DB with EA iamp500

mingusahum · #1 10-09-2006, 09:02 PM

Ok, I am in love with the direct sound from my DB. I am using a K&K Bass Max pickup direct into the amp. Too much feedback! The amp sounds so good without my D-Tar Solstice. Like my Bass, but only louder. When I add the Solstice it just doesn't sound like my bass anymore. Help.

Bruce Lindfield · #2 10-10-2006, 01:54 AM

I think you probably need a decent pre-amp...?

mingusahum · #3 10-10-2006, 05:55 AM

Thanks Bruce
Yeah. I have a D-Tar Solstice pre-amp. When I run into that, the solstice adds color or eq that I just don't like. The sound from the 1/4in. in was ok, but the high impedance input on the solstice was too "boxy".

Basically, I may need another pre-amp. But I need one that only changes the phase. No "color" is needed.

Bruce Lindfield · #4 10-10-2006, 06:01 AM

I had the same problem as you and discovered that the pre-amp I was using was coloring the sound - so I just went directly into my iAmp - but then got feedback when I turned up...

I had an old Sadowsky outboard pre-amp that I had used with BG - but seemed to work as it didn't colour the signal but boosted it enough!

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #5 10-10-2006, 08:16 AM

A couple of things:

First, peruse the FAQ/Links thread at the top of this forum for threads about feedback - there's a lot of info already in print.

Next, describe the feedback you're getting - is it a high, squealing feedback, or the low, woofy kind?

Last, once you figure out the kind of feedback it is, you can try dialing it out with the parametric EQ on your iAmp. Let us know.

Andy Allen · #6 10-10-2006, 09:27 AM

Hmmm...interesting...I'm using a Solstice and have not experienced any such problems with it. In fact I would say it's a transparent pre-amp, of high audio quality. Granted it's not as warm and cuddly as some of the popular tube pre's, but it's nowhere near as heavy, either.

As well as a peizo-pickup preamp/mic blender for DB, I've used it as a mic. pre-amp for recording, and as a DI box as well with no apparent problems. I'm a sound engineer and get to use all sorts of gear, and the Solstice stacks up well against all but the best/most expensive equipment.

I suspect some kind of impedance missmatch is causing the problem - when I was using a Bass-Max it performed far better with a K&K pre-amp than plugged directly into anything else. Conversely my present realist sounds much better into the Solstice's high impedance input than anything else I've tried (even the high impedance input of my Clarus).

There could also be a mismatch between the Solstice output and the amp, of course. If there are hi/low inputs or selector switches you could experiment with those.

In the long run it's a well respected piece of gear and should be easy enough to sell or swap for a different pre-amp if you still don't like it.

Andy

mingusahum · #7 10-10-2006, 09:58 AM

Thanks Chris and Andy,
The feedback is primarily in the high squeal range.I perused the sticky for information as well. I was hoping someone out there had the same sort of set up as mine. I will try to attenuate the appropriate frequency and see what happens.

As for impedance. The EA amps have the neccesary 1megOhm input stage. There should not be a problem there. I do suspect you are correct about some sort of mismatch between the Solstice and the head.

I have rehearsal tonight and will try out some different config's if possible.

Touch · #8 10-10-2006, 05:43 PM

Running a BassMax pickup directly into an iAmp500 over here. I use one or two speaker cabinets. I usually have the amp/speakers off to my right so that I am in between the bass and the speakers.

Haven't had any issues with feedback, except when the whole stage volume gets stupid loud. Can't blame that on the equipment, just the monitor guy!

mingusahum · #9 10-11-2006, 07:05 AM

Success! (for now)
At rehearsal last night I tried the Solstice and could not get it to sound right. Surely I am doing something wrong. I do not know what that is but, it just wouldn't work.

I switched over to my Fishman pro-platinum. The sound was alittle closer after dialing in, but not what I wanted.

Then I went for it and plugged straight in to the iAmp 500. My Wizzy cab was about 10 feet away on the left. I stuffed my shirt into the F-Holes just in case. At practice volume there was no feedback, and the DB sounded fantastic. I barely e.q.'d at all. Maybe +2 @ 3K.

Tommorrow I am going to crank to show volume in my apartment. We'll see what happens.

mingusahum · #10 10-11-2006, 07:09 AM

Touch. What is you typical Master level set to on stage?

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #11 10-11-2006, 09:03 AM

It sounds like you may be overloading the input stage of the iAmp with the output of the Solstice. When you take the mixed 1/4" signal from the Solstice, you'll need to back off of either the output volume on the Solstice or the input gain of the iAmp to make the sound anything approaching natural. My old iAmp 800 used to have a really useful LED display on the input section that helped me control the "hotness" of the signal - does the 500 have this same LED?

mingusahum · #12 10-11-2006, 12:07 PM

The iAmp does indeed have the Gain LED you spoke of.
I have not noticed any overload. I will keep an eye on that though.

Touch · #13 10-11-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mingusahum

Touch. What is you typical Master level set to on stage?

It all depends on which speaker cabinet I'm using. With my 8 ohm EA VL-110 I would say that the pre and master are both around 2 o'clock. With the 4 ohm Acme B2, I would say 11 to 12 o'clock.

mingusahum · #14 10-11-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touch

It all depends on which speaker cabinet I'm using. With my 8 ohm EA VL-110 I would say that the pre and master are both around 2 o'clock. With the 4 ohm Acme B2, I would say 11 to 12 o'clock.

I will crank it up to those levels or more to check for feedback. I have a gig this coming Monday and I want to be sure I am good to go.

mingusahum · #15 10-11-2006, 06:51 PM

By the way everyone, the EA amp is phenomenal. The pre-sets really are good. The Tone shaping rocks! The amp is so clean and LOUD at rehearsal last night I never levelled above 10 o'clock.
I use this amp for doubling with a G&L L2500. you know you have a good amp when you just breathe on the EQ to get good tone. Better yet, don't touch the EQ at all and you are still good to go.