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Low signal to FOH

beaglesandbass

beaglesandbass

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Aug 14, 2001
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#1
Earlier this month I had a gig and it was the first time I used my DI box, here was my chain of gear and then I'll explain my problem

Bass (Stingray 5) - Zoom 607 Effects Processor - Digitech Drop - Ampeg SCR-DI - FOH

I don't have a pedal tuner so I used the Zoom Processor as a tuner and just left it in Bypass mode. I used this same setup practicing with the band's PA with no issues. When we set up and got to soundcheck, the sound guy said he was getting almost no signal from me despite the volume on my bass and SCR-DI almost all the way up. When I took the Zoom off of standby and put it on any other setting he got plenty of volume needed.

I don't understand why it worked fine in practice but not at a gig. I can only assume the bypass on the Zoom isn't a true bypass and cuts some of the signal out?
 
#3
lz4005 said:
Could you have put it in tuner mute mode accidentally?
Click to expand...

Well bypass is the tuner mode. The pedal allows you to do silent tuning (mute) or live tuning (bypass). It wasn't muted because the FOH was getting signal, just very low.

For what it's worth, here's the manual page for the tuner. Is says the built in effects are bypassed which led me to believe the original signal still gets through (and this worked at rehearsal).

Using The Tuner Function - Zoom 607 Bass Operation Manual [Page 7]
 
#7
s0c9 said:
And volume level on the SCRDI was up? (that also controls output level)
Did the FOH guy have a PAD set on your bass channel?
My output level for the SCRDI is set around 11... (XLR)
Click to expand...

Volume on the SCRDI was almost maxed, as was the volume on the bass. Even if there was a pad on the channel there still should have been something useable with that much volume going to it. When I switch to a basic effect it was like night and day. But to answer the question I don't know if a pad was on. I didn't ask him, I would assume a guy paid to do sound for a bar in a sports arena would know that.
 
#8
beaglesandbass said:
I would assume a guy paid to do sound for a bar in a sports arena would know that.
Click to expand...
yeah, one would hope that, but ya never know!
My next guess would be to ask if you were connected to a snake. If so, did you try another channel?
The one you were in was likely bad - if NO signal level was present.. Seen it happen more than you know.. sh*t breaks... Just 'cus some guy is running sound FOH doesn't mean they know the house system, how it's wired or how to troubleshoot.

I would guess that if your setup STILL works at practice, then the fault was the venue's not yours- based on what I've read here!
 
#11
beaglesandbass said:
I do have the 15db pad on the DI turned on, but I figured since I'm using an active bass, keep it on. I will put it to normal and see how that affects things.
Click to expand...

Good idea. Active basses are not always extraordinarily hot if the trim is set appropriately. Personally, I like the active and passive volumes to be about the same. Hope it works out for you!

Riis
 
#12
beaglesandbass said:
I do have the 15db pad on the DI turned on, but I figured since I'm using an active bass, keep it on. I will put it to normal and see how that affects things.
Click to expand...
-15db is an enormous cut in volume. -3db = cutting your in half... So.... Imagine if you cut your power in half five times:
500watts> 250watts> 125watts> 62.5Watts> 31.25 Watts

FWIW, I've played active basses for 39 years and never pad them and always use the passive input. This way I have lots of headroom.
 
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#17
The Zoom is likely the culprit, digital pedals have many hidden output settings. Make sure if it has output settings its set to instrument, not line.

If i were you i would plug your singal chain into a mixer and watch the input level while you play. Then pull out one piece of gear at a time while you play. When the signal gets noticably louder, you will know the equipment u just pulled needs adjustment.

As for the pad i would leave it off. The input of the Zoom should be set to account for active/passive. If you need the pad the soundguy will tell you. He likely has a pad on his mixing console anyway so he wouldnt even need your pad.

Honestly its better to ditch the Zoom if your only using it for a tuner. U can buy a tuner for like 5 bucks. If you dont want to spend extra money see if u can place the zoom at the end of the chain, give it a spare output from the ampeg di, separate from your amp or di out.
 
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#19
castlev said:
The Zoom is likely the culprit, digital pedals have many hidden output settings. Make sure if it has output settings its set to instrument, not line.

If i were you i would plug your singal chain into a mixer and watch the input level while you play. Then pull out one piece of gear at a time while you play. When the signal gets noticably louder, you will know the equipment u just pulled needs adjustment.

As for the pad i would leave it off. The input of the Zoom should be set to account for active/passive. If you need the pad the soundguy will tell you. He likely has a pad on his mixing console anyway so he wouldnt even need your pad.

Honestly its better to ditch the Zoom if your only using it for a tuner. U can buy a tuner for like 5 bucks. If you dont want to spend extra money see if u can place the zoom at the end of the chain, give it a spare output from the ampeg di, separate from your amp or di out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did ditch the Zoom and picked up a used Boss TU-3 here on the classifieds. I also took the db pad off of the SCR-DI. Tonight we're at a venue with a relatively small stage and we play on the second floor, so I'll be going ampless again. Hopefully these changes make the difference.
 

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