Using Sansamp DI box to split signal into second amp?

[skon579]

Hi, first time posting on talk bass so please go easy on me!

Today I was experimenting with playing through two separate heads, each with their own cab. In my normal rig I have a sansamp di box in my fx loop. I’ve never paid any attention to the parallel output before but decided to run this into the input of a second amp. I didn’t get any problems with hum or phasing/reversed polarity and it sounded great, I just wanted to ask a few questions and see if there is any advice out there.

First of all, has anyone else tried this? I did a quick google but couldn’t find anything on the subject. I’m thinking it’s too good to be true in terms of how easy it has made it to play through two amps, so I’m waiting to hear what the potential problems might be.

Secondly, I’ve read about people getting electric shocks from using more than one amp and not having everything grounded properly. Does anyone think this sounds like a risky set up? If so what would I need to do to make it safe?

Also, is running from the parallel output into the second amps main input a good idea? Should I be going into the second amps power amp input instead? (Ideally I’d prefer to make use of the second amp’s EQ).

Lastly, does it matter that I’m using the sansamp in the fx loop of the first amp in this situation? It does mean that the first amp’s EQ is passed into the second amp but that’s not a problem for me as it’s sounding good so far. But would it be better for any reason to run my bass straight into the sansamp, then the main output into the first amp and the parallel output into the second amp?

I’ve been thinking this over since I left the practice room where my cabs are so didn’t get to try a few of these ideas out yet, but any advice on this is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[IamGroot]

I run my active bass output to either a passive AB box or a y splitter an then to 2 or more heads for outdoor gigs no problem.

 

[BasturdBlaster]

If the sansamp is in the first amps fx loop, then i assume youre sending that amps preamp with no sansamp via the parallel out to the next amps input. I would also try the sansamp into the first amps input and use the parallel out into the next amps input, one will be sansamp colored the other will not, but right now your stacking two preamps with no sansamp on one amp and the other is sansamp colored.

 

[skon579]

If the sansamp is in the first amps fx loop, then i assume youre sending that amps preamp with no sansamp via the parallel out to the next amps input. I would also try the sansamp into the first amps input and use the parallel out into the next amps input, one will be sansamp colored the other will not, but right now your stacking two preamps with no sansamp on one amp and the other is sansamp colored.

Thanks from your reply, I thought that’s how it would be working but I wasn’t sure. I’ll definitely try it that way. Ideally I’d like both amps to be coloured by the sansamp but can’t think of a way of doing that without buying any extra gear

 

[Kro]

Ideally I’d like both amps to be coloured by the sansamp but can’t think of a way of doing that without buying any extra gear

Sorry if I missed it, but what are the specific amps you're using?

 

[skon579]

Sorry if I missed it, but what are the specific amps you're using?

An Ampeg PF-500 and an Ashdown ABM500 EVO iii

 

[Kro]

As long as polarity isn't flipped at all, tuner outs - potentially like the one you have on your Ashdown can be a great way to send an instrument level signal into the input of another amp.

Bass > SansAmp > Ashdown > Tuner Out to Ampeg in.

If polarity is switched, you'll know, as all of the lows will sound like they're sucked out when both amps are combined. There are relatively easy ways to mitigate this if it is an issue though.

The other thing to watch out for is just to make sure that the tuner out isn't too hot. Aside from that, should be what you're looking for with no additional equipment needed.

Edit: the Ashdown manual says the tuner out is line level, so it may be a bit too hot, but still something to try going into the Ampeg with the pad engaged.

 

[skon579]

As long as polarity isn't flipped at all, tuner outs - potentially like the one you have on your Ashdown can be a great way to send an instrument level signal into the input of another amp.

Bass > SansAmp > Ashdown > Tuner Out to Ampeg in.

If polarity is switched, you'll know, as all of the lows will sound like they're sucked out when both amps are combined. There are relatively easy ways to mitigate this if it is an issue though.

The other thing to watch out for is just to make sure that the tuner out isn't too hot. Aside from that, should be what you're looking for with no additional equipment needed.

That’s a great idea thank you! I think all the specs for the inputs and outputs are in the Ashdown’s manual so I’ll have a look. And I assume the tuner output is pre-EQ?

 

[Kro]

That’s a great idea thank you! I think all the specs for the inputs and outputs are in the Ashdown’s manual so I’ll have a look. And I assume the tuner output is pre-EQ?

I was just looking through the manual to check the same thing - and edited my post above accordingly (it's line level apparently). Link is above. I'm having trouble confirming that it's pre-EQ, though they typically are...

 

[skon579]

I was just looking through the manual to check the same thing - and edited my post above accordingly (it's line level apparently). Link is above. I'm having trouble confirming that it's pre-EQ, though they typically are...

Thank you!