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Blackstar Amplification Club

#261
Does anyone have experience just using the ACT ext cab with on outboard preamp? I'm looking for an amp about this size to use on stage to add some low-end live (almost as kind of a monitor) - using IEMs. I was thinking I just just run out of my preamp pedal into this thing and get a similar tone to what is going to FOH. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
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#262
Dogofwar said:
View attachment 4566005 Here’s my setup, it’s the U500 and 250 extension cab. I love the Blackstar on its own but I can’t get it to get along with my DG B7k ultra. When I have the DG into the front of the Blackstar it fights with the Blackstar preamp and gets muddy and when I use the DG straight into the return on the loop it sounds good but isn’t as loud, it also has more noise interference hooked up this way. Have I wasted money buying a DG pedal or am I missing something? Any help on this would be much appreciated guys
Click to expand...

Did you try the DG direct into the ACT? That would act as the preamp. I'm really curious about this application. Thanks!
 
#263
LVannerson said:
Did you try the DG direct into the ACT? That would act as the preamp. I'm really curious about this application. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes I’ve tried that. It sounds pretty decent but the volume levels aren’t that high, especially with a passive bass. Sounds more like a 100w amp as opposed to 250w. This cab works better when it’s driven with the U500 or a U250 IMO. I hope this helps.
 
#266
LVannerson said:
Does anyone have experience just using the ACT ext cab with on outboard preamp? I'm looking for an amp about this size to use on stage to add some low-end live (almost as kind of a monitor) - using IEMs. I was thinking I just just run out of my preamp pedal into this thing and get a similar tone to what is going to FOH. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I recently bought this for the exact same reason using IEMs. It thumped with just my preamp (Origin Effects Bass Rig). It was loud, still difficult to really “feel” (I was hoping for it to really thud my legs, I don’t know if it did or not.)

I also noticed some sort of electrical smell running it at full volume (tbh the guitarist fried a fuse that night, so it could have been his amp getting really cooked up). It’s got me spooked a bit. Especially since another poster seems to confirm my suspicions as the cab didn’t really seem/fee loud enough as just a powered speaker for a preamp.

it’s plenty loud for room practice, and seemed to be a tad boomy in rehearsal (we have a studio set up in the basement, so it’s hard to really crank the amp there).
But I’m rarely in an environment where I can really really crank that amp.

TLDR. Would you say the U250 vs the 250ACT might be a better go? Since the cab seems to really work best when paired with the amp. It’s rare I’m in a situation where I need to bring an amp with me. And since I’m still in the return window I’d like to know your thoughts.
 
#267
Just joining the club. I’ve had a U500 and extension cab for a while now and really like them. My history with Amos is all over the place but the one I had before this rig was a Mesa 400+ and 1516BE cab. I’ve never been that keen on amplifiers as much as basses and pedals but the Blackstar works really well, it’s super loud and easy to carry.
 
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#268
Dogofwar said:
Yes I’ve tried that. It sounds pretty decent but the volume levels aren’t that high, especially with a passive bass. Sounds more like a 100w amp as opposed to 250w. This cab works better when it’s driven with the U500 or a U250 IMO. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Just putting this out there-- when @LVannerson asked if you ran your Darkglass B-Ultra "directly into" the cabinet-- you used the XLR Direct Out on your pedal, not the standard out, right? This would require a female 3-prong XLR from the pedal to a 1/4" TSR male plug into the amp.

I'm asking because the input on the powered cab looks like it was designed for a line-level input...
 
#276
I'm surprised to see recent posts above where some are saying the 250 watt Unity powered extension lacks power and volume. This has not been my experience at all. I am running an active bass through my pedalboard, with MXR M80 preamp directly into the Unity. I use the line out (not the D.I.) from the MXR and it sounds tight, for a 15, and plenty loud.
Now here comes a fairly technical question. I also have a Gallien Krueger MB110 combo. These have a chain out (standard XLR) that is supposed to pair with a GK powered extension cabinet only. I've searched the internet including a few TB threads, to see if other powered extension cabs (e.g. the Unity 250 ACT) can actually be connected to the GK without blowing anything up. But there are no definitive answers. I have tried it a low volume and short timeframe and it sounds awesome. I have a four hour gig coming up and in two minds as to whether I should risk it at high volume over longer time. I have heard that the output from the GK is pretty hot (10 db apparently). Does anyone know what the output from the BlackStar combos is? Any thoughts on this as a possible pairing are very much appreciated.
Cheers
 

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