Need help using the Wal DI output...

[Ricky Caboverde]

Hey guys,
I'm planning on using my Wal tomorrow at church for the first time...I'm totally stoked to say the least. My issue is that the DI out needs a 1/4" plugged in the 1/4" socket for it to work. My question: is it safe to use a 1/4" to 1/8" headphone adapter as a substitute to a cord? I don't want some cord dangling from my bass for no reason, so I figure to just stick something there that fits....is this safe for the bass?

 

[20db pad]

I'd recommend just cutting the plug off of an old guitar cable and using that to enable the DI circuit by plugging into the Wal's 1/4" jack. That's a mono plug - if the 1/4" to 1/8'' adapter you use is a stereo adapter, it may not function properly as it'll have a TRS tip on it.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Gotcha. Thanks for the help.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I seem to remember not being able to use a stereo headphone adapter because the TSR (tip-ring-sleeve) plug did not make the connections to turn the preamp on. I've had the same problem using a stereo cable with other active basses.

Mike

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

I just used an extra George L cable tip that I had laying around. It fit so perfectly that you couldn't tell that I had something in the 1/4" hole. That bass rocked my world on Sunday!

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

The reason a TRS plug wont work is that the R and S connections in the socket are designed to be connected together by the S of a TS plug. As R and S are separated in a TRS plug, the connectors in the socket wont be connected, leaving it as an open circuit.

Glad your bass rocked out

 

[rogerbmiller]

I'd recommend just cutting the plug off of an old guitar cable and using that to enable the DI circuit by plugging into the Wal's 1/4" jack. That's a mono plug - if the 1/4" to 1/8'' adapter you use is a stereo adapter, it may not function properly as it'll have a TRS tip on it.

You can also buy a stero to mono adapter or a mono to mono adapter with a 1/4 inch "male" ending at radio shack. May be cheaper than cutting agood cable.