Can you run an active bass into a board with no DI?

**mikeddd** · #1 11-24-2009, 01:54 PM

OK, so this is probably the dumbest question this month...hopefully not ever.

New bass player here. I own a PA and a bunch of guitars and guitar amps, but no bass amp and no DI box.

Can I run an active bass direct into the board and play thru the PA until I get an amp?

Thanks for not virtually stoning me for such an inane question, but I really don't know the answer. My steel string acoustic has an active preamp w/an XLR out. I run it direct to the board w/no prob. But I'm new to bass.

Thanks for the help!

bongomania · #2 11-24-2009, 02:04 PM

Yes, you can. The results will vary depending on the functions/qualities of your specific onboard preamp, the length of the cable, and the functions/qualities of a specific input channel on the mixer.

Long unbalanced cable = noise. Low-ish output from the bass preamp, combined with insufficient gain on the mixer channel, = low level in the mix. If the unbalanced 1/4" line inputs on the mixer have very low input impedance, you'll lose some tone and signal strength.

**mikeddd** · #3 11-24-2009, 02:10 PM

Thank you, bongomania. I will be using a 15-foot good quality cable into a Behringer 2442FX mixer. It's actually a very good mixer for a small 3 or 4-piece group. Been reliable for me. It's just for practice at home for now; I am brand new to bass. I won't subject anyone to my bass noodlings yet.

coreyfyfe · #4 11-24-2009, 02:33 PM

For that matter, you can run a passive bass into a mixer for that matter as long as you're plugging into an instrument input it should give appropriate boost to the signal. I did this for a house party once, they were doing a little acoustic open mic night at my neighbor's place so my guitarist grabbed his acoustic and I grabbed my fretless P and we jammed away on some 90's rock tunes.

tdogg · #5 11-24-2009, 02:35 PM

it should work fine. worst case you have to go get a used DI box for cheap.

**Jeremy Allen** · #6 11-24-2009, 02:52 PM

Used to do a cruise ship gig on a small stage and that's how we all did it (bass, keys, and guitar). I preferred the sound of my amp, but it worked.

**mikeddd** · #7 11-24-2009, 03:10 PM

This is good news! Thank you, everyone. Amp is coming...after the tax return gets here...yeah, it's already spent. Like yours isn't, right?

**Kelly Lee** · #8 11-24-2009, 09:44 PM

Not Amps related. Moved to Misc.

ggunn · #9 11-25-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

OK, so this is probably the dumbest question this month...hopefully not ever.

New bass player here. I own a PA and a bunch of guitars and guitar amps, but no bass amp and no DI box.

Can I run an active bass direct into the board and play thru the PA until I get an amp?

Thanks for not virtually stoning me for such an inane question, but I really don't know the answer. My steel string acoustic has an active preamp w/an XLR out. I run it direct to the board w/no prob. But I'm new to bass.

Thanks for the help!

As others have said, no. Unless you are going into a snake (i.e., if the mixer is at the stage and you are plugging directly into it with a normal length cable), you don't really need a DI for anything.

bongomania · #10 11-25-2009, 08:36 PM

???? The answer "others" gave, the correct answer, was "yes", not "no". Additionally there are still reasons a DI might be necessary, e.g. if somebody is using a passive bass and if the 1/4" input on the given mixer has insufficiently high input impedance, or if the mixer doesn't have enough available gain on its 1/4" line inputs.

ggunn · #11 11-25-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

???? The answer "others" gave, the correct answer, was "yes", not "no". Additionally there are still reasons a DI might be necessary, e.g. if somebody is using a passive bass and if the 1/4" input on the given mixer has insufficiently high input impedance, or if the mixer doesn't have enough available gain on its 1/4" line inputs.

He said it was an active bass.