Ampeg tube head direct out

[BrianTamm]

Hi I have a 70's reissue svt tube head and I'm setting up for some recording. I would like to use the direct out on the head to go to the board. My problem is that the band is recording live and want's to have separation all in one room. I don't think it's safe to run the direct out only with no cabinet hooked up. Any ideas on how to use the d.i. out with no actual sound from the amp?
Thanks
Brian

 

[coreyfyfe]

You'd need a 2 or 4 ohm dummy load capable of dissipating more than 300 watts. Better off just running a standalone DI and not using the amp.

 

[two fingers]

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[BrianTamm]

You'd need a 2 or 4 ohm dummy load capable of dissipating more than 300 watts. Better off just running a standalone DI and not using the amp.

Ahh the internal d.i. sounds so good. But you probably are right, I was hoping for an easy answer, maybe I'll try the dummy load or use my sansamp....
Thanks

 

[coreyfyfe]

Since the VR doesn't have a master volume a dummy load will definitely get hot while recording, and since you aren't monitoring the output of the cab I'd want to use something more like 400+ watts, I use Invalid Link Removed for my SVT. Assuming this would work like I think it would, an option might be a volume pedal in the pre-out/power-in to reduce output into the dummy load and thus heat. The VR DI is tapped off of the first gain stage (pre) or just before the PI (post) so the volume pedal shouldn't impact the DI if you use it in post mode.

 

[JimmyM]

Ahh the internal d.i. sounds so good. But you probably are right, I was hoping for an easy answer, maybe I'll try the dummy load or use my sansamp....
Thanks

I honestly don't think I'd want to use a dummy load on an SVT for recording purposes. I've used one on my B-15 on occasion, and even at 25w, the amp and 50w dummy load I have for it get really hot, and I know it can't be too good for it.

If you really want true tube sound in the studio and aren't willing to mic, most of your options involve spending money on something like the Ampeg PF-20T, 50T or the A-Designs REDDI. But while the Sansamp isn't a true tube sounding device, it's pretty good at imitating certain SVT tones, so I wouldn't rule it out. It's certainly better than using a plain vanilla DI.

 

[wcriley]

If it were me, I'd use a DI into the board, then re-amp that channel through the SVT and mic its cabinet into another channel. You have separation during the "live" recording plus the ability to blend the DI and mic'd cab sounds during mixdown.

 

[circuito]

My sound technician prefer the DI of the PF500 instead the DI of the SVT 7 PRO.

 

[Funk With Me]

What I did in the past was went back and re-amped the bass tracks after the basic tracks were all done. Not only can your speaker can go ahead and blast away without bleeding through to anything else, but you have a chance to hear and adjust how the bass is sitting in the mix.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

As has been stated, you can do most anything with a GOOD, SOLID & CLEAR Bass track...get that down first!

Muy Bueno! ($199)

 

[Jim C]

I've used a dummy load on the output side of a V4B many times and without any issues.
It sounded really good along with a little bit of Countryman DI.