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Clipping indicator blinking when using FX pedals

dubelyuchris

dubelyuchris

Sep 23, 2020
1
0
#1
Music techies, need help. So I play bass and I've began experimenting with different FX pedals as well as trying to experiment with sounds by turning on two or more pedals simultaneously. I have a Blackstar 500 bass amp and the clip indicator begins blinking anytime I use all three FX pedals. Is there a way to avoid clipping/possibly damaging my amp but still have all three pedals on? Having done a bit of research, it's my understanding that turning down the gain might help avoid clipping in general but haven't been able to track down any suggestions in using two or more pedals together on a bass amp. But if someone has any ideas or valid suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
 
#2
On some amps the clip indicator is only good for indicating it is working.

If it sounds bad it shows it indicates too much gain has been applied to the input. Turn down the gain on the pedals until it sounds good. It may still be lit occasionally.

You would have to really over do the input by plugging in something really amplified to cause any damage. It would sound terrible first.
 
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#6
Unless you are specifically going for a volume boost with a pedal, generally you do not want your bass sound to be louder with the pedal on vs off. Pedals are to MODIFY the sound, not to make things louder. Hook everything up, and start playing your bass with all 3 pedals off. Engage the first one... did you bass sound just get louder or softer? Work with the volume on that pedal to try to get the volume at or near the same, whether the pedal is on or off. Once you have that set, move to the 2nd, then 3rd pedals, doing the same thing.

The principle here is to affect the tone/sound with the pedals, not have a cascading boost effect. While sometimes that is wanted in the guitar world, it is much more rare in the bass world. The goal is to end up with a somewhat consistent volume no matter what combination of pedals you have engaged as you play. Think about a live setting... you don't want to have to run and adjust the amp volume every time you turn a pedal on or off. :)

Also note that if you are using some heavy EQ in a pedal (or an EQ pedal!) that significantly boosting the lows will effectively increase the signal/voltage at your amp's input and could also lead to clipping before you would expect.

Have fun and experiment!
 
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#8
dubelyuchris said:
Music techies, need help. So I play bass and I've began experimenting with different FX pedals as well as trying to experiment with sounds by turning on two or more pedals simultaneously. I have a Blackstar 500 bass amp and the clip indicator begins blinking anytime I use all three FX pedals. Is there a way to avoid clipping/possibly damaging my amp but still have all three pedals on? Having done a bit of research, it's my understanding that turning down the gain might help avoid clipping in general but haven't been able to track down any suggestions in using two or more pedals together on a bass amp. But if someone has any ideas or valid suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
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FYI, clipping at the input will not damage your amp. Also, are you using the -10dB input pad whilst this is happening?
 
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#10
Foz said:
Put a piece of tape over the clip light - use your ears.
Click to expand...
Made the mistake, years ago, of using Red lights for Clip indicators on a few amps. Everybody, including the audience, would freak out because of the flashing Red light. For some players/friends it was Red half the time with no degradation of sound.

Changed all Clip lights to Blue. Now, I like to think Bob Weir would approve.

Seriously, it entirely depends on where the amplifier module designer, usually some non-bass player in his not-to-clean sweatpants, working late at night, want the Clip light to turn on. You would think there was a Clip standard. Alas, there is none. I agree with some of the other good folks here who suggested listening is often better than the light.
 
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#11
dubelyuchris said:
Music techies, need help. So I play bass and I've began experimenting with different FX pedals as well as trying to experiment with sounds by turning on two or more pedals simultaneously. I have a Blackstar 500 bass amp and the clip indicator begins blinking anytime I use all three FX pedals. Is there a way to avoid clipping/possibly damaging my amp but still have all three pedals on? Having done a bit of research, it's my understanding that turning down the gain might help avoid clipping in general but haven't been able to track down any suggestions in using two or more pedals together on a bass amp. But if someone has any ideas or valid suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
The way I understand it, the light is to indicate your signal is getting distorted. Not that you're melting anything. Adjust volume and tone to taste. The more volume and tone controls the more adjusting you'll have to cope with.
 
#16
dubelyuchris said:
Music techies, need help. So I play bass and I've began experimenting with different FX pedals as well as trying to experiment with sounds by turning on two or more pedals simultaneously. I have a Blackstar 500 bass amp and the clip indicator begins blinking anytime I use all three FX pedals. Is there a way to avoid clipping/possibly damaging my amp but still have all three pedals on? Having done a bit of research, it's my understanding that turning down the gain might help avoid clipping in general but haven't been able to track down any suggestions in using two or more pedals together on a bass amp. But if someone has any ideas or valid suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...

As several have said, if every amp died due to the clip light flashing occasionally, we would have an ocean-sized pile of dead amps, or amps in need of repair.
 
#18
dubelyuchris said:
Music techies, need help. So I play bass and I've began experimenting with different FX pedals as well as trying to experiment with sounds by turning on two or more pedals simultaneously. I have a Blackstar 500 bass amp and the clip indicator begins blinking anytime I use all three FX pedals. Is there a way to avoid clipping/possibly damaging my amp but still have all three pedals on? Having done a bit of research, it's my understanding that turning down the gain might help avoid clipping in general but haven't been able to track down any suggestions in using two or more pedals together on a bass amp. But if someone has any ideas or valid suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Clupping just means your signal is hotter than you need it to be. Its fine. If you don't like the tone you're getting, turn the gain down on the last pedal in your chain before the input of your amp.
 
#20
musicman556 said:
Unless you are specifically going for a volume boost with a pedal, generally you do not want your bass sound to be louder with the pedal on vs off. Pedals are to MODIFY the sound, not to make things louder. Hook everything up, and start playing your bass with all 3 pedals off. Engage the first one... did you bass sound just get louder or softer? Work with the volume on that pedal to try to get the volume at or near the same, whether the pedal is on or off. Once you have that set, move to the 2nd, then 3rd pedals, doing the same thing.

The principle here is to affect the tone/sound with the pedals, not have a cascading boost effect. While sometimes that is wanted in the guitar world, it is much more rare in the bass world. The goal is to end up with a somewhat consistent volume no matter what combination of pedals you have engaged as you play. Think about a live setting... you don't want to have to run and adjust the amp volume every time you turn a pedal on or off. :)

Also note that if you are using some heavy EQ in a pedal (or an EQ pedal!) that significantly boosting the lows will effectively increase the signal/voltage at your amp's input and could also lead to clipping before you would expect.

Have fun and experiment!
Click to expand...
I think you'll find the magic combination of settings for your bass, effects, and amp to meet your tone/voicing goals within this answer. I would also say you are unlikely to damage anything taking this approach.
 
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