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Crown XLS Drivecore 2 owners

#64
@tech21nyc , I have a Crown XLS 1502 power amp on the way. I will use it with my GED 2112. Could you please let me know:

  1. Which connection should I use? I think: XLR connection with 1.4v (lower) sensitivity on the power amp, and 0db on the GED 2112, no? (The Crown does have an 0.7v consumer electronics sensitivity option)
  2. If my assumptions above are incorrect, what would you recommend?
My GED 2112’s preamps are bridged internally right now. I have engaged the -20db (thanks to your suggestion!), and going into the bass guitar input of an Ampeg PF-20T.

I am planning on using a single channel on The Crown to power a Bergantino HDN 112.

When I get a second identical cab, I will un-bridge the GED 2112, and use both channels on the Crown to power the 2 preamps separately.

Thanks!
 
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#65
The GED 2112 will easily work with that amp in either setting. I'd go with the 1.4v setting though. Bridged, 1000 watts into a single 12, I would just take care to not over power the cab.
 
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#66
tech21nyc said:
The GED 2112 will easily work with that amp in either setting. I'd go with the 1.4v setting though. Bridged, 1000 watts into a single 12, I would just take care to not over power the cab.
Click to expand...

Thanks @tech21nyc

My GED 2112’s preamps are bridged, but I do not plan on using the power amp in bridged mode - I will use right or the left channel. So into 8 Ohms, I think I am looking at 300 Watts only. The Berg is rated at 350 w.

Thanks again for your help.
 
#68
Internal jumper - explained in a Tech 21 ‘service manual’ - so voids warranty if performed by a non qualified tech.

That kind of jumper switching exists so many effects pedals, and I have done the exact same with Strymon pedals.

I think Tech 21 is right with this though: repeated switching back and forth not recommended. The jumpers are delicate, and repeated physical movement could damage pins.

I do not have the link now (at work), but it is in a looong GED 2112 thread on TB
 
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#71
BasturdBlaster said:
The geddy preamp contains two separate preamps/channels more or less intended to be ran through separate amps and cabs.

I assume the jumper combines the two preamps/channels into one output,.... I think,hehe:woot:
Click to expand...
So the term bridged has nothing to do with this, and the combining jumper sums the two channels?

I had a customer who had asked about using this preamp into a Subway aux in, insisting that the amp had to be operated in bridge mode because the output of the preamp was "bridged". I could find no reference to this in the documentation either. Just a few internet comments bragging about the bridged output of the preamp being a "big part" of the tone.

I now think that perhaps the internet comments had no idea what they were really talking about. Sure makes it hard to give players accurate
 
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#72
BasturdBlaster said:
The geddy preamp contains two separate preamps/channels more or less intended to be ran through separate amps and cabs.

I assume the jumper combines the two preamps/channels into one output,.... I think,hehe:woot:
Click to expand...

That is correct (my terminology might not be :smug:) - that is how I am using it now, until I get my second Bergantino HDN 112. Then, using the two pre-amp channels in 'unbridged' mode (here we go again... you know what I mean :thumbsup:) on the GED 2112, and the two 'separate' channels on the XLS 1502, I will 'explore' the possibilities with differential compression. But this is not the main reason why I am buying a second cab...

I am really curious to find out if I can improve the tone by applying heavier compression to the 'deep' preamp, and little or no compression to the overdriven (and therefore already compressing) pre-amp. Yes, that will take me down a very expensive rack-mount compression path... I am thinking Universal Audio, 1176! (Of course I would use it for ALL of my recording, not just bass).
 
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#73
agedhorse said:
So the term bridged has nothing to do with this, and the combining jumper sums the two channels?

I had a customer who had asked about using this preamp into a Subway aux in, insisting that the amp had to be operated in bridge mode because the output of the preamp was "bridged". I could find no reference to this in the documentation either. Just a few internet comments bragging about the bridged output of the preamp being a "big part" of the tone.

I now think that perhaps the internet comments had no idea what they were really talking about. Sure makes it hard to give players accurate
Click to expand...

Searched and found this for you Agedhorse (I know you help a lot of folks here!): The GED 2112 related thread post with a pdf link - that service manual I mentioned above:

Tech 21 Introduces the Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp: GED-2112
 
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#76
agedhorse said:
What does it actually do? What does "bridged" mean?
Click to expand...

When the preamp was designed to Geddy's specs he wanted to simplify his live signal chain. He only plays direct and would have several feeds sent to the FOH that would be mixed during the show and sent to his in-ear monitor mix. His RPM, Avalon DI, Palmer etc. It was distilled down to two parallel channels on the GED-2112. There are internal jumpers that can be set by a qualified tech if the end user wants this configuration to be permanent. You can also do it externally by jumping the Deep channel via the efx loop into the Drive channel.

We call this "mixing" the channels. Bridging a power amp is a different thing but you are free to call it whatever you wish.
 
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#78
Hmmm. What to do?

XLS 1502 is sounding 'lifeless' :(

I remember somebody else on TB using this exact term to refer to an XLS series amplification solution in their rig vs. their previous amp...

TC Electronic Ditto looper, same Berg HDN 112, same mic, same mic position. I brought the out put levels of the three recordings I did to the same peak of -2db (I made sure I only made very minor subtractions: max 2db). I am able to A/B/C with the click of a mouse - so no delays in my listening memory. And finally, all settings on the GED 2112 and the Ampeg PF-20T are the same.

Fender US Geddy Lee -> Tech 21 GED 2112 -> Ampeg PF20T -> Bergantino HDN 112
This is the most 'balanced' tone. Good amount of deep bass and top end. I am satisfied!

Fender US Geddy Lee -> Ampeg PF20T -> Bergantino HDN 112
Less deep bass than with the GED 2112 (to be expected, given GED 2112's deep bass preamp side). Good amount of high end, slightly more than above. The amount of high end makes a lot of difference for me depending on style and genre (slap, added Darkglass A/O pedal, etc).

and finally, we come to the Crown XLS 1502:

Fender US Geddy Lee -> Tech 21 GED 2112 -> Crown XLS 1502 (HP filter engaged at 40Hz) -> Bergantino HDN 112

Tons of bottom end, but not enough high mid or high - overall not enough top end. 'Lifeless sounding' :rollno: is really quite accurate.

If I cannot get pleasing tones with the Crown XLS 1502 with a cab like the Bergantino HDN 112, I have no use for it - I will just keep on using my Ampeg PF-20T (Because I only record and play at home - no gigging)...

I have many days to make a decision, so I will experiment more of course...

Cheers!
 
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#80
I will experiment more of course, but I cannot help think that there must be a reason why preamp / Class D power amp solutions are not all the rage - you gotta match the preamp and equalization to the power section, as in, you gotta know what you are doing! Which I currently do not... :thumbsdown: But I will try!o_O
 

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