Ampeg SVT 2 Pro clip light problems. Please help?

Andy Pourke · #1 09-11-2010, 10:11 AM

Hi guys. I've recently aquired a second hand SVT 2 Pro which was recently revalved. My problem seems to be that the clip light is coming on (flashing red all the time) even with the gain set really low. Very rarely, the green light on the right of the EQ will turn red too for a split second when i high note is played.
There is no problem at all with the sound, it always sounds great. Do I need to worry about this and what could be causing it? I thank anyone in advance for thier help, cheers.

jastacey · #2 09-11-2010, 10:37 AM

Mine does the same also ... here's a link to a thread about the issue SVT-2Pro concern.... and this link has some good info My ampeg won't stop peaking!

JimmyM · #3 09-11-2010, 12:38 PM

that "clip light" is not a clip light. it's an input light, and it should be lit up pretty solid when you play. besides, with ampegs it's best to use your ears. turn the gain up till you hear distortion, then back off of it a little. or just leave it where it is if you like it.

Andy Pourke · #4 09-12-2010, 04:07 AM

Oh, ok. Thanks a lot guys. So you'd say it's nothing to worry about then? I don't want to pay someone to look at it and there's nothing wrong in the first place. Like I said, it sounds great and I can't hear any clipping noises. Cheers again.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #5 09-12-2010, 08:21 AM

Are you using an active bass without the -15dB switch engaged? This would probably cause the light to come on with not a lot of gain.

JimmyM · #6 09-12-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Pourke

Oh, ok. Thanks a lot guys. So you'd say it's nothing to worry about then? I don't want to pay someone to look at it and there's nothing wrong in the first place. Like I said, it sounds great and I can't hear any clipping noises. Cheers again.

there is nothing wrong with it at all. that is how it operates.

Andy Pourke · #7 09-12-2010, 04:25 PM

Ok, cheers guys. Jimmy M- I can see that you're a seasoned veteran on here and i'll trust your opinion. It does say 'clip' on the light though, which is odd isn't it?

Jonyak · #8 09-12-2010, 05:00 PM

thats how it works.

I knowits a little weird. I went from an eden where if that light goes off its too loud, to an ampeg where its supposed to be lit up.

Andy Pourke · #9 09-12-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

thats how it works.

I knowits a little weird. I went from an eden where if that light goes off its too loud, to an ampeg where its supposed to be lit up.

Thanks a lot. I'm just being a tad paranoid I guess. Don't wanna blow my lovely amp up! As I said, it sounds amazing and I can't stop smiling every time I play a note. Cheers again.

**duff84** · #10 09-12-2010, 05:19 PM

fwiw my svt 3 pro does that when i play either my sterling or my american deluxe jazz bass, something with active bass's. It is how it operates, nothing to worry about man, unless your overpowering a speaker cabinet it should be all good. Perhaps a compressor might solve the issue, but if you don't wanna go that route you should be fine.

ampeg1111 · #11 09-12-2010, 05:40 PM

I kind of have this problem too, but not really because I make it do that on purpose to get more grit. The light is basically on the whole time for me. I played a show last night and the sound guy said it's bad for my amp for that light to be on all the time. I told him it isn't because I am fairly sure it isn't, but is it actually bad? Thanks

Jonyak · #12 09-12-2010, 06:05 PM

from my understanding some amps it is. on my eden wt 550 that light is never really supposed to light up.

but but for an ampeg its always supposed to be on. I have played a bunch and never seen one that isn't like that.

JimmyM · #13 09-12-2010, 06:26 PM

even if it's actually clipping, your amp won't blow up. you'll just get a little overdrive. but my rule of thumb with those lights is usually to ignore them and crank that gain just to the point of audible distortion, then back off slightly. used ampegs for years and that's how they all work.

Andy Pourke · #14 09-23-2010, 03:38 PM

Cheers guys for all your advice. I don't look at the lights anymore, just listen to that tone. Red lights instinctively warn of danger I guess... have to get it outta my head!! Thanks again.

deaf pea · #15 09-23-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Pourke

...the clip light is coming on (flashing red all the time) even with the gain set really low. Very rarely, the green light on the right of the EQ will turn red too for a split second when a high note is played...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Pourke

...It does say 'clip' on the light though, which is odd isn't it?

It doesn't say "clip" . . . it says "peak" . . . from the SVT2-PRO manual . . .

"5. PEAK/MUTE LED: This LED flashes when the signal level in the preamp (excluding the Graphic EQ) approaches clipping. When the Mute switch (3) is engaged, this LED stays on as a visual indicator that Mute is active."

The green LED to the right of the graphic EQ is #21

"21. ACTIVE LED: This LED glows green when the EQ section is enabled by the proper combination of Graphic EQ switch
(15) and footswitch (35). It flashes red when the signal gets close to clipping."

Please note that "approaches clipping" and "when the signal gets close to clipping." is not the same as "clipping." . . .

. . .

JimmyM is 100% correct in all of his posts in this thread . . .

deaf pea · #16 09-23-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Pourke

...As I said, it sounds amazing and I can't stop smiling every time I play a note...

Yeah . . .