| Before you start replacing tubes it would be best to start from scratch and set up your rig as you did before you started using the RBI. The best wasy to trouble shoot is by adding one piece of gear at a time. Once you have decided if your amp is functioning properly I would then start to experiment with the RBI.
Here is some info on using our SansAmp RBI with a bass rig:
RBI with Ampeg or other bass amp (switchable)
You have a few options:
1) You can skip the Ampeg's preamp section entirely by running from your instrument to the RBI's input, and from the RBI's Effected 1/4" Output to the Ampeg's Effect Return (sometimes labelled Power Amp In). This will send the RBI preamp signal straight to the Ampeg's power section. But you might skip all the Ampeg's knob controls, too, and the RBI's Level knob will serve as your "Master Volume". So be sure your instrument's volume knob is all the way down before you power up the Ampeg... otherwise, it may be very, very loud!
2) You can connect your instrument to the RBI's front input and run its Effected 1/4" Output to the Ampeg's front input (or rear input, if you're wired up in a rack). With the RBI in bypass, set the Ampeg for its "best" tone, and add the RBI as a "monster overdrive pedal". You'll probably have to ignore the sample settings in the owner's manual (which are intended for direct recording without an amp) and set the RBI so its tone is "complementary" to the Ampeg's own character.
3) You can connect your instrument to the RBI and run the RBI to the Ampeg's front (or rear) input, but this time you'll set all the Ampeg knobs halfway up, so there isn't too much or too little of anything (for the most "neutral" tone you can get from it). This will allow you to leave the RBI settings closer to the samples in the manual, but some tweaking may still be required.
4) There may also be a way to "shuttle" back and forth between one preamp at a time (like having a two-channel bass amp), if the Ampeg's effect loop is footswitchable (on or off). You'd plug into the RBI's input, then go from its Uneffected 1/4" Output to the Ampeg's input, and from its SansAmp 1/4" Output to the Ampeg's Effect Return. When the effect loop is off, you'll get the Ampeg's preamp, and when it's on, you'll get the RBI.
We encourage you to try all these methods, and choose the one you like best.
Last edited by tech21nyc : 09-30-2010 at 11:46 AM.
Reason: additional info.
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Ive been doing some research on those today and it looks like the JJ's are the way to go! Thanks for your input and reasurrance!
