Bart Preamp Gain level...circuit noise

[Zanderwestcoast]

I recently bought a new SKB 3005 with bart pups/circuit. I was wondering if anyone has any input on where they like to set the gain level on the preamp. I currently have it set at about the 2 oclock position with 4 oclock being full gain. It is nice and responsive and loud however I am noticing this is quite a noisy circuit and obviously the louder the gain the louder the noise.

Regards......Zander

[nostatic]

I haven't checked where mine is, but judging by my input levels on my amp it is fairly hot. The bass is very quiet. Do you have the treble cranked? That will give you some pretty serious noise if it is dimed.

I'd probably run that overall gain at a point that matches the output of your other basses. That way when you switch instruments you don't have to tweak the amp input gain. I don't know that pushing the preamp output on the bass gets you any advantages beyond the gain matching.

[CrashClint]

I have mine set halfway and it is very quiet. I use Mogami Cables.

[JOME77]

I set mine at around 1/3 (around 4 0'clock).

It can really limit any EQ'ing with your amp it you run it very hot. I'd rather err on the side of not hot enough than too hot.

[Gard]

Any circuit with too much gain will get noisy, we set it just below "half" in the shop, FYI, and it seems to have plenty of output but still be nice & quiet.

If you have any trouble getting things "right", please just let us know and we'll be happy to help you get it all settled in.

[VroomVroom]

I aim for 6/10 - finding the half-way point and then boosting just a little bit.

Totally generalizing and a bit off-topic here, but the biggest 'mistake' I see is that folks boost the pre-trim but then keep the volume knob below 5/10. I find the best tone (and greatest overall control) comes with the volume knob at 7/10 or 8/10. You're really feeding a good signal to the amp, yet you retain a bit of leeway should onstage dynamics call for boost or cut in the middle of a tune.

[Zanderwestcoast]

Thanks for the input guys....I will experiment with this a bit more.

[Darkstrike]

Never had any noise, no matter how I set my gain, but then, where I play even single coil hum is rare.