I usually dial in to the sound that I've developed over time in certain situations. I'm a chameleon, so my sound changes depending on the style.

For gospel, the leaders and drummers want slap happy stuff on a 5 string, so it's gotta have the high end bite, but plenty of low end too, and balanced by clarity in the mids when just playing lines.

Jazz usually calls for a low mid growl with lower high end clarity. I use my 4 string for that. Cut way back on the low end below about 150 hz.

Latin is usually bottom heavy, cut the highs and make it real round and thuddy, like an electric Ampeg upright. But the current sound is more akin to the gospel set up. You really need a 5 string to be in the pocket with the Latin stuff if you are going to use an electric. Or you can just play an electric upright.

Rock stuff I try to sound like Dave Magaro......

Of course, I'm dialing in the specifics in each individual room, so you gotta do a bit of work every nite to get it right. Sometimes I get it right away and sometimes I'm fussing all night long..

Thanks for some of the tips...I really haven't focused much on how sound differs from room to room. I know that I was always told to focus on low mids in larger venues, so the low end stays clear and audible.

Having active basses, I try and keep my amp's eq set flat so it's one less setting I have to work with; however, I also add a little low mids when I'm using my 1x15 cab with my 210 combo.

Sounds like you have the right idea, achieving clarity in the low end. You know that we're all about the Down Low....

lol...yeah, I try and keep to MY frequency! Down Low!

when gigging or in any situation i gotta have my TWEERRaAAAANNggGEEEEGG!!!!! twaang QuaaAAcck snaack tiiiing ttaanng! twaannngy taaangy boingy boingy! but if im drinking heavily (which is rare) .. i turn it down a little.. and even turn the tone down a little to make it BOOOM BBOOM DOOM DOOOOOOOOBBIE DOOBIE LAALAA!!! BOOM BOOM bum bum boooOM...that way my mistakes dont stand out so much. my bandmates usually get annoyed with the twang "it sounds like a guitar" oh well.

Guitar-like sounds annoy your bandmates?!?

how bizaa! they were annoyed that my bass sounded more like a guitar rather than a bass BOOM BOOM

A little Boom Boom is ALWAYS a good thing!

YES BOOM BOOM is good. but i like to have TRWEEERERWRWWAANNG!! IN THAT boom boom. whaa whaat?!