proper use of a universal audio 610 solo preamp

[Lonesomedave]

hi guys,

let me right up front apologize for my ignorance, but i have a question.

for those not familiar with the universal audio 610 solo pre amp, it has only one output, which is a balanced male xlr output, because they assume you will be running it to a board or a snake or something, or directly into a power amp like, say, a crown, which has a balanced xlr input.

my question is, could you buy a cord with a female xlr plug on one end and a 1/4 inch plug on the other end, and use this as a pre amp for a bass head, or a bass combo amp, by running the output from your bass into the 610 and running the output from the 610 into your bass head, combo etc.? they have a 1/4 input and a switch to change from mic to di input, so the input is not the problem.

i mean, i know i can buy the cord because i have seen them at the store. my question is, would they work in the amp? I ask this because i am ignorant about balanced versus unbalanced signals.

any help appreciated.

/s/ Dave

[craig.p]

Dave, the best thing to do is contact UA directly and ask them what sort of output that unit has. It will be one of three types:

1. Output transformer
2. Cross-coupled
3. Pseudo-balanced

I am reasonably confident it's going to be #1. #3 is unlikely. Least likely is #2. But you should verify with UA. The answer they give you will determine how the adapter cable needs to be wired. Pop back in when you have your answer, and we'll tell you what cable you need.

[staindbass]

this works for my experiments so far. you should be able to find one at a store that sells pa equipment. How to Wire an XLR to a 1/4" Jack

[bluesdogblues]

Yes man you could.
If you googling you'll find enough info about balanced XLR to unbalanced 1/4" wiring method.
(Maybe the link provided in the above post can help you).
Good luck

[JimmyM]

The 610 has a 1/4" output. Those two jacks labeled "DI/Thru"....one of them the bass goes in, the other goes to the amp.

[bluesdogblues]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The 610 has a 1/4" output. Those two jacks labeled "DI/Thru"....one of them the bass goes in, the other goes to the amp.

But isn't that 'Thru' output is clean (unprocessed by the 610 micpre)?

[JimmyM]

Oh gee, good question. Didn't even think of that.

Never mind

[bluesdogblues]

To the OP:
In some amps (combo of pre & power) there is a "Input for just the power amp section of it's.. I think it's accept balanced signal.
If that the scenario, then what you need is balanced to balanced jack.. And I think it's better than put the preamp balanced XLR output of 610 through a 'balanced to unbalanced' cable/ quarter jack into the amp bass input.

CMIIW

[Jeff Scott]

You can run the 610 Solo into the instrument input of your amp, just make sure you are not overloading the input of the amp by not running the output of the 610 Solo too high. If necessary, there is a switch on the back of the 610 Solo to choose between mic and line level for the XLR out connector, try both settings, you will not damage anything. You can buy the correct cable or make one, all you need to do is short pins 1 and 3 together on the female XLR connector to properly unbalance the signal. Ideally, as mentioned above, you should run the 610 Solo into a line in on the amp you are driving with it, you will get a better range of usability with the controls on the 610 Solo. I have a LA-610 Mk II that I have used on occasion running into the effects return on my Markbass F1, sounds great!

[Jeff Scott]

BTW, the 610 Solo is transformer balanced out, and the Thru jack is, indeed, unprocessed, it is meant to run the straight signal to your amp, just like most other DI boxes.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

BTW, the 610 Solo is transformer balanced out, and the Thru jack is, indeed, unprocessed, it is meant to run the straight signal to your amp, just like most other DI boxes.

I hate that. Such a waste of a DI if the player can't get that in their amp. Fortunately I'm pretty much done with DI's unless there's no other feasible choice.

[Munjibunga]

On the quarter-inch end of the cable, connect the shield (pin 1) and the wire from pin 3 of the XLR both to the ring of the TS plug. Connect the wire from pin 2 of the XLR to the tip of the quarter-inch plug.

Ooops, sorry. I didn't read post #9.

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I hate that. Such a waste of a DI if the player can't get that in their amp. Fortunately I'm pretty much done with DI's unless there's no other feasible choice.

Yea. It's a bummer that some of the UA gear isn't as "bass rig" friendly as it could be. That being said, I really like my 710. I run it's XLR output into a QSC which has a parallel XLR and 1/4" inputs so I can use the 1/4" to DI with providing I've got the 710 dialed-up hot enough.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I hate that. Such a waste of a DI...

I agree, I like Avalon Designs solution with a switch to choose either the straight or processed signal.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

On the quarter-inch end of the cable, connect the shield (pin 1) and the wire from pin 3 of the XLR both to the ring of the TS plug. Connect the wire from pin 2 of the XLR to the tip of the quarter-inch plug.

Ooops, sorry. I didn't read post #9.

Either way works well, it just depends on whether you want to use 2 or 3 conductor cable.

[bluesdogblues]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I agree, I like Avalon Designs solution with a switch to choose either the straight or processed signal.

+1

They should give that option.. Or maybe one can modify their 610 to be like that?

[Jeff Scott]

I'd like to add a ¼" output jack to my LA-610 Mk II to add some versatility.