• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

VT Bass DI XLR to amp

B

basyngwie

Feb 12, 2023
25
18
#1
Hi! I'm thinking about connecting my VT Bass DI to a second DI with cab sim through the 1/4 jack and running the XLR out to the fx return on my Ampeg PF-350 (with an adapter of course). Running the 1/4 to the fx return works great but will the XLR signal be a problem? The signal level from the XLR is much higher but I'm thinking that it can be tamed with the -20 db button if needed. Could there be other issues (impedence etc, I don't know that stuff)? Has anyone tried this with this or other DI preamps?

The big question is of course if I would risk damaging the amp just by trying.
 
#5
basyngwie said:
Hi! I'm thinking about connecting my VT Bass DI to a second DI with cab sim through the 1/4 jack and running the XLR out to the fx return on my Ampeg PF-350 (with an adapter of course). Running the 1/4 to the fx return works great but will the XLR signal be a problem? The signal level from the XLR is much higher but I'm thinking that it can be tamed with the -20 db button if needed. Could there be other issues (impedence etc, I don't know that stuff)? Has anyone tried this with this or other DI preamps?

The big question is of course if I would risk damaging the amp just by trying.
Click to expand...

The VT Bass XLR connection has the speaker simulation permanently engaged.

I'd just go from the 1/4" output (with the speaker sim turned off) to the 2nd DI (with the speaker simulation), and use the link socket on the 2nd DI to connect to the F/X Loop return on the amp.

That would give you VT Bass tone without speaker simulation to your amp, and with speaker simulation from the 2nd DI to P.A. / recording console etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#6
Wood and Wire said:
The VT Bass XLR connection has the speaker simulation permanently engaged.

I'd just go from the 1/4" output (with the speaker sim turned off) to the 2nd DI (with the speaker simulation), and use the link socket on the 2nd DI to connect to the F/X Loop return on the amp.

That would give you VT Bass tone without speaker simulation to your amp, and with speaker simulation from the 2nd DI to P.A. / recording console etc.
Click to expand...
I’m pretty sure this isn’t the case (although it would be so good if it was). My experience is that cab sim button affects both XLR and 1/4.
 
#7
Chris Wilke said:
Do you like the cab sim in the other DI better? If so I say go for it.

Doesn’t the VT essentially already have a built in cab sim? Or is it a primitive one that you are looking to improve on?

Do you always bypass the preamp in your PF350?
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with the built in cab sim, but it affects both XLR and 1/4 outs. I would like to have it off when I run it in to my amp and real cab.

And yes. I always run it in the fx return. To be honest it doesn’t sound awful with the cab sim through the cab either. I’d rather do it that way than having no cab sim in the PA. But a diverse signal would be ideal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dax21
#10
basyngwie said:
Nothing wrong with the built in cab sim, but it affects both XLR and 1/4 outs. I would like to have it off when I run it in to my amp and real cab.

And yes. I always run it in the fx return. To be honest it doesn’t sound awful with the cab sim through the cab either. I’d rather do it that way than having no cab sim in the PA. But a diverse signal would be ideal.
Click to expand...
 
#11
Not to derail the thread but what does the cab sim actually DO in a VT? Is it mainly just a HPF/LPF or does it have more “magic”?

I have the VT Bass v1 going into a Qstrip for final EQ, DI and more HPF/LPF. VT bass is nearly always on, for color/drive/shaping. I have thought about switching to V2 to gain the switch (defeating cab sim) but I am also quite happy with it as is.

The only time I feel l need to turn off the VT pedal is for upright bass or piezo fretless EB. In that case it presents an easy preset for switching (balancing) with EB on a gig.
 
#12
michael_t said:
Not true. I use the VT Bass DI and the speaker sim button DOES affect both XLR and 1/4".
Click to expand...


OK, so the VT Bass DI differs from the VT Bass Deluxe, but that actually works to the OP's advantage.

But in any case, the solution I offered (defeating the VT cab sim, daisychaining the two DI's, and using the link out of the 2nd DI into the amp) gets the OP what they want, and avoids the messy XLR to amp kludge.
 
#13
Chris Wilke said:
Not to derail the thread but what does the cab sim actually DO in a VT? Is it mainly just a HPF/LPF or does it have more “magic”?

I have the VT Bass v1 going into a Qstrip for final EQ, DI and more HPF/LPF. VT bass is nearly always on, for color/drive/shaping. I have thought about switching to V2 to gain the switch (defeating cab sim) but I am also quite happy with it as is.

The only time I feel l need to turn off the VT pedal is for upright bass or piezo fretless EB. In that case it presents an easy preset for switching (balancing) with EB on a gig.
Click to expand...
It's just a HP/LP. The low pass is >=18db/oct at ~4500hz. The hi pass is 1st order at 30hz, I believe. I have measurements that I can post when I get home. The character knob supposedly raises the HP frequency as it's turned clockwise.

It's a very flat pedal overall.
 
#14
YourGuitarist said:
It's just a HP/LP. The low pass is >=18db/oct at ~4500hz. The hi pass is 1st order at 30hz, I believe. I have measurements that I can post when I get home. The character knob supposedly raises the HP frequency as it's turned clockwise.

It's a very flat pedal overall.
Click to expand...
Very interesting thank you!! Would love any additional info you can share! I would be especially interested in where the HPF grew is approximately when it is at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 which is where I find the pedal most useful. I find I have to tweak the mid control as I tweak the character knob.

Thanks in advance!!
 
#15
I've said it before on TB but the mids knob and character knob have heavy overlap which I've never been a fan of.

I guess if you like the drive that the character provides, then the mids knob is useful for counteracting the EQ curve while retaining the overdrive characteristics.
 
#16
So here is a graph of the range of the character knob. Note that I was mistaken in assuming that it cuts bass.

1725645784993.png
 
#17
So I can inform you that it works fine to take the XLR signal to the amp. If anything the signal was quite low. I've only tried it at home though but i see no reason why it wouldn't translate to a live situation.
 
#18
Wood and Wire said:
OK, so the VT Bass DI differs from the VT Bass Deluxe, but that actually works to the OP's advantage.

But in any case, the solution I offered (defeating the VT cab sim, daisychaining the two DI's, and using the link out of the 2nd DI into the amp) gets the OP what they want, and avoids the messy XLR to amp kludge.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid this won't work, as the DI I'm using is one of those Micro DIs (they come under different brand names, Fender, Mooer, Harley Benton etc) which has a similar design flaw as the VTBass DI - the cab sim affects both XLR and 1/4 inch output.
 
#19
basyngwie said:
I'm afraid this won't work, as the DI I'm using is one of those Micro DIs (they come under different brand names, Fender, Mooer, Harley Benton etc) which has a similar design flaw as the VTBass DI - the cab sim affects both XLR and 1/4 inch output.
Click to expand...
The problem is there is no parallel jack for input while most normal size DIs have it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back