Feedback!

[Jd261808]

When I hook up a Sansamp and Boss DS-1 on my bass I get massive feedback. Any clue as to why? Seems like level increase on either pedal when turn up it's gets worse.

[bongomania]

Yep, that's how it works. The more you increase your gain, in the resonant frequency range of the room you're in, the more feedback you get--if you are too close to your speakers.

To get less feedback, turn down the gain, and/or stand farther from your speakers.

Think about it: your pickups pick up sound, and your speakers put out sound. If the pickup signal is amplified enough, you get a complete loop. Feedback.

[Jd261808]

If i turn my gain down on the head, i have to really crank the volume. We play loudly

[Johnpjm]

Try running your rig through the PA for more volume. Reduces on stage noise as well as prevents feedback.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Jd261808

If i turn my gain down on the head, i have to really crank the volume. We play loudly

Errr.... If you are turning up the master volume to compensate for turning down the input gain, then you haven't changed the amount your signal is being amplified, so that wouldn't help.

You're battling physics here. If you crank up your signal too much, while you stand right in front of the speakers, you will get feedback. I agree about using the PA for volume, because you are probably not standing right in front of the PA speakers. If there's no PA, then just stand as far as you can away from your amp, at one side instead of in front of it.

[Jd261808]

Does the fact that I am using a pre amp pedal such as sansamp have something to do with it as well? My guitar player had 8 pedals at once and no issues ever.

[bongomania]

His amplifier is probably a lot less powerful than yours. So he had less amplification, so less feedback. Yes, a gain pedal adds gain.

[Jd261808]

I suppose all gain pedals are like that. What is another pedal to get a volume boost? I suppose similar to a sansamp but without the preamp?