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Active bass batteries in passive mode...?
- Thread starter Phfat
- Start date
No, not if you keep it plugged in. It doesn't matter if the bass is in active or passive, you should always unplug the cable when you're done playing to keep the battery from draining.
Plugging the cable in is what turns on the battery. Unplug the cable if you want to extend battery life.
Yup, as above. Can’t say there are no exceptions but generally the jack is the switch for the battery.
Are we sure about this? I certainly could be incorrect. but I have a couple Active basses wherein they are put in passive mode by a toggle in one, and pulling the Control knob in another case.
I thought that doing so by-passed the 9-Volt (18V in one) and in turn kept the batter(ies) dormant.
Yes? No? Anybody?
I thought that doing so by-passed the 9-Volt (18V in one) and in turn kept the batter(ies) dormant.
Yes? No? Anybody?
Turning that active/passive switch doesn't bypass the battery, it bypasses preamp.
Most (almost all) bass guitars with preamp have switch buit in input jack. The moment you plug the jack, preamp gets power from battery and depletion starts. That active/passive switch is there to route signal around preamp, but does nothing to power connection.
Shame on me! I guess that's why I gotta keep 9-volts around all the time. I actually DO unplug the cable when I'm done, force of habit, so...
You sure the battery is still drawing juice when Active mode off?? Just asking?? You're probably right.
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Yes, because of the way the power circuit completes, plus the topology of pretty much every onboard pre circuit I have ever seen.
thanks to all for the replies!
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks....
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks....
It’s possible that someone has made a bass where the passive/active switch is also a secondary power switch, but I have never heard of one.
Almost never. There may be some manufactured preamps out there with that feature, but I’m not aware of them if so.
The only preamps with a switch that cuts power specifically are ones I built myself or modded
I keep all my basses active. Staying active helps to reduce weight.
I agree. I've enrolled all my basses in Pilates classes keeping them in great shape.
So why can't an active preamp be designed to switch off battery power when the preamp is switched to passive mode?
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It can, but it requires extra switch contacts, and when powering the circuit back on it's difficult to avoid audible thumps, which can sometimes be very loud.
If you want to get an idea why, just take a pedal, plug it into your amp and, at a very quiet volume setting, plug and unplug it from power. The thumping and whining will likely be pretty distracting/annoying. Same thing going on with a bass preamp. Now, you might be able to resolve this with two switches, one to switch the battery on/off and one to actually put the preamp in the circuit... but that's a lot more complicated than most people want. Or, maybe, a three way switch where one position is "preamp power off", next position is "preamp on but bypassed", third position is "preamp on and engaged", and just be mindful about the rate at which you actuate the switch? No idea.
This is what I like about TB... There are peeps here who actually KNOW stuff, refreshing in a forum where the only thing in common sometimes is Bass. Many styles, many opinions (everyone has one...
) but being enlightened to the FACTS of E-lectricity is kewl.
Here, all the time I thought putting my bass in passive mode was giving the Energizer bunny a break.
9-volts are not cheap!!
) but being enlightened to the FACTS of E-lectricity is kewl.Here, all the time I thought putting my bass in passive mode was giving the Energizer bunny a break.
9-volts are not cheap!!
YMMV. I have passive basses that I love but I've never had an active bass where I've preferred the sound in passive mode. So for me anyway, passive mode is strictly for critical redundancy.
I buy industrial 9V batteries in bulk on eBay. A 12-pack lasts me 2-3 years. I worry about tires for my car and replacing my aging powered PA speakers; I've never given 9V battery expense a second thought.
I buy industrial 9V batteries in bulk on eBay. A 12-pack lasts me 2-3 years. I worry about tires for my car and replacing my aging powered PA speakers; I've never given 9V battery expense a second thought.
No, it predominantly came into being for those with the unreasonable fear of battery failure when gigging. If the battery dies unexpectedly, a simple switch movement can get you sound again.
