strong attack along with a gradual increase in even harmonic towards the low end. The emulation is set to medium damping which results in more "air" in the lows. The higher the volume is set, the more compressed and distorted the output signal becomes. This model feels at home in heavy styles and at high gain settings. It also works great with fuzz pedals. The frequency curve is slightly biased towards the low end.
• J — 6550 Bass Overloaded. Unlike the 6550 Bass model, this one simulates a monster amp with four tubes of this type which are pushed to the limit and beyond. This results in rather peculiar features, such as growling low mids and aggressive highs. Throw in a classic Rat, and you can play doom metal while wearing headphones with no fear of having your ears bleed. This might be the least widespread power amp model in the selection, but we just couldn't leave it out. Unlike the one featured in the Standard firmware, this one has a more pronounced low end and a slightly different gain structure that works better for bass.

To upload impulses, connect the CabZone Bass to your PC (the USB A (m) — micro-USB cable isn't included in the package). After that, the device will be identified as a drive, allowing for impulse upload.

When the microSD card is used for the first time, an AFX folder with stock impulse files is automatically created on it. The files are stored in subfolders corresponding to the CAB knob positions. To use custom impulses, replace the stock files with your own.

Impulse format: mono 24bit 48kHz WAVE PCM1, uncompressed. The device uses the first 1000 samples of the impulse (about 20ms). If you upload a longer impulse, the CabZone Bass won't process any data beyond the 1000 samples. The first thousand contains all the crucial data on the cab's own initial reflections. Longer impulses also include reflections and frequency distortion introduced by the room where the impulse was recorded.

When the CabZone Bass is connected via USB, the LED turns blue. The cabsim's audio functions are still accessible. If you haven't copied any new impulses to folders in the device's memory, no changes happen to its operation. If you have copied a new impulse to the folder corresponding to the current position of the CAB knob, turn the knob to another position and go back to the previously selected one. After that, the new file will be uploaded to the device's memory.

To re-record the stock impulse files to the built-in memory, delete all folders from the drive. This will cause the device to automatically create the AFX folder and all its contents.

When done using the device, eject the drive safely and disconnect the USB cable.

Alternative firmware (patch) upload is currently in testing. The function is already available in CabZone LE (to support page). The detailed description for the CabZone Bass will appear later.

• The CabZone X Standard firmware version contains virtual power amps and cabinet impulses which have been mostly designed for guitar.
  
• The CabZone X Bass firmware version contains virtual power amps and cabinet impulses for use with bass.
  

Update instructions can be found in the update archive. The update to the Bass version is reversible.