Replacing an Orange Terror Bass Amp

[Aggy]

Hi!

I very recently acquired an Orange Terror Bass 500 head in a trade. It's a REALLY nice amp with simpler controls than my now sold Hartke TX600, but quite a lot of tonal range. My only complaint is that it doesn't have a headphone out, so it's of limited value as I do most of my playing in headphones so as to note wake up the kids/rattle the windowpanes.

Any suggestions for a replacement at a similar price point? I really like the onboard clean/distortion options of the Orange, so looking for something similar. What I've found are the Laney Digbeth 500 (Laney Amplification - Since 1967), the Darkglass Microtubes 500 ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]), and maybe the Mesa Boogie Subway (Mesa/Boogie | Subway D-800+ Bass Amp (Metal Head)).

The Laney looks awesome as it has a simple interface, plus volume control for both the audio in/headphone out. And the headphone out tone is managed by all the same controls as the cab out (unlike my Hartke that only shuffled out the preamp). Laney was also really fast at answering some of my questions this morning.

The Darkglass also looks really cool. It also has loadable cab sims for the headphone and DI outs, which could be a neat feature. AND it have a few different circuits (vintage microtubes and B3K), so I wouldn't need the Vintage microtubes pedal I bought on a whim to get that sound. My only concern is that I saw some posts on here about QC issues with the unit. I don't want to spend this kind of money to then be embroiled in a long battle to find a working amp.

I haven't looking into the Mesa as much, but including it as I think it's a well-regarded brand.

any insight would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Hi!

I very recently acquired an Orange Terror Bass 500 head in a trade. It's a REALLY nice amp with simpler controls than my now sold Hartke TX600, but quite a lot of tonal range. My only complaint is that it doesn't have a headphone out, so it's of limited value as I do most of my playing in headphones so as to note wake up the kids/rattle the windowpanes.

Any suggestions for a replacement at a similar price point? I really like the onboard clean/distortion options of the Orange, so looking for something similar. What I've found are the Laney Digbeth 500 (Laney Amplification - Since 1967), the Darkglass Microtubes 500 ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]), and maybe the Mesa Boogie Subway (Mesa/Boogie | Subway D-800+ Bass Amp (Metal Head)).

The Laney looks awesome as it has a simple interface, plus volume control for both the audio in/headphone out. And the headphone out tone is managed by all the same controls as the cab out (unlike my Hartke that only shuffled out the preamp). Laney was also really fast at answering some of my questions this morning.

The Darkglass also looks really cool. It also has loadable cab sims for the headphone and DI outs, which could be a neat feature. AND it have a few different circuits (vintage microtubes and B3K), so I wouldn't need the Vintage microtubes pedal I bought on a whim to get that sound. My only concern is that I saw some posts on here about QC issues with the unit. I don't want to spend this kind of money to then be embroiled in a long battle to find a working amp.

I haven't looking into the Mesa as much, but including it as I think it's a well-regarded brand.

any insight would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Crazy idea if you'd like to keep your OB Terror. Could work with other amps as well.
Get one of these...
Invalid Link Removed

Go from the XLR D.I. output on your Terror to the XLR input on the mixer (set for line level, not mic). Plug headphones in to the mixer.

It doesn't have to be this particular mixer. This was just an inexpensive way to add headphone monitoring. For not to much more you can get one that has a USB interface and you could record directly to a computer.

 

[Aggy]

Crazy idea if you'd like to keep your OB Terror. Could work with other amps as well.
Get one of these...
Invalid Link Removed

Go from the XLR D.I. output on your Terror to the XLR input on the mixer (set for line level, not mic). Plug headphones in to the mixer.

It doesn't have to be this particular mixer. This was just an inexpensive way to add headphone monitoring. For not to much more you can get one that has a USB interface and you could record directly to a computer.

Hey @Old Garage-Bander, I think I've seen this solution on the boards. Based on my reading of the Orange manual, connecting the DI should mean I can disconnect from the cab without risking blowing something up? Otherwise I don't think there'd be a way to mute the cabinet?

 

[Wasnex]

Hey @Old Garage-Bander, I think I've seen this solution on the boards. Based on my reading of the Orange manual, connecting the DI should mean I can disconnect from the cab without risking blowing something up? Otherwise I don't think there'd be a way to mute the cabinet?

If you like the Orange, keep it. Most solid-state output sections are safe without a speaker.

There are small, inexpensive mixers that have a high-z instrument level input. Get one of these for home practice with media. No need to take the Orange out of your gig bag, just use the mixer.

