Need a louder rig!

adam_zman · #1 09-12-2011, 08:59 PM

I am running an ampeg SVT 3 Pro through a svt 410hlf classic and if i turn it up past half way, all my lows get distorted!! one of my buddys has a peavey rig with the same ohms and watts and gets twice as loud. do i need more power, better speakers, or both?! it does fine during the inside gigs but it cant handle the outside gigs...

BagelBruin · #2 09-12-2011, 09:00 PM

Add a cab.

SeanSaliSE · #3 09-12-2011, 09:09 PM

The HLF I believe is a 4ohm cab, and an SVT-3 Pro doesn't go lower than 4ohms. You'll need either more powerful amp, or something that isn't ampeg...

I used to own the exact rig you're running. Never had Issues with distortion on higher volumes, but are you perhaps using an active bass WITHOUT the -15db pad switch on? That sometimes can cause a little bit of distortion at higher volumes because the amp's input is expecting a passive signal and instead an active one... having way more oomph.

Not sure what your EQs look like on your rig either. Sometimes people can have way too much bass with the volume not high enough.

brndn123 · #4 09-12-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanSaliSE

Not sure what your EQs look like on your rig either. Sometimes people can have way too much bass with the volume not high enough.

+1

I strongly suggest you start tweaking your eq before you jump to conclusions. Of coarse an extra cab will make it "louder" but your eq may be limiting the amount of clean tone your amp is putting out and subsequently limiting your amount of headroom. Maybe do a search and browse the threads on your model. Just a tip.

magic papa · #5 09-12-2011, 09:25 PM

Are you happy with the tone? Is it just a volume thing?

If you want to preserve current rig than adding a cab (or two) and an extra power amp may be a solution. May be cheaper than getting a new rig altogether.

+1 for working the EQ first. May as well solve the issue.

rodl2005 · #6 09-12-2011, 10:23 PM

The 3 pro has a graphic eq -have u tried to engage that, leave all the eq sliders flat, unless u want to adjust, but max the graphic eq gain level. Gives a heap more vol.

u84six · #7 09-12-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam_zman

I am running an ampeg SVT 3 Pro through a svt 410hlf classic and if i turn it up past half way, all my lows get distorted!! one of my buddys has a peavey rig with the same ohms and watts and gets twice as loud. do i need more power, better speakers, or both?! it does fine during the inside gigs but it cant handle the outside gigs...

I wouldn't recommend adding another cab because your current cab is already at 4ohms and I don't think this amp can handle anything lower (i.e. 2x4ohm cabs = roughly 2ohms). Personally, I've got concerns with your setup. Your head doesn't have a very powerful solid state power amp section. My experience with these things is that they need a lot of headroom or else the sound quality degrades as the volume goes up. Second thing is i think Ampeg designs some of their cabs to go with specific heads. Classic HLF might do better with all tube head like the SVT-C. Just a hunch.

I think if I were in your situation I'd ditch the cab and get 2 8 ohm cabs with decent drivers. If not, ditch the amp and get one with 800 watts or more. Seriously, if I were in a full band with a loud drummer and using a solid state power amp, I wouldn't go lower than 500 watts.

JimmyM · #8 09-12-2011, 11:23 PM

You're the dude on the Ampeg Facebook page, right? Told you this on there but it's that ultra-lo switch doing you in. You've got a cab that goes super low to begin with and hitting the ultra-lo switch, which cuts the frequencies that give you more loudness. Then you try to reduce the effect of the ultra lo switch by turning the bass knob and sliders down. If you want the big fat lows AND be loud, leave the ultra-lo switch off.

Alex1984 · #9 09-13-2011, 02:52 AM

Ultra-Lo off for sure if you're playing finger style, and don't boost the lows too much, the SVT-410HLF should be able to dish out plenty of volume.

klejst · #10 09-13-2011, 10:26 AM

I remember a while back when I was looking at buying new gear. I asked the question of more watts or more speakers? The opinions and census of that question leaned towards more speakers. Just have to make sure you have a decent amp that can output decent power and at correct Ohms/capacity. I would go towards getting another or a new cab with more speakers.