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Double Bass EA Micro 550 + Schroeder 1212 BMF - headroom issues

mrpackerguy

mrpackerguy

Gold Supporting Member
Jul 3, 2004
4,694
3,192
Madison, Wisconsin
www.whozplaying.com
#1
At most gigs. I'm playing a NS WAV4 EUB for 1-2 hours, then BG for 4 hours. I had high hopes for the new EA Micro 550 I just received, being 2 channels, high input impediance for the piezo pickup on the EUB and portable to be able to be used for both the EUB and BG portions of gigs as a one head solution.

However, I'm not getting near the expected volume with the Micro going into my Schroeder 1212BMF 4 ohm cab. With both gain and master maxed, I've got no headroom and I'm questioning whether I even have enough stage volume on the BG portion of the gig even with PA support. Tone-wise, it's clean and useable. The manual that came with the Micro says to adjust the gain until the yellow LED light blinks intermittently. I can't get the yeallow LED light to come on with either instrument. On the BG side, I'm using an active Stingray 4. Even using my ultra-hot Lakland 55-02, can't get the LED to barely come on at all.

I've got a 4 ohm EA Wizzy 10 coming this week. Maybe I'll find that the Micro with the Wizzy will be enough for the EUB portion of the gigs, but I was really hoping for a one solution head. Running a K&K Pure preamp between the cab and the instruments has helped some, but the headroom issue remains.

I love everything about the EA Micro except the headroom issue. Anyone else experiencing this or have any thoughts?
 
#2
You've used the term headroom, which refers to clean volume before distortion, and you've mentioned that the sound has been clean, with no distortion.

This isn't a headroom problem, but a preamp gain problem, since the yellow lights don't flash with either bass.

Look in your amp's manual for instructions about adjusting the input gains until the light starts to flash at an input gain setting around noon. The Micro ships with the gain trim in the middle, so you'll want to go higher.

I use a Micro 300 with EUB and electric bass into either a Wizzy 10 for small gigs or one/two Wizzy 12 cabs for larger venues. No problem getting the yellow light to flash (I did adjust the trim pot to full gain) and I've always had enough volume with the Wizzy 10 playing with guitar/harmonica/vocals (no drums). The Wizzy 12 options have done fine with drums, too.
 
#3
tornadobass said:
You've used the term headroom, which refers to clean volume before distortion, and you've mentioned that the sound has been clean, with no distortion.

This isn't a headroom problem, but a preamp gain problem, since the yellow lights don't flash with either bass.

Look in your amp's manual for instructions about adjusting the input gains until the light starts to flash at an input gain setting around noon. The Micro ships with the gain trim in the middle, so you'll want to go higher.

I use a Micro 300 with EUB and electric bass into either a Wizzy 10 for small gigs or one/two Wizzy 12 cabs for larger venues. No problem getting the yellow light to flash (I did adjust the trim pot to full gain) and I've always had enough volume with the Wizzy 10 playing with guitar/harmonica/vocals (no drums). The Wizzy 12 options have done fine with drums, too.
Click to expand...
Thanks much. I should have mentioned that I maxed the gain trim pots with still no success in getting the yellow light to blink. Maybe it needs to go back to EA.
 
#5
tornadobass said:
Did you max the pots in the right direction? On the Micro 300, the pots increase gain clockwise. I've read that the Micro 550 goes the other way...kinda like turn it down to turn it up.
Click to expand...
Yup - the manual is actually wrong in that regarding - you're right - counter clockwise increases the trim pot gain. Done that - they are maxed.
 
#7
I don't see this problem with mine. Are you getting enough signal to the input. I have a Micro and I use 2 x 12 or 2 x 10 cabs and I never had lack of volume issues, with URB or the EB. My bass is active and I use the URB with the pickups in the input. How loud do you play. You may need the EA Pro.
 
#11
Not all power cords are created equal.

Pulling out all stops, I un-twist-tied the power cord that came with the Micro. I compared the markings. EA = 250v. Power cord I was using (from my Mpulse or B1500) = 125v. Guess what? That's what made the difference.

I would say close to twice the volume, but still no headroom. And, I am able to get the yellow LED to light up now. Yes, it did help to back off the low on the Micro and boost the lows on the bass.

OK, close to useable now. Waiting for the EA Wizzy 10 to mate with it to see if this will work as an EUB set up.
 
#14
mrpackerguy said:
Not all power cords are created equal.

Pulling out all stops, I un-twist-tied the power cord that came with the Micro. I compared the markings. EA = 250v. Power cord I was using (from my Mpulse or B1500) = 125v. Guess what? That's what made the difference.
Click to expand...
Bizarre. -ish.

Never heard this one before. Not doubting you one bit though.

Huh. Maybe I should know this, but I'm still ... fuddled ... somewhat. Mesa and Carvin are reputable, been around a long time ... etc. Why the variance in specs, products, and performance?

Did you ask EA by any chance?
 
#15
mrpackerguy said:
Yea, that's my fear. You're right. Time to find out on a gig.
Click to expand...

My initial impressions of the doubler were not good. I thought it wasn't going to be loud enough or low enough.

I took it out on a gig and was pleasantly surprised. I recorded the first set and listened back on set break.

I was plenty loud with volume to spare and perhaps a bit boomy on stage.

I really like it now. Great little amp. YMMV
 
#16
Been exchanging emails with Gary at EA. The unit is going back to increase the output. Apparently the out put is configured on the conservative side and can be tweaked. Also, even with the Micro 550, apparently the early run models had lower putput so he is going to reconfigure it like the newer ones for higher output. I'll report back when I get the unit back. He also promised short turnaround. What else can you ask for?
 
#18
mrpackerguy said:
Been exchanging emails with Gary at EA. The unit is going back to increase the output. Apparently the out put is configured on the conservative side and can be tweaked. Also, even with the Micro 550, apparently the early run models had lower putput so he is going to reconfigure it like the newer ones for higher output. I'll report back when I get the unit back. He also promised short turnaround. What else can you ask for?
Click to expand...

yea, the guys at EA are insanely good at customer service. I hope it works out for you
 
#19
mrpackerguy said:
Not all power cords are created equal.

Pulling out all stops, I un-twist-tied the power cord that came with the Micro. I compared the markings. EA = 250v. Power cord I was using (from my Mpulse or B1500) = 125v. Guess what? That's what made the difference.
Click to expand...

It's the gauge of the wire that matters. That's all, nothing else. As long as each power cord can handle the amperage drawn by the amp, it makes no difference at all. The voltage rating stamped on the cord is irrelevant in this case.
 

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