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Too much input from EMG?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by badboy1984, Jun 30, 2008.

  1. Jun 30, 2008 #1
    badboy1984

    badboy1984

    Mar 27, 2007
    United Kingdom
    I'm start getting trouble on the input level i get on my EMG. I use Ashdown EVOII 300 Head and Ashdown Cabs.

    I love the tone i get but i'm having trouble on the input level i get from the EMG.

    My input and volume is only 1/4 and my input level show on the VU meter reach about half already.

    I use EMG with Bartolini preamp on my bass. Was wondering have any EMG user encounter the same problem.

    I'm afraid that i may not get the volume i wanted because the input level is too high before i can add more volume to it.
     
  2. Jun 30, 2008 #2
    Synplicity

    Synplicity

    Feb 6, 2006
    Kent, England
    have you made sure the 'active/passive' button is set right?
     
  3. Jun 30, 2008 #3
    badboy1984

    badboy1984

    Mar 27, 2007
    United Kingdom
    on my amp it clearly says active and passive input. So i plug the bass to the active input. Also my bass don't have active/passive switch so it is a purely active bass.

    I can hear slightly distortion on the sound but not too much. But i can see the VU meter jump very high at low input and low output. I have to use a compression pedal if not everything will be too hot.

    My setting for the bass are treble cut completely, bass set flat, blend is middle and full volume.
     
  4. Jun 30, 2008 #4
    Synplicity

    Synplicity

    Feb 6, 2006
    Kent, England
    ah okay, when you said Ashdown EVOII 300 i didnt realise it was a MAG.

    Try cutting the volume on the bass and using the amp to provide the volume.
     
  5. Jun 30, 2008 #5
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    The VU meter on the Ashdown is not accurate or important. Set your levels this way: Turn your master volume down about halfway. Then play, and turn up the input gain until you hear the preamp distorting. Now turn the input gain down just a little bit until there is no more distortion while you play. Now you are free to turn up the master volume as loud as you want until you hear the speakers clipping/farting. The point where the volume is as loud as it can go without clipping the speakers, that's as loud as your amp can safely go.
     
  6. Jun 30, 2008 #6
    badboy1984

    badboy1984

    Mar 27, 2007
    United Kingdom
    hmm, I think i will give that a try. I think i always got mislead by the VU metre on the amp. Is just no matter what i set on the EMG bass it just says is too high, but i hear no farting noise or preamp rattle or heavy distort sound.
     
  7. Jun 30, 2008 #7
    badboy1984

    badboy1984

    Mar 27, 2007
    United Kingdom
    New update!

    I realize that the VU metre only goes really high at LOW volume. But when i crank up the volume, the VU metre start going down. I dunno why but it happens lol

    I guess i have to leave my warwick bass to play live since the volume will be high on stage.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2008 #8
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    The Bartolini preamp should have a small blue pot inside the control cavity for adjusting the gain. Try turning that gain down (counterclockwise) and see if it doesn't fix the problem.

    Mike