Question for Pedalboard owners with Class D heads

[Wissen]

I haven't heard of a Class D amp that needs to have a load attached, unlike tube amps, which need a load connected to the secondary of the output transformer. They can run all day just feeding the house sound from the XLR low impedance out, assuming the amp has one. It seems most do.

Learn something new every day. I admit I was inferring from multiple sources of information. The TC Electronic head I had for a while had an explicit statement on the back to let you know it could be run without a load. So when the other Class D amps I've used didn't say that, I assumed that meant they couldn't.

 

[socialleper]

I have. I don't right now.
I was using the B7K Ultra when I was using a D-800. Now I have a Darkglass head, so I don't need it.

 

[AndyLES]

So for those of you that have a Class D head as well as a pedalboard, do you have a Preamp/DI on your board? Is it any more or less convenient than having a class D head and using it without a speaker?

Thanks!

Depends on the circumstances. I like having the convenience of my own amp head, but I gig in NYC; most venues really want to keep changeovers fast and beg you (or sometimes even require you, as a condition of getting the gig) to use house backline. Some places even have closed back combo bass amps, which make hooking up your head impossible.

So, unless the place doesn't have a working head, I always bring a pedal preamp, and keep the head in the car as a backup.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Learn something new every day. I admit I was inferring from multiple sources of information. The TC Electronic head I had for a while had an explicit statement on the back to let you know it could be run without a load. So when the other Class D amps I've used didn't say that, I assumed that meant they couldn't.

Same here. I read my GK manual and found nothing that explicitly states a yes or no regarding DI w/no cabs. Its disappointing because I feel like that's a clear safety concern. My head is 800 watts....

 

[707GK]

Same here. I read my GK manual and found nothing that explicitly states a yes or no regarding DI w/no cabs. Its disappointing because I feel like that's a clear safety concern. My head is 800 watts....

You are correct, it doesn’t explicitly state a yes or no. IME, if a speaker load is required, a manufacturer will state it VERY clearly not only on the amplifier but also in the manual.

From my experience, the fact there is no verbiage specifically stating a speaker load is required means it’s safe to do so.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

You are correct, it doesn’t explicitly state a yes or no. IME, if a speaker load is required, a manufacturer will state it VERY clearly not only on the amplifier but also in the manual.

From my experience, the fact there is no verbiage specifically stating a speaker load is required means it’s safe to do so.

I hear what you're saying, but I can't help but think about the famous "assumptions" line.

Edit: emailed GK support to settle this

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Well, a class D head is usually pretty small. Having another pedal might require a bigger board. And if you don’t have a pressing need to use a separate preamp without an amp, are you just looking for an excuse to buy something?

I sometimes find myself gear lusting for items that would be used in super specific situations that rarely occur. My friend and I have an inside joke when we gear lust. We say that we could use it for “recording.”

Maybe it is just me, but I HATE playing just through a PA unless there are in ear monitors. I dislike relying on someone else to hear myself. And I like the way it feels when the bass amp vibrates your calves.

 

[Rice]

I picked up a Suncoast HD3 cause I was doing more and more gigs with either a backline or FOH in-ears, and still wanted to retain my tubey goodness with limiter option. I put a Radial at the end of my chain so the soundguy is always happy, and BOOM.... Nice fat analog sounding goodness with no amp. (Btw, when in do get a chance to use my Mesa rig, it is the same awesomeness, but on steroids. )

 

[John B jr]

Learn something new every day. I admit I was inferring from multiple sources of information. The TC Electronic head I had for a while had an explicit statement on the back to let you know it could be run without a load. So when the other Class D amps I've used didn't say that, I assumed that meant they couldn't.

A lot can be said for the TC Electronics amplifiers; price, tone print, cutting and boosting different frequencies with the same knob, power to weight, ok tuner but one of the more handy features is the silkscreen on the top of the head that labels all of the connections across the back of the unit.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I sometimes find myself gear lusting for items that would be used in super specific situations that rarely occur.

I haven't bought a firearm in about 5 years now, but that industry makes a killing on people buying for "out there" scenarios. It sounds funny, but grown adults who own their own home, have steady income, etc. will prepare for a dystopian zombie apocalypse while having zero retirement planning or other form of savings.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Not trying to derail the original thread topic, but I thought I would resolve my own question after GK replied. As we already assumed, it is possible to DI-out without speakers. I was given confirmation and directed to an understated part of their manual:

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Putting together my first pedalboard and I’m thinking about adding a preamp/DI for gigs (after quarantine). My dilemma is that I have a class D head and while technically it’s not on my pedalboard, I could bring it to a gig without a speaker and essentially use it just like a preamp/DI. It’s lightweight and fits in my gig bag so it’s not an issue at all to bring it to gigs.

