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Sansamp BassDriver DI

#21
NKUSigEp said:
Seems the only two common denominators are the BDDI and the AC supply. I would say it could very easily be the supply and would try another one as well as try using batteries.
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My guess is that perhaps the OP is trying to get more volume than the speaker system can handle. The BDDI can't make a power amp fail. If it was malfunctioning it wouldn't sound right. It can push the power amp harder than it should be if used incorrectly.
Internal fans on my amp will be running high & the amp itself will get PRETTY warm.
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Volume-wise, I`m finding that for some reason, I`m having to run everything pretty loud to hear it...
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All this indicates that the power amp is being pushed too hard.

Hopefully the OP will let us know his settings. Here are some facts.

There is a 4 Ohm 200 watt cab and an 8 Ohm 400 watt cab.
The GK400RB is only rated at 240 watts @ 4 Ohm and 150 watts @ 8 Ohm.

The Crown is rated @ 350 watts @ 4 Ohm and 215 watts @ 8 Ohm. If used bridged it is too much power for either cab.

It really depends on the situation and how loud the band is. Loud drummer and 2 guitar players will probably be tough to keep up with using only one 200 watt cab or an under powered 400 watt cab.

My suggestion would be to either use the two 4 ohm cabs with the Crown and be careful with the volume. The OP could also bridge the Crown and use the 8 Ohm 400 watt cab but he would have to be careful with that as well. I would also suggest when using the Bass Driver with the GK to use the input pad as the Bass Driver can easily drive the amp too hard whether or not the overload light comes on.

Wattage only refers to the amount of heat your speakers will take before they burn out. SPL is how "loud" the cab actually is.
 
#23
Maybe im missing something, but I use my sanamp as a DI to feed the board an xlr
signal and send a signal to a full range peavey Pa type of amp that has no pre amp for tone adjustments. then run the parrallel output to my GK rig as it has all the preamp and stuf built in, just use its input pad depending on which bass I put to it, passive or active. Just dont think running 2 pre's into the gk power amp would make it very happy is all.
 
#24
NKUSigEp said:
Seems the only two common denominators are the BDDI and the AC supply. I would say it could very easily be the supply and would try another one as well as try using batteries.
Click to expand...

I`m trying an experiment tomorrow night. Gonna run from bass to BDDI(battery power) into samson compressor/noise gate, into fx return. Played last night at home and experienced no problems after 2 hours at stage volume. If that works, I`ll try it again with the ac adaptor. Beginning to think the problem MAY be in the adaptor. I haven`t been using the noise gate much, but it has an I/O meter which has helped in adjusting levels.
 
#25
cirrus1 said:
Maybe im missing something, but I use my sanamp as a DI to feed the board an xlr
signal and send a signal to a full range peavey Pa type of amp that has no pre amp for tone adjustments. then run the parrallel output to my GK rig as it has all the preamp and stuf built in, just use its input pad depending on which bass I put to it, passive or active. Just dont think running 2 pre's into the gk power amp would make it very happy is all.
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I want to make sure I understand your setup. You`re sending an effected signal via xlr to PA, sending an uneffected signal to your GK, and a final effected signal to a Peavey power amp, correct? Do you use this setup for small venues also? I rarely play venues where one amp won`t suffice (I`m a part-timer that wants to sound good wherever I play). I guess I never considered the fact that 2 preamps could be quite taxing on an amp. Just figured if an effect would be designed with this in mind.
 
#28
Yeah thats pretty much it. I can also use the direct out on the GK to go to the board for more flexibility but the sansamp works good for that too. mainly it gives that peavey amp a pre signal that I can use to adjust tone with as it only has the input sensitivity or volume controls on that amp. And it sounds awesome that way! probably overkill for small venues but im more old school sound wise and love to "feel" the bass, and if something should go sideways on me it gives me a backup or 2 for sure.
 
#29
bass19021 said:
While i've recently just started running the bddi into the front of my gk, as opposed to the efx return, I too noticed that the fan seems to run more with added warmth of the amp, but I have not had any overheating or shut downs with a 2.5-3 hour show. Did you buy the bddi used? Not that that should matter ...can't imagine how you could abuse this pedal but just curious...
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BRand Spankin` New.
 
#31
Your settings don't seem to indicate you are driving things too hard. Of course how hard you hit is actually a big variable. We measure the output on one of our passive Fenders here and the output went from -12 when playing lightly, -10 when play 1/8 notes on the low E and to 0 dB when the string ws really slapped.

I'm out of the office until Tuesday and will check out that setting on the Bass Driver.

What kind of cable are you using to the speaker cab? Is the volume of the Bass Driver unity gain with the output of your bass when in bypass mode?
 
#32
[
What kind of cable are you using to the speaker cab? Is the volume of the Bass Driver unity gain with the output of your bass when in bypass mode?[/QUOTE]

You`re starting to speak French to me. Are you asking if my gain is comparably the same whether the BDDI is engaged or bypassed? If so, not so much. Bypass mode has been coming over a little louder.

I use monster cables for my instrument & speaker. These are both within 2 years old & show no signs of malfunction. All other cables are also relatively new, although I don`t remember the brand. My basic philosophy with cables is you get what you pay for so I don`t buy "cheapies". I generally tend toward mid-priced cables.
 
#33
Geddabass said:
[
What kind of cable are you using to the speaker cab? Is the volume of the Bass Driver unity gain with the output of your bass when in bypass mode?
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You`re starting to speak French to me. Are you asking if my gain is comparably the same whether the BDDI is engaged or bypassed? If so, not so much. Bypass mode has been coming over a little louder.

I use monster cables for my instrument & speaker. These are both within 2 years old & show no signs of malfunction. All other cables are also relatively new, although I don`t remember the brand. My basic philosophy with cables is you get what you pay for so I don`t buy "cheapies". I generally tend toward mid-priced cables.[/QUOTE]

Unity gain means the volume of the pedal is the same when bypass and active. If the pedal is putting out less volume than the bass itself then that is obviously limiting the amount of signal to the preamp and output of your GK.

I don't know what to say. You are using Monster "speaker" and "instrument" cables? The fact that all amps shut down seems strange. You could maybe try switching to a heavier gauge speaker cable. Running at 4 Ohms or 8 shouldn't present a problem. Running at 2 Ohms would probably make the amps run too hot. I will ask our tech next week what he thinks.
 
#34
Geddabass said:
BRand Spankin` New.
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I see. Well if the tech 21 rep here doesn't get you straightened out, maybe an exchange is in order, but they are usually very helpful and offer lots of great advice! Good luck! I'll be reading to see what the outcome may be. By the way, love both the vt and bddi. : )
 
#35
Had voltage issues this weekend(as did the whole band) so I didn`t come up with any solutions. Playing a newer venue Oct.6 so I`ll feel better about trying things out there. Meanwhile, gonna keep experimenting at home until then with heavier speaker cable. Getting some promising results running inst - compressor/gate/ - bddi - fx return on amp. Have three levels to play with there so hopefully I can find a friendly level to play at.
 

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