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GK 800RB Direct Out into Interface for recording

Lotionkarate

Lotionkarate

May 4, 2018
22
11
#1
Hey! I'm wondering if it is safe to run a GK 800RB straight into an audio interface with an XLR? I am new to this but am trying to get a somewhat more passable tone with the limited resources I have. This is what my setup is looking like:

Bass > GK 800RB > Aphex 104 > GK 800RB > Motu Ultralite AVB > iMac or MacBook pro

Do I risk frying something by doing this? I'm not sure if I need a separate DI to handle the load, but the GK does have an XLR Direct Out. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated!

Also, at some point I'd really like to buy an amp sim, but I do not have very much money. I can't afford anything over $200. Is there anything that might sound decent within my small budget? Thanks!!
 
#3
Lotionkarate said:
Hey! I'm wondering if it is safe to run a GK 800RB straight into an audio interface with an XLR? I am new to this but am trying to get a somewhat more passable tone with the limited resources I have. This is what my setup is looking like:

Bass > GK 800RB > Aphex 104 > GK 800RB > Motu Ultralite AVB > iMac or MacBook pro

Do I risk frying something by doing this? I'm not sure if I need a separate DI to handle the load, but the GK does have an XLR Direct Out. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated!

Also, at some point I'd really like to buy an amp sim, but I do not have very much money. I can't afford anything over $200. Is there anything that might sound decent within my small budget? Thanks!!
Click to expand...

The XLR out is a DI.

From the manual:
upload_2021-1-6_0-43-34.png

upload_2021-1-6_0-43-9.png
 
#7
Lotionkarate said:
Hey! Yeah, I am using the effects loop. Do you all know if I need a load box between my amp and my interface? A friend of mine said I might damage both my amp and my interface :/
Click to expand...
If you’re not clipping the front end of the interface you’re not hurting it. An effects send is usually not a line level output and therefore should be suitable for an interface’s lo-z input. Your amp isn’t a tube amp and since it has no output transformer it can run fine without a load.
 
#8
silky smoove said:
If you’re not clipping the front end of the interface you’re not hurting it. An effects send is usually not a line level output and therefore should be suitable for an interface’s lo-z input. Your amp isn’t a tube amp and since it has no output transformer it can run fine without a load.
Click to expand...

Ugh. I'm so confused. Here's what my friend said:
"just grabbed the manual and it says not to use the amp with less than a 4 ohm load. So you'd potentially need a load box or you'd risk busting the output transformer. So yeah, probably don't run it wouthout a speaker"
 
#9
Lotionkarate said:
Ugh. I'm so confused. Here's what my friend said:
"just grabbed the manual and it says not to use the amp with less than a 4 ohm load. So you'd potentially need a load box or you'd risk busting the output transformer. So yeah, probably don't run it wouthout a speaker"
Click to expand...
It’s fine without a load. It doesn’t have an output transformer. Connecting to a load that’s less than four ohms is indeed dangerous. No load and “too small of a load” are very different things. If you’re that worried about it don’t do it. I’d happily do it.

Don’t just take my word for it:
Can I run my GK 800RB with no cab?

Recording a GK 800RB

EDIT: Regardless, why are you using the effects loop rather than the DI?
 
Last edited:
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#10
Lotionkarate said:
Ugh. I'm so confused. Here's what my friend said:
"just grabbed the manual and it says not to use the amp with less than a 4 ohm load. So you'd potentially need a load box or you'd risk busting the output transformer. So yeah, probably don't run it wouthout a speaker"
Click to expand...


The advice is relevant to tube amps. Most solid state amps are fine without a speaker attached.

Also, as @silky smoove inferred no load is equal to infinite impedance.

Solid state amps try to make the same voltage regardless of the load. As the impedance gets lower, more current flows, so the amp produces more power. When current flows through the output devices of the amp it causes heat. If the current gets too high, the heat will also get too high, and the amp will be damaged. This is why this particular amp cannot drive a load lower than 4 ohms.

The 800RB's 100W amp is only rated to 8 ohms minimum. They are very prone to letting out the magic smoke if you connect them to a 4 ohm load. I learned this first hand because I thought both amps were safe to 4 ohms.

Tubes use an output transformer to match the high impedance of the tubes to the low impedance of the speakers. Anytime the amp sees the expected load it will be capable of making its max power. So if an amp has a 4 ohm tap and an 8 ohm tap, it will make max power at either 4 ohms or 8 ohms. If the amp sees and unexpected load (impedance mismatch), power is not transferred efficiently through the transformer. The reduces the amount of power the amp can make, and it is harder on the tubes and transformer. Some amps are safe with a minor impedance mismatch and some are not.

Tube amps are actually safer plugged into a dead short (0 ohms) than an open circuit (infinite ohms). With an open circuit, something called a flyback is likely to develop. Flyback is a voltage spike that is so high that it can potentially arc through the insulation of the transformer, arc across tube sockets, or arc across the internal elements of tubes.
 
#11
Lotionkarate said:
...
Also, at some point I'd really like to buy an amp sim, but I do not have very much money. I can't afford anything over $200. Is there anything that might sound decent within my small budget? Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Plugin Alliance has a 1 channel version fo their SVT-VR Classic. Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Free for a limited time with code:
AMPEG-FOR-FREE
 
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#17
Lotionkarate said:
Thank you all so much for the input! For clarity: Was hoping to run into the 800RB > effects loop > DI out > Motu.
Click to expand...
My engineer brain still finds your linear "diagram" confusing as-written, but I know what you're going for at this point. Regardless, the answers remain the same. Your 800RB has no output transformer and can be run without a load. Your 800RB has a direct out. Your interface will be capable of accepting a lo-z signal. There's no risk in using these devices as they were intended. If something is clipping then turn it down somewhere.
 

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