Can you use a Boss ME50B as a pre-amp?

wyleeboxer · #1 01-08-2008, 05:35 PM

I was thinking about getting another ME50B cuz I need a tuner, a couple effects, and as a possible back-up/pre-amp to use with a power-amp that I leave in my car. Can you use this unit infront of a power amp??

thanks

Oreomeister365 · #2 01-08-2008, 05:46 PM

Its tone shaping abilities are pretty nice, I wouldn;t dabble with its compressor/limiter, but the EQ along with a mid frequency control I think get the job done nicely. It doesn't have any interesting things like presence or enhancement and stuff, but in general I don't see why not.

wyleeboxer · #3 01-08-2008, 05:51 PM

I was thinking in terms of the output level into a power-amp, I believe it needs to be a lower line-out type of level to work?
Thanks...

wyleeboxer · #4 01-08-2008, 10:56 PM

Anyone else? Please...

cheapbasslovin · #5 01-08-2008, 11:09 PM

It's not gonna blow it up if thats what you mean. I'm pretty sure (if you don't care about tone shaping) you can plug your bass right on in and it will pump that signal out. I think (someone correct me if I am wrong) that the input impedence on the ME-50B would match up better with the power amp, but if you have an active bass then it doesn't matter.

I have never done this with any gear I own (only ever owned a head/combo amp) but have done it at a few pawn shops and it worked fine.

bongomania · #6 01-08-2008, 11:16 PM

What he's asking is not about blowing anything up, he's asking whether the ME50B can put out a line level signal. It's a very simple question, I just don't happen to know the answer.

lposavad · #7 01-09-2008, 01:28 AM

The ME-50B manual (I grabbed it online) says the output level is nominally -10dBu (which is 0.0775 volts into 10Kohms), with an output impedance of 2Kohms.

Based on the specs of my poweramp (QSC RMX1450; requires 1.15V/+3.4dBu to achieve full rated power) I'm guessing that the ME-50B may not have enough signal to drive a power amp directly to full rated power.

Here's another spec: the nominal input signal of the ME-50B is -10dB, which is the same as the nominal output level. So, the unit is designed for unity gain. You'll need a preamp in between the ME-50B and the power amp.

Does that help?

wyleeboxer · #8 01-09-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lposavad

The ME-50B manual (I grabbed it online) says the output level is nominally -10dBu (which is 0.0775 volts into 10Kohms), with an output impedance of 2Kohms.

Based on the specs of my poweramp (QSC RMX1450; requires 1.15V/+3.4dBu to achieve full rated power) I'm guessing that the ME-50B may not have enough signal to drive a power amp directly to full rated power.

Here's another spec: the nominal input signal of the ME-50B is -10dB, which is the same as the nominal output level. So, the unit is designed for unity gain. You'll need a preamp in between the ME-50B and the power amp.

Does that help?

Got it... that sucks I thought it would make a great back option just in case something happened... is there another multi-effects board that can act as a pre-amp if need be? I do up another thread to see.

Thanks guys!