| Author | Message | ||
| mtjam
Advanced Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 337 Registered: 11-2011 |
I just connected my Series basses directly to a power amp for the first time, and I liked it! I haven't done it at a gig, but it sounds pretty good at home. I think I need more powerful power amps to use such a setup effectively at gigs. Who else out there is doing this (I know Jimmy J. has mentioned it before, as well as others)? Tell me about your experiences. Are you using a stereo power amp, with cables going from your DS-5 into each channel of the amp? Is it OK to use short guitar cables to make these connections, or is there a better way? Anyone using TRS to XLR cables to make any connections, or is this unnecessary (and potentially dangerous)? If you are bridging your power amp, what are your connections to the amp from your DS-5? This is my latest sound experiment, so I am interested in hearing from the very knowledgeable folks here who have done it. Thanks! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4619 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have tried that a few times when I was having problems with the signal breaking up when plugging into the front end of my Mesa boogie walkabout head. I was using a non series bass at the time and it sounded fine. As for a series bass I've only tried it briefly at home to see what it sounds like but nothing more than that. I asked the question previously on the forum about using balanced cables to connect to a power amp in my rig and was told that with such a short length of cable it doesn't make any real difference soundwise to use balanced or unbalanced cables. | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 588 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Rob, I still do this when conditions are right. Having the least amount of electronics in the signal path results in the fastest, cleanest, and most dynamic sound. Not everybody's cup of tea but I generally prefer it. When there are self-powered monitors available (which are basically speakers with built-in power amps) I attempt to connect this way. It can create ground loop issues if you are also sending a signal to the PA so sometimes you need isolation transformers (DI boxes) to avoid hum. Also, since there is no EQ in line other than what can be done on the instrument, results will vary. If the monitor doesn't sound nice flat I will surrender and ask to have "bass only" sent to my wedge in the conventional way from the mixing board - so it can be EQed. (The wedge will have it's own EQ so this can be done without changing the tone in the PA.) The 1/4" outputs of our series electronics are unbalanced and often so are the inputs of power amps. If the inputs are balanced you may need an adaptor. Any shielded cable should do. At line level the "fidelity" of the cable is less of an issue. (Series electronics are less effected by cable length, capacitance, etc... than passive instruments.) The last thing is, our instruments can get close to "professional" line level when the outputs are cranked but they usually aren't quite as hot as a dedicated preamp. So depending on the power amp and speakers you try this with, you may miss the additional gain of an inline pre (and EQ). If you like the flat, super-clean tone you could add a very clean boost amp before the power amp to get the full volume potential. Keep experimenting! Jimmy J | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 265 Registered: 8-2013 |
I have brand new Series 2 that I am slowly getting used to. As a series noob coming from using anniversary electronics there is quite a bit to settle into. That said for the first time this evening I hooked it up via the 5 Pin stereo jack to a ds-5 then from each pickup out of the ds-5 into separate channels of a QSC GX7 Power amp. One channel was fed out to Markbass 2x10 and the other a PJB compact 4. At a low volume it sounded great, super clean, and clear. Going to experiment some more as this can prove to be an easier to manage setup. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4646 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow a new series II, have I missed the pictures of this new bass somewhere. It takes some time to get used to using it and probably more years than I have left to be as fluent with it as our Jimmy. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 267 Registered: 8-2013 |
Jazzyvee, here is the new SII I was experimenting with: http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/206044.html?1426001209 |
