• 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.

Sadowsky Preamp?

#6
remo said:
bumping this old post.. does nayone know if I can somehow turn down the output of my Sadowsky RV5 preamp ??? It's overloading my rack preamp (yamaha PB1)???
Click to expand...

I also am pretty sure there is no way to adjust the output. However, the Sadowsky onboard pre is not set particularly hot versus other active pre's. It's hard to believe that it would be overloading the input on a pre. Are you cranking the bass control on the Sadowsky... that might do it, but it would sound pretty bad also.

Most run the Sadowsky pre pretty much 'flat' (i.e., with the tone controls 'off'). At the most, a 20% boost in bass, and maybe a little treble if you need to add some sheen, but I'm the 'king of the tweeter :D ' and have never boosted the Sadowsky treble control.

If you are running the Sadowsky like most of us, and have the input gain of your pre set correctly (i.e., turned down until there is no distortion from the input signal), then the pre shouldn't clip, even if there is no 'active input' or -10db pad. If it is clipping, IMO there is something wrong with the pre or something else in your rack.

K
 
#7
hmm.. I am trying to run my bass flat.. I have the VTC installed so on my treb and bass pots I run them in the "middile" with both white markers pointing straight "UP" that is in the same direction, say, the back of the bridge runs..

see pic? am I running heaps of bass in here??
 
#8
remo said:
hmm.. I am trying to run my bass flat.. I have the VTC installed so on my treb and bass pots I run them in the "middile" with both white markers pointing straight "UP" that is in the same direction, say, the back of the bridge runs..
Click to expand...

The preamp is flat when the Bass & Treble pots are turned counter clockwise.
 
#10
Yes, off is flat. The preamp is boost only. The way you have it set up, you are boosting both your mids and highs significantly. It should yield a very powerful, scooped sound, but will be quite hot. Try turning both knobs all the way down.

Ben
 
#11
remo said:
by counter clockwise you mean FULLY counter clockwise? as in OFF?
Click to expand...

+1, and that's probably your problem. If you have those controls set 'in the middle', that's a MASSIVE amount of boost coming out of those active boost only tone controls. Per above, start out with the active bass and treble all the way off, which is the equivalent of most other pre's in the 'center click' flat position. Also, the VTC is the exact opposite... it is 'flat' when it is turned all the way 'on'. That is a cut only circuit, so you should start with that all the way clockwise. Then, adjust the volume of the amp and tone controls. Most then find with just a little bit of bass boost... just a touch, and maybe rolling back the VTC a touch results in the classic 'Sadowsky tone'.

K
 
#14
I run my bass boosted about 15 percent, and my treble flat, unless I'm looking for a pretty agressive sound, and then I boost it just a pinch. As others of said, a little goes a long way with the Sadowsky preamp.
 
#16
Nino Valenti said:
You could lower the volume knob. :)
Click to expand...

it's overloading it at 3! I could turn it down.. but not much more! I think backing off the bass EQ will do the trick though I just tested it through my Mackie mixer and with the bass wound right back to about 20% the volume is much closer to the passive mode volume.. where I had it it is WAY louder than at 20%.
 
#18
remo said:
it's overloading it at 3! I could turn it down.. but not much more! I think backing off the bass EQ will do the trick though I just tested it through my Mackie mixer and with the bass wound right back to about 20% the volume is much closer to the passive mode volume.. where I had it it is WAY louder than at 20%.
Click to expand...
On the diagram you posted, the volume is on full.
 
#19
Dude, bump someone ELSE'S noob thread, not mine!!!;) :D

Yeah, this was back before I knew anything about Bass or Guitar electronics. I'm still no genious, but my knowladge has vastly expanded since.

But yeah, the Sadowsky is boost only, so off is flat. Without those boosts, it should improve some. If that doesn't help, mess with the settings on the head.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back