Can I put a J48 in the effects loop after my compressor

[jetlaggemini]

I use a sennheiser wireless system, into my pedal board, into my SVT CL head. then in the effects loop i have my dbx comp and i want to put the DI box post comp. I know most soundguys like to get the signal pre-eq but i use that compression 100% of the time and putting the di before it would be useless. My question is, is the radial j48 what i need there or would a passive DI work better? Is there another set up i can use to keep that compressor in the loop? It sounds better there. I use passive basses.

 

[bongomania]

The comp does belong in the loop, so that's all good. But most soundguys have a dbx comp in their rack anyway, and they're probably accustomed to compressing the bassist of any band. Since the loop output of the SVT is post the preamp but before the power section; and since a lot of the tone of an SVT is in the power section and the fridge cab; it seems like you'd be better off using a mic on your cab instead of a DI. Or both, send the house a clean DI signal and a mic channel from your cab.

If you're dead-set on putting a DI post preamp and post compressor, then yes that will work. I think the J48 should be fine, as would any decent passive DI, but if it was me I'd be shopping for the new Countryman Type 10, for its very high headroom. Although I guess distortion is not such an issue, tapping off an SVT.

 

[jetlaggemini]

hmmm i'll look into it for sure, I am using a mic also, im getting the heil pr40 since i run my gain at 3 and master at 7, so a lot of the tone is comping from those 6550's. i think im not sure if a clean DI or post pre amp DI would be better for the sound guy on top of the mic channel.

 

[JimmyM]

you could always run the comp in line. but that's just me...i don't dig loops.

 

[bongomania]

Loops require homework for correct operation and useful results. That's why they haven't worked out for you, Jimmy.

 

[JimmyM]

I try to think, but nuthin' happens!

(yeah, i know that's in my sig right now, but it won't be 5 years from now when someone dredges this thread back up, and then it will be funny)

 

[Craig_S]

I'm stupid, too. My rackmount compressors have always been in line; Never through the loop.

 

[bongomania]

Point is, you have to pick the location that will work best for the specific compressor and effects loop in question. It's not dumb to go inline, IF you get good results that way; it just can't be assumed one way or the other. The only reason I said "the comp does go in the loop" was because the odds are it was fine there, and it was one less thing to worry about. For technical accuracy I would have had to explain how to find out the levels of the loop, compared to the clean operating range of the comp.

 

[Craig_S]

Yeah, it can be done either way. No biggie...

OT: Do you really think the Countryman Type 10 is that much better? I get the feeling the only reason for it is because the Type 85 is already everywhere, and they need to update the product line to keep selling something.

From their PDF: The TYPE 85 is so well protected it can handle the full output of any amp without damage. In “SPEAKER” mode the TYPE 85 will distort at the equivalent of 1,700 watts into 8 ohms.

 

[bongomania]

I have no idea if the Type 10 is really that much better; I was just choosing to take their claims at face value, since they have built a reputation based on performance rather than hype.

About the power handling line from the pdf, it's not quite an apples-apples comparison. The voltage headroom, while not in speaker mode, with the >1 Meg input impedance of the DI, is a different animal from the wattage handling in speaker mode, adjusted by calculation to compare it with an 8 ohm load. They're related, but all I'm saying is the headroom of the Type 85 under normal usage really might not be so high as to make "higher" headroom pointless.

 

[Craig_S]

I trust your opinion. I read the specs on the Type 10. They are drastically different.

 

[walterw]

From their PDF: The TYPE 85 is so well protected it can handle the full output of any amp without damage. In “SPEAKER” mode the TYPE 85 will distort at the equivalent of 1,700 watts into 8 ohms.

just to be clear, that's not 1700 watts into the countryman acting as a dummy load!

there needs to be a speaker hooked up as well, which will take the actual power of the amp. the 85 in speaker mode just "skims off" a tiny portion of the signal from amp to speaker.