CarvinDCM1000L clipping/protect problem

[AL!EN BA$$]

I got a rack set up with this power amp, BBE BMAX, an ART Power Conditioner and a Berringer compressor/limiter on top of an Acme Low B4 series II. Any time I attempt to slap or pop a note it will cut out the signal for three seconds on protect mode. I mean I can't even dig down, AT ALL! and it will cut out at any volume, I had the mod done to the BBE and it sounds good, it's just kinda a tease tho!!

 

[MuzikMan]

I don't know what is up with your rig but I will share a similar experience I had the other day. I was singing out of a pair of EV powered monitors in a garage and they kept cutting out and going into protect mode at a surprisingly low volume. It turned out to be a power supply issue. Once we shut down the heaters the setup returned to normal. So.............bad power = crappy performance in our case.

 

[AL!EN BA$$]

Interesting, well that could definitely could be the issue, we have to run a lead cord from the only "grounded" outlet in the house. I can't figure this thing out!!!!

 

[MuzikMan]

You should probably take your rig to another building to rule out this possiblility.

 

[MuzikMan]

Are your settings on the power amp correct? Are you in bridge mode and using the right cables / connections?

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Gain staging done properly ?

 

[cableguy]

Are your settings on the power amp correct? Are you in bridge mode and using the right cables / connections?

Also maybe take everything out of your signal chain except bass-preamp-poweramp-cab. See if there is still an issue. My Carvin DCM has never given me any problems like this. Change out all cables one at a time if you have extras.

 

[AL!EN BA$$]

I'm using speakon for the cab/amp and monster cables/whirlwind for instrument cables. I'm having a music store look at it, I've tried different things and nothing seems to work. Bridged mode for sure!

 

[AL!EN BA$$]

I was told to use bOth channels max on the power amp and parallel mode.

 

[MuzikMan]

In bridged mode you need a special Speakon cable. You can't use the regular ones that you use for stereo operation. I don't remember the specifics but one end must be wired differently.

Looks like I was wrong on this one!

 

[cableguy]

In bridged mode you need a special Speakon cable. You can't use the regular ones that you use for stereo operation. I don't remember the specifics but one end must be wired differently.

I think GK amps are the only ones that need different cables. My Carvin I run bridged and use a normal speakon 2 conductor cable.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Do you need to run bridged into a single cabinet? It may be doing you a favour and protecting your speakers.

 

[MuzikMan]

I think GK amps are the only ones that need different cables. My Carvin I run bridged and use a normal speakon 2 conductor cable.

It looks like I was wrong. The manual makes no mention of a special cable for bridged mode.

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[bassplayer347]

If that is a class D amp, it might be low voltage causing your problem. We had that happen to a Peavey digital amp once at an outdoor gig running too many things off extention cords

 

[Bass_Pounder]

If that is a class D amp, it might be low voltage causing your problem. We had that happen to a Peavey digital amp once at an outdoor gig running too many things off extention cords

Interesting, well that could definitely could be the issue, we have to run a lead cord from the only "grounded" outlet in the house. I can't figure this thing out!!!!

Sounds like this is the issue......................

The amp is the "L" series, and the class D and SMPS tend to get flakey with "iffy" power.

Running one long extension cord to power everything sounds like the definition of flakey power to me !

 

[AL!EN BA$$]

Thanks alot guys. I'll have to try it on a good, actually grounded outlet! Should I try running it not bridged?

 

[AL!EN BA$$]

Somebody else said something about gain staging? I don't know a great deal about it, just that your not supposed to crank it too high...

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Somebody else said something about gain staging? I don't know a great deal about it, just that your not supposed to crank it too high...

Make sure you are connected to good power first.

As far as "Gain Staging", you should not be overdriving the input of your amp - it will cause you to clip prematurely.

If you are playing, and noticing your clip lights coming on on your power amp, back off the output of your preamp.

If your power amp controls are wide open, you should have a hard time clipping it.

 

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

What is the Impedance of the cab that you are using?
You should check it with a Ohm meter.If Im correct you can only bridge those amps to 8 Ohms unlike the larger ones.

 

[pablomigraine]

Have you gotten the BBE back from the factory yet? Did the factory gain mod fix the problem?