Preamp for Wayne Jones Powered Cab?

[agedhorse]

One thing I’m finding is that with a XLR output, not all of the preamps have a volume control for it. The Felix2 volume at DI is not controlled by the master volume. Unless there is an internal jumper setting, all I’m finding is that the Gain for each channel is the only way to control that output.

I tried a TRS crossover cable to XLR and it’s very noisy - has anyone else had success with a crossover cable? It seems to work fine and without noise with a standard 1/4” TS output, so maybe I have chosen the wrong configuration?

First question… what is a “crossover” cable???

Second, XLR outputs on many preamp pedals are direct outputs and do not have a separate level control. They are also often mic level (or at least not +4dBu line level).

The Phil Jones powered cabinet is looking for +4dBu for rated power, if your preamp can’t deliver this, you are either using the wrong output or need an appropriate preamp.

 

[BassDuex]

First question… what is a “crossover” cable???

Second, XLR outputs on many preamp pedals are direct outputs and do not have a separate level control. They are also often mic level (or at least not +4dBu line level).

The Phil Jones powered cabinet is looking for +4dBu for rated power, if your preamp can’t deliver this, you are either using the wrong output or need an appropriate preamp.

‘Summing Cable’ is the term I was looking for! Maybe that’s unnecessary not sure.

Is this the value I should be looking at? Felix2 Manual:

RANGE (Input to DI Output)
CH1 MIC
Low Gian: 17-62dB 21-62dB / High gain: 22-63dB
CH1 Inst
Low Gain: 3-48dB / High Gain: 17-62dB

CH2 Inst -1-37dB

MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL - 100k Ohm load, 0.1% THD
DI Outputs Line: +20dBu / Mic: -6dBu
Amp, Tuner, Headphone and Insert Outputs +22dBu

 

[agedhorse]

‘Summing Cable’ is the term I was looking for! Maybe that’s unnecessary not sure.

Is this the value I should be looking at? Felix2 Manual:

RANGE (Input to DI Output)
CH1 MIC
Low Gian: 17-62dB 21-62dB / High gain: 22-63dB
CH1 Inst
Low Gain: 3-48dB / High Gain: 17-62dB

CH2 Inst -1-37dB

MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL - 100k Ohm load, 0.1% THD
DI Outputs Line: +20dBu / Mic: -6dBu
Amp, Tuner, Headphone and Insert Outputs +22dBu

The cable you described has nothing to do with a summing cable.

DI output in LINE position is adequate. In mic position it’s not.

The DI out should be XLR(M) so the cable should be a simple XLR(F) to XLR(M) cable.

 

[BassDuex]

Copy that, it certainly did not work!

I think the difficulty with the Felix is that the master volume does not affect the DI outs. Even w/line level out the signal is weak. Using the 1/4” amp output is problematic maybe because it’s not a balanced signal. Without adding another DI this preamp is not well suited for driving this cabinet.

 

[agedhorse]

Does your Wayne Jones powered cabinet have an XLR balanced input or just an unbalanced 1/4” input?

IF it has an unbalanced input, since the Felix DI output is transformer balanced, a special cable is required. The cable needs to be XLR female at the DI end and 1/4” tip-sleeve at the cabinet end with the tip wired to pin 2 and the sleeve wired to pin 3. Pin 1 may need to be connected to the sleeve or not depending on lowest noise.

This is unique to transformer balanced signals into an unbalanced input.

 

[BassDuex]

The only input is:

• Input: XLR Analogue Balance

And it sounds wonderful, except it seems like the volume I’m able to achieve is lacking

 

[agedhorse]

The only input is:

• Input: XLR Analogue Balance

And it sounds wonderful, except it seems like the volume I’m able to achieve is lacking

Ok, that makes it easier.

What happens when you turn the gain up? You should be able to get plenty of level before overloading the input to the preamp.

 

[BassDuex]

Tried a few things:
Gain does get pretty good range using the DI out with line level. It seems to be noisier, and not as smooth.

Realized that I have a Avalon U5 and its line level XLR out is post ‘Boost’. That works well and drives the cab strong.

My goal is to simplify things and hopefully just use a 2 channel preamp for blending a pickup/mic inputs for an upright and plug into a lightweight powered cabinet with minimal fuss.

Using the U5 in bypass like a DI, the Felix amp output that is ‘post MV’ has plenty on tap to drive the cabinet, and sounds excellent.

So I think my basic question and issue has been solved. It seems ridiculous to need a DI after a preamp that already has a ‘DI’, but that just happens to be how this one is designed.

Since I’m using 2 sources adding pedals infront of the Felix isn’t great, perhaps a boost in the FX loop would work to give an alternative pre DI signal boost. But, a simple compact (everything is smaller than the U5!) DI might be a less noisy and simpler option.

 

[agedhorse]

It's just the choices that Grace made.