Bass Amps with XLR line outs?

jackajesusfreak · #1 04-15-2010, 01:22 PM

I was curious why none of the smaller amps 50-100 watts come with xlr line outs? If they did, I'd definitely scoop one up to keep at the sanctuary I play at on Tuesdays using it only for a monitor.
Input?

Jack

Nedmundo · #2 04-15-2010, 01:26 PM

Some do, like my Roland Cube 100 and the Hartke A70, and I'm sure a few others are out there. I agree it should be more common on smaller amps, but you could just get a cheap direct box instead. That might be cheaper than moving up to combos as expensive as the Roland and Hartke.

PaulNYC · #3 04-15-2010, 01:29 PM

Line6 studio 110

jackajesusfreak · #4 04-15-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

Some do, like my Roland Cube 100 and the Hartke A70, and I'm sure a few others are out there. I agree it should be more common on smaller amps, but you could just get a cheap direct box instead. That might be cheaper than moving up to combos as expensive as the Roland and Hartke.

Wouldn't still need at least a 1/4" line out? Most amps don't have line outs do they?

joeyjoejoe · #5 04-15-2010, 01:34 PM

most amps have a line out as far as i've seen, but you can plug your bass straight in to a di box, then out to the amp/board.
if you get something like the mxr bass di+, you can get some EQ'ing along with some overdrive.

Groovin_Joe · #6 04-15-2010, 01:40 PM

+1
DI. A little DI then into the amp. Done!

Tom Domino · #7 04-15-2010, 02:32 PM

The recent Fender Bassman (60, 150, etc.) series have them and not only do the amps sound quite nice for their size, the balanced line outs are nice and clean. I've used a 150 as a preamp of sorts and run the signal to all kinds of gear on a number of occasions with great results. My 150 had a glitch in the power switch that required a warranty repair but has otherwise been a great little amp in a variety of environments.

~ignited~wings~ · #8 04-15-2010, 02:38 PM

I don't think I've ever played on an amp that didn't have at least a 1/4 inch line out... I figured anything that didn't at least have that isn't worth using.

Rick Auricchio · #9 04-15-2010, 03:53 PM

It costs more money to build an amp with a DI output. So they leave it out to keep the price down.

RickenBoogie · #10 04-15-2010, 05:07 PM

Yup, it's a cost issue. Plus, most small amps aren't really cut out to perform live, anyway.

Bongolation · #11 04-15-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

I was curious why none of the smaller amps 50-100 watts come with xlr line outs? I

Two reasons:

1: Small bass amps tend to be cheap amps and the circuitry that mates into FOH systems can get pretty complex -- look at an upscale amp, which may have pre/post, groundlift, attenuation, etc. aside from just the XLR out.

2: Small amps tend not to be used onstage anyway, so makers figure even a simple XLR is wasted money.

Even a nice and not-cheap 100W Ampeg B-100R lacks an XLR out.

Get up over 250W and the XLR is more likely to be found in back.

The Birdman · #12 04-15-2010, 05:24 PM

My latest-model (and apparently just discontinued) Fender Bassman 100 has an XLR line out, right in front. 26 pounds and 100 watts. Only issue is that it has only one 10-inch speaker for on-board output.

Roger

Jefenator · #13 04-15-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

I was curious why none of the smaller amps 50-100 watts come with xlr line outs? If they did, I'd definitely scoop one up to keep at the sanctuary I play at on Tuesdays using it only for a monitor.

The amps you have been looking at are probably intended for practice use. IME above the entry-level price point, it gets to be pretty hard to find an amp that doesn't have an XLR out.

You can always get a separate DI - that way you can get your signal out to the house and use any amp you like.

jackajesusfreak · #14 04-15-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

The amps you have been looking at are probably intended for practice use. IME above the entry-level price point, it gets to be pretty hard to find an amp that doesn't have an XLR out.

You can always get a separate DI - that way you can get your signal out to the house and use any amp you like.

So most bass amps have a designated 1/4" 'line out'? Could one use a direct box on the 1/4" head phone jack to the PA system?

SteveC · #15 04-15-2010, 06:06 PM

All the Genz Benz heads have a (pretty nice, too) DI out with pre/post, line/mic, and ground/lift switches.

The little Shuttle 3.0-10T combo would be perfect for what the OP is talking about.

Rob Martinez · #16 04-15-2010, 07:32 PM

My Fender Bassman TV Ten has it. And it is 150 watts.

Exploiter8 · #17 04-15-2010, 07:42 PM

My 50 watt Peavey MINX 110 with Sheffield/Eminence 4 ohm 10" speaker plus BDDI to handle my DI. Everything fits in the tiny trunk of my Chevy Cavalier!

X8

Rick Auricchio · #18 04-15-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

So most bass amps have a designated 1/4" 'line out'? Could one use a direct box on the 1/4" head phone jack to the PA system?

It's not a good idea to use the headphone jack with a DI, because the level will be much higher than line level. That could overload the DI (causing distortion) or be a problem for the PA board.

Line out may be OK, but it may still overload the DI---most DIs expect a much lower instrument level.