SansAmp RBI vs RPM

[Fuzzbass]

After reading all of this I think I'm going to go for the RPM. But a general question on setting up this with other gear I have, how would you set this up with a pre-amp and compressor? Like what lead goes where in regards to send and return etc??

Here is one suggestion based on my experimentation: plug the output of your other preamp into the rear input of the RPM, engaging the input pad if necessary. Then run your RPM into your compressor, and your compressor into your power amp.

Important note: plugging into the front input of the RBI defeats the rear input. So, you can easily switch from one preamp to another simply by switching your instrument cable from one to the other (assuming the other has a front input -- if not, then switching won't be so easy). If you didn't want to switch entirely, then you could engage and disengage the RPM as needed, either by pressing the Active switch or using a footswitch.

That is just one of many possibilities. You could run one preamp in the FX loop of the other, run the compressor in an FX loop, etc.

 

[Phat Ham]

I run my compressor in the FX loop of my RPM. I also have my tuner in the loop after the compressor. This way I can use the mute function of the tuner when tuning and adjusting levels on my compressor without the whole room hearing me do it. Not sure what I'd do if I had another preamp. Probably do what ken suggested above.

Here's a question for you guys: At a gig I played recently the soundguy took a DI out from my RPM. I had the XLR out level at about 12 o'clock, and the -20 dB pad in the back disengaged. After the gig the soundguy mentioned that the signal coming out of the RPM was really hot. So hot he had me almost off at the board. Is this something other people have experienced? Should I engage the -20 dB pad when running direct to the board? After that gig I turned the XLR level to about 10 o'clock and nobody's said anything. I let soundguys know that I can adjust the level going out to them but so far nobody has asked me to change it.

 

[Murph_Orpheus]

Here is one suggestion based on my experimentation: plug the output of your other preamp into the rear input of the RPM, engaging the input pad if necessary. Then run your RPM into your compressor, and your compressor into your power amp.

Important note: plugging into the front input of the RBI defeats the rear input. So, you can easily switch from one preamp to another simply by switching your instrument cable from one to the other (assuming the other has a front input -- if not, then switching won't be so easy). If you didn't want to switch entirely, then you could engage and disengage the RPM as needed, either by pressing the Active switch or using a footswitch.

That is just one of many possibilities. You could run one preamp in the FX loop of the other, run the compressor in an FX loop, etc.

I dont use a power amp on its own, I'm using a Mesa head as my pre and power amp all in one. So I run the compressor in the FX loop of the Mesa, so thats where I was getting slightly confused about where exactly the RPM would have to go through in the loop.

Also, does the RPM come with a footswitch?

 

[playibanez]

i didnt read much of the posts but why dont you run the rpm to compressor then right into the effects in. use the rpm as your preamp.

 

[Phat Ham]

Also, does the RPM come with a footswitch?

no

 

[coolrunner989]

but it works with any after-market footswitch that clicks on/off

 

[Murph_Orpheus]

Oh ok so pretty much any regular on/off footswitch will work with it then?

i didnt read much of the posts but why dont you run the rpm to compressor then right into the effects in. use the rpm as your preamp.

Would it be possible to blend both the rpm and mesa as my pre-amps so I could use the tone of the mesa and then use the drive from the rpm?

 

[playibanez]

=/ im trying to think of a way to...the best i got would be to run the rpm into the input of the mesa and switch it on off as you like.

this is kind of far fetched, dont think it will work but i dunno. bass->rpm->rpm effects out to the input of the mesa head->effects out of the mesa head into the effects return of the rpm->rpm sansamp out into the effects in of the mesa head

in theory it would let you ....do the same thing as running the rpm to the input but you would be using the rpm all the time.

i dont know this post is a lost cause...i would look to the effects guys for this.

 

[Murph_Orpheus]

Ok cool, cheers for the help man. I'm ordering the rpm this week so I'll give that a go anyway

 

[Outlaw_son]

Suscribed. Thanks for everyones 2 cents

 

[ihateusernames]

Would it be possible to blend both the rpm and mesa as my pre-amps so I could use the tone of the mesa and then use the drive from the rpm?

If the Mesa has an effects loop this is easy and works very well. Personally I use a Boss LS-2 and send a line from the effect loop of my main amp (Mesa in your case) into the LS-2, the main output of the LS-2 goes back into the effect return. The other loop of the LS-2 has a signal from the RPM, blend to suit.

Main input from bass into RPM, RPM uneffected out into input of Mesa (GK in my case) and you're all set. Sorry if this is confusing, it's hard to type what I see in my setup.

