Review: Markbass Mini CMD 121P + CMD Jeff Berlin Players School

This time Kitarablogi.com takes a look at two different Markbass bass combos – one is already a bona fide classic, while the other is a brand new, affordably-priced signature model.

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The Markbass Mini CMD 121P (current price in Finland: 799 €) is one of the company’s best-selling combos, as it manages to put all of Markbass’ trademark features into a compact, hard-to-beat package.

The Mini CMD 121P comes loaded with a lightweight, but powerful 12-inch neodymium speaker with Markbass’ cool yellow cone, as well as a piezo tweeter in the top right corner.

The back-ported cabinet is covered in a hard-wearing carpet style exterior, and comes equipped with sturdy plastic corner protectors.

The whole combo measures only 38 x 43 x 36 centimetres (w x h x d) and weighs in at just above 13 kilos, which makes it easy to carry around by its single top handle.

Despite its diminutive dimensions the Markbass Mini CMD 121P packs a very hefty punch, delivering 300 watts at 8 ohms or 500 watts at 4 ohms.

Markbass tend to use existing amp head models in their combos by simply sinking the amp units into the cabinet from the top. This combo uses the Markbass Combo Head II amp, for example.

Ample ventilation is provided thanks to a side vent, as well as a (quiet-running) ventilator next to the bass-reflex port.

Markbass’ excellent preamp is definitely one of the features that originally put the Italian brand on the map:

The Combo Head II makes all the volume knobs stand out from the EQ-section by using yellow controls. We have an input gain control (with its corresponding blue indicator LED), a level control for the balanced DI output, and the master volume control.

The EQ-section comprises a four-band EQ, and Markbass’ special VLE and VPF controls.

VLE stands for Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator, and it allows you to take your tone from modern, fresh and wiry to vintage-style thuddy – and all points in-between – by the simple turn of a knob.

The Variable Pre-Shape Filter, or VPF, lets you dial in a pre-EQ curve with a dip in the lower mids, should you prefer a more Hi-Fi-type sound.

A built-in, automatic two-band limiter protects the Mini CMD 121P’s speakers from damage, even when you run the combo flat out.

As the amp head has been sunk into the cabinet with its controls facing up, the back panel faces floor ward. This isn’t the most practical of solutions on a dimly lit stage, but over time you will learn which connector is which.

The Markbass features a balanced DI output with pre/post-switching and a secure ground lift feature, an effects loop, a tuner output, and a Speakon connector for hooking up an expansion cabinet.

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Bassist extraordinaire Jeff Berlin has long been a vocal supporter of Markbass amps. Now Mr Berlin and Markbass have come up with an affordably-priced, but fully-spec’d bass combo to go along with Jeff’s position as the director of The Players School of Music.

The new Markbass CMD Jeff Berlin Players School combo (current price in Finland: 499 €) is aimed directly at the ambitious beginner/intermediate bass player (or anyone on a tight budget), who wants maximum tone from a gig-worthy combo. The CMD JB Players School combo gives you the genuine Markbass experience with a couple of twists specifically requested by Jeff Berlin.

Mr Berlin likes to hear a fat, organic bass sound, and he simply hates all types of tweeters in bass amplifiers, which is why he requested a special, deep cabinet for the Players School –model, loaded with an all-black 15-inch speaker, but no treble horn.

Jeff Berlin also requested a chunky metal handle for the 46 x 46 x 48 centimetres cabinet. Despite its larger cabinet and speaker the CMD JB Players School model still only weighs just under 16 kilos.

This combo is also rear-ported…

…and features an air vent for the fan-cooled amplifier.

The Players School model comes equipped with a Little Mark 250 amp, which dishes out 150 watts to 8 ohms, or 250 watts at 4 ohms impedance.

The amp’s features are virtually identical to the Mini CMD’s, offering a four-band EQ-section with additional VLE and VPF knobs.

The CMD JB Players School offers the same array of outputs on its back panels, namely balanced DI, effects loop, tuner output, and Speakon speaker output.

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It’s easy to see why the Markbass Mini CMD 121P has become such a mega seller for the Italian maker: There aren’t that many professional bass combos around that manage successfully to glean such an amount of volume, punch, versatility and sheer quality of tone from such a compact 12-plus-one setup.

The Mini CMD 121P’s basic tone is surprisingly full (for a 12-inch speaker) and balanced with a nice, juicy upper midrange nose, as well as lots of lower-mid character. The extremely musical EQ-, VLE- and VPF-controls make it very easy to dial in the sounds you hear in your head.

