Need studio preamp setting advice

[bobbarker14]

Hey everyone. I just got a call for a studio session and I need some advice. This is a reggae session with some fairly inexperienced but talented young guys. All of my past studio experience has been with more seasoned engineers and I have never really had to worry about signal path issues. They tell me they have a Universal Audio LA-610 pre-amp/compressor that runs into Protools. I am playing a Yamaha TRB-6 bass (active electronics of course). They tell me the last guy they brought in (who also had active pickups) could not keep the bass from distorting so I suspect that they dont really know how to dial in the preamp and compressor to get the optimal sound. Do any of you have any advice as to how best to set the preamp/compressor so as to allow plenty of low end but not distort? Thanks so much for your input!

[anderbass]

If an active bass has extremely high output that cant be padded at the DI, simply turning down the basses volume knob a bit should always be a successful option for ya.

You should find lots of specific info on that UA LA-610 here:
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ss+DI+settings

[hunta]

I turn my volume knob down to about 50% on my Fender Jazz Deluxe going into my Demeter pedal. I'm finding that my Fender will clip a lot of things at full volume, it's just a lot more noticeable depending on what I plug into. The UA 610 isn't the first choice for most people on a bass, but I'm sure you should be able to get a good sound out of it. It's a nice DI from what I've heard.

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by hunta

I turn my volume knob down to about 50% on my Fender Jazz Deluxe going into my Demeter pedal. I'm finding that my Fender will clip a lot of things at full volume,

I could be wrong but I'm guessing your Jazz Deluxe is a 9 volt model like my 98 P-Deluxe...
Either way, It may be your basses active preamp thats actually clipping.

I dont really notice my active bass clip while playing through my amp/cab so much, but when I play mine aggressively at full volume while recording with any DI or line amp and watch the input level meters, I can clearly see/hear that its actually my basses active preamp thats clipping, The clipping I get is a fairly audible "sharp-click" sound thats not being caused by the DI, preamp, effects or recorders inputs receiving to hot or high of a input level. If I turn the basses volume or even Its bass knob down a bit, the clipping is completely gone. I never have this issue with my passive Fender.