bass amp limiter

[han2u]

Hi, would appreciate if anybody can explain the purpose of the limiter switch in a bass amp. Is it to cut off certain sound frequencies that might damage the speaker? Why is it we dont have this in a lead guitar amplifier?

 

[subversion]

the limiter acts as a signal truncation device should this exceed a certain threshold. it makes the output sound more even (nothing that sounds excessive than the rest- even sounding) because the bass, unlike guitar, gives off a more erratic output, some signals sounding louder/ softer than the others due to the nature of the frequency, especially so when certain techniques are employed, eg: popped/ slapped notes are generally louder than the fingered/ picked ones.

 

[kdash]

sounds like it does the same job as a bass limiter pedal. with the limiter switch on the bass amp, you don't need a limiter pedal! like the chorus switch on some guitar amps.

 

[han2u]

Hey thanks man. So if I max it out that'll be good?

 

[shinobi]

the practical reason why compressors are built into some amps is that low frequencies do a better job of blowing a speaker. and a compressor is sometimes built into an amp for the (often sole) purpose of protecting the speaker.

they are very common in combo amps. maybe manufacturers wanted to compensate for poor cab designs? i dunno anything about cab designs though.

that brings us to compressors that are not built into an amp. be it rackmount or pedal, the functionality of a compressor exceeds the purpose of merely protecting the speaker

search these forums on compressors. there are already so many topics and they will help

http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-bass/43096-limiter-vs-compressor.html