• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Running bass head di with no speakers

Joey lewis

Joey lewis

Oct 1, 2020
76
48
#1
So I’m having a bit of a problem. I have a two year old kid and live in a duplex. So basically running my ampeg svt2 into my emperor 4x10 isn’t really an option ,considering my music time is after he falls asleep. So my question is regarding the di out on my head and volume. Apparently I’m not supposed to run the head without a speaker cab hooked up, cause it can.... damage the tubes? I’m not fully aware of the technical aspects of that. Ideally I’d like to run just my head di out into my fmr preamp compressor interface chain, so I can lay down some riffs in logic. Is there a way to still have my cab hooked up (to not damage the head) turn the master volume all the way down, And still get signal running into logic? Or would that not work since the master volume is down? I can’t check at the moment since I’m having a new fan installed in the head (old one was crazy loud). Anyway, sorry to be long winded. Any help is appreciated, and if i posted in the wrong forum feel free to send me elsewhere. Cheers y’all
 
#3
seamonkey said:
run your bass straight into your audio interface.
Look into some VSTs to add compression and some amp and cab simulations.
Later, when there's a window of awake time you can always re-amp in/out of the SVT with speakers connected.
Click to expand...
Guess I’ll have to grab a radial di like I was thinking then. Damn, wish my amp was solid state for a few days lol. Thanks for the info and confirming my suspicion
 
#5
Good question. I’ve read a lot of things both ways, but it kinda seemed like with a di the signal would be louder and stronger and retain more of the bass tone etc. am I wrong? If so why do they even make di boxes anymore? Cheers
 
#6
I should follow that all up with, been a bass player for 18 years, but for the last 6-7 I’ve been primarily making electronic music with hardware, so getting back into bass and trying to incorporate it and some guitar with my electro productions. Just looking for the strongest most true to the bass tone signal as possible.
 
#8
So my 2 year old recently turned 17 and my other 2 year old turned 20 and between them and my wife all working/schooling from home online even though I can tell my kid to pick up his compression shorts after practice I can't tell him I've got to play guitar. So different straits, same channel.
I use my cans a lot and they're decent and I don't mind using them but it is not my favorite, plus there are constraints with tone/volume and sometimes headphones don't sound exactly like I want if there is any color on the signal (pedals, whatever).
I just finally caved in and bought the dinkiest PJB combo so I could play speakers but still have a nice tone with low volume. No complaints so far, about a week in. My wife's office is on the other side of the door where I play bass, mostly, and she's on research meetings or teaching university so I have volume limitations. Do your self a favor and look into something like the Double Four or other l'il lunchbox. Sound great at very low volume is hard to pull off with bass amps. More comfy than squeezing your melon into headphones.
 
#9
JKos said:
@Joey lewis ,
Per the block diagram of your amp, the DI out when set to post is before the master volume. So, yes, you could use the DI out in either pre or post mode with the speaker cabinet connected and master volume at zero.
Click to expand...
Dude, thank you so much. I was hoping this would be the case, but I’m technically dumb when it comes to gear. Once I get it back from the shop I’ll have to set it up and hear how it sounds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hennessybass
#10
Joey lewis said:
Good question. I’ve read a lot of things both ways, but it kinda seemed like with a di the signal would be louder and stronger and retain more of the bass tone etc. am I wrong? If so why do they even make di boxes anymore? Cheers
Click to expand...
The hi-z input on an interface is effectively a DI box. They still make DI boxes because accounting for impedance differences between devices is a common issue, and that is specifically why most manufacturers build them into audio interfaces.
 
  • Like
Reactions: And I and ToneMonkey
#11
silky smoove said:
The hi-z input on an interface is effectively a DI box. They still make DI boxes because accounting for impedance differences between devices is a common issue, and that is specifically why most manufacturers build them into audio interfaces.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’ve always thought this, just so many di boxes and pre amp pedals with di out on them and whatnot that it seemed like the interface wouldn’t be the best option. But I guess for a lot of applications it is
 
#13
Joey lewis said:
As an aside... would anybody care to explain what and why you can’t run the head without a cab hooked up? Damaging to something obviously, I just don’t know the technical specifics
Click to expand...

Inside the transformer you'll get:
RVvIiM.gif
 
#19
Joey lewis said:
So I’m having a bit of a problem. I have a two year old kid and live in a duplex. So basically running my ampeg svt2 into my emperor 4x10 isn’t really an option ,considering my music time is after he falls asleep. So my question is regarding the di out on my head and volume. Apparently I’m not supposed to run the head without a speaker cab hooked up, cause it can.... damage the tubes? I’m not fully aware of the technical aspects of that. Ideally I’d like to run just my head di out into my fmr preamp compressor interface chain, so I can lay down some riffs in logic. Is there a way to still have my cab hooked up (to not damage the head) turn the master volume all the way down, And still get signal running into logic? Or would that not work since the master volume is down? I can’t check at the moment since I’m having a new fan installed in the head (old one was crazy loud). Anyway, sorry to be long winded. Any help is appreciated, and if i posted in the wrong forum feel free to send me elsewhere. Cheers y’all
Click to expand...
If you don't have a load attached to your tube head, you'll blow your transformer.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back