You will be able to do most of your gigs just by running the Mini CMD by its own. For larger venues, simply add one of Markbass’ bass cabs for additional girth and volume.

You don’t need to be a prophet to predict a huge success for Markbass’ CMD Jeff Berlin Players School combo, too. A genuine, full-blown Markbass bass combo for 500 euros, you’ve gotta be kidding me!

I’m not sure how they’ve managed to do this, but actually, despite its lower wattage, the Players School amp doesn’t seem that much quieter. I’m sure you can play most restaurant gigs, functions, and small clubs with this combo. And should you need more power, there’s always the option to use the excellent built-in DI output to connect to the PA-system.

The CMD JB Players School combo has a gorgeously round, deep and warm basic tone with a wide dynamic range. I’m not a huge fan of the additional click and trebly scratch that many tweeters seem to add to your bass sound, which made me feel right at home with the Jeff Berlin CMD, and its modern tone and silky top end.

I’ve recorded both combos with similar settings using a single Shure SM57. These demo tracks all follow the same sequence: Jazz Bass (fingerstyle)/Mini CMD –> Rickenbacker (plectrum)/Mini CMD –> Jazz Bass/CMD JBPS –> Rickenbacker/CMD JBPS.

Here are the combos on their own:

The same track with the drums added:

The full arrangement with the bass tracks mixed high:

And, lastly, a more balanced mix of the above:

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Markbass Mini CMD 121P & CMD Jeff Berlin Players School combos

Mini CMD 121P – 799 €

CMD JB Players School – 499 €

Distributor: Musamaailma

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Pros (both combos):

+ size

+ weight

+ versatility

+ power

+ sound

Cons (both combos):

– back panel access

14/08/2015 1

Now on SoundCloud: Markbass Mini CMD 121P + CMD Jeff Berlin Players School

Bass parts on demo song:

1. Squier (Japan) Jazz Bass/Mini CMD 121P – fingerstyle
2. Rickenbacker 4003/Mini CMD 121P – plectrum
3. Squier (Japan) Jazz Bass/CMD JB Players School – fingerstyle
4. Rickenbacker 4003/CMD JB Players School – plectrum

All bass tracks recorded using a Shure SM57.

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Distributor: Musamaailma

10/08/2015 0

Sneak preview: Markbass Mini CMD 121 P & CMD JB Players School

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

05/08/2015 0

Tulossa elokuussa +++ Coming in August +++ Markbass

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

29/07/2015 0

Review: DV Mark Little Jazz + Jazz 12

Marco de Virgiliis’ company Markbass has made its mark spearheading the use of Class D power amps, which have made it possible to pack an amazing amount of output power into very small and lightweight bass amp heads. Markbass’ sister brand, DV Mark, concentrates on guitar amps, for the most part.

Markbass and DV Mark have recently changed their distributor in Finland. Their products are now distributed by Musamaailma, which celebrates its 30th year in business in 2015.

The combos in DV Mark’s Jazz series – the DV Little Jazz (current price in Finland: 393 €) and the DV Jazz 12 (462 €) – are very lightweight guitar amps, meant for professional use, and designed to concentrate solely on one thing – a top grade clean tone.

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The DV Little Jazz is a surprisingly small combo in the shape of a cube (27 x 27 x 26 cm). Thanks to its diminutive size and small weight (just under seven kilos), you can easily take it on a bus or tram on the way to your next gig or rehearsal.

The cream white cabinet is home to an eight-inch speaker that was specially designed for this amp.

The corner protectors and the Little Jazz’ sturdy metal grille give this small combo a suitably chunky look.

The DV Jazz 12 is a good deal larger in size (43 x 42 x 30 cm), with a more traditional guitar combo look and a stylish cloth grille.

Thanks to its special-design, neodymium 12-inch speaker, the Jazz 12 weighs in at just under nine kilos.

Both combos have a partially open back, and they share an identical, fan-cooled amplifier module dishing out 45 watts of power.

The back panel offers a speaker output, a balanced DI output (XLR), as well as a headphones output and an on/off-switch for the internal speaker.

In addition to the Master volume, the control panel sports a three-band EQ section, a level control for the built-in digital reverb, as well as an auxiliary input for your phone, tablet or mp3-player.

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The sound of both DV Mark Jazz-combos is really clean, warm and beautiful, but never lifeless or one-dimensional. The inherent character of your chosen guitar is kept intact, and the same holds true for all the intricacies of your playing technique.

