Ampeg Micro VR noisy! (see mp3 inside)

JDubb · #1 03-27-2011, 02:30 PM

Hey guys,
I got this micro VR from another forum member. At first I thought it was in good shape because it's almost new. But after using it a bit I think there's something up with it.

There is an mp3 attached of the XLR output plugged directly into my mic preamp, then direct to digital. This white noise is the same whether I plug into a line input, mic input or even a DI.

It's also there coming right out of the cab. See second post for an MP3 of a mic recording.

It's not my cord or bass pickups. It's definitely the amp.

Just wanted you guys who have one of these to confirm that your amp is a lot quieter, whether using the XLR out or miking it up.

I can't really use it for recording like it is. I think it's new enough to possibly still be under warranty.

JDubb · #2 03-27-2011, 02:35 PM

Jeez, attachment size is stingy. Only enough for a 128kbps at 1 minute.

Anyhow, the XLR out recording illustrates approximately the same noise floor as is coming out of the cab as well.

JimmyM · #3 03-27-2011, 03:18 PM

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/.../MicroVRDI.mp3

i made a recording of my micro vr's di to see if it did the same thing. i started it at my usual settings of gain 9:00 (anything higher than that and it clips my computer's input...that's a very hot di unless you push in the -15db switch), bass 1:00, mids 1:30, treble 9:00. no noise. boosted the treble up to 12:00 in the second pass. no noise. boosted treble to 3:00 in the third pass. noise starts. boosted treble up all the way for 4th pass. noise almost identical to yours.

then i thought i'd try to simulate your sound as best as i could with a p strung with rounds. my setting for that was bass all the way up, mids at noon, treble all the way up. got lots of noise just like yours.

this tells me that you're grossly overboosting treble. when you boost any of the knobs to extremes, you also boost the amount of noise associated with those frequencies. this happens in any amp, not just inexpensive ones like the micro vr. in a mix the noise gets drowned out and it still sounds pretty good, but by itself it can be pretty loud, especially with treble frequencies.

now if you come back and say you had treble at noon or less and you were still getting this noise, then i'd suspect your amp is broken. but as you can see, mine is dead quiet unless i boost treble a lot, then it sounds like yours. so i'd bet money that's the problem. nothing you can do about it except either live with it or turn down the treble and figure out a different eq that's not so noisy.

JDubb · #4 03-27-2011, 07:00 PM

Thanks Jimmy,
Yeah I had the treble up to about 2:00-3:00 but not all the way.
The thing about this amp that I like so much is how awesome it sounds with the output cranked up, as well as a little high eq, but both of those things make it really noisy.

I made another recording of the XLR out direct to digital, all levels cranked all the way, and it's only nudging -18 on my recorders inputs. Now THIS seems to be an issue compared what you have going on.

Also, the cab seems to be distorting by about 1:00 at both input and output, and the bass eq at around 12:00. Seems to be very early for that.
It might be sympathetic though. I'll have to open up the cab and see if there is a screw loose or something.

whanbury · #5 03-27-2011, 07:14 PM

What kind of bass, do you finger pick or plastic pick..

JDubb · #6 03-27-2011, 07:40 PM

Bass is a Fender Jazz bass w/ bassline/humbucking pickups.

Sometimes fingers, sometimes pick. Shouldn't matter though. I need a bass amp that's quiet enough to record either.

I'm guessing the low XLR out volume level is indicative of something being wrong? Low, at least compared to Jimmy's?

JimmyM · #7 03-27-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDubb

Thanks Jimmy,
Yeah I had the treble up to about 2:00-3:00 but not all the way.
The thing about this amp that I like so much is how awesome it sounds with the output cranked up, as well as a little high eq, but both of those things make it really noisy.

I made another recording of the XLR out direct to digital, all levels cranked all the way, and it's only nudging -18 on my recorders inputs. Now THIS seems to be an issue compared what you have going on.

Also, the cab seems to be distorting by about 1:00 at both input and output, and the bass eq at around 12:00. Seems to be very early for that.
It might be sympathetic though. I'll have to open up the cab and see if there is a screw loose or something.

hmmm...maybe there is a problem. if you know anyone else with one or have a store nearby that has one, maybe they'll let you do an ab. it's really hard to say...however, it's not entirely unusual for it to be distorting with the gain cranked past 12:00. it does pick up some distortion right around that area for me, too. however, the low output does seem like a problem, yes. hard to say what it is without being there, but it does seem odd.

stiles72 · #8 03-28-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDubb

Thanks Jimmy,
Yeah I had the treble up to about 2:00-3:00 but not all the way.
The thing about this amp that I like so much is how awesome it sounds with the output cranked up, as well as a little high eq, but both of those things make it really noisy.

I made another recording of the XLR out direct to digital, all levels cranked all the way, and it's only nudging -18 on my recorders inputs. Now THIS seems to be an issue compared what you have going on.

Also, the cab seems to be distorting by about 1:00 at both input and output, and the bass eq at around 12:00. Seems to be very early for that.
It might be sympathetic though. I'll have to open up the cab and see if there is a screw loose or something.

Sounds good to me - a little quiet - but not noisy at all. Nice tone!