Hughes & Kettner BassBase 600 User manual

1
Contents
INTRODUCTION
BEFORE OPERATING...
1.0 CONNECTIONS AND CONTROL FEATURES
2.0 STANDARD SETUP / CABLE CONNECTIONS
3.0 SELECTING EQ SETTINGS/MIDI
4.0 OPERATING THE BASSBASE 600
4.1 THE INPUT AND VOICING SECTIONS..
4.2 THE VARIMETRIC EQs.
4.3 THE NOTCH FILTER
4.4 THE BASSBASE 600 AND FX PROCESSORS
4.5 THE BASSBASE 600 AND MIDI
4.6 THE ACTIVE CROSSOVER
5.0 SERVICE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the HUGHES & KETTNER BassBase 600!
The BassBase 600 represents our goal of designing the ultimate bass amp, featuring the cutting edge of
contemporary amplification technology. In respect to performance, sound quality, flexibility and workmanship,
we made our dream of the perfect bass amp a reality (and hopefully yours too).
In addition to all the tried-and-true features of classic bass amps, the BassBase 600 offers many innovative
details that will help you translate your ideas about sound into music.
In spite of its wealth of features, the BassBase 600 is designed to be straightforward to understand and easy
to operate. This manual will help you exploit the many options your new amp offers.
We wish you much enjoyment and success with your BassBase 600!
BEFORE OPERATING....
Check the voltage rating displayed next to the amp's AC socket. Make sure it matches your local AC current
before you plug the amp’s power cord into an AC outlet.
Place the amp on a sturdy, secure base (no, a stack of empty beer crates won't do). If you install the amp in a
rack, make sure the amp is supported from the rear, or is mounted at the bottom rack space.
HUGHES & KETTNER is not liable for damage to the amp due to incorrect installation in racks.

2
For safety purposes, the BassBase 600's power amp is exclusively equipped with Speakon jacks and female
XLR jacks. (In some cases, you may need to employ an adapter cable.)
NOTE: Under no circumstances should you use 1/4" plugs for connecting speaker cabinets to the BassBase
600; they are not designed to handle the amount of power this amp puts out.
3.0 SELECTING EQ SETTINGS/MIDI
You can activate the BassBase 600's two VARIMETRIC EQs and the FX LOOP in any one of three different
ways: via the front panel controls, the STAGEBOARD, or MIDI (once the MSM 1 MIDI Module has been
installed).
From the front panel, press the EQ ON button to enhance the basic EQ section (BASS and TREBLE), which
is always on, with the VARIMETRIC EQ. Now you can use the EQ A/B button to switch back and forth
between VARIMETRIC A and VARIMETRIC B.
From the Stageboard, use the same procedure to select a setting. The LEDs illuminate to indicate the current
switching status.

3
NOTE: To use either the Stageboard or MIDI to operate the BassBase, please ensure that all switches
on the front panel of the unit itself are OUT (not depressed). Alternatively, to operate the BassBase
using either the front panel switches or MIDI, ensure the Stageboard is either unplugged or completely
switched off (that is, no Stageboard LEDs are on).
Once the MSM 1 MIDI Module has been installed, you can switch EQ sections and activate the FX loop via
MIDI commands. Using MIDI to handle the simultaneous switching of the BassBase 600 and your FX
processor leaves you free to concentrate on your music.
Please refer to the MSM 1 Instruction Manual for detailed information on installation and MIDI operation.
4.0 OPERATING THE BASSBASE 600
4.1 THE INPUT SECTION AND BASIC EQ SECTION
The response of the BassBase 600 tube preamp stage depends in large part on your instrument, its pickups
and signal level, and your playing style. The -10 dB and GAIN controls simplify and significantly expedite your
search for the proper level. Although your ears are the ultimate authority, the PREAMP LEDs are also great
visual reference tools for this task.
To adjust the gain properly, turn your instrument's volume all the way up and ‘spank the plank’ hard by
slapping or really digging in with your pick. For the ideal setting, the RED CLIP LED will flash briefly on peaks
only. If the signal is too hot, press the -10 dB button to damp it.
NOTE: The RED CLIP LED illuminates to indicate distortion in the BassBase 600 preamp caused by a
saturated input or incorrect FX processor levels. It will not show distortion caused by your bass, such
as an active instrument's low batteries.
The yellow TUBE SATURATION LED indicates the amp’s tube stage is entering the mellow overdrive zone.
You will now begin to hear that utterly desirable tube growl and typical tube compression. For ultraclean
sounds, only the SIGNAL LED should illuminate. If you cannot achieve tube saturation even with the gain
wide open, deactivate the -10 dB button (not depressed).