Questions on SVT 4 pro & 4x10 SVT HLN

[rage941]

Sorry this is a bit long.

I just bought a used ampeg SVT 4 Pro head and a used 4x10 SVT HLN cab and I have some questions on setting it up and some problems I'm having with it.

I know a lot of you will tell me to SEARCH NOOB. I'm researching on here but I need to get things sorted as fast as possible since I have a gig on the 15th and I can't possibly learn enough before then just by reading. So I'm asking for help.

I've been playing through a 1x15 combo amp so while I can play bass pretty good I don't know a whole lot about setting up this new rig.

1. What's the best way to set it up? I have the speakon cable and have it plugged into the monobridge input on the head and the left input on the back of the cab. Is this the best way to run it? Also how cautious do I have to be about cranking the volume? Because I know this is a powerful head for the cab. Also there is a knob on the cab to adjust decibel levle. Where should that be?

2. I'm having a few issues with it. It crackles really bad when you move the eq adjusters. I thought no biggie since I won't be moving them while I'm playing. Well I started to notice it crackling while I'm playing too. Could the vibrations just be rattling the level adjusters just enough to crackle or do you think it's the speakers?

3. The speaker also pops when I pick hard. Do you think this is the bass, the speakers, or is this something that just happens if you pick the strings hard? Because it happened on my combo amp too...

4. The volume seems to change while I'm playing. It will be super loud and then it just gets quite for a while and then gets loud again. What could be causing this?

5. What should I add to take full advantage of this head? From the brief reading I've done it seems a 1x15 would compliment the 4x10. What do you guys think? There's a used BSE 115T locally for $120

6. I happen to have a fender rumble 100watt 1x15 combo amp. I have a splitter that I can plug into the bass and run two cables from my bass to each amp. Is this a bad idea?

[BagelBruin]

Popping is coming from the speaker distorting and/or the limiter saving. You're blasting a lot of juice into something that can't handle that much juice. I would be VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful. I am very sure about this.

Also, try the cab with another head. See if you get the pops and crackles while while you are playing too.

There are SO many variables here. Amp, bass, cables, cab. You gotta go through each one to see what is up.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by BagelBruin

Popping is coming from the speaker distorting and/or the limiter saving. You're blasting a lot of juice into something that can't handle that much juice. I would be VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful. I am very sure about this.

Totally agreed. No need to run it in bridged mode. That puts an insane amount of power into your cab that it can't handle. Just run it off one side, and watch your volume and turn it down when it pops like that...the next pop could be the voice coils in your speakers. It's only designed to take 500w. It'll take it legit, too, but any more than that and you could damage the speakers.

Anyway...

1. See above.

2. Get a can of Deoxit contact cleaner, take off the lid, and spray all your pots, switches, faders, tube sockets, and jacks. Especially do the effects loop jacks, as if these don't get used, they can get corroded and cause other problems you're having.

3. See answer to number 1.

4. Dirty pots and switches can do it. Corroded effects jacks can do it. A bum tube can do it. Try cleaning first, then if that doesn't work, buy a spare 12ax7 tube and swap it out with each tube until you find if any of them are bad. If that doesn't work, then you'll need to take it to a tech. But chances are the cleaning will take care of it. Sounds pretty dirty.

5. A second matching cab is always best, especially with a 410HLF/HLN (same cab, N just means Neutrik for the Neutrik connector, which was a new thing when your cab was made, but now it's standard). The 410HLF goes way lower than any 115 cab on the market, and will also be much louder, especially since your 4 Pro will run the 410HLN at 4 ohms and the 115 at 8, and 8 ohms greatly reduces the wattage you'll get from that side of the amp. The idea that a 115 goes with a 410 is known as "engineering by looks." The only thing that goes with a 410HLF is another 410HLF, stacked vertically for maximum impact. And fortunately, your head can handle it. Plug each cab into a side of the amp and you're good to go.

6. Not a horrible idea, but not really necessary with a rig like yours.

[rage941]

Originally Posted by BagelBruin

Popping is coming from the speaker distorting and/or the limiter saving. You're blasting a lot of juice into something that can't handle that much juice. I would be VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful. I am very sure about this.

Also, try the cab with another head. See if you get the pops and crackles while while you are playing too.

There are SO many variables here. Amp, bass, cables, cab. You gotta go through each one to see what is up.

Yikes. I have to turn the master volume past halfway to be heard with my band.

Don't have another head to try.

I've tried multiple basses and cables, so it's at least narrowed to the head or cab.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Totally agreed. No need to run it in bridged mode. That puts an insane amount of power into your cab that it can't handle. Just run it off one side, and watch your volume and turn it down when it pops like that...the next pop could be the voice coils in your speakers. It's only designed to take 500w. It'll take it legit, too, but any more than that and you could damage the speakers.

