Bass through a PA amp?

thedevilisbad · #1 12-27-2010, 11:16 PM

Hey guys,

I'm pretty new to bass and guitar, but I've been running sound systems for the last 8 years so I know enough about gear to get me in trouble.

At church (and we have a pretty solid system), we run the bassist right through the system (big yamaha subs) using a Tech 21 sansamp. It sounds pretty solid, has nice color, and frankly seems to sounds as good as lots of bass amps.

It got me thinking. Is there any reason I couldn't do this on a smaller scale? Something like running a bass through a pedal that would color the tone, then into an old PA power amp, and then into a cab.

Would this suck?

Thanks!

dopejohnpaul · #2 12-27-2010, 11:18 PM

I've had to do this in the past as a backup measure after my tube amp went on the fritz. I luckily had a small tube preamp i ran through first and my 500watt powered mixer powered an 810 cab just fine. I think the key here is that it works, but isn't the ideal situation. If you're going to do it, just make sure you're running through a good preamp.

JimmyM · #3 12-27-2010, 11:28 PM

a lot of people do it. no problem.

thedevilisbad · #4 12-27-2010, 11:28 PM

So not a Behringer Bass V amp pro?

Foamy · #5 12-27-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedevilisbad

So not a Behringer Bass V amp pro?

Nothing at all wrong with the V-Amp Pro. Very nice unit.

dopejohnpaul · #6 12-27-2010, 11:34 PM

The V-Amp should do just nicely!

thedevilisbad · #7 12-27-2010, 11:37 PM

Sweet.

What are some other inexpensive pre-amp that I should be checking out?

Power amps are so stinking cheap to find used, that it just made me think.

Maybe I should go this route instead of getting a big used Peavey.

dopejohnpaul · #8 12-27-2010, 11:40 PM

I personally don't think you can go wrong with the Ampeg SVP. It'll give you that great Ampeg tone (if that's what you like) without the back surgery.

JimmyM · #9 12-28-2010, 12:03 AM

you could use anything from a little pedal preamp to a $5000 studio quality channel strip. love the high end stuff but a lot of those pedal preamps are excellent for the money.

Foamy · #10 12-28-2010, 12:26 AM

You just changed the question....
Supplying a signal to a PA is one thing, while being able to drive a power amp is another. Many of the "effect" type units do not have enough output to drive a power amp.
The Behringer does, but if you are considering others, be aware of this difference. You really need to know the specs of the power amp.
What is your real goal?

thedevilisbad · #11 12-28-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

You just changed the question....
Supplying a signal to a PA is one thing, while being able to drive a power amp is another. Many of the "effect" type units do not have enough output to drive a power amp.
The Behringer does, but if you are considering others, be aware of this difference. You really need to know the specs of the power amp.
What is your real goal?

The one I was looking at was 130W per channel (stereo) at 4Ohms.

Generally, how much output is needed?

Foamy · #12 12-28-2010, 10:04 PM

That's not the spec you need to look at.
You need to know the output of the preamp or pedal (or whatever) and how much power it takes to drive the amplifier, not how much the amplifier puts out.
I'm not an expert in this area - do some searches on driving a power amp on this forum and you'll have enough to keep you busy.
Good luck!