Fender Studio Bass line-out

[marijn van gils]

My Fender Studio Bass amp has a 1/4" jack line/recording output. I recorded with this once and really liked the sound.
I would like to try using it live as a DI, but:

- it will need to be converted to XLR to fit the snake to the board. Will I need a DI box, or will a converting cable or plug suffice? Does this output provide a balanced signal?

- Is this signal pre- or post EQ? Amp doesn't state this, and there is no manual.

Thanks for any input!

[jkramer5]

A DI with a switchable instrument/Line in to an XLR (@ Mic level) out would be a good idea, It won't be affected by distance (hum buzz level drop) as much. Switchable so you can plug your bass directly into it if you ever needed to.

I would imagine that a line out is post EQ, a sure way to find out is connect it to something and twiddle the EQ , if you hear it at the board it's post EQ.

[JTE]

I believe that Line/ recording out is a tap off the output transformer so its post everything. It is NOT balanced.

John

[Son of Bovril]

probably best to just run it into a DI and that will do all the conersions to get it to FOH safe and sound

[runmikeyrun]

I only have a 1/4" line out off my head. I've never run across a club that doesn't have a direct box to plug it into, there should be no need for you to buy one. Almost every club with any sort of FOH will have a direct box. If you're really worried about it, then get one, but I'd say it's not necessary.

[marijn van gils]

Thanks guys!

Next show, I'll try it with the soundman's DI and see how it goes.

I'll check if it's pre- or post-EQ too. In the meantime, does anyone have experience with this particular amp?

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by JTE

I believe that Line/ recording out is a tap off the output transformer so its post everything. It is NOT balanced.

John

exactly correct, and here's the Studio Bass's schematic to show it:



you'd want to run it into a direct box to balance it and make it mic level, use a passive transformered direct box. or you could also use a high quality shielded cable, and run it into the console's LINE input.

[RobbieNuke]

DO NOT use a shielded cable directly from the line-out to a line-in on the console. Use a DI box for isolation and impedance to run a long cable, you are bound to create a ground loop (hum) otherwise.

You also risk possible shock if the amp/console happen to be on two different phases of 125VAC. This happened to me once running a line out from one amp into another amp. Amps were plugged into two different outlets in the same room, but were on different circuits. OUCH!