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Limiter on Tubeworks 7200

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by waypoint, Jun 28, 2008.

  1. Jun 28, 2008 #1
    waypoint

    waypoint

    Jun 5, 2008
    Fort Wayne area, IN
    Okay, help a slightly clueless when it comes to electronics person out here, please. (The very reason I rocked out of electronics school in the Navy...anyway) :meh:
    Have a 7200, single 15", tweeter, dual port. Not greatly happy with it, but since I don't gig much, I'm not complaining.
    (I did used to play with a church and ran a GenzBenz 4x10 with it and that helped a lot) It does have a limiter control on it. Now, my understanding is that this limits the signal coming in before it goes thru the contour, tone controls, etc. Is it like a compression? In other words, if I turn the limiter up, will it act like compression and give a more even, cleaner sound? Since I don't play much, and I'm not that great on technique, I feel sometimes like I'll get too hot a signal (read: noisy) if I bring the volume (preamp) up. I play both a Swith Innvo with actives and a Peavey Foundation with EMG Select passives. Will this help? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Jun 28, 2008 #2
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    A limiter is a compressor, just one with very specific settings. You can read more about compressors in the FAQ linked in my sig. A limiter typically has a greater than 10:1 (up to infinity:1) ratio, which means if you "turn the limiter up" i.e. bring its threshold down, you will be squashing the holy heck out of your signal. That can be used well or it can sound like crap, it's up to your technique and the sound you like.

    Note that increasing compression never, ever reduces noise.
     
  3. Jun 28, 2008 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Right. Most of them actually add noise. Especially built-in limiters and compressors on amps.
     
  4. Jun 30, 2008 #4
    waypoint

    waypoint

    Jun 5, 2008
    Fort Wayne area, IN
    Thanks for the info and heads-up. The FAQ was actually quite helpful. I think I am in that majority that "hears" a more even sound because the I don't hear the peaks. It comes back to style. I started on a bass years ago that had high action. Since then I have a tendency to play a little heavy-handed. Thus, no peaks = more even sound. I'll have to dig up the info on the amp (or online) and see what the ratio is and other info (if they even bothered to provide it). Thanks again!