Setting up future rig for optimal performance.

[RyanHutchison9]

Really excited about the band, really good stuff coming from our rehearsal sessions. We're hoping to start shows within the next few months so I'm upgrading from my Chinese Fender Jazz and Rumble 150 Combo to a Skyline Lakland DJ and either an MB Fusion or LH500 paired with a few GK Neo 112s or possibly a single 212.

I'm also purchasing a compressor for my IEM setup, live sound and future recording sessions so my equipment will look like this:

- Korg Pitchblack Tuner
- EDEN WTDI
- Mooer Ensemble King
- Rolls PM351
- Art Pro VLA II
- MB Fusion or LH500

My questions stem from all the possible signal chains I've been looking at implementing. I really like the sound from the LH500 and the fact that I could get it brand new for less then 500 AUD is amazing for 500W but I understand that the DI out is pre eq and so is the effects loop...? Would it be getting flat settings from the LH500 mixed with my pedalboard or just the signal coming from my pedalboard...? I was hoping to include the compressor in the signal chain to have a subtle two stage compression (Once from the Eden and the second from the Pro VLA II) but I'm not sure of the best way to wire it all up. I got a great deal on a NYC Pedalboards Lunchbox from Ebay which unfortunately means there is no room left on my pedalboard for other items.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and as always apologies in advance for the newbie questions, I've learnt a lot over the past few posts, it's opening my eyes quite a bit.

 

[JimmyM]

If the DI is pre EQ in the LH500, then the tone settings wouldn't affect it at all. But skip the effects loop and just run into the input of the amp(s). Loops suck.

 

[RyanHutchison9]

If the DI is pre EQ in the LH500, then the tone settings wouldn't affect it at all. But skip the effects loop and just run into the input of the amp(s). Loops suck.

When you say the tone settings wouldn't affect it, is it like having the EQ set flat or is it bypassing the head altogether? I still can't get my head around it. In your opinion would it be best to run the pedalboard into the Pro VLA II and then the input stage of the LH500? So it would go Bass > Tuner > Eden WTDI > Ensemble King > PM351 > Pro VLA II > LH500. Thanks for the input Jimmy.

 

[Dave W]

When you say the tone settings wouldn't affect it, is it like having the EQ set flat or is it bypassing the head altogether?

If the DI is pre EQ, then the DI signal is taken before the EQ section in the signal path of the amp. It's like having no EQ at all.

In your opinion would it be best to run the pedalboard into the Pro VLA II and then the input stage of the LH500? So it would go Bass > Tuner > Eden WTDI > Ensemble King > PM351 > Pro VLA II > LH500.

Effects order is all personal preference. Since you'd be mixing pedals and rack gear it gets a little complicated with signal levels. I'm not familiar with the Pro VLA, but if it's only wanting and outputting a line level signal it should go in the effects loop, whereas the rest of the effects should go into the input of the amp.

When you asked about the effects loop being pre EQ, that doesn't make much sense. The effects loop on most amps is located after the preamp and before the power amp. By default that would mean it's post EQ. Unless this amp is very different.

 

[JimmyM]

When you say the tone settings wouldn't affect it, is it like having the EQ set flat or is it bypassing the head altogether? I still can't get my head around it. In your opinion would it be best to run the pedalboard into the Pro VLA II and then the input stage of the LH500? So it would go Bass > Tuner > Eden WTDI > Ensemble King > PM351 > Pro VLA II > LH500. Thanks for the input Jimmy.

I might experiment around with that order a little, but that's what I would do.

 

[walterw]

that eden box looks like a full-on bass amp front end; with that and its built in compression, i'm not sure there's much point in the fancy ART comp or the bass amp after it!

you might have the best results with just running it into a straight-up power amp. 1/4" to your stage power amp pushing your bass cabs, XLR to the PA, done. (that's what lots of folks including me happily do with sansamp BDDI pedals.)