Play through a Mark Bass amp and I use the XLR output to the mixing board. As my band works its way through our sets, I often find that I need to adjust the output of the amp to rebalance the stage sound. The amp transmits this change to the mixer, requiring rebalancing of the house sound. I would like to avoid adding to the workload of the sound engineer (me). Are there bass amps that don't have this issue? Should I just use a DI box instead?
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Amp XLR output
- Thread starter ecolbeck
- Start date
As @Wasnex says in another thread:
You can use a DI box between your bass (or pedalboard) and your amp, or look for an amp that has a "pre/post" selector, where the signal is taken before the master volume of the amp.
Many amps do put their "master" volume control after the DI send so you can change your stage level independently. That can be a significant convenience that I really appreciate having sometimes.
Alas, some amps don't work that way. (One of those things worth looking into before buying. As a lawyer once told me, the devil's in the details...)
It's not the worst idea to have a separate DI for flexibility – and critical redundancy.
Alas, some amps don't work that way. (One of those things worth looking into before buying. As a lawyer once told me, the devil's in the details...)
It's not the worst idea to have a separate DI for flexibility – and critical redundancy.
Yes, there are many that don't have this issue.
Yes, you should have a DI box regardless.
My Markbass has a DI level pot (plus the pre and post DI switches). I have found that the DI is very hot and I need to keep the adjustment very low (3 o'clock or below).
A master volume pot should have zero impact on DI level...
A master volume pot should have zero impact on DI level...
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,095
- 5
- 221,232
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
3:00 is pretty high actually...
A master volue pot generally shouldn't, but there are designs on the market that are post eq and post master volume like some Fender and Ampeg amps, and the TT-800 post eq DI is also post master volume and post channel switching so that the output follows the channel switching.
The Markbass DI output is normally pre-master volume, so master volume should not affect the signal you send to FOH. This is exactly why Markbass have added the extra DI level control.
This was from the last gig, EBMM Bongo 5 HH. This is as high as I can put this without distortion coming into the IEM feed:
In the two Markbass amps that I have the DI can be internally switched between pre-EQ and post-EQ and in both cases the Master Volume of the amps has nothing to do with the DI level to the best of my knowledge. As previous posters have mentioned, in some amps there is a separate DI level knob to control that. Which Markbass amp are we talking about here?
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,095
- 5
- 221,232
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
That's nowhere near 3:00.
If you turn the input gain down on the device driving the IEM's, you will be able to turn the DI level up more.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,095
- 5
- 221,232
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Line out is sometimes used as slang for DI out. Some manufacturers also call the DI out a line out, adding to the confusion.
Oh your right! I've been digital so long I forgot the positions of an analog clock
.Pre 9:00
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,095
- 5
- 221,232
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I might have to add a "vintage" clock face to new owner's manualsOh your right! I've been digital so long I forgot the positions of an analog clock
Pre 9:00
I still giggle at "DI Out" - kinda like "ATM Machine" but, uh, naughtier.
I have a related question! But a stupid question as I excel at those. And I think it's ill posed so the usual Internet query gives me unhelpful results.
For recording and quiet fun at home I have my amp balanced out plugged into my interface (it's a focusrite if that matters). But the 48V phantom power switch is right next to the gain control for that channel and I'm really worried about accidentally hitting that switch. What happens to a device if you give it phantom power that it doesn't need?
I have a related question! But a stupid question as I excel at those. And I think it's ill posed so the usual Internet query gives me unhelpful results.
For recording and quiet fun at home I have my amp balanced out plugged into my interface (it's a focusrite if that matters). But the 48V phantom power switch is right next to the gain control for that channel and I'm really worried about accidentally hitting that switch. What happens to a device if you give it phantom power that it doesn't need?
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,095
- 5
- 221,232
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
An ATM for audio signals!
Actually, it's a not just a good question but a GREAT question. Most quality DI outputs are protected from the effects of phantom power, a good design simply rejects it and you would never know. That said, there are some designs where the designed didn't have enough real world experience with how their products are being used and the typical real world environment that the DI outputs must operate in. These outputs can in fact be damaged by the presence of phantom power. When in doubt, ask.
As an informational note, since I get asked this question fairly regularly, all Genz Benz and Mesa Subway products that I have designed over the past 30+ years are fully phantom power protected, sometimes this information is included on the back panel by the DI XLR jacks too.
If you are suffering from clipping the mixing board with your XLR out, you may want to consider having an in-line XLR attenuator/pad. I've found mixing boards with built in pads are still often overpowered by some post-preamp XLR Outs.
20db should do, I keep a 20db and a 30db pad in my bag.
20db should do, I keep a 20db and a 30db pad in my bag.
My Little Mark 250 Black Line master output does not change the DI out. The gain & the line-out level both affect the DI out, but I can adjust the master out any way I need without affecting FOH level.
During sound check I often turn the amp master completely off until FOH levels are set, then bring the amp up just enough to tell it's on.
