Passive Input/Active Input Questions/Discussions

[clubdude]

Do all of you that play active basses, and amps that have both active and passive inputs, use the active input as suggested?

I have been playing my active and passive basses through the same (passive) input on my LH1000. I can only tell a little difference in volume between the two inputs, and nothing else.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to using the active bass through the active input, other than a slight drop in volume?

I use a compressor virtually all the time, which increases the volume somewhat, anyway, so doesn't that negate the difference between active and passive basses, somewhat? A little?

Thanks,
CD

[Bardley]

The active input is simply a padded (or less sensitive) input that is to be used with instruments with very hot outputs (some actives) to keep you from clipping the input stage of the amp. If your active bass is not clipping the passive input it will be fine. It really depends on the bass. There is no harm in using either.

[jdwinva]

Ditto to Bardley's response.

[Muaguana]

I do virtually the same thing as you with my LH1000 - except I always plug into the active jack because I'm paranoid of clipping when putting my bass into active mode and/or using pedals. Although I don't use a compressor to even out the signal peaks, so that may be why my amp would clip sometimes when using my bass in active mode plugged into the passive jack.

According to the LH1000 documentation, the difference between the passive and active jacks are that the passive input has 100kΩ input sensitivity at 20mV, and the active input has 100kΩ input sensitivity at 60mV.

[clubdude]

Originally Posted by Bardley

The active input is simply a padded (or less sensitive) input that is to be used with instruments with very hot outputs (some actives) to keep you from clipping the input stage of the amp. If your active bass is not clipping the passive input it will be fine. It really depends on the bass. There is no harm in using either.

Thanks guys. I kinda figured that.

I have USA Barts on an Ibanez Soundgear stock preamp, with the settings virtually flat on both bass and amp.

But I just got the M13 and in fooling around with it, sometimes I got some hiss and buzz. I'm probably doing some things wrong (on the M13) as I work with it to dial it in, and find out what effects I like best. Didn't know if the active input might reduce that noise. I still have a lot of experimenting to do...

Thanks again!
CD