Double Bass any iamp500 opinions out there?

[anonymous02282011]

I'm mostly a DB player and want to run a signal from my Realist and microphone (AMTsp25) simultaneously. I see the iamp500 has an active and passive input, and wonder if anyone has any experience using those to blend pu/mic signals.

ps: chris, i saw in an earlier thread you gave some info on this . . .any details would be much appreciated.

thanks all.

 

[bolo]

Hm ... If it works, it would be kinda weird have them share a single EQ section, and even moreso a single set of level controls. There would be no way to control the (internal) preamp levels and master volume levels independently, unless you had some type of external preamp (or preamps) before they hit the iAMP. Maybe I am missin' something, but I think you wouldn't be able to control the relative volume or blend between the p/u and the mic.

Maybe there is some more ingenious way to do this using the effects return, since it has its own level control. (Or maybe that dial is for the level of the effects 'Send' ...). Er, hm ...

 

[Phil Redman]

I'm pretty sure the iAmp500 does not have a microphone level input. You'd need a preamp and then you'd still be faced with the issues Bolo mentioned. The AI amps are similar and do have a microphone input and come in a two channel version. Lots of folks here seem to use those for blending a mic with a pickup.

 

[anonymous02282011]

aha. i see. ok. i guess that answers that!

i know AIs are very popular and seem to have solved most of the double-bassists questions, so i guess i'll have to take my hamer to old piggy bank and get one.

thanks much.

 

[anonymous02282011]

alt, it looks like the iamp300 would allow for p/u mic mixing. i'll check the previous threads.

 

[bolo]

You could look at getting a blender / mixer / preamp too. The D-TAR Solstice is one such device.

It works great IME. I have used mine w/ an iAMP-200 to blend a p/u and a mic.

But like Phil said the 2-channel AI heads work great too. And they make for one less thing to carry and set up at the gig. My Solstice has pretty much stayed at home ever since I got my Focus 2R.

 

[anonymous02282011]

at this point, the less **** i have to carry the better. with all the rave reviews of the AI gear, thats what i'm leaning toward.

 

[mstclairmiller]

You could use a Fishman platinum pro preamp into the Fx return, converting it into a 2 channel amp. I just had a chat with a guy who had a Beta 58 mic, Underwood, Realist and magnetic pickup, and with a 2 channel Focus and using the Fx returns could plug them all in at the same time!

 

[Phil Redman]

alt, it looks like the iamp300 would allow for p/u mic mixing. i'll check the previous threads.

The iAmp300 has two channels, but still no built-in microphone preamp to my knowledge. You'd still need an outboard preamp like the D-Tar or a mixing board.

 

[anonymous02282011]

The iAmp300 has two channels, but still no built-in microphone preamp to my knowledge. You'd still need an outboard preamp like the D-Tar or a mixing board.

right. plus with the buzzing that TBers have mentioned about the micro300 the prospect of getting one is slim to none. i guess there's no way around the AI.

 

[bolo]

i guess there's no way around the AI.

Well there might be. Reread post #8. This is what I was trying to describe earlier. Route the mic through the effects return. Maybe.

You could use a Fishman platinum pro preamp into the Fx return, converting it into a 2 channel amp.

 

[Phil Redman]

Well there might be. Reread post #8. This is what I was trying to describe earlier. Route the mic through the effects return. Maybe.

I've never tried it but I don't believe the Fishman is adequate as a mic preamp either. It expects to see an instrument level input. I'll try it when I get home and report back.

 

[Phil Redman]

I've never tried it but I don't believe the Fishman is adequate as a mic preamp either. It expects to see an instrument level input. I'll try it when I get home and report back.

The Fishman doesn't even have a balanced XLR input. In no way will it work as a mic preamp.

 

[Eric S]

Doen't the AMTSP25 have it's own preamp/phantom battery pack? That might work by itself into the effects loop. Otherwise you should be able to go from the battery pack into a fishman and then the effect loop.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Why would one need a microphone preamp? Why not a simple inline adaptor/transformer ??

Link Removed

I supply these with AMT S25B (with the simple interface box, not the fancy multi-output box) mics I sell so players can plug it into a standard bass amp if they want to. The interface box has a battery to power the mic.

I been using this type of transformer/adaptor with a couple old self-powered condenser mics for many years when only a 1/4" input was available.

 

[bolo]

Doen't the AMTSP25 have it's own preamp/phantom battery pack? That might work by itself into the effects loop. Otherwise you should be able to go from the battery pack into a fishman and then the effect loop.

Dig. Good catch Eric. The AMT SP25B "super preamp" has two XLR outputs and a 1/4" line out, w/ a volume control. Run that 1/4" into the effects return on the iAMP, no?

Not sure if the iAMP's EQ section is pre- or -post effects loop. Regardless, it's worth a shot, eh, unless I misunderstood the setup. That extra "P" in the original post is different than the regular S25B box that I have, although Bob has addressed that too.