Ok, I play in Branson-style theater. I only use a sansamp plugged into an independent DI for the house system. I have the Programmable and the programmable deluxe Sansamp DI's. I also use a Hartke Kickback 15 that I practice through at home. I have a custom Carvin SB5001 that I use onstage and a Fender American Deluxe Jazz V that I have as a back-up and to practice at home with. I'll try to walk you through to some definite answers.
It sounds like your pedal may be an issue. They can work well for active or passive. HOWEVER, for active you must turn the Level WAY DOWN for it not to be distorted.
Your Sansamp has two things that effect volume the most; level and drive. Let me walk you through some settings for a PHAT sound.
Hartke Kickback - Vol 9:30 (between 9:00 and 10:00), shape off, Low 9:30, Mid 8:00, High 10:00. With these settings, the amp will sound tinny without the sansamp.
Sansamp: Drive 0%, bass 1:00, treble 11:30, Presence 8:30, blend 3:30, Level 12:00
Bass Guitar: All settings at middle or 50%. Adjust Volume to level desired.
Now, with these settings, listen to the bass without the Sansamp (plug directly into the amp; it should sound tinny but at a solid above-average volume. Then plug into the Sansamp but in bypass—no light on. It should sound the same.
Now hit the switch. It should have about the same volume but be a warm, VERY FAT tone.
If you're not getting those results, send the pedal back as defective.
AS FOR A SANSAMP; Use the book and the settings they show to start off with. BUT ONLY WITH A PASSIVE BASS!!! If you have an Active bass, turn the level and drive to about half of what the settings suggest to start with.
When you find a sound you like, start playing with the Sansamp switches to get it to your desireable sound.
I LOVE the Sansamp. I've tried other pedals and multi-pedals. The Sansamp is the ONLY thing I use in the theater and I use it 100% of the time. Let me know what you find.
Jim Wooten
Rockbox Theater
www.rockboxtheater.com
Rated the #1 attraction in TX by users on tripadvisor.com for several years and always near the top.
It sounds like your pedal may be an issue. They can work well for active or passive. HOWEVER, for active you must turn the Level WAY DOWN for it not to be distorted.
Your Sansamp has two things that effect volume the most; level and drive. Let me walk you through some settings for a PHAT sound.
Hartke Kickback - Vol 9:30 (between 9:00 and 10:00), shape off, Low 9:30, Mid 8:00, High 10:00. With these settings, the amp will sound tinny without the sansamp.
Sansamp: Drive 0%, bass 1:00, treble 11:30, Presence 8:30, blend 3:30, Level 12:00
Bass Guitar: All settings at middle or 50%. Adjust Volume to level desired.
Now, with these settings, listen to the bass without the Sansamp (plug directly into the amp; it should sound tinny but at a solid above-average volume. Then plug into the Sansamp but in bypass—no light on. It should sound the same.
Now hit the switch. It should have about the same volume but be a warm, VERY FAT tone.
If you're not getting those results, send the pedal back as defective.
AS FOR A SANSAMP; Use the book and the settings they show to start off with. BUT ONLY WITH A PASSIVE BASS!!! If you have an Active bass, turn the level and drive to about half of what the settings suggest to start with.
When you find a sound you like, start playing with the Sansamp switches to get it to your desireable sound.
I LOVE the Sansamp. I've tried other pedals and multi-pedals. The Sansamp is the ONLY thing I use in the theater and I use it 100% of the time. Let me know what you find.
Jim Wooten
Rockbox Theater
www.rockboxtheater.com
Rated the #1 attraction in TX by users on tripadvisor.com for several years and always near the top.
