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HELP! Using a preamp

ChrisPatterson

ChrisPatterson

Guest
Mar 9, 2012
20
2
53
Gadsden, Alabama
#1
Okay guys...I have a question. Im not a gear head AT ALL so don't laugh, but I own a Zoom B2 bass effects pedal that I have always used in conjunction with my standard bass rig. I have another cabinet with 2 15" speakers but no amp head. Is it possible to use the Zoom B2 pedal as a sort of preamp and then use a power amp to power the speaker cabinets? Or would I be better just buying another amp head.
 
#2
Yes, depending on a couple of techie details, in general principle you should be able to use the Zoom as a preamp in front of a power amp.

Personally I'd suggest saving up for a better and larger amp in your case, because I'm not a fan of the Zoom. But if you like it more than you like the sounds you get from other amps, then that's what matters.

Check the preamps article in the faq linked in my sig for the techie details.
 
#3
Should work just fine. The output of the B2 is plenty to drive a power amp. The only thing to watch is the output of the B2 is stereo, and most power amps are mono. So, you won't get both of the stereo channels out of your power amp. Using stereo effects in the B2 will not be heard as stereo effects. Just mono. BTW, I do roughly the same thing using my POD to a power amp. Works fine
 
#4
I really dig some of the amp modeling the pedal can do so Im pretty happy with the tone. Any recommendations on a power amp? The cabinet is a 4 ohm cabinet if it matters. I would guess a simple bare bones power amp would work, right? The specs on the speakers in the cabinet are below:
Power capacity: 1400 W Peak, 700 W Program, 350 W Continuous
 
#5
Most power amps are stereo, they have two channels; however most bassists run them in mono, partly because lows are omnidirectional, and partly because you need two sets of speakers (left and right cabs) to hear a stereo effect.
 
#8
Okay then...so if I am using one 4 ohm cabinet that contains 2 15" Peavey Black Widows (Power capacity: 1400 W Peak, 700 W Program, 350 W Continuous per speaker) what size power amp should I be looking it if I wanted to be sure I wouldn't run the risk of blowing the speakers completely out of the cabinet? LOL. In other words, I don't trust myself and my level of agitation at my 2 guitarists when I need to compete...I only want enough power at my fingertips that my speakers will safely handle or in my aggrivation I will push it too far and blow them to bits.:D Im sorry if these are dumb questions but Im not that gear savvy.
 
#10
The Zoom works fine and has plenty of output to drive the majority of power amps we bass players favour.

I've never met anyone that actually needed to use any standalone power amp at full - I doubt many people use them past 12 o'clock unless they're not overly powerful. IME, once you start to push the limits a 400w head and speaker setup, it's time to think about PA support if you're playing venues that actually need that much volume. Some people THINK they do, but rarely...

Alternatively, just get a matching cab to the one you use in your existing bass rig. If you just want to be louder, that's the ticket. More watts does not always equal more volume.
 

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