Question about power amp vol,pre-amp vol,gain,and clipping

**DAcat** · #1 07-21-2007, 12:29 AM

Dear Janek-its really great that you have this site where we can ask a pro some questions and actually get a reply. I finally made the change to a separate head and preamp. I have a Stewart World 1.6(1600 wattts at 4 0hms bridged and 800 W at 4 0hms per channel). I play a Fender Fretless Jazz and an Ibanez SR900 for basses. My main cab is a Schroeder 410 R(4 ohms handles 1400W) and an Avatar 210(4 ohms handles 750 W). I just got my pre-amp today- a BBE BMAX T- Tube. Although I really like the sound I'm getting so far(I've only tried using the Schroeder 410 cab through 1 channel non- bridged so far...I'm a little confused as to what is best for both amp and cabs. Should I turn the preamp volume up and keep the power amp volume lower ...or vice versa. And where does preamp gain fit into the equation? And what do the clipping lights actually mean when they come on at higher volumes? Thanks...Peace...DAcat

brianh · #2 07-21-2007, 05:59 AM

i set my power amp volume always at about 75%, and make adjustments on the preamp. im running a crown poweramp and an eden navigator. not too many problems with clipping even at excessive volumes...

janekbass · #3 07-21-2007, 02:29 PM

Hi,

thanks for your kinds words about the forum. I'm happy to be of help to people anytime.

I run my power amp almost flat out, maybe 85% at the least, and then slide the preamp volume up underneath that until I see it clip when I really dig in. My bass is flat out, and then I normally just control the whole thing with a volume pedal. So the amp is working most efficiantly, and I have all the control I need at my foot.

The Fender TBP-1 tube preamp that I'm using has some very cool features to do with the gain, distortion, boost etc.... but to be honest I don't really understand it all, and I prefer everything to be completely flat, and get my sound from the fingers, wood, and strings.

I need a crap load of headroom when I play bigger gigs cos I like to play kind of loud sometimes. With Mike Stern it gets pretty maxed out at times. Especially when there's a heavy hitting drummer on the show. Not to mention the fact that Mike will have a fender twin and a 4x10 cab in stereo onstage which will be blazingly loud.

And to answer the last part of your question....

when the amp is all lit up, and the clipping lights are flashing, it probably means you're having a good time.

Easy,

Janek

ryanowens · #4 07-21-2007, 04:47 PM

"when the amp is all lit up, and the clipping lights are flashing, it probably means you're having a good time.

Easy,

Janek"

I love this response!

**DAcat** · #5 08-07-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

Hi,

thanks for your kinds words about the forum. I'm happy to be of help to people anytime.

I run my power amp almost flat out, maybe 85% at the least, and then slide the preamp volume up underneath that until I see it clip when I really dig in. My bass is flat out, and then I normally just control the whole thing with a volume pedal. So the amp is working most efficiantly, and I have all the control I need at my foot.

The Fender TBP-1 tube preamp that I'm using has some very cool features to do with the gain, distortion, boost etc.... but to be honest I don't really understand it all, and I prefer everything to be completely flat, and get my sound from the fingers, wood, and strings.

I need a crap load of headroom when I play bigger gigs cos I like to play kind of loud sometimes. With Mike Stern it gets pretty maxed out at times. Especially when there's a heavy hitting drummer on the show. Not to mention the fact that Mike will have a fender twin and a 4x10 cab in stereo onstage which will be blazingly loud.

And to answer the last part of your question....

when the amp is all lit up, and the clipping lights are flashing, it probably means you're having a good time.

Easy,

Janek

Thanks alot Janek

...Thats sort of what I've been figuring out on my own through various tweakings of my rig--If I turn the preamp up too high then I can't turn my power amp much before I get clipping...so I've been turning the power amp up first then the pre amp and get the tone I want and Ive been controlling volume with the pre amp with my bass wide open (most of the time)...but I really like the idea

of a volume pedal...thanks for the tip...Peace...DAcat

emythefretless · #6 08-09-2007, 10:07 AM

Janek rulez. Thats all i know.