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Thoughts on the Blackstar Fly Bass 3 (Stereo Pack)?
- Thread starter TheIndieKid
- Start date
I have the Blackstar FLY 3 Bass Pack. You can read my review over at Sweetwater. I like them as they fulfill the intended dual purpose of computer speakers and mini bass amp play along. The single tone control is totally wacky as it is a weird midrange control. From the handbook:
This control allows you to adjust the depth of the EQ curve for the tonal response
you prefer. Fully CCW is fairly flat with a slight mid range boost, whereas fully CW
has a definite mid shape with a cut at around 400Hz.This depth of mid range cut
is variable between the two extremes. This is a ‘dual-gang’ control meaning there
are two sections: One controls the depth of the mid cut as described above and
the other gradually adds in an overall gain boost.
You really have to live with that thing and experiment. It's good to have reasonable expectations. What can you reasonably expect from 3 watts into a 3 inch speaker in a little plastic box? Times two? If you wanted the best of all the $100 bass amps available, the Fender Rumble 25 would be my pick.
This control allows you to adjust the depth of the EQ curve for the tonal response
you prefer. Fully CCW is fairly flat with a slight mid range boost, whereas fully CW
has a definite mid shape with a cut at around 400Hz.This depth of mid range cut
is variable between the two extremes. This is a ‘dual-gang’ control meaning there
are two sections: One controls the depth of the mid cut as described above and
the other gradually adds in an overall gain boost.
You really have to live with that thing and experiment. It's good to have reasonable expectations. What can you reasonably expect from 3 watts into a 3 inch speaker in a little plastic box? Times two? If you wanted the best of all the $100 bass amps available, the Fender Rumble 25 would be my pick.
I just read your review! I agree totally. I use a Fender Mustang Bass with flats and a Thunderbird Bass, so I was curious to know what I should be going up to with sub control. I'm glad to know you leave it low, and I'll experiment with that. How much do you leave the compressor at?
I leave the compressor pretty low too, about 8 o'clock. Your signal is going through all that circuitry anyway and it sounds best to me just cracked open enough to tell. Any more than that and it becomes a mud machine real quick.
- Sep 3, 2006
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I have one. Used it to play a room with a guitar player that had the guitar version. But funny that I do not use it as much as I thought I would. I am at the moment giving a try to a different battery powered unit as I wanted a bit more than what the Fly gives. For it's size, it does put out a practice level and I had no complaints, but turn it up all the way and it does add distortion.
I know what you guys mean. On the subject of distortion/overdrive, I know, at least you Linnin, are not fond of the low-end suck of the OD section, but how do you feel about the break up of the cranked gain?
Anybody try one of these?
5-Watt Guitar Amplifier, Portable Recorder, and USB Audio Interface - Monoprice.com
There's a couple reviews saying it is OK on bass.
5-Watt Guitar Amplifier, Portable Recorder, and USB Audio Interface - Monoprice.com
There's a couple reviews saying it is OK on bass.
Me No Likey. Sounds like it's gonna blow, and I bet it will too. Those 3 inch speakers can only take so much. As wide range as they are (surprisingly so), woofers they aint. I'm willing to bet a doughnut that the 3 inch speakers are the same as in the guitar amps. They have very strong mids from about 500 Hz on up to maybe 5kHz. Listening to vocals and piano (youtube & CD's) through these things are very good & strong. I'll bet you another doughnut that they are high pass filtered around 80-100Hz. Hit your middle E (82.41Hz) on the 7th fret of the A string and walk on up chromatically the A (110Hz) on the 12th fret. Notice they get stronger and more well defined. Then go to the D (73.42Hz) and walk down to the open A (55Hz) notice the weakening depth. The little speakers don't fart out or rattle, but I don't push the amp into distortion. Sounds better than you might think just looking at the numbers.
Have you noticed a fizzle sort of sound when playing? Btw those numbers and theories are interesting. Are full range like PA speakers?
I have not, but the damn little things do make some off the wall funky tones here and there.
Kind of like that only just not as good.
Got the stereo pack and adore it for park bench/ friend's couch jams. That's pretty much what it's for- I wouldn't gig or record with it but I'm more than happy to busk with it.
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What do you put your subharmonic control at? I struggle to find what is muddy and what is a full but well defined tone when it comes to a small speaker setup
I just barely have it cracked open. Maybe a 16th of a turn. Compressor about 1/8th of a turn. Just enough to tell the difference, but not more. Sounds better than completely shut down.
I have the Core ID10 a real small combo guitar amp with 3" stereo speakers. It's basically a cheap consumer modeling amp for practice that I purchased on a whim. I hardly ever use it, it was a cool novelty at the time. The larger more powerful ones sound a lot better.
I was considering the fly, but they were just too small and the sound was very thin, and boxy with a limited frequency range. I really couldn't get the full sound of a guitar or bass out of it. For bass practice amp, I prefer a good sounding small combo with a well designed bass reflex cabinet with HF horn like the Warwick BC20. This thing sounds like a real bass amp with a lot of low power and a wide frequency range. So much so, that with the BB bass, I need to cut the low 25%. And it has the HF horn that makes AUX input signals sound great.
I was considering the fly, but they were just too small and the sound was very thin, and boxy with a limited frequency range. I really couldn't get the full sound of a guitar or bass out of it. For bass practice amp, I prefer a good sounding small combo with a well designed bass reflex cabinet with HF horn like the Warwick BC20. This thing sounds like a real bass amp with a lot of low power and a wide frequency range. So much so, that with the BB bass, I need to cut the low 25%. And it has the HF horn that makes AUX input signals sound great.
If there is a nearby liquor store you can rob, I'd suggest the Phil Jones Double 4.
No, but there are some others that have also posted hiss complaints on the Blackstar forums. I would send yours back for replacement or repair. All the customer support Blackstar has is via email [email protected] Good Luck!
Hello Linnin!
Blackstar have recommended I play through a unit at the shop. See if there is any difference. I think I forgot to mention to you though that when playing and turning any of the dials, there is crackling. Do you have an idea what this could be?
No. These things are a cheap crapshoot. "Ya pays your money and you takes your chances"
My impression is that’s it’s worlds worse than a zoom b1on wired to an Oontz Angle 3 which is a very cheap speaker and that’s worth about the same in total. I’m going to try with a better speaker and see how much better that gets