You can then fine-tune the tone to your liking by using the musical EQ section.

A fantastically realistic spring reverb simulation works as the basis for the reverb sound in these DV Mark combos. To add even more character and depth to the overall tone, DV Mark’s designers have chosen to add some pitch modulation to the reverb. Adding reverb in moderate amounts, the modulation adds a chorus-like breadth to proceedings. At full-on Surf-style settings, though, the pitch modulation could prove to be a tad distracting to some guitarists.

My only real criticism regarding the Little Jazz and Jazz 12 combos has to do with their continuous fan-cooling. On stage the – relatively quiet – whoosh of the PC-type fan won’t be a problem, but in intimate recording studio settings some fan noise may end up on ”tape”.

I would really like to stress that, despite looking like a small practice amp, the DV Mark Little Jazz really is meant for active onstage use – it’s not a toy! The combo’s 45 W will be enough in many situations, and if you need more power, you can simply stick a mic in front of it or use the excellent built-in DI-output.

For such a small amp the Little Jazz sounds surprisingly big and warm, even though there’s a small trace of boxiness to the tone, when compared directly with the Jazz 12. DV’s Little Jazz sounds like the grown up guitar combo it really is.

Here’s a short clip using a Fender Telecaster and recorded with a Shure SM57:

This is what a double humbucker Hamer sounds like through the Little Jazz:

Here’s a short clip of the built-in reverb:

The DV Jazz 12 could be called the Little Jazz’ deluxe edition, thanks to its bigger and slightly more open sound. The larger speaker combined with a larger cabinet gives the brilliant clean tone more space to breathe. The end result is one of the best clean sounds I’ve ever heard.

The first clip has been played on a Telecaster:

Here’s a similar clip with my Hamer USA Studio Custom:

I’ve used an Epiphone Casino (equipped with Göldo pickups) for the demo track. The first pass is the Little Jazz, the second pass has been recorded with the Jazz 12:

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The DV Mark Little Jazz and Jazz 12 are two great combos for the gigging guitarist. And I don’t just mean Jazzers.

These DV Mark combos are also fantastic choices for players who like to get their sounds from pedals or multi-effect boards. By combining a pair of Little Jazzes or Jazz 12s you’ll end up with a great-sounding stereo rig, which will still be easy to transport.

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DV Mark Little Jazz + Jazz 12

DV Little Jazz – 393 €

DV Jazz 12 – 462 €

Finnish distributor: Musamaailma

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Pros (both models):

+ lightweight

+ compact

+ ample output power

+ workmanship

+ sound

+ DI-output

Cons (both models):

– continuous fan-cooling

03/07/2015 2

Testipenkissä: DV Mark Little Jazz + Jazz 12

Marco de Virgiliisin perustama Markbass on tunnettu edelläkävijänä D-luokan päätevahvistimien käytössä, mikä on mahdollistanut tehokkaiden bassovahvistimien tarjoamista erittäin kompaktissa ja kevyessä muodossa. Markbassin sisarbrändi DV Mark taas keskittyy kitaravahvistimiin.

Markbassin ja DV Markin edustus Suomessa on muuttunut hiljattain – uusi maahantuoja on Musamaailma.

DV Markin Jazz-sarjan kombot – DV Little Jazz (393 €) ja DV Jazz 12 (462 €) – ovat ammattikäyttöön tarkoitettuja, hyvin kevyitä kitaravahvistimia, jotka keskittyvät täysin yhteen asiaan – erittäin laadukkaaseen puhtaaseen soundiin.

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DV Little Jazz on todella pienikokoinen, kuutiomainen (27 x 27 x 26 cm) kitarakombo, joka kulkee erittäin helposti soittajan mukana. Paino pysyy jopa seitsemän kilon alapuolella.

Kermanvaalean kotelonsa uumeniin on asennettu 8-tuumainen, juuri tätä vahvistinta varten suunniteltu kaiutin.

Kestävä metallinen eturitilä antaa kombolle sopivasti tukevan ulkonäön.

Selvästi isomman (43 x 42 x 30 cm) DV Jazz 12 -kitarakombon ulkonäkö on perinteisempi, ja sen tumma etukangas kenties myös tyylikkäämpi.

Erikoisvalmisteisen, 12 -tuumaisen neodyymikaiuttimensa ansiosta Jazz 12:n paino pysyy jopa alle 9 kiloa.

