I need some help.

[Cb4rabid]

Okay so I just got my XLR cable in the mail today. I hooked it up to my amp and sent it to the compressor so I can have a balanced line out. Problem is, it won't work :/. So I have a question.

My amp only has one XLR output. The compressor has two (input/output). Is this a problem? I only bought one cable because either way, the amp only has one connector (male) so I hooked it up to the female connection on the compressor. The compressor wouldnt work (as if it was bypassing it).

I took out the XLR cable and just hooked up the 2 instrument cables back to input/output and the compressor worked fine (as I was using it). It's a shame because even the XLR connection on the amp says ''balanced line out'' so i thought it would work. Any advice?

 

[will33]

That xlr plug on the amp is a DI out to run an xlr from there to a mixing board like they do when you're run through a PA system. The compressor should be put in the effects loop which will have 1/4" jacks.

Effects send---->compressor input.......compressor output------->effects return. You didn't really need that xlr cable but hey, now you've got another mic cord. Can never have too many of those.

 

[Cb4rabid]

Oh, bummer I thought it would have worked for the compressor. Haha yeah, I guess one day i'll be able to use it.

Just to clarify though, if my amp had 2 connections (or more like a modern amp) i'd be able to use it with the compressor?

 

[will33]

I don't know of any bass amps that use an xlr anywhere other than the DI. I used to have an old carvin pb500 that used them on the speaker outs which is stupid.

 

[Cb4rabid]

How would I run it balanced, then? Assuming I had 2 xlr connections (I figured it would be the same as using 2 instrument cables, except the final product would be a ballanced line out).

 

[RickenBoogie]

you don't need to run the compressor balanced, that's for sending a signal to a mixing board.

 

[Cb4rabid]

you don't need to run the compressor balanced, that's for sending a signal to a mixing board.

I have forgotten what exactly I heard about running the compressor balanced, but I heard it was just better. I still get a good sound using just ordinary instrument leads.

Guess that leaves me with a useless mic cable :scowl:

 

[BurningSkies]

Besides the DI out, I can't think of any amps that have balanced in/outs for the effects loop. It is possible to have balanced sends that aren't XLRs, by way of TRS 1/4" connector, but if your amp doesn't have 'em you're at a loss.

Sorry you had to go and buy a XLR to find all this...but at least now you have one in case you need to DI to a snake on stage, or if you happen to need a mic cord!

 

[Cb4rabid]

Ahh, I see. Weird though, the guy at Sam Ash (great dude, he knows his stuff) told me running a compressor on balanced was much better and even asked me if I wanted xlr cable or instrument leads. Without thinking I asked for the 1/4'' and later found out I did have that xlr output so i figured I buy the cable on my own time. Im pretty new to this, so his explaination went over my head for the most part.

And yeah, im saving just in case I ever need a 5 foot mic cable

 

[BurningSkies]

A couple of instrument cables and you're ready to rock...er...once you sit down and start figuring out how compression works and the controls on your compressor interact. Its one of the hardest types of signal processing to master.

 

[Cb4rabid]

Actually, I got the sound I wanted from it, after reading the manual and fiddling around with knobs and the bit of knowledge I had about compressors. Doesn't sound half bad (better than when I bypass it). I've got much to learn in my music/sound career.

 

[cheezewiz]

You have now learned one of the most important lessons in your musical journey.......don't believe everything Sam ash, gc, or other music store employees tell you.

 

[Cb4rabid]

You have now learned one of the most important lessons in your musical journey.......don't believe everything Sam ash, gc, or other music store employees tell you.

Haha, I know I probably made him sound bad, but this was an older fella who has been around the block a few times, I just can't remember what exactly he said. I blame myself.