If this is a stupid question I apologize in advance. Could one simply plug his/her bass into a power amp, connected to a cab, and use the onboard as the only pre-amp? Would it make a difference if the bass was active or passive? It seems like this would reduce coloration issues if it were possible.
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Bass directly into power amp?
- Thread starter Johnius
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
It can work, but it will only work sort of well if the bass is active and has relatively high output, and if the power amp has a low input sensitivity rating.
Otherwise you will need an external preamp with suitable output.
Otherwise you will need an external preamp with suitable output.
Interesting. I ask because Bag End makes a 3 way cab that is 18x12xhorn (ka-boom - and only 154 pounds) but they also have a version with a 1000 watt digital power amplifier built in. That sounded pretty interesting to me but since nobody else really does that I wanted figure out why.
I think that a power amp will expect a slightly different level (line level?) than an instrument puts out (sometimes known as instrument level). So, it may work - but won't work well. You still will need a preamp to take your input from instrument level and turn it into line level. I'm pretty sure the most recent issue of BP talked about a similar Bag End offering - they said if you plugged a bass directly in it would have enough volume for you to practice on your own, but nowhere near enough juice to play with a full band.
Cheers,
Shirky
Cheers,
Shirky
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
- Sep 15, 2004
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- Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
Yes, provided it has adequate output voltage; power amp specs list the required voltage for full output. You won't have much tone shaping ability, though.
I've done this! I ran an active bass, thru a Zoom b2 and directly to rack mount type pwr amp. I had to turn the amp up all the way and the tone (even using the b2 models) was dull. But, I tried the same thing using the power section of a Peavey bass head, and it sounded great. I guess its all about input sensativity and amp quality.
You're right. I just went on Bergantino's site. Is there a particular advantage in a powered cab? It seems that if you only need a preamp you would be able to get more shaping options.
The Mesa 2:90 and 2:100 tube power amps have a direct in feature. It looks like the Strategy 400/500 poweramps allow this too.
from the Strategy 400 Manual:
I have used a 2:90 with a Lull M4V in active mode this way and it sounded pretty good. I only had the tone control from the bass, but it worked ok.
Having said that though, I would not gig with that kind of setup personally.
from the Strategy 400 Manual:
I have used a 2:90 with a Lull M4V in active mode this way and it sounded pretty good. I only had the tone control from the bass, but it worked ok.
Having said that though, I would not gig with that kind of setup personally.
Your example:
Bass -> Outboard Preamp -> Power Amp -> Cabinet
What he wants:
Bass -> Power Amp -> Cabinet
The reality of powered cabinets with a built-in DSP, to me, is that you'll always be fighting that DSP. If you like how it sounds you're in great shape, but if you don't like it, good luck...
I do this all the time with my Carvin T100 tube power amp. It has a .5V input sensitivity and I have an active (18V) preamp in my Peavey Cirrus. (The newer Carvin TS100 power amps have a 1V input sensitivity so this wouldn't work quite as well with those.) Plenty of volume for a church praise band. For gigs that require more volume, I often use an ART Levelar (tube compressor) for a little extra gain, but my tone controls are still only the ones onboard my bass, which I keep set flat anyway.
I've also plugged my bass directly into the effects return of an SWR combo just to see what it sounds like when the preamp is bypassed. This gave me enough volume for home practice, and was enlightening since it revealed just how the combo's preamp colors the sound.
I've also plugged my bass directly into the effects return of an SWR combo just to see what it sounds like when the preamp is bypassed. This gave me enough volume for home practice, and was enlightening since it revealed just how the combo's preamp colors the sound.
