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04-18-2013, 01:50 PM
| | | | Bass doesnt work through PA system??
Hi all,
I have an Esp f-104 bass guitar (I think its a discontinued line now) with active pups. Whenever I plug it into the PA system (along with my bass amp) no sound seems to come out. However when I play it just through the amp alone it works fine.
I've tried to use a Squier J bass (passive) through the PA and that works brilliantly so im a little confused as to why my bass doesnt seem to work? It literally doesn't seem to produce any sound at all. The equipments all working fine and i've adjusted the volume knob etc. but still nothing. The guy who organised the amps through the PA himself doesnt know whats wrong...
My knowledge of a PA system and active pups etc. is limited lol. I only know how to plug my bass into an amp and play. So I would greatly appreciate it if you explain everything in really simple terms lol.
Thanks!! 
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-Masked Bassist
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04-18-2013, 01:52 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | | Are you using a balanced or an unbalanced 1/4" cable?
In other words, does it have two rings on the jack or two?
I've had weird things happen using a balanced cable on active basses.
just a guess
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Colorado Club #19
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04-18-2013, 01:52 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA | | | How are you connecting to the PA? |
04-18-2013, 02:06 PM
| | | | Well I think its unbalanced (with one ring?). Im not completely sure. Ok i'll try and explain it but I found the setup quite odd. I dont know if this is how it is usually setup because of my limited knowledge.
The cable connected to my bass is connected to a splitter. Now I think one of the cables coming out of the splitter go to a DI box (i think) which then runs off to the PA. And I think the other one goes to my amp. Thats what it seems like. There's a big tangle of wires...Is a splitter necessary? Thats what got me a little confused.
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-Masked Bassist
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04-18-2013, 02:09 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Masked Bassist 
The cable connected to my bass is connected to a splitter. Now I think one of the cables coming out of the splitter go to a DI box (i think) which then runs off to the PA. And I think the other one goes to my amp. Thats what it seems like. There's a big tangle of wires...Is a splitter necessary? Thats what got me a little confused.
| Typically the DI has two outputs, one is low impedance (like a microphone) and runs to the PA. The other is high impedance and runs to the amp. The DI is its own splitter. |
04-18-2013, 02:10 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | | Can you take a picture?
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Colorado Club #19
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04-18-2013, 02:15 PM
| | | | I see. So a splitter isnt needed then? I dont think i'll be able to take a picture of the setup but i'll be able to take a pic (probably tomorrow) of what I thought/think is the DI box. Would that be good enough?
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-Masked Bassist
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04-18-2013, 02:21 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | | So... you're trying to go from the bass to an amp and a PA? Correct?
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Colorado Club #19
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04-18-2013, 02:23 PM
| | | | Yeah that's right. And I get no sound from my active bass but a passive works fine for some reason :S
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-Masked Bassist
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04-18-2013, 02:25 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | | OK... go from your bass into a DI box. The DI will have two outputs, one is a 1/4" instrument output and the other is an XLR low impedance output. Run the XLR to the PA and the 1/4" to the amp.
A Y-Splitter may be why you're having the problem for some reason. Although you wouldn't think it would.
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Colorado Club #19
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04-18-2013, 02:28 PM
| | | Ok will do. Yeah I was wondering about the splitter too...Thanks 
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-Masked Bassist
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04-18-2013, 02:28 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | | Let us know if it works.
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Colorado Club #19
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04-28-2013, 08:57 AM
| | | | Sorry for late reply but it worked!! Dont know why it wasnt working with the splitter :S
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-Masked Bassist
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04-28-2013, 09:10 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Finland (Northern Europe) | | Hi. Quote:
Originally Posted by Masked Bassist Sorry for late reply but it worked!! Dont know why it wasnt working with the splitter :S | Either the splitter box was faulty, or You used a TRS cable (one ring You said, "regular" TS has just the tip and ground) between the bass and the splitter, and the required short for the active electronics battery connection between the R & S contacts on the jack was open.
I only use TRS cables, so that's pretty common occurrence when people want to use my rig  .
Regards
Sam |
04-28-2013, 09:12 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Dean Markley Strings, Inc. | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver, CO | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Masked Bassist Sorry for late reply but it worked!! Dont know why it wasnt working with the splitter :S | Good!! Happy to help.
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Colorado Club #19
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04-28-2013, 09:21 AM
|  | mi la ré sol | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Reims, Champagne, France | | | A splitter cable is a very bad solution with a bass, wherever you plug.
Use a DI box or use the line out from your amp. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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