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Double Bass ParaDriver > Powered Cabinet
- Thread starter TroyK
- Start date
The Tech21 ParaDriver DI has 4.7 MOhm input impedance and should work well with a piezo pickup. Most powered cabinets I know have an input that is happy with the instrument level output of the ParaDriver. But there could be some, that need line level and be not loud enough. Without the specs of the cabinet it is impossible to be sure. But the ParaDriver can switch between microphon and instrument level on XLR and raise the instrument level of the 1/4 inch output by 10dB. If it can not connect to a powered cabinet, that one is designed with a special preamplifier in mind not not for general use.
I personaly prefer using a full range powered cabinet over a bass amplifier / cabinet for double bass. The dedicated bass gear changes the sound, usually has much less highs and is more suited for bass guitar (my opinion, depends on sound of DB and strings)..
I personaly prefer using a full range powered cabinet over a bass amplifier / cabinet for double bass. The dedicated bass gear changes the sound, usually has much less highs and is more suited for bass guitar (my opinion, depends on sound of DB and strings)..
I have never tried this with the paradriver, but an easy way to see how it might work with a powered cab would be to plug it up into the FX return of any amp that has one.
Troy,
For bass there haven’t been that many developed. I have two MAS powered cabinets 1/8 and a 4x5.5. I’ve used the Grace Felix, Headway EDB-2 H.E., and a 3Leaf Audio Enabler as preamps for Mikes cabs. Mike no longer builds cabs powered or otherwise. I would think the Paradriver may work so Chris’ Fx input test will likely tell you what you need to know.
P.S. here’s what their manual says
1/4” OUTPUT: Unbalanced 1KOhm low Z output. Sends effected or uneffected signal to amp rig or power amp, as per the orientation of the Footswitch.
1/4” Output Level Switch: +10dB boost to match the output to equipment with different input level requirements. Disengaged (up position), the output is -10dB. Engaged (in position), the output is 0dB.
For bass there haven’t been that many developed. I have two MAS powered cabinets 1/8 and a 4x5.5. I’ve used the Grace Felix, Headway EDB-2 H.E., and a 3Leaf Audio Enabler as preamps for Mikes cabs. Mike no longer builds cabs powered or otherwise. I would think the Paradriver may work so Chris’ Fx input test will likely tell you what you need to know.
P.S. here’s what their manual says
1/4” OUTPUT: Unbalanced 1KOhm low Z output. Sends effected or uneffected signal to amp rig or power amp, as per the orientation of the Footswitch.
1/4” Output Level Switch: +10dB boost to match the output to equipment with different input level requirements. Disengaged (up position), the output is -10dB. Engaged (in position), the output is 0dB.
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I'll try the effects return thing. I miss having a small solution for times when it is appropriate.
I was look at a used one of these:
PB-100 Powered Cabinet – Phil Jones Bass
I was look at a used one of these:
PB-100 Powered Cabinet – Phil Jones Bass
steer clear of the pb100, even as a small room rig. Go with a PB300 if you can find one
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I do this all the time: ParaDriver DI into the FX return of my Claris SL head. Works a charm. Forgot a speaker cable at a big band rehearsal recently and pinched a powered bin from the stage monitors. Plugged the ParaDriver into an Aux input and used it. TaDa!
Should work just fine, but I'd try it on a gig first with the Para Driver before I committed to the purchase if it's feasible. With a powered
cabinet like the PB 100 you avoid the 4 ohm head to 8 ohm speaker issue.
I second this. The PB100, to me, is a quiet practice amp. The PB 300 is a serious box. I have one but don’t use it because it’s bigger than the Super Flightcase combo, and because I like the upfiring drivers on top of the combo. But the 300 sounds pretty much like what the combo brings. Same weight and heft of sound, same “speaking speed” if that makes sense.
should work fine, the limit is really the cabinet itself and what it can handle. all these sansamp boxes have a 1/4" out that can be bumped up to proper line level to drive just about anything. i use my VTDI in just this way to drive a regular QSC power amp with my P-bass
on upright you might have better luck with the Q-strip box though; same general principle but the Q-strip has more useful EQ including very valuable high-pass and low-pass buttons.
as a noob to gigging on upright i've done a couple shows with a K&K bassmax in my old kay and the Q-strip was just the thing to dial it in, especially the 45Hz high-pass button. the pickup puts out massive sub-lows and the high-pass really cleans that up and saves my amp headroom. i just ran the Q-strip into that same QSC power amp driving a couple single 15 cabs and it was big and beefy
again, at that point it just comes down to what sort of powered cab you use and whether it's up to the job
I like the design of the q-strip, but the paradriver actually works great with my DB pickup.
If I see a Q-strip someday, I'll see if I can try it.
If I see a Q-strip someday, I'll see if I can try it.
Late response here, but I run a Paradriver into either of my two heads effect return. I have a couple of other pedals I run, but this has more/less been my setup for years now. It ended my preamp search. Ask me anything.