Molemmissa komboissa on identtinen, tuulettimella jäähdytetty 45-wattinen vahvistinmoduuli, sekä puoliavoin takaseinä.

Takapaneelista löytyy lähtö lisäkaiuttimelle, balansoitu DI-lähtö, päälle/pois-kytkin sisäiselle kaiuttimelle, sekä kuulokelähtö hiljaista harjoittelua varten.

Etupaneeli taas tarjoaa master-volumen lisäksi kolmikaistaisen EQ-osaston, digitaalisen kaiun, sekä aux-tulon mp3-soittimelle.

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DV Markin Jazz-sarjan kombojen soundi on todella puhdas, lämmin ja kaunis, muttei koskaan tylsä tai yksiulotteinen. Käytetyn soittimen luonne säilyy täysin ehjänä, ja myös kitaristin soittotekniikan jokaista yksityiskohtaa vahvistetaan uskollisesti.

Erittäin tervettä perussoundia voi sitten maustella itselleen sopivaksi kombon oivilla Bass-, Mid- ja Treble-säätimillä.

Kaiun perustana toimii DV Mark -kaksikossa erittäin luonnollisen kuuloinen jousikaiun mallinnus. Kaikuun on kuitenkin lisätty pikkuannos sävelkorkeuden huojuntaa, joka syventää kaiun maltillisilla asetuksilla (chorus-efektin lailla) sopivasti vahvistimen soundia. Surf-tyylisillä asetuksilla (= kaiku täysille) kaiun modulaatio voi kuitenkin mahdollisesti häiritä huojunnalle herkkää kultakorvaa.

Ainoa kritiikkikohta koskee Little Jazzin ja Jazz 12:n tuuletinta – lavalla tuulettimen (sinänsä hiljainen) käyntiääni ei varmasti koidu ongelmaksi, mutta erittäin intiimeissä studiotilanteissa pieni annos aktiivituuletuksen suhinaa voi joskus päätyä ”nauhaan”.

Haluaisin korostaa sitä, että vaikkapa DV Little Jazz näyttääkin pieneltä harjoituskombolta, se on todellakin live-käyttöön tarkoitettu kitaravahvistin, eikä lelu! Kombon 45 wattia riittävät mainiosti moniin tilanteisiin, ja lisätehoa saa helposti joko mikittämällä tai mainion sisäänrakennetun DI-lähdön kautta.

Soundiltaan Little Jazz on yllättävän iso ja lämmin, vaikka suorassa vertailussa Jazz 12:een pikkuinen annos soinnillista ahtautta on toki havaittavissa. DV Little Jazz kuulostaa kuitenkin aikuiselta kitarakombolta.

Tässä Telecasterilla soitettu esimerkki:

Ja tältä humbuckereilla varustettu Hamer kuulostaa:

Tässä yksi lyhyt näyte kaikusoundista:

DV Jazz 12 -komboa voi mielestäni kutsua Little Jazzin deluxe-versioksi, sen isomman ja hieman avoimemman soundinsa ansiosta. Jazz-sarjan loistava perussoundi saa suuremman kaiuttimen ja isomman kotelon kautta yksinkertaisesti enemmän tilaa hengittää. Lopputulos on vaikuttavaa.

Ensimmäinen esimerkkipätkä on soitettu Fender Telecasterilla:

Toisessa soi Hamerin Studio Custom -kitara:

Demobiisissä käytin (Göldo-mikrofoneilla varustettua) Epiphone Casinoa. Ensimmäinen läpimeno on äänitetty Little Jazzilla, kun toisessa puoliskossa kuullaan Jazz 12 -komboa:

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Kauniilla clean-soundilla varustetut Little Jazz- ja Jazz 12 -kombot ovat mielestäni loistava valinta monille kitaristeille, ei ainoastaan Jazz-musiikin ystäville.

DV Mark -kombot tekevät nimittäin myös erinomaista yhteistyötä pedaalilaudan (tai multiefektin) kanssa. Kahdella kombolla voi rakentaa itselleen tehokkaan ja hyväkuuloisen stereojärjestelmän, joka on silti vielä todella helppoa roudata.