Anyway...

1. See above.

2. Get a can of Deoxit contact cleaner, take off the lid, and spray all your pots, switches, faders, tube sockets, and jacks. Especially do the effects loop jacks, as if these don't get used, they can get corroded and cause other problems you're having.

3. See answer to number 1.

4. Dirty pots and switches can do it. Corroded effects jacks can do it. A bum tube can do it. Try cleaning first, then if that doesn't work, buy a spare 12ax7 tube and swap it out with each tube until you find if any of them are bad. If that doesn't work, then you'll need to take it to a tech. But chances are the cleaning will take care of it. Sounds pretty dirty.

5. A second matching cab is always best, especially with a 410HLF/HLN (same cab, N just means Neutrik for the Neutrik connector, which was a new thing when your cab was made, but now it's standard). The 410HLF goes way lower than any 115 cab on the market, and will also be much louder, especially since your 4 Pro will run the 410HLN at 4 ohms and the 115 at 8, and 8 ohms greatly reduces the wattage you'll get from that side of the amp. The idea that a 115 goes with a 410 is known as "engineering by looks." The only thing that goes with a 410HLF is another 410HLF, stacked vertically for maximum impact. And fortunately, your head can handle it. Plug each cab into a side of the amp and you're good to go.

6. Not a horrible idea, but not really necessary with a rig like yours.

Hmm...see another thread on here was full of people saying to run it bridged

And I understand what youre saying about having two HLF's but there aren't any for sale locally and the 1x15 is only $120.
And about adding the combo amp, you would think I wouldn't need it..but like I said I have to crank it past half way to be heard with my band...

I guess my next step is to take it to someone and have them look at it/clean it.

[rage941]

Or would I be better off selling the 4x10 and buying a 6x10?
I thought the 4x10 would be good enough for a show but I'm having to turn it up so loud to be heard that I'm afraid of blowing it.

[Jerrold Tiers]

Originally Posted by BagelBruin

Popping is coming from the speaker distorting and/or the limiter saving.

The limiter in the 4 PRO *power amp* does NOT pop....... it is a photo-resistor type, and just doesn't do that. it may limit you too low with dynamic playing, which is why I sometimes suggest turning it off, but pop it does not. It is too slow to do that.

"Gunshot" popping is probably slamming voice coils..... happens running bridged with some speakers and some eq settings.

[BagelBruin]

Ampeg SVT 4 distorting

I know the guy very well who was having a similar problem.....

[BagelBruin]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Totally agreed. No need to run it in bridged mode. That puts an insane amount of power into your cab that it can't handle. Just run it off one side, and watch your volume and turn it down when it pops like that...the next pop could be the voice coils in your speakers. It's only designed to take 500w. It'll take it legit, too, but any more than that and you could damage the speakers.

Jimmy, I never knew you could just run it off one side! The online manual is very gray on that matter, but since I trust your word on Ampeg over any Ampeg PDF, I am going to do it.

Also, this just made the Ampeg SVT 4 Pro so much better. I know don't feel bad for not having a small amp for tiny gigs!

[shadow_FIX]

Agree with all the statements above about too much power in bridged mode. I used to run mine bridged into an old-ish SWR 8x10 that was designed for 800 watts, and Ampeg verified that as long as I was not hearing speaker distortion I should be okay, but to just watch my volume and don't get too carried away. I never had an issue running it this way, but I can see where it might cause you some issues. When I would run that amp with a smaller cab, I always ran it off one side.

[Son of Bovril]

If you had the same popping sound while playing hard on your previous amp it is possibly your strings contacting with your pickups? I know on active pickups this can cause a popping sound.

other common reasons for low volume from SVT4Pro include:

• Running in bridge mode incorrectly... check that it is switched to bride mono mode, check your Speakon is wired correctly for bridge mode (see manual)

• The compressor is set too high - this will clamp your volume quite heavily (try turning it off and see if you still have the volume issues) I wouldn't run it above 9 o'clockish.

• You are running a smiley face eq (ie. cutting the mids) this will greatly reduce the volume of your rig at practice/in the mix, even though it may sound good when you play by yourself at home...

• The DEEP switch is on... Turn it OFF. The bass knob and that cab will get you plenty of low end without the need for the deep switch.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by rage941

Hmm...see another thread on here was full of people saying to run it bridged

There are a lot of people on the internet who give dumb advice

And I understand what youre saying about having two HLF's but there aren't any for sale locally and the 1x15 is only $120.

If it doesn't give you the desired effect, it could cost $50 and it still wouldn't be a bargain. Trust me...you will not get the desired effect from adding a 115 to a 410HLF.

And about adding the combo amp, you would think I wouldn't need it..but like I said I have to crank it past half way to be heard with my band...

