Does the amp matter when bypassing the preamp?

[BluesWalker]

I just tried it again, and you're correct. The weird thing is the gain knob does nothing to the actual signal, but it does add hiss. So apparently, there is no point on this amp in going through the return. Which is disappointing. But something to look out for in the future when this thing eats it.

I saw this after I made a post. MarkBass has a parallel effects loop so both your external preamp and the amp's internal preamp are active. There is a way to change this to a series effect loop by adjusting or removing (I don't remember) an internal jumper. This has been previously discussed in this forum, a search should reveal it.

 

[HelpImaRock]

So, you can buy a backup amp, or start aiming your purchases towards in ears and PA upgrades. How far do you want to go in music? Aim for where you want to be, not where you are already.

This band is people with day jobs and lives writing originals and having fun. While I appreciate the message you're trying to send, well, that's not us.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I saw this after I made a post. MarkBass has a parallel effects loop so both your external preamp and the amp's internal preamp are active. There is a way to change this to a series effect loop by adjusting or removing (I don't remember) an internal jumper. This has been previously discussed in this forum, a search should reveal it.

It appears the jumper only changes the loop from parallel to series, but there's no modification for where the loop sits in the signal chain, which is pre-eq. NBD, just a weird topology.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

My live sound comes from my bass and an outboard pre as well, to FOH. For my stage amp I have the GK MB112 combo and the MBP powered ext cab, and thought "how cool would it be" to be able to just use my pre and the powered cab should the combo bite it. Very frustrating that according to GK, it will not work due their proprietary "chain" input thingy.

You can power the MBP with a Plex and be ampless if you like.

 

[pbass2]

You can power the MBP with a Plex and be ampless if you like.

Yeah, I read about that. Was hoping I could use other pres with it.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Yeah, I read about that. Was hoping I could use other pres with it.

Yeah the proprietary nature of those MBPs is kind of a hassle, but I get why they did it. Lots of value in a used plex at around 3/5 new price though.

 

[Zbysek]

IME, poweramp has the least impact on my tone when compared with preamp and cabinet.

The preamp matters the most, because it affects FOH (I usually send the signal to FOH from my pedalboard, I don't mic the cab).

I don't bypass amp's EQ as I prefer to be able to do different EQ settings for FOH and different EQ settings for my onstage monitoring.