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Does it really matter
- Thread starter bl2112
- Start date
mikeboth
The last thing you'll ever see
How?
OP, seems to me the 'worst' that can happen is that the signal level is higher than the preamp can cope with without clipping, you'll just end up with some unwanted distortion.
I wouldn't be worried about blowing up an amp just because you plug an active bass into the passive input.
If you run clipped signals out your amp (Square(ish) waves the RMS power increases. Which equals more power delivered to the speaker, more heat for the coil to disipate, more strain on the amp.
mikeboth
The last thing you'll ever see
I seriously doubt *that* much clipping can occur using an active bass into a passive input. Besides, all this is still conditional on running the power amp section at such a level it would make a difference.
I believe you guys are scaring the OP too much.
No. It doesn't matter. The db pad is there just to compensate for those that boost a lot on their bass's EQ.
I never used the active pad on any amp I've owned.
I never used the active pad on any amp I've owned.
I use the passive setting on my Bass Amps. Think about this; if you run effects, you are also running pre-amps. How many times have you considered this? Non at all.
The only thing you are doing is sending a signal that is slightly increased. Nothing to worry about.
The only thing you are doing is sending a signal that is slightly increased. Nothing to worry about.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
The preamps in effect units are designed to be unity-gain. Otherwise, they'd be overloading the next pedal in the chain.
Set the active/passive switch wherever it sounds best. Too much level from the bass will cause distortion in the preamp. If you like it, fine. If not, flip the switch.
Set the active/passive switch wherever it sounds best. Too much level from the bass will cause distortion in the preamp. If you like it, fine. If not, flip the switch.
You know... your amp probably has a volume knob for this exact purpose. The pad (active switch) usually overcompensates for the preamp, I always have to change the volume on my amp when switching between active/passive basses.
Yeah, I say just use whichever sounds best. Those active/passive pads are more or less designed for certain basses which either due to their preamp circuitry or their pickup produce a really hot signal, but it's not necessarily correlated to whether it's active or not. My stingray and P bass put out about the same amount of signal... unless I boost like crazy on the 'ray... but otherwise neither is really all that hot of a signal. My '73 Guild JS-2, however, has massive mudbuckers that pump out a MUCH hotter signal, and it's strictly passive. Just play it by ear. Clipping the preamp will usually sound like butt, at which point you'll know to engage the passive/active switch.
? Post clipping can be dangerous to the amp.
I have active and passive basses. Play them through the same input - I just turn the volume down on the active basses. Problem solved.............
