Using an amp without a cabinet?

[driver800]

Now, time to de-stupify the title...

I'll be recording next week and the studio setup has me in the same room as the drummer. So, I will be recording direct without an amp or cabinet. I have a Sansamp and will probably rely on it, but I'd like to try using the tube preamp in my Ampeg SVT3 Pro head (through the DI out with the "post" switch engaged). It may not sound better than the Sansamp, but I'd like to try it just to have an alternate.

Is it ok to run an amp (specifically the svt3 pro) without driving a cabinet?

Any concerns or specific things I should do or not do? (like "do not turn up the master volume" or whatever...)

thanks.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

You are fine running a solid state amp without a cab. Which your SVT 3 is (well, it has a tube preamp, but its the power amp sections that matter in this case).

If it was an all tube amp, you couldnt without causing damage.

 

[brianbj46]

You are fine running a solid state amp without a cab. Which your SVT 3 is (well, it has a tube preamp, but its the power amp sections that matter in this case).

i don't know if i would blindly believe this....i remember a thread about a guy using an ashdown mag300 without a cab and said it wouldn't work properly afterward. The best thing to do is consult your manual. If you can't find it there, shoot an email to ampeg, it's worth it rather than trial and error.....

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Im guessing that was caused by a different problem, as transistor amps will only be damaged by low impedances, an infinant impedance wouldnt damage the amp.

 

[sonicvi]

Check out the FAQ at Ampeg.com. They say it's ok. I've done it many times with my 3 Pro.

 

[ibanezcollector]

If it was an all tube amp, you couldnt without causing damage.

is correct if its 100% tube

but since that head is tube/SS you will be just fine.

 

[driver800]

THANKS! I found it:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Q11) Can I run my amp without any speaker cabinets connected to it?
Any Ampeg amplifier with a solid state output (SVT-4PRO, SVT-3PRO, SVT-350H, B-5,4, and 3R) can be used for recording purposes using only the line output to record and without speakers attached to the speaker jacks. The amp must have a speaker load if the amp has a tube output section (SVT-CL, SVT-2PRO, and V-4B), not doing so can result in extensive damage to the amplifier.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

is correct if its 100% tube

but since that head is tube/SS you will be just fine.

I know thats for if its a tube power and pre amp sectioned amp, thats why i said "all tube"