I you don't really like the Orange or have a need for it, then sell it and buy something else. Make sure whatever you buy has the desired features.

I checked Sweetwater and the lowest priced mixer with a High-Z input I saw was $125.

 

[sloppy_phil]

Hey @Old Garage-Bander, I think I've seen this solution on the boards. Based on my reading of the Orange manual, connecting the DI should mean I can disconnect from the cab without risking blowing something up? Otherwise I don't think there'd be a way to mute the cabinet?

Because it's a Class D power section, it can safely be run without plugging in a cab. That rule was, in my understanding anyways, for tube power sections with giant ass output transformers, not these Class D power amps. Look into it, if you want to be absolutely certain, but you are good to go

 

[Wicked G]

I would not go Darkglass MT500. It sounds nothing like the Orange and the QC issues are real.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Hey @Old Garage-Bander, I think I've seen this solution on the boards. Based on my reading of the Orange manual, connecting the DI should mean I can disconnect from the cab without risking blowing something up? Otherwise I don't think there'd be a way to mute the cabinet?

No. You still need speakers (or a suitable "dummy" load) connected to the amp.
So my idea was even crazier than I first thought.


From the manual.

DI OUTPUT
The DI output is set at professional line level for a padded mixing desk to a PA. An external DI box should still be taken from the actual bass guitar itself in most live situations so that a signal can still be present in case of amplifier failure.
IMPORTANT: A speaker cabinet of suitable impedance and power handling must be connected to the amplifier’s speaker outputs even when the DI Output is in use.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Because it's a Class D power section, it can safely be run without plugging in a cab. That rule was, in my understanding anyways, for tube power sections with giant ass output transformers, not these Class D power amps. Look into it, if you want to be absolutely certain, but you are good to go

You can try what you want, but you didn't hear that -no load- stuff from me.
I've never seen a manual that specifically said you could run the amp without a load.
And I didn't see it in the OB Terror manual.
It makes me wonder why everyone doesn't OK that practice if it would be so popular to do.
Does that make you wonder too?

 

[Wasnex]

No. You still need speakers (or a suitable "dummy" load) connected to the amp.
So my idea was even crazier than I first thought.


From the manual.

DI OUTPUT
The DI output is set at professional line level for a padded mixing desk to a PA. An external DI box should still be taken from the actual bass guitar itself in most live situations so that a signal can still be present in case of amplifier failure.
IMPORTANT: A speaker cabinet of suitable impedance and power handling must be connected to the amplifier’s speaker outputs even when the DI Output is in use.

Well, I'll be dipped in !

If I was interested in this functionality, I would call Orange. I won't say the manual is wrong, but it definitely could be.

I checked the OB1 and Little Bass Thing manuals and they include the same language verbatim. So unless running without a speaker is confirmed safe by Orange, I suggest making sure to connect an appropriate load.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

You can try what you want, but you didn't hear that -no load- stuff from me.
I've never seen a manual that specifically said you could run the amp without a load.
And I didn't see it in the OB Terror manual.
It makes me wonder why everyone doesn't OK that practice if it would be so popular to do.
Does that make you wonder too?

The Mesa Subway and Genzler Magellan amps all say it is good to run the amp as a DI only without a load.

In fact that is how you "mute" the sound from coming out of the speaker is to unplug the speaker cable.

I have maany hours on mine used live as just a DI box and home as a headphone amp.



From their manuals.
https://mesa-boogie.imgix.net/media/User Manuals/070556_Subway_WD800.pdf
HEADPHONE OUTPUT:
The SUBWAY WD-800 includes a 1/4” (6.35mm) TRS tip-ring-sleeve headphone output jack, which will drive all common headphones and IEM ear pieces between 8 and 32 ohms (and many well above 32 ohms). It is not necessary to have a speaker connected to the amp when using headphones, it is completely safe to operate the amp without a speaker load. It’s advisable to use caution whenever sticking a sound source in your ear, as damaging volume is possible, especially with “bass player accidents”, and when volume is factored over a long period of time. This output contains additional cabinet emulation circuitry. This output should not be connected to anything but headphones or ear buds.

https://16wtlg1ot6rc2w5qv63bnidz-wp...4.2124123031.1662155403-1364352252.1661624636
PHONES – A 1/4” TRS jack is provided for connection to headphones for silent practice use. A speaker load is not required. Do not connect this output to anything but headphones.

 

[Aggy]

I sent a message to Orange a little while ago. My Hartke TX600 was ok to run without being connected to a cab, but the orange has valves, so a bit of a different beast.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Well, I'll be dipped in !

If I was interested in this functionality, I would call Orange. I won't say the manual is wrong, but it definitely could be.

