How do I run 2 Ampeg BA115 combos together?

[fatgary]

I have an Ampeg Ba115T and an Ampeg Ba115....Id like to figure out a way to run them together, and I looked through the threads and couldnt find an answer to this particular question. There are no speaker out options, or effect loops and Ive heard that running the line out signal to the preamp section of the second amp can be harmful to the gear. Any other options? Thanks

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by fatgary

There are no speaker out options, or effect loops and Ive heard that running the line out signal to the preamp section of the second amp can be harmful to the gear.

Nonsense, it'll work fine. BUT BEWARE of the fact that the slave amp will receive a very hot signal, so you'll want to turn the input gain on it WAY down before powering up. It'll be just like plugging in a very loud bass, that's all.

[totallybacan]

Plug it into the active or high input on the slave amp.

[fatgary]

and use just a regular good instrument cable? Will the slave have volume options as well? Appreciate the help guys

[JayAmel]

I'd pretty much do that with an A/B box on A+B position.

[FenderAmpeg]

+1 I was going to suggest that as well.

[georgestrings]

You *could* buy a 1/4" TS male to 1/4" TS female + 1/4" female TS Y cable, and use a short instrument cable between the 2 amp's input jacks - basically splitting the signal coming from your bass into a signal for each amp's input...



- georgestrings

[honestjohnny]

Originally Posted by fatgary

and use just a regular good instrument cable? Will the slave have volume options as well? Appreciate the help guys

There's a gentleman on here who does/did a similar thing with 2 Eden Nemesis 210 combos and I have done it before. Bass to Input on Combo 1. Line Out from Combo 1 to Input of Combo 2. He stacks them on their sides, so there is a tall, skinny tower of 4 10's (the tweets line up vertically, too). The volume and gain on Combo 2 are still in effect and should be adjusted, because the signal it gets will be hotter (like an active bass vs. a passive one, because the preamp on Combo 1 makes the signal Combo 2 gets "active"). For the BA115 you'll need an XLR to 1/4" cable, which you can get from MF for $13. Use the -15 dB input on Combo 2, set EQ flat, adjust volume and gain as needed. Use Combo 1 for EQ. Stack them on top of each other (one on its side and one on top tilted back or both on the side) to get the sound up to your ears. Put the BA115T on top.

[totallybacan]

Originally Posted by fatgary

and use just a regular good instrument cable? Will the slave have volume options as well? Appreciate the help guys

Depends. On the BA115 I used, the line out was an XLR. If that's the case, then use an XLR to 1/4". But Volume AND EQ will work on the slave amp. However, keep in mind that any change you make in the first amp will be carried over to the slave.

This is important if you like boosting, especially lows. Boosting lows in the first one means that if the slave is set flat, it will have boosted lows. The same goes for gain. If you are playing with the gain maxed out for some crunch, the gain will have to be much much lower to get that same sound. And don't be tempted to turn up the slave either. Since the input will be hotter, your gain and volume settings will be lower than your first amp. Don'tt assume you can then turn up.

Pay attention to the speakers, and this should sound pretty good.

[RickenBoogie]

Or, just buy a stereo chorus pedal, plug your bass into it, and each output to each amp. Stereo chorus sounds swirltastic, btw, and you can eq each amp independantly, without worry of a super hot signal going into amp 2.

[LowerBeef]

If you plug your bass into the input of the BA115T and the use the XLR line out to the -15dB input of the BA115, you'll get the tube pre sound from both.

[gfaulkner]

Radial A/B/Y box in the "both" setting.

[msiner]

I will add a different recommendation. If your BA115 has the "CD In", you should use that. The "Line Out" of amp 1 will deliver a line-level signal to the "CD In" that expects a line-level signal of amp 2. This will bypass the preamp of amp 2 and actually use it as a slave. Your volume and tone shaping will be controlled entirely from amp 1. You will need a couple different adapters to go from XLR to stereo RCA, but it can be done. This is what I would try if I were in your position. Good luck.

[Strat Hater]

I have an MB115 and rented a second one. I am going to try running them together with my Line 6 M5. I tried it with my MB 115 and my Ampeg BA 108 in my bedroom and it was awesome. Cant wait to try this experiment today, especially with te stereo chorus of the M5

[winterburn69]

A Boss LS-2 would also work.

[stepswork4me]

Just use a buffered splitter/aby. It's simple and works well.

[mystic38]

The very very vast majority of DI outputs are mic levels, not line levels, and Ampeg actually has specs published.

Inputs:

0dB : 1.75V
-15dB : 9.75V
CD input : 5V

Line out : 120mV
Headphone out : 3.75V

The first attempt should be line out XLR > input using the 0dB input...and if you dont get enough gain then try the headphone out > input with -15dB gain, or to the CD input.

[Nephilymbass]

I've got a Morley ABY pedal. You should check them out. They are great for running two basses into one amp or one bass to two amps.