It possibly be a ground issue, make sure your XLR is not touching any power cables.
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Don't know about this specific problem but almost all the Ampeg combos I've owned, including the RB 210 I'm using a lot today, has had the some issue with the XLR out so I usually don't use it except in a situation where nothing else is possible (I usually bring my own direct box). Another irritating thing is that the volume of the XLR out is affected by your total volume out on the amp. That's not too popular among sound engineers.
But other than that it's a great light combo.
Try a different xlr cable, instrument cable, and finally a different bass. If not, then take the amp for repair. I have an RB-110 and the DI doesn’t buzz.
I A and B'd it with my TC Electronic 1x15 Combo's balanced DI out: with the TC, using the same XLR cable and instrument cable I was using with the RB210. While there's some white noise with the TC Electronic, there's definitely no high buzz like with the RB210. I also tried the RB-210 again and realize the buzz through the PA is there even when the Master Volume all the way down.
I've also tried flipping the ground/lift button, made sure the XLR cable not touching the power cable. Same results.
So it might be time to return the RB-210. Unless anyone else has any other ideas? I might exchange it for an RB-112 since I know my friend used it through PA with no issues. I wonder if the tweeter thats on the RB-210 is contributing to the PA buzz. Although switching it on/off didn't seem to make a difference...
Suggest email Ampeg or contact store sales person before return window end......
Unfortunately, seems to be a known issue on the 210. So much so that I almost traded it for a 115, but I figured I would more than likely use my SCR-DI instead.
Disappointed to hear that it's not been fixed. I've had mine a couple years now.
I agree. It's very odd. And I have to suspect there is probably an easy fix for it, but I certainly don't have the know-how.
Perhaps it’s something to do with the 210 being the only one with a tweeter in the circuit? Even if off, perhaps it’s introducing something more prone to noise.
Since i love my stacked RB112 ( even she has poor electronic on SGT grid pot ), i just make this staked has more voice out from it with Caline CP60 preamp pedal a week ago.
Without SGT and premp pedal engage, she sound like Filtop but slightly brighter tone ( with only Ultra hi button ON ).
When only SGT engage, she sound hefty , thick and full tube-like voice.
When only CP60 engage, the SVT soul are calling out .
When both SGT and CP60 blend together, yummy fat SVT tone.
I bought this cheapo bass preamp after a bassist told me he happy with the result from CP60 , with far less money spend compare to his SGT-Di preamp.
Can't agree more until i own it, i able get 4 different Ampeg Voice character with my EQ setting , lot of fun !
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I recall that those Rb112/115/210 has share same preamp boardn but maybe slighly different on Di out section.
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You know, I had thought about removing the tweeter anyway (I always leave it off) and now I'm wondering if I should try that and see if the DI noise goes away...
Just got the RB210 and it has the hiss problem with volume all the way down. Compared to my smaller one - the 210 is much worse. With horn on it is louder and there is an additional noise. Increasing eq, especially mid and high, increases the noise volume. Might need to send back. I can't tolerate this (but desperately need a bigger amp quick). Very disappointing!!!
Any amp will hum if you crank the EQ knobs. You can’t turn up frequencies without turning up the noise floor. And usually when you use an amp, you can hear it better if you turn the volume up
. But seriously, you are always welcome to reach out to Ampeg CS.
For what it’s worth, I have a RB115 and a RB210 and for some reason the 210 is much noisier generally regardless of volume level or treble amount. I’m not too fond of over-trembly bass so I usually keep the treble att 9’’clock or lower.
Anyway, something in the RB210s construction makes it much noisier even att very low levels and almost no volume at all.
In spite of this I still like the 210 and it’s not something that bothers me in a live situation.
Anyway, something in the RB210s construction makes it much noisier even att very low levels and almost no volume at all.
In spite of this I still like the 210 and it’s not something that bothers me in a live situation.
Normally, high frequency hiss comes from the horn. Turn the eq treble down to noon. Turn the horn off at the back and see if the problem is reduced. Either way, it’s best to check with customer service.