I checked the OB1 and Little Bass Thing manuals and they include the same language verbatim. So unless running without a speaker is confirmed safe by Orange, I suggest making sure to connect an appropriate load.

Here's my take-a-way on it.
All it takes is one manufacturer, or just one person to start saying it's OK to run your [specific make/model] amp without a load. Then it gets twisted into being OK to run any amp unloaded. Next thing you know people are letting the smoke out.

Besides, that would be the extreme case of under powering your cab wouldn't it? And everybody knows that's bad for the speakers. NOT! NOT!! NOT!!!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I sent a message to Orange a little while ago. My Hartke TX600 was ok to run without being connected to a cab, but the orange has valves, so a bit of a different beast.

Thank you. I rest my case.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

If you like the Orange, keep it. Most solid-state output sections are safe without a speaker.

There are small, inexpensive mixers that have a high-z instrument level input. Get one of these for home practice with media. No need to take the Orange out of your gig bag, just use the mixer.

I you don't really like the Orange or have a need for it, then sell it and buy something else. Make sure whatever you buy has the desired features.

I checked Sweetwater and the lowest priced mixer with a High-Z input I saw was $125.

Yup! ^
A bass to headphone adapter, and this one has USB to record on a computer.
A few years ago I bought the Makie version of this ^ for work. Didn't get to test the instrument level input though.
But USB to computer stuff worked fine.

And then if you just want this in it's most basic...
https://www.amazon.com/AP2AC-amPlug...338&keywords=vox+amplug&qid=1662156656&sr=8-2

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

The Mesa Subway and Genzler Magellan amps all say it is good to run the amp as a DI only without a load.

In fact that is how you "mute" the sound from coming out of the speaker is to unplug the speaker cable.

I have maany hours on mine used live as just a DI box and home as a headphone amp.



From their manuals.
https://mesa-boogie.imgix.net/media/User Manuals/070556_Subway_WD800.pdf
HEADPHONE OUTPUT:
The SUBWAY WD-800 includes a 1/4” (6.35mm) TRS tip-ring-sleeve headphone output jack, which will drive all common headphones and IEM ear pieces between 8 and 32 ohms (and many well above 32 ohms). It is not necessary to have a speaker connected to the amp when using headphones, it is completely safe to operate the amp without a speaker load. It’s advisable to use caution whenever sticking a sound source in your ear, as damaging volume is possible, especially with “bass player accidents”, and when volume is factored over a long period of time. This output contains additional cabinet emulation circuitry. This output should not be connected to anything but headphones or ear buds.

https://16wtlg1ot6rc2w5qv63bnidz-wp...4.2124123031.1662155403-1364352252.1661624636
PHONES – A 1/4” TRS jack is provided for connection to headphones for silent practice use. A speaker load is not required. Do not connect this output to anything but headphones.

Thanks. I appreciate the citation and defer to Mesa and Genzler.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Thanks. I appreciate the citation and defer to Mesa and Genzler.

Always read the full manual.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Always read the full manual.

Buzzkill.

 

[Wasnex]

I sent a message to Orange a little while ago. My Hartke TX600 was ok to run without being connected to a cab, but the orange has valves, so a bit of a different beast.

If they told you it's because it has valves, IMHO they fed you a line of BS.

The TB500 is not a tube amp, it's a hybrid. It has tubes in the preamp, but the output section is solid-state, class-D. The preamp tubes do not care if a speaker is connected to the output section. However a tube output section is fairly sensitive to impedance mismatches and the worst-case scenario is no load/open circuit.

Although I am skeptical, don't take this to mean that it's safe to run without speakers connected. While I think their explanation is BS, there may actually be a valid reason why a load is required at all times...it just doesn't have anything to do with the tubes.

 

[Aggy]

If they told you it's because it has valves, IMHO they fed you a line of BS.

The TB500 is not a tube amp, it's a hybrid. It has tubes in the preamp, but the output section is solid-state, class-D. The preamp tubes do not care if a speaker is connected to the output section. However a tube output section is fairly sensitive to impedance mismatches and the worst-case scenario is no load/open circuit.

Although I am skeptical, don't take this to mean that it's safe to run without speakers connected. While I think their explanation is BS, there may actually be a valid reason why a load is required at all times...it just doesn't have anything to do with the tubes.

Oh no, they haven't gotten back to me yet. I was just guessing why it couldn't be run without a cab hooked up.

 

[Aggy]

I got really quick replies from Laney and Darkglass this morning, but I'm guessing the Orange took off for the weekend by the time I messaged them.