ART TubePAC Question

[LevinFan]

If I were to use the ART Tube Pac with a head, would I run it to the instrument input or the effects return ?

Same question if I use a Sansamp BDDI.

The head is a GK 700 rbII if it matters.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Could use either input really.

If you plug into the amp input, you will get the colouration and controls your GK offers, if you plug it into the effects return (im assuming it works like a preamp in on the GK), then you wont get any colouration from the GK preamp.

However, if you do plug it into the input of the amp, don't crank the preamp too much or you'll enter clip city

I've run my BDDI both ways, and ended up mainly using it into the input of the amp if thats worth anything.

 

[IanStephenson]

I ran exactly this setup at a gig monday night, to good effect.

The amp didn't have a loop in it, so it just went in the front. As Mohawk says, I had to keep the output level right down, and even then I was worried about clipping in the pre stages of the amp, but it sounded very good.

 

[bongomania]

Just as Mohawk said, either way will work. Personally I would choose the fx loop return just because of the potential for extra noise, clipping, and unwanted coloration that can happen when running two preamps in series, but "potential" doesn't mean "it always happens".

With the ART the noise potential might be more of a factor. With the BDDI it is designed to be a complete tone-shaping package, so adding more tone-shaping onto it can take away from what it has to offer.

 

[LevinFan]

Could use either input really.

If you plug into the amp input, you will get the colouration and controls your GK offers, if you plug it into the effects return (im assuming it works like a preamp in on the GK), then you wont get any colouration from the GK preamp.

However, if you do plug it into the input of the amp, don't crank the preamp too much or you'll enter clip city

I've run my BDDI both ways, and ended up mainly using it into the input of the amp if thats worth anything.

I ran exactly this setup at a gig monday night, to good effect.

The amp didn't have a loop in it, so it just went in the front. As Mohawk says, I had to keep the output level right down, and even then I was worried about clipping in the pre stages of the amp, but it sounded very good.

Just as Mohawk said, either way will work. Personally I would choose the fx loop return just because of the potential for extra noise, clipping, and unwanted coloration that can happen when running two preamps in series, but "potential" doesn't mean "it always happens".

With the ART the noise potential might be more of a factor. With the BDDI it is designed to be a complete tone-shaping package, so adding more tone-shaping onto it can take away from what it has to offer.

Ok, thanks guys, I'm just getting back to playing after quite a few years. I'm amazed at all the options out there now.