I think I've been using my rig all wrong. Need help.

BassSkank · #1 10-06-2011, 05:49 PM

So a while ago I picked up my first real rig. Before I was using a combo amp. I've got a Line 6 Bass Pod pro with a cable going from the Send jack to my Harkte HA2500's Active input all plugged into a Gallien Kreugar backline 4x10. The first problems I noticed was that when the button next to the graphic EQ was pushed in, I got awful intolerable feedback. So I played with it in the out position. Now My top right speaker in the GK is giving popping and crackling noises. I usually had to crank the thing to compete with my guitarist. I play ska and the bass really has to take a lead. Usually I had the 2 pre amps cranked pretty high, the master all the way up, and the Low contour knob at about halfway and the High contour knob at about 3/4 of the way. Have I been setting my amp to dangerous frequencies or do I have the Bass Pod plugged in wrong? Please help. I have a show in a week and I can't play the rig like this.

BurningSkies · #2 10-06-2011, 05:52 PM

Is the Pod a Line level device or an instrument level device? I'd usually think of putting it in the effects loop. It sounds like your gain staging may be a mess and that you may be having EQ problems. Have you started from the 'neutral' settings on this amp and worked from there?

billfitzmaurice · #3 10-06-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassSkank

do I have the Bass Pod plugged in wrong?

Your owners manual will tell you.

BassSkank · #4 10-06-2011, 06:39 PM

Yeah put things to neutral and worked from there. The problems are present even at neutral settings. When I'm back near my rig I'll try plugging it into the effects loop. I believe it is a line level. I'm just afraid I either blew something in the way I crank or if maybe even something got damaged in transporting the gear.

LegoBass · #5 10-06-2011, 06:41 PM

First off, I wouldn't plug the POD into the active input. This is a -12DB cut which will take away alot of pre amp volume. To make up for this loss of gain, you are pushing the amp much harder than you would be if using the passive input. It sounds like you are pushing your amp into clipping trying to make up that extra gain.

I will second Burning Skies suggestion and run the POD through the effects loop, after plugging the bass into the passive input. I found that using the HA2500's active input, even with active basses, is redundant.

Also, don't use both the tube and sound state preamp knobs on full. This will overload the EQ section, possibly causing the squealing. Find a happy median between the two (I like tube on like 7, and the soild state on about 4 or 5.) You will lose some volume with this, but could make it back up by not using the active input.

Hope that helps,
Robert.

Bassragerstitch · #6 10-06-2011, 06:50 PM

try this: bass --> input on bass pod pro, out using the analog unbalanced out ( the one closeest to the live/studio switch) and flip the live/studio switch to live. then plug that cable to the input in the hartke ha2500 then connect that using a speaker cable to the gk 4x10 cab. I hope this helps if not ill draw up a diagram

BassSkank · #7 10-06-2011, 06:50 PM

These problems all appeared after using the rig like that for about 3 weeks. Hope the damage is reversible.

BurningSkies · #8 10-06-2011, 07:14 PM

If I were you, I'd start with your bass, your amp and your cab. Make sure it sounds ok. Do it with the graphic EQ off and the HP/LP filters OFF. Follow the Hartke manual for proper gain staging. If you find that the amp sound undamaged and it's working within reasonable spec.

Next, read the manual of your Pod find out if its line level or instrument level out. That will tell you where it wants to go...either in the front inputs or in the effects loop. Now, remember that your Pod probably has a pile of EQ happening on whatever settings you're using...don't add a bunch more on top of that, if you don't like what you're hearing from the Pod out of your amp, adjust the Pod. Otherwise you're just adding more layers of crap on top of the crap the Pod is giving you.

Try to get your rig with pod to output the same volume as when you're not using it. You may have to bring its output up or down, but you really want to aim for unity gain in the situation.

BassSkank · #9 10-06-2011, 07:57 PM

I will try all those things! Thank you for the help. I know already that the graphic EQ doesn't work. I think it may be a loose solder or ground in the head.

BurningSkies · #10 10-06-2011, 08:01 PM

I should qualify, the neutral position for the HP/LP filters is at noon, in the center detented position. Work with the amp that way.

walterw · #11 10-06-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassSkank

Now My top right speaker in the GK is giving popping and crackling noises. I usually had to crank the thing to compete with my guitarist. I play ska and the bass really has to take a lead. Usually I had the 2 pre amps cranked pretty high, the master all the way up,...

sounds like (pod or no pod) you cranked the amp too hard trying to get more volume out of it than it was meant for, and now you've blown at least one speaker.

after fixing the speakers, try bass into pod, then pod into effects return of amp (bypassing all the controls on the amp, so the pod becomes your preamp).

that is, try it at moderate volume. if you need to compete with a bunch of 4x12 guitar amps or whatever, get a second 4x10 cab.

JimmyM · #12 10-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Ya, I agree. Sounds like a blown speaker from cranking too hard. Ska or no, you have to know the limitations of your gear and work within them.

The Lemon · #13 10-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassSkank

So a while ago I picked up my first real rig. Before I was using a combo amp. I've got a Line 6 Bass Pod pro with a cable going from the Send jack to my Harkte HA2500's Active input all plugged into a Gallien Kreugar backline 4x10. The first problems I noticed was that when the button next to the graphic EQ was pushed in, I got awful intolerable feedback. So I played with it in the out position. Now My top right speaker in the GK is giving popping and crackling noises. I usually had to crank the thing to compete with my guitarist. I play ska and the bass really has to take a lead. Usually I had the 2 pre amps cranked pretty high, the master all the way up, and the Low contour knob at about halfway and the High contour knob at about 3/4 of the way. Have I been setting my amp to dangerous frequencies or do I have the Bass Pod plugged in wrong? Please help. I have a show in a week and I can't play the rig like this.

I have the same EQ button/feedback problem with my HA2500 right now... got it boxed up tonight and ready to send out to service. Larry and his shop manager Joe have been nothing but helpful in getting the issue resolved for me.

I'm starting to wonder if this is a common issue, though... I always keep the volume very low, as I only play at home, and I've never even used the effect loop and it happened to me. I'm still in the dark as to what it is or what causes it... if I find out anything in the repair process, I'll check back in.

BassSkank · #14 10-07-2011, 08:50 AM

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys! Okay so if it is a blown speaker. What type of speaker should I look for and how can I access the speakers. I assume the front grille comes off or the back comes off, however I cannot find any screws. Should I replace all 4 speakers or the problem speaker only? I'm really new to these bass rigs.

JimmyM · #15 10-07-2011, 03:21 PM

Hate to say this but you should replace the whole cab

GK makes some very nice products. The Backline series cabs are not one of them. And as loud and low-endy as you likely play for ska, I think you'll just keep having the same problems.

f.vega · #16 10-07-2011, 04:31 PM

Plug the bass into the head,effects out into the bass pod input,the amp out or di into the effects return

will33 · #17 10-07-2011, 06:11 PM

Sounds to me like you had everything labelled volume, master or gain all way too high. I think you're expecting more than a 250 watt amp and budget 410 can give you. Check the cab out first and get that sorted, then leave the pod thing out of the works and plug your bass straight into the amp and get that sorted. Then read the book on the pod and figure out how to use it or just get rid of it.