 

[spikemacgee]

If anyone is looking for an RPM there is a seller on eBay where I got mine for $299 (using Best Offer) with free shipping. Plus if you received the eBay 10% off coupon (code CJUNE0810P good until June 30) that knocked it down to $269.10 for me.

I can't wait to hook it up to my QSC PLX1602 and RBI through my trusty Ampeg 115 cabinets. Now I just have to dig through all these postings and try all the best tips...

 

[Bobby King]

Here's a question for you guys: At a gig I played recently the soundguy took a DI out from my RPM. I had the XLR out level at about 12 o'clock, and the -20 dB pad in the back disengaged. After the gig the soundguy mentioned that the signal coming out of the RPM was really hot. So hot he had me almost off at the board. Is this something other people have experienced? Should I engage the -20 dB pad when running direct to the board? After that gig I turned the XLR level to about 10 o'clock and nobody's said anything. I let soundguys know that I can adjust the level going out to them but so far nobody has asked me to change it.

I have an RBI but I'll assume that the XLR out has similar output level to the RPM. I don't use the -20 db pad and usually I have the XLR level at about 10 o'clock. I've never been asked to increase it but I've also been asked to reduce the gain when it was higher.

Remember, if you run the Drive control higher, that increases the amount of gain to the the XLR out.

 

[THSL]

Wondering if this is still an active thread...

Anyways, would like to know if any of you have experienced this with the RPM...

With the blend knob, I have noticed that with it turned to anything less than 2 o'clock, my signal gets noisier. With the blend turned off (all the way to the left counter clockwise) it's really noisy. Then with the blend knob turned all the way on (clockwise) the signal is much quieter in terms of noise and output...

Please let me know. Thanks.

Tim

 

[stingray69]

Wondering if this is still an active thread...

Anyways, would like to know if any of you have experienced this with the RPM...

With the blend knob, I have noticed that with it turned to anything less than 2 o'clock, my signal gets noisier. With the blend turned off (all the way to the left counter clockwise) it's really noisy. Then with the blend knob turned all the way on (clockwise) the signal is much quieter in terms of noise and output...

Please let me know. Thanks.

Tim

Not sure where the noise is coming in (line noise in the electrical wiring in your location?), but I have noticed that there is a definite relationship between the Blend knob & the Drive knob. When using the Blend around 12:00 noon or higher, and you start to increase the Drive knob, the gain comes in strong - as does your amount of OD. You have to find your happy balance of OD/gain then use the master volume to increase the overall level as needed. Hope this helps.

 

[THSL]

Well, the thing is that when I bypass the RPM and play straight through the poweramp, it's relatively quiet... If I have the blend on the RMP around 3 o'clock, it's still relatively quiet... If I start edging towards noon, I can hear the noise...

I have single coils in my bass, and with both on, run passively, there shouldn't be any hum...

 

[Phat Ham]

I have an RBI but I'll assume that the XLR out has similar output level to the RPM. I don't use the -20 db pad and usually I have the XLR level at about 10 o'clock. I've never been asked to increase it but I've also been asked to reduce the gain when it was higher.

Remember, if you run the Drive control higher, that increases the amount of gain to the the XLR out.

I played another gig a couple weeks ago where during soundcheck I was clipping the board. Obviously my signal was way hotter than the soundchick was expecting. My bass has pretty hot pickups and I do use a decent amount of drive. I'll probably turn the XLR output level down a notch or two. I wish I could have more dialog with sound guys. I always tell them I can adjust the output but they just nod their head and I never hear from them again.

 

[stingray69]

This thread has been quiet the last couple of months, just wanted to share a short clip of an RBI & RPM combined - been finding many vast & varying degrees of grit & OD tones between the two. Lots 'o deep growly tones in these SansAmps - I love 'em. Excuse the slightly bastardized version & weak drum programming...

[URL=http://www.zshare.net/audio/2015672694462325/]SansAmp RBI _ RPM Combined - Houses Of The Holy.mp3 - 3.67MB[/URL]

 

[oli@bass]

Thanks for the clip. Sounds good. I must find a RPM to try out somewhere...unfortunatley they're as rare as hen's teeth.

 

[stingray69]

Thanks for the clip. Sounds good. I must find a RPM to try out somewhere...unfortunatley they're as rare as hen's teeth.

Thanks, and yes - even though I own one already, I always have my eye out for a used one for my practice place. I can't seem to find any used ones either, perhaps still too new on the market or too good to let go?