Whirlwind IMP2 Question

[Vic Winters]

How do you manage to get a usable volume out of the IMP2?

I snagged a used IMP2 of the bay a little while back since it gets good reviews, is priced to move, and it doesn't hurt to have a backup DI in your gig bag. But when I tried it out a few days ago, I noticed that I had to nearly dime all the levels on the mixer to get any volume in the headphones via "Phones" output, and to get any of the green signal LEDs to light up (not red clip LEDs). Am I doing something wrong?


Signal chain when tested was simply: SX Jazz ->IMP2->UB1204

[Double Agent]

I haven't had any issues with mine, but I don't use it very often...maybe I just haven't noticed the issues you are describing. Mine is only for "if my amp craps out and we have a gig to finish" situations. My acoustic guitard usually uses it at our shows.

I A/B'd it against the DI from my bass amp for some recording with a EBMM Bongo and the DI from my Genz head was much warmer and fuller sounding. The IMP2 sounded ok there though. I haven't used it with my Jaguar yet though, live or recorded.

[Vic Winters]

I'm not knocking the sound quality of it at all, just that the -20dB cut from the XLR out makes it nearly impossible to get a usable volume from the mixer.

[JimmyM]

I don't have much of a problem getting a usable signal out of mine. Maybe yours is broken?

[newfuture]

I'd suspect you've got a bum unit (or maybe mic cable). They're not the best sounding, nor hottest DIs out there, but the issue you're describing should not be happening. Silly question, hate to ask it, but are you going XLR to XLR out of the IMP2 into the Behri?

[Vic Winters]

Indeed I am.

[newfuture]

probably a bad DI then...I'd see if it's exchangeable, if not, crack it open and look for bad wiring...also measure across pins 2&3 of the xlr and see what the resisitance is (you may need to contact whirlwind for what it's supposed to be).