Then you need a second 410HLF or you need to get an 810. The 410HLF is not the loudest 410 cab on the market due to it having such big low end response. And if you keep pushing it like you're doing, it's not going to make any sound at all one day. And throwing a 115 at it, whether in a combo or a standalone speaker, is pissing into the wind. Wouldn't tell you that if it wasn't true.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by BagelBruin

Jimmy, I never knew you could just run it off one side! The online manual is very gray on that matter, but since I trust your word on Ampeg over any Ampeg PDF, I am going to do it.

Well thanks Bagel, but I'm sure Ampeg wouldn't tell you that you couldn't run a 2 amp head like the 4 Pro on only one side. Haven't read the manual but it just wouldn't make sense for them to say you couldn't. I've done it a million times.

[Buster Brown]

Look at the back of your amp....there are 3 outputs. "A", "B", and "MONO". Pick either "A" or "B" and be SURE to hit the little "mono" button (so it is OUT)....

Mono bridged - you are throwing WAY more power into your cab than it was EVER intended to take....To be sure, you CAN play it through your cab in MONO mode. However, you MUST keep an EAR on the situation...your cab is telling you that you are killing it!


Good Luck!!

[Gearhead17]

Where is your gain knob set? Bass knob setting? Think of it on a scale of 1-10, 5 being the middle (noon position).

[BagelBruin]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Well thanks Bagel, but I'm sure Ampeg wouldn't tell you that you couldn't run a 2 amp head like the 4 Pro on only one side. Haven't read the manual but it just wouldn't make sense for them to say you couldn't. I've done it a million times.

Thanks Jimmy! I now think the Ampeg SVT 4 Pro is the best amp in the world for me.

Damn it feels good to gangsta

[Son of Bovril]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

There are a lot of people on the internet who give dumb advice

actually it's professional advice which in this case isn't warranted

The SVT 4PRO does not perform as well off one side into the 410HLF as it does bridged. been there done that, wasted the money... neither the cab nor the head are very efficient at being loud and that combination is the weakest. not bashing ampeg or Jimmy, just saying from experience.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

actually it's professional advice which in this case isn't warranted

The SVT 4PRO does not perform as well off one side into the 410HLF as it does bridged. been there done that, wasted the money... neither the cab nor the head are very efficient at being loud and that combination is the weakest. not bashing ampeg or Jimmy, just saying from experience.

I've used a 4 Pro and 410HLF on many gigs too, and while I wouldn't say the 410HLF is a super loud cab, I disagree about the 4 Pro not being very loud. Cut the low end a little and boost 800hz a little and it gets pretty darn loud. It will also put 490w into a 4 ohm cab, and since the 410HLF takes 500w real world, you're pretty much operating it at its limits to use one side of the 4 Pro. You could bridge it and get more clean headroom, but you're going to have to watch yourself with it if you do that.

[Fair Warning]

I have learned a few things when I first got the 4-Pro. I too had popping and distortion if I did not have my "mono/stereo" button in the proper position.....and that was playing through an 810.

The 4-Pro has so much capability built into it, you just got to learn to pull out the power, the way it was designed to do. This is the one amp that I see the same questions and problems being discussed. Problems that I have encountered were all due to my own errors. Dont give up on this amp. Just learn to use it.

Also, when using the bridged speakon connection, be carefull since tha cable end at the amp is wired to the pins differently. The proper cable cannot be used interchangibly with other amps or to the A-B sides of the same amp. I have one dedicated speakon that is marked with tape, which only gets plugged into the bridged socket on my 4-Pro. When I choose to use the A and/or B side separately, I use a 1/4 plug.

As for getting the power....start with Gain at 3 o'clock, EQ-On, sad face ~66% power, and bring up the volume till you get good thunder.

My common practice set-up is my 4-Pro, mono-bridged into a single SVT410HE, which is 8 Ohm, so it is not a terrible over power miss match. Your speakers will tell your ears if they are being overpushed. I get compliments all the time on my sound with this simple setup.

[Jerrold Tiers]

Jimmy:

people DO run mono into 410HLF/HLN cabs..... if you don't have the lows up, and are not cranking it up it works fine..... if you do those things, not so much.

But I agree, it clearly is "skating" no matter what......

[Son of Bovril]

Originally Posted by Jerrold Tiers

Jimmy:

people DO run mono into 410HLF/HLN cabs..... if you don't have the lows up, and are not cranking it up it works fine..... if you do those things, not so much.

But I agree, it clearly is "skating" no matter what......

+1 I agree that spec wise it is better to run the 410 off of one side, and for the average player who doesn't frequent this forum or any forum for that matter, I would never suggest running in mono, but if you know what you are doing and what to listen for, I believe the result of running mono will be better (just IMO/E of course) but then again I also like to have that extra clean headroom while some guys prefer to have tube overdrive