SVT3pro + Sansamp RBI Wiring help...

ollybarclay · #1 04-03-2011, 10:37 AM

Hi Guys,

I've just got a smaller (4u) rack case and was wondering if you could help with the best way to wire my SVT3pro and Sansamp RBI so that there's minimal fuss at gigs.

Previously I would go:

Bass > Boss NS2 > Sansamp (front) > SVT3 (front)

with a maze of cables.

I've not got my cab currently (it's at our practice space) so can't test this out for myself, (which would obviously be easier!)

But can you advise on whether the effects loops will work for this? i.e. having the RBI in the amp's effects loop (or vice versa??) I still want to use the NS2, as there have been issues with squeaky feedback...

Below is a pic of the back of my rack, completely unplugged.

Any help massively appreciated.

NKBassman · #2 04-03-2011, 10:42 AM

Sansamp Effected Output > SVT Poweramp Input.

Plug intothe RBI and you'll be good to go. This setup will completely bypass the SVT preamp, so all your tone shaping will be done on the RBI.

I ran that exact same setup for years and it worked great.

ollybarclay · #3 04-03-2011, 10:59 AM

awesome, thank you!

NKBassman · #4 04-03-2011, 12:14 PM

Any time.

rickdog · #5 04-03-2011, 02:07 PM

Does the RBI have a "blend" control like the RPM, and a second input on the back? If so, you could try putting it in the effects loop of the 3Pro, and using the blend to balance between the Ampeg preamp and the SansAmp. 3Pro effects send to the RBI back panel input, RBI output to effects return, plug the bass into the Ampeg's front panel input.

I happen to like the preamp of my 3Pro... to me, it would feel like a waste to bypass it completely!

NKBassman · #6 04-03-2011, 02:12 PM

Yeah you could do that too. I felt the same way (about it being a waste of the SVT), so eventually I went out and picked up a cheap poweramp to use with the RBI and kept the 3-PRO seperate.

cableguy · #7 04-03-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Yeah you could do that too. I felt the same way (about it being a waste of the SVT), so eventually I went out and picked up a cheap poweramp to use with the RBI and kept the 3-PRO seperate.

I've always used the RBI to emulate the SVT kind of sound directly into a poweramp. It does seem kind of redundant to have two preamp sections that go for the same sound. Unless you could switch back and forth between two different sounds. You could use the blend and maybe get a tone you couldn't get out of each unit on it's own. Let us know how it works, I'm curious now.

NKBassman · #8 04-04-2011, 05:34 AM

IMO the 3PRO and RBI sound nothing alike. The SVT preamp doesn't even come close to being able to match the clarity and/or overdrive grind of the RBI. And to me the RBI doesn't sound as natural in a band context as the 3 PRO. Regardless of what the sansamp stuff is marketed as, it really is it's own animal.

That being said, the two work together really well. Try both methods of hooking them up and see what works best for you.

RonnieP · #9 04-04-2011, 05:50 AM

I also had the same question when i bought my RBI a few years ago. i just found that going straight from the RBI into the my 2-Pro worked great for me. I also tried running the RBI straight into the power amp section and it just wasn't the same. In my opinion mixing the two together really gives you the best of both worlds and a lot of control over your sound. i love it!

ollybarclay · #10 04-04-2011, 06:12 AM

Up to now (as i mentioned in the OP) i've had the benefit of both the RBI and the SVT3 preamp.

I'm looking forward to trying out NK's suggestion on my wiring dilemma, which will give me just the RBI tone. I guess if i don't like it i can always go back, but i really do want it all wired up so i can just plug'n'play.

Will let you know how i get on.

NKBassman · #11 04-04-2011, 06:39 AM

While you're back there messing around and experimenting, be sure to try it in the effects loop of the SVT as well, as rickdog suggested.

I never tried it that way, but it would offer you the ability to leave everything hooked up in the back for plug and play, while still giving you control of both preamps. You can even plug the RBI into the aux power outlet on the back if the SVT so you only have one power cord to plug in.

ollybarclay · #12 04-14-2011, 03:47 AM

Well, i tried as NKBassman suggested last night (i.e. bypassing the svt3's preamp) and didn't like it. The added little bit of warmth from the svt3 really makes a difference. The RBI itself sounded too harsh. Plus the mute function on the amp is disabled by avoiding the svt3 preamp, which bothered me.

Guess i'll just have to have a maze of wires then

NKBassman · #13 04-14-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollybarclay

Well, i tried as NKBassman suggested last night (i.e. bypassing the svt3's preamp) and didn't like it. The added little bit of warmth from the svt3 really makes a difference. The RBI itself sounded too harsh. Plus the mute function on the amp is disabled by avoiding the svt3 preamp, which bothered me.

Guess i'll just have to have a maze of wires then

Did you try rickdog's suggestion of putting the RBI it in the effects loop of the SVT? that would really give you the best of both worlds I think, if you want to keep the SVT preamp in play. Take the Effects Send from the SVT to Input 2 on the rear of the RBI, and the RBI Effected Out to the Effects Return on the SVT. You'll need to fiddle with the input/output pad switches on the RBI to see what combo works the best, but using this setup will give you control over both preamps, and you can control the amount of Sansamp effect using the Blend knob. In this case you would plug your bass into the SVT input, so I believe the mute switch should still work.

Re. the harshness, what kind of cab are you using? If your cab has a tweeter with a level control, try rolling it off a touch and some of that harshness might go away.

Also, be aware that the Presence knob on the RBI is boost only (not boost/cut like the other EQ controls), so having it at 12:00 is actually boosted 50%, and not "flat". It only took me about 3 years to figure that one out. Haha