effects causing too much feedback?

[Speedy Claxton]

Okay, so I have a sansamp programmable bass driver and needless to say, I love it. Having 3 preset tones is very convenient for me (especially since I can't afford multiple pedals at the moment or I would have bought the single channel bass driver)

Anyways on to the problem: I have it setup just as the manual reads, through the effects return, and my bass's volume all the way up and anytime Im near my cab it squeals loudly and it has started to become an annoyance and also worries me. I like to have the pedal next to my cab at shows so the wrong switch doesn't get stepped on. What am I doing wrong?

[Taylor Livingston]

A few questions:

Have you removed the Sansamp from your signal path and found that the feedback goes away?
Are you using a really high-gain setting?
At what volume is your amp when this is happening? Bedroom level, rehearsal, stage volume...?

[Speedy Claxton]

If by signal path, you mean when I play without it there's no feedback, then yes I have played with the sansamp removed from my signal path and there was no feedback. (sorry Im not too familiar with some terminology)
As far as gain settings, I'm pretty sure it happens with any setting around or over the half way mark.
The volume of my my amp was at rehearsal/stage volume.

[Jared Lash]

Is the SansAmp set up at unity - meaning that when you turn it on you are at the same volume as when it is off? And where is the gain set on it?

I could get wicked feedback with some fuzzes and my Tech 21 XXLB but never with the SansAmp.

Side note: you have the most esoteric username I've seen in a long time. Is Claxton still with the Hawks? Or even still in the league? It's not quite as funny as Pearl Jam originally wanting to call themselves Mookie Blaylock, but it's close.

[niftydog]

How is the EQ set on your bass?

Do you have any of the SansAmps knobs turned up near maximum?

Do you have the "1/4" OUT BOOST" enabled?

Have you tried running the SansAmp into the instrument input of your amp, rather than the effects return?

Personally I don't like running directly into the effects return. It defeats the tone shaping circuitry of your amp, which is a big part of the 'sound' of your amp. It also defeats the master volume control which can be problematic.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by niftydog

Have you tried running the SansAmp into the instrument input of your amp, rather than the effects return?

Personally I don't like running directly into the effects return. It defeats the tone shaping circuitry of your amp, which is a big part of the 'sound' of your amp. It also defeats the master volume control which can be problematic.

Wow, I totally overlooked that point in his post. Good call.

[Speedy Claxton]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Is the SansAmp set up at unity - meaning that when you turn it on you are at the same volume as when it is off? And where is the gain set on it?

yes I have it set at unity incase of any mishaps on stage, I tend to be a little clumsy haha..

Originally Posted by niftydog

How is the EQ set on your bass?

Do you have any of the SansAmps knobs turned up near maximum?

Do you have the "1/4" OUT BOOST" enabled?

Have you tried running the SansAmp into the instrument input of your amp, rather than the effects return?

Personally I don't like running directly into the effects return. It defeats the tone shaping circuitry of your amp, which is a big part of the 'sound' of your amp. It also defeats the master volume control which can be problematic.

The eq on my bass, is volume all the way up, and the blend knob set to the middle for both pickups. The rest of the controls are for the active circuitry which I never use.

The blend knob on the sansamp is all the way up and the drive almost is for one setting but thats it and the 1/4 out boost is enabled.

I really dont care for it running into the effects return because I cant fine tune how I like my eq with no effects, I just have it plugged in at the moment because it squeals in the input and I tried to see if the effects return would change that.. it didn't.

[niftydog]

Ok, so you answered the question anyway - it does the same when it's plugged into the instrument input as well.

What happens to the feedback if you back off the blend control?

Feedback is usually caused by excessive boost at a particular frequency. This can be compounded by successive boost stages that affect that same frequency. Since it sounds like you're running your bass EQ controls flat, and there's no influence from the bass amps preamp section, then all eyes turn to the Sansamp.

How is the EQ set on the Sansamp? Particularly the presence control?