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Considering going rack, how does this sound?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by CrawlingEye, Nov 17, 2001.

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  1. Nov 17, 2001 #1
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
    Ok, like I said, I'm considering going rack.

    My ideas are:

    - Raven Labs True Blue pre

    - Peavey DPC1400X power

    and maybe eventually add a korg tuner.


    I intend on putting all of this through my two Peavey cabs. (410TXF and 115BXBW)

    The thing is, I read that "program" watts differ from "peak."

    Now, my speakers are rated 350 RMS, 700 Program, but with no listed peak. If the case is that I can put 700 into each cabinet (the program wattage) I should be fine (given some room for peaks).

    So my second question (first was what you think of my hypothetical rack-to-be) is "is there a difference between peak and program ratings?"


    ...Thanks...


    P.S. I'm aware that the Peavey poweramp's over 1k. I intend on getting the preamp for x-mas, and then later getting the power. :)
     
  2. Nov 17, 2001 #2
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
    I forgot to ask "is the True Blue rack mountable?"


    and state that I know I don't need the watts, it's just for the sake of headroom. :)
     
  3. Nov 17, 2001 #3
    Mark Reccord

    Mark Reccord

    Nov 14, 2000
    Sunny St. John's, Newfoundland
    C.E.,
    You will be fine in terms of power. Those cabs are 8 ohms right? If so, the DPC1400 puts out 375W per channel at 8 ohms. If they're 4 ohms, the amp puts out 500W per at that impedence. If you want to run the amp bridged it will do 1400W at 4 ohms. You can easily put 700 watts into those cabs, I mean as long as you're not steadily clipping the amp with a constant test tone or anything;). Even if the amp peaks from time to time, if it's only a transient the cab should handle it.
    I used to bridge a CS800X into an older 410tx (1200W or so) with the DDT disabled. Never blew a component.
    As for the True Blue, It doesn't look rackmountable, but I'm sure you can buy a rackmount kit for it. Also, it's not a bass-specific unit, so the output from your bass may not be able to drive it. It doesn't seem to have a gain control either, which could be inconvenient. I think it's primarily designed as an outboard EQ to be used in conjunction with another preamp (or inserted on a channel of a mixer). It looks like a pretty nice EQ, though. Just something to think about.:D
     
  4. Nov 17, 2001 #4
    FalsehoodBass

    FalsehoodBass

    Jul 22, 2001
    Denver, CO
    From the website.. all raven labs units feature an 8-32 threaded machine screw stud (pem nut) to aid in mounting in a rack shelf. so it sounds to me that you buy a shelf.. and use the pem nut to attach the unit

    but i agree with spacegoat that this unit isn't intended to be used for a preamp, and although it might work, you'd probably be better with something else. Even if its a basic pre- , like a sansamp, and then the trueblue.. it will be much easier to use than the blue alone.

    But that looks like a really cool EQ unit... i wouldn't mind adding one sometime... post a review of how you like it
     
  5. Nov 17, 2001 #5
    Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson Inactive

    Mar 8, 2000
    Gaithersburg, Md
    DR Strings
    Raven Labs has three preamps, the True Blue isn't one of them. It's a semi-parametric EQ (no volume control) meant to be used between a preamp and amp.
     
  6. Nov 17, 2001 #6
    lo-end

    lo-end

    Jun 15, 2001
    PA
    that link you gave us was for the True Blue EQ... is that what you wanted? It doesnt look like a preamp to me... I would go for an Ampeg or SWR preamp or something meant for bass. That thing doesnt look rackmountable at all.
     
  7. Nov 17, 2001 #7
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
    Ok... I wasn't sure of that either...

    Does anyone know of a preamp like that, that will give me a solid tone?

    I like my Peavey rig a lot, but as posted before (in various other threads), it doesn't have a second mid range control.

    I only have one mid and one mid shift.

    I think something like this preamp would be very useful. As all of you know, I don't like warm tone, I'm not fond of the SWR, Ampeg, Aguilar, etc, etc thing.

    Out of all the "big names" in amps, the only one I'd actually play would be Gallien Krueger.