So for those of you that have a Class D head as well as a pedalboard, do you have a Preamp/DI on your board? Is it any more or less convenient than having a class D head and using it without a speaker?

Thanks!

Sure you can use it a DI. I’m not sure of the design specs of your head, just make sure there isn’t a minimum load requirement and If there isn’t, you will be fine.

One other thing to consider, I’ve read here on this board that amp DIs are less than desirable and can be more problematic than an actual DI pedal, of which you can get an entry level version that will work just fine for your purposes for under $50.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I haven't bought a firearm in about 5 years now, but that industry makes a killing on people buying for "out there" scenarios. It sounds funny, but grown adults who own their own home, have steady income, etc. will prepare for a dystopian zombie apocalypse while having zero retirement planning or other form of savings.

Nice analogy.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I have my in ear mixer, preamp, and poweramp all on my board

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I use the Noble in front of my Mesa D800+ at all times. Keep it last in my chain on the board. If the Noble wasn't insanely magical, I'd ditch the inconvenience and go straight into the Mesa.

If that's the case you may want to look into the wd800 or new TT800 both have tube preamps on board. You may be able to sell both the noble and your 800+ and have enough for the new amp plus a cab ontop of the new head if you play your cards right.

 

[RudyTardy]

If that's the case you may want to look into the wd800 or new TT800 both have tube preamps on board. You may be able to sell both the noble and your 800+ and have enough for the new amp plus a cab ontop of the new head if you play your cards right.

Thanks. I actually had the WD800 before the D800+. I know its not a common switch to make, but nothing competes with the Noble as a preamp. I favor the Noble into the D800+ as I can start with a fairly clean slate at the amp stage and manipulate a tone with the voicing knob quite easily. I LOVE the voicing knob, which is unfortunately not present on either the WD800 or the TT. The passive mid thing was not my bag.

 

[Wissen]

I have a foot in both camps. A pub I play semi-regularly is very supportive of live bands but has no decent PA support, so acts bring their own. I schelp my head an 4x10. Most bigger clubs, and the pro-hall where I play my annual charity gig with my old band from the 80s, have had decent FOH sound systems for some years now, so I just take my DI and get a monitor set up so I can hear myself.

It's funny, my priorities are exactly opposite. In a small pub setting I would rather save space and volume and rely on what I can hear from the mains and whatever monitors we do have. This decision is drummer-dependent obviously.

When I get into a big stage with a great FOH, that's when I want to look badass with my own stack behind me, and be able to feel the air move around me.

Different strokes, to be sure.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Putting together my first pedalboard and I’m thinking about adding a preamp/DI for gigs (after quarantine). My dilemma is that I have a class D head and while technically it’s not on my pedalboard, I could bring it to a gig without a speaker and essentially use it just like a preamp/DI. It’s lightweight and fits in my gig bag so it’s not an issue at all to bring it to gigs.

So for those of you that have a Class D head as well as a pedalboard, do you have a Preamp/DI on your board? Is it any more or less convenient than having a class D head and using it without a speaker?

Thanks!

I use a pedalboard with no pre amp pedals into a Mesa d-800 and XLR out of the Mesa to foh. I still like to bring a pedal pre or even a basic Di as a sort of amp backup just in case. But I don’t have any mounted on my pedalboard and have only had to go amp-less a couple times over the years and not once since I got the Mesa. I use my setup without cabs when I’m practicing at home. My cabs live at the rehearsal spot and only leave for gigs. One of the nice things about having such a small pedalboard and light class d amp is it makes taking them home for practicing very easy. And the amp has an aux in and headphone out which allows me to practice as loud as I want without anyone calling the cops

 

[klharper]

I run a board with a ToneBone with all the pedals in the effects loop. The ToneBone has a DI out, but I've only used it once out of hundreds of gigs. It's pretty standard to go with the amp DI, whether it is a house amp or your own. I personally have a Genz Benz Streamliner 900, and the DI has the option to go pre or post DI [pre-EQ is preferable - just use the Amp EQ as a stage monitor EQ], and line or mic level.