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DV Mark Little Jazz + Jazz 12 -kombot

DV Little Jazz – 393 €

DV Jazz 12 – 462 €

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

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Plussat (molemmat mallit):

+ alhainen paino

+ kompakti koko

+ vahvistinteho

+ työnjälki

+ soundi

+ DI-lähtö

Miinukset (molemmat mallit):

– tuuletin aina päällä

29/06/2015 1

DV Mark Little Jazz & Jazz 12 – SoundCloud

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

24/06/2015 0

Edoardo Righini and the DV Mark Jazz 12

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

22/06/2015 0

Testi tulossa +++ Review in the works +++ DV Mark Little Jazz & Jazz 12

Video by Uli Brodersen.

Lisätiedot: Musamaailma

10/06/2015 0

Review: Blackstar ID:Core BEAM

Blackstar’s ID:Core BEAM (current price in Finland: 299 €), which was introduced at this year’s NAMM Show, is one of a new breed of amplifiers:

The BEAM is a so-called ”lifestyle amp” that combines a practical solution for living room practising with a Bluetooth stereo system with a suitable Rock look.

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The Blackstar ID:Core BEAM is a genuine ID:Core-combo, which means that all its parameters are accessible via Blackstar’s Insider software.

The newcomer is a stereophonic amp with its 20 watts of power running into a pair of three-inch speakers. Blackstar’s Super Wide Stereo-effect – a feature taken from the company’s larger ID:Core combos – can also be applied to the BEAM’s music player, with its own, separate width adjustment.

Apart from the power switch, the ID:Core BEAM’s back panel features the input jack for the (optional) footswitch. The rest of the combo’s controls and connectors can be found on the top-mounted control panel.

The larger ID:Core combos are well-equipped practice amps, but the BEAM has a couple of additional aces up its sleeve:

The ID:Core BEAM offers you 12 amp models (Voices). The first set (the Voices LED glows red) deals with six amp models for electric guitar, while the second set (green LED) gives you two Voices each for acoustic guitar, electric bass, and acoustic guitar simulation.

The amp section has three physical knobs for adjustment – gain, volume, and Blackstar’s patented ISF-control, which control’s the amp’s overall tonal character. Using the Insider-software you will be able to access additional parameters for deep editing, like a three-band EQ-section or a noise gate.

The effects department features four different modulation effects, four delay types, and four reverbs. The two Voices for bass swap the reverbs for bass distortion. You can choose one effect from each effect section for a Voice (meaning up to three simultaneous effects).

The small combo also features a built-in tuner.

The music signal, sent to the BEAM from your mobile device via Bluetooth, naturally isn’t sent through the combo’s amp modelling circuits. It is fed into the signal chain just before the power amp section. The ID:Core BEAM allows you to play along to the Bluetooth signal, of course!

The USB-port isn’t only used to remote control the amp’s parameters via Insider – this lifestyle combo doubles as a full-blown USB sound card. The BEAM can be run in three different USB-modes, which allows you to either send a stereo signal of the amp sound to your sequencer, or send two discrete mono signals (with one channel completely dry, and the second channel with all the amp modelling and effects) to your recording software. The third USB-mode is called Reamping, and it’s used to feed a dry guitar signal off your audio sequencer into the ID:Core BEAM and record the effected signal onto a separate recording track simultaneously.

The signal level of the USB-audio can be controlled directly (and independently of the amp’s master volume settings), making it very easy to set the correct recording levels for your personal studio setup.

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Blackstar have really hit the bull’s eye with their new lifestyle combo!

Listening to music with a very critical ear you can hear a little bit of hiss, but it isn’t loud enough to spoil the fun. Remember, the ID:Core BEAM isn’t meant to be a studio monitor, but rather a nifty, compact music player for your bookcase – something this little combo handles with much aplomb. You wouldn’t necessarily expect such a full and strong delivery from such a compact unit.

The ID:Core BEAM also sounds great as a guitar and bass amp, which isn’t quite as surprising, considering this combo’s pedigree.

The guitar amp voices have plenty of character, and the effects have more than ample depth and width:

The high quality of the acoustic simulator was something of a positive surprise:

Despite its diminutive size, the BEAM also delivers when it comes to electric bass tones:

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The Blackstar ID:Core BEAM succeeds to combine a programmable practice combo for guitar and bass, a Bluetooth-player, and a USB sound card into a very enticing package. In addition to being a great living room amp, the BEAM could also prove a handy little amp for guitar instructors.

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Blackstar ID:Core BEAM

299 €

Finnish distributor: Musamaailma

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Pros:

+ well thought-out concept

+ value for money

+ feature-packed guitar and bass amp

+ adjustable Super Wide Stereo-function

+ USB sound card

+ full sound

Cons:

– high noise gate setting on default bass distortion

28/05/2015 1