    See, primarily, the only tone altercations I do are cut the bass one notch, boost 1.4k, leave my treble centered, and I'd like to be able to cut around 600k, which is the problem... I can only boost 1.4k or cut 600k with my amp... I'd like to be able to do both... Do you think alternatively it would be a good idea to just stick with my head, and use the True Blue in order to add more versatility to my amp?
     
  8. Nov 17, 2001 #8
    tufnuts

    tufnuts

    Sep 14, 2000
    Wichita Kansas - Smell the Whe
    Hmm. Sounds like you're cutting out quite a few of your preamp options. I'll just focus on the two that I've actually A/B'ed. The Ampeg vs. SWR preamp question has been asked before. Those two are pretty far apart. Ampeg would be called warm, SWR would be called Hi-fi sound. A full sound. The SWR has a Hi and Lo mid sweepable control. Bunch of great stuff as well. It sounds like you may be happy with a Grand Prix...try and find one and just dig on it.

    Plus the raven labs stuff you were asking about was designed by the guy that started SWR. Just guessin as to what you want.
     
  9. Nov 17, 2001 #9
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
    Tufnuts, I've played a variety of SWR rigs (working man combos to SM-500's with the swr 6x10 hooked up)
    As I stated before, I wasn't fond of either.
    My opinion of an SWR tone is cut mids to the extreme. It sounds like it has a hollow tone.


    Like I said, Ampeg, SWR, Aguilar, and Eden are out of the question. I've tried all of these amps before for ample periods of time and wasn't fond of any of them.

    The only big name head I'd consider playing would be the G-K 800Rb.
     
  10. Nov 18, 2001 #10
    Ty McNeely

    Ty McNeely

    Mar 27, 2000
    TX
    I'm not sure if this has been said, but I will share in the little knowledge I have....

    "Peak" is the same as "Program":cool:
     
  11. Nov 18, 2001 #11
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania

    That's what I thought, then on the peavey website I read something where it had an RMS rating, a Program, and a Peak.

    I'm pretty confused, after reading that.
     
  12. Nov 18, 2001 #12
    JimM

    JimM

    Jan 13, 2000
    Northern California
    Just curious C.E,have you tried Trace Elliott gear ?
    They can get pretty midrangy if you leave the pre-shape button off.

    I like my Sunn 1200s,but if you don't like Ampeg I doubt if you would like Sunn.They're both old school warm sounding.
     
  13. Nov 18, 2001 #13
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania

    I've never found one to try, honestly.
    I've heard they wouldn't be my cup of tea, though.

    I'm open to suggestions, though. :)
     
  14. Nov 18, 2001 #14
    leper

    leper

    Jun 21, 2001
    peak isnt the same as program at all...
     
  15. Nov 18, 2001 #15
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
    Elaborate, please? :)
     
  16. Nov 19, 2001 #16
    lo-end

    lo-end

    Jun 15, 2001
    PA
    I think Crate has a pretty nice midrangey tone. I have a 12 watt crate practice amp and I love the tone. Seriously! It sounds awesome, but I cant get it loud enough for anything other than playing by myself.

    Maybe you should try the GK 2000RB? Freeman uses it, so you know there has to be plenty of mids...

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Nov 20, 2001 #17
    Eric Moesle

    Eric Moesle Supporting Member

    Sep 21, 2001
    Columbus OH
    FYI, the GK 2000RB was discontinued because of catastrophic defects. I had one, and even though it sounded good, it didn't have the output it should have for that kind of power rating. What was worse is that it fried. I've read reports from different people that had theirs go Kaput also. That's why GK ceased production on them . . . I really wouldn't recommend the 2000RB to anyone.
     
  18. Nov 20, 2001 #18
    boogiebass

    boogiebass

    Aug 16, 2000
  19. Nov 20, 2001 #19
    CrawlingEye

    CrawlingEye Member

    Mar 20, 2001
    Easton, Pennsylvania
  20. Nov 20, 2001 #20
    Wxp4759cb

    Wxp4759cb

    Nov 23, 2000
    Columbia, MO
    Just by a nice eq, and use it with your current head. You can get either a 31 band eq, or a good parametric for $100-$200.
     
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