Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Bass guitar with XLR connection.
- Thread starter Lezzar
- Start date
I believe the OP is trying to connect the output on his instrument (1/4”) to the mixer (XLR) directly. That’s not going to work well, if at all. As mentioned, a DI box will be neeeded at minimum.
Sounds like he needs a new guitar cable? He has one with a 1/4 inch jack one one end and an XLR on the other? this is a little confusing.
or does his amp not have a 1/4 inch input? that seems odd
What I'm hearing is your bass has a standard 1/4" female phone jack port, but your mixer does not have the same jack for your floor cord, only an XLR.
There exist 1/4" to XLR cables (I have some myself), they are inexpensive and easy to find on Amazon, eBay, or your local shop.
I suggest shopping locally--and take your bass. XLR jacks have three conductors, your bass likely has only two; you'll need to make sure the male 1/4" jack (goes into your bass) connects properly. So get the shop to let you demo a couple cords.
But chances are that won't work very well, and the choice of a Direct Box will eliminate the problem.
Probably not what the OP is talking about, but the thought of Phantom power for active Bass electronics sounds interesting.
Tough to be sure here, but I think the OP has a bass with a 1/4" jack output but some sort of cable supplied which has an XLR at the other end. That works plugged into an XLR input on a mixer, but when he plugs a regular 1/4-1/4 cable into the bass and then into an ordinary amp, it doesn't work.
Question: Does the 1/4" end of your existing cable have (i) two connections (tip and sleeve: TS at right below) or (ii) three connections (tip, ring, sleve: TRS at left below)?
If it's TRS the bass may have a stereo output bass which doesn't work with a typical 2-connection phone plug.
Or...the bass has a preamp that draws phantom power from the mixer like some Alembics, although they have an XLR output on the bass itself.
Question: Does the 1/4" end of your existing cable have (i) two connections (tip and sleeve: TS at right below) or (ii) three connections (tip, ring, sleve: TRS at left below)?
If it's TRS the bass may have a stereo output bass which doesn't work with a typical 2-connection phone plug.
Or...the bass has a preamp that draws phantom power from the mixer like some Alembics, although they have an XLR output on the bass itself.
I've seen a few custom instruments made that way. You can't plug straight into any bass amp, but it's an interesting idea if you go direct. Or if you use a breakout box.
Is this it ???
Since these are sold on Amazon you should be able to contact the manufacturer.
Invalid Link Removed
Since these are sold on Amazon you should be able to contact the manufacturer.
Invalid Link Removed
You can get a cable with a mono jack in one end (bass) and a xlr male in the other end (mixer). These are standard.
Bingo! @Clark Dark .
I have seen preamped instruments with xlr outputs, but I'm pretty sure something that cheap wouldn't.
btw, and for the education of the guy upthread sniggering at jack plugs, we do so have those in Europe. Jack sockets, too.
I have seen preamped instruments with xlr outputs, but I'm pretty sure something that cheap wouldn't.
btw, and for the education of the guy upthread sniggering at jack plugs, we do so have those in Europe. Jack sockets, too.
An XLR is a balanced output. You need a ballanced input. Which probably means you need a preamp with a balanced input and unbalanced output.
Just in case you have one, SansAmp fits this description. I also own one bass with a balanced XLR out and needed to scramble to use it for gigs.
Just in case you have one, SansAmp fits this description. I also own one bass with a balanced XLR out and needed to scramble to use it for gigs.
One of my Jazz basses, a '71 which was very heavily modified before I acquired it in around '81, has a conventional 1/4" jack where one would expect, and what I believe to be an xlr jack on the side, where I believe the input jack is located on the current elites.
I dimly recall going straight to the board with it on a friend's music lab project whilst I was attending University. I will take a photo of the offending unit next time I'm home.
I dimly recall going straight to the board with it on a friend's music lab project whilst I was attending University. I will take a photo of the offending unit next time I'm home.
Current Elite Jazz basses don't have input jacks.
