What's going on?

mikgag · #1 01-25-2009, 11:29 AM

When I try to record bass direct into a Mackie CR1604, the signal is stupid hot, like farty unusable hot. I tried going from the DI out on my head into an unbalanced line in channel and I'm getting a farty signal that registers at -4db with the trim pot completely off?

I tried plugging my bass directly into the mixer....same thing. I tried 3 different channels, same thing. I'm sure it's something obvious, or dumb. My bass is a passive G&L P. Sounds fine plugged into the amp....and I also switched cables and lowered the volume on the bass....same thing.

bassophil · #2 01-25-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi!

You should know that a DI signal is balanced and you should use it that way to avoid noise.

But that doesnt explain your problem, especially when you the bass into the mixer.

I don't know much about electronics but the only things causing your problem i can imagine are either a very hot output of your bass or that your mackie has got a problem.
Did you try it with/without phantom voltage?

Sorry that i can't help here but atleast i pushed yout post

derrico1 · #3 01-25-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikgag

I tried going from the DI out on my head into an unbalanced line in channel

As a starting point, something seems off here. I'm assuming the DI out on your head is XLR. Are you taking a mic cable from head's DI to XLR (mic) input on the Mackie?

mikgag · #4 01-25-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrico1

As a starting point, something seems off here. I'm assuming the DI out on your head is XLR. Are you taking a mic cable from head's DI to XLR (mic) input on the Mackie?

No, I'm going XLR(DI out on the head) into 1/4 line input on the mixer. The mixer has 6 XLRs w/pres, but they're all taken.

bassophil · #5 01-25-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

No, I'm going XLR(DI out on the head) into 1/4 line input on the mixer.

...and your 1/4 jack is unbalanced?

Did you solder it yourself? Perhaps you messed something up.

bassophil · #6 01-25-2009, 12:15 PM

thats the way to do it:

funkifiedsoul · #7 01-25-2009, 12:22 PM

yes, sounds like a pooched cord or what "Bassophil" asks. Do you know it's not the Mackie? Did you try other channels ruling out a blown one?
(I've been using my 1604 for 20 years, not one issue.)

mikgag · #8 01-25-2009, 12:24 PM

Yes, but I got the same result when I used a regular 1/4->1/4 patch cord going straight into the mixer from the bass.

mikgag · #9 01-25-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkifiedsoul

yes, sounds like a pooched cord or what "Bassophil" asks. Do you know it's not the Mackie? Did you try other channels ruling out a blown one?
(I've been using my 1604 for 20 years, not one issue.)

tried 3 different channels...2 different cables from bass to mixer

fretlessman71 · #10 01-25-2009, 12:26 PM

What's Goin' On? Marvin Gaye, 1971. Carry on.

funkifiedsoul · #11 01-25-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikgag

tried 3 different channels...2 different cables from bass to mixer

oops, you did say that first off. Sorry for the redundancy.
Being that I'm a 'Musician' 1rst, and technician 7th. it just sounds at this point mysterious and strange. Good luck

anderbass · #12 01-25-2009, 12:54 PM

Does your Mackie's 1/4" input channels have a switch to change/pad your input levels down to the matching instrement or line level? If so, failing to set the corect input level could be your only problem.