Why do so many amps have an XLR out that is only post-EQ?

[DuluthDank]

It seems intuitive that when playing on stage, you would EQ your amp to help with stage monitoring, while having basically no idea how that affected the FOH signal. So why are so many amps built with post only? I was looking at an Ashdown kickback combo for gigging, but again, I cant wrap my head around why the the XLR out is that way, especially for an amp clearly designed for gigging. Those Ashdown speakers are pretty colored and not flat or full range at all, so any EQ I make to those speakers isn't going to sound like the PA at all.

And some amps are both post EQ and volume, which is even more wild to me (Ampeg Rocket, Fender Rumble).

Am I missing something obvious?

 

[agedhorse]

Actually, most amps have a pre-eq or switchable pre/post eq DI output.

There are some exceptions but that's not the norm.

 

[DuluthDank]

Actually, most amps have a pre-eq or switchable pre/post eq DI output.

There are some exceptions but that's not the norm.

Maybe i should have phrased the question why are ANY amps post-eq only. I'm not sure I get the thought process. Some of the best selling combos are wired that way.

 

[Killing Floor]

 

[foal30]

Maybe i should have phrased the question why are ANY amps post-eq only. I'm not sure I get the thought process. Some of the best selling combos are wired that way.

I bought my first Ashdown amplifier in 1998
It has a button switch
"Pre/Post EQ" directly under the xlr input

 

[agedhorse]

Maybe i should have phrased the question why are ANY amps post-eq only. I'm not sure I get the thought process. Some of the best selling combos are wired that way.

Don't know why.

 

[DuluthDank]

Don't know why.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is confused.

 

[J Wilson]

So your signal will launch out of the XLR, roll down the snake where the FOH hears that tone and presses MUTE immediately.

Either way, a lot of FOH are going to run you through a standalone DI a lot of the time. Amp DI's can be difficult matches, ground loops, you name it.

 

[c-ba55]

You'll have to imagine people playing music different than what you're playing for this to make sense.

 

[agedhorse]

You'll have to imagine people playing music different than what you're playing for this to make sense.

Like what?

 

[Pings Bass]

Back before pedal boards were common a lot of players got "their sound" from the preamp's EQ, and wanted "their sound" sent to the board.

Same as guys insisting on going direct from their pedal board instead of the instrument. Sounds guys' nightmare dealing with changing levels as players fiddle with their toys all night. Ask me how I know.

 

[crazyBassClown]

Am I missing something obvious?

Cost? The cheaper amps skip having a switch and extra wiring to give a pre/post option.
why pick post? A pre di signal can be gotten with an external pedal but a post can only be gotten in the amp.
Is it a good choice? probably not but it is what it is.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

It seems intuitive that when playing on stage, you would EQ your amp to help with stage monitoring, while having basically no idea how that affected the FOH signal. So why are so many amps built with post only? I was looking at an Ashdown kickback combo for gigging, but again, I cant wrap my head around why the the XLR out is that way, especially for an amp clearly designed for gigging. Those Ashdown speakers are pretty colored and not flat or full range at all, so any EQ I make to those speakers isn't going to sound like the PA at all.

And some amps are both post EQ and volume, which is even more wild to me (Ampeg Rocket, Fender Rumble).

Am I missing something obvious?

This is a important consideration when buying an amp. My Eden and Mesa heads have a switch between pre or post EQ.

 

[DuluthDank]

Cost? The cheaper amps skip having a switch and extra wiring to give a pre/post option.
why pick post? A pre di signal can be gotten with an external pedal but a post can only be gotten in the amp.
Is it a good choice? probably not but it is what it is.

Is a pre-EQ signal totally uncolored by the preamp? So identical to an external DI box? Somehow I had figured it was the sound of the preamp with a flat EQ.

 

[darwin-bass]

I've only seen it in cheap amps and some combos. I have no idea why but have always found it useless.

 

[crazyBassClown]

Is a pre-EQ signal totally uncolored by the preamp? So identical to an external DI box? Somehow I had figured it was the sound of the preamp with a flat EQ.

Totally uncolored? probably not. There will be some sort of low and high pass on the input but probably well outside the range that will effect a bass signal.
how do you think the sound of the preamp with a flat eq differs from an uncolored signal?

 

[lowendrv]

Fender Rumble?

 

[samjones_de]

Is a pre-EQ signal totally uncolored by the preamp? So identical to an external DI box? Somehow I had figured it was the sound of the preamp with a flat EQ.

A pre-out is often behind the first input stage. That input stage can be a transistor, a tube or an op-amp plus capacitors and resistors. That does color the sound somewhat. But so does any DI box. In order to make a symmetrical signal the DI box has a transformer or op-amps in it.

 

[fishdude101101]

Back before pedal boards were common a lot of players got "their sound" from the preamp's EQ, and wanted "their sound" sent to the board.

Same as guys insisting on going direct from their pedal board instead of the instrument. Sounds guys' nightmare dealing with changing levels as players fiddle with their toys all night. Ask me how I know.

Never touch my eq once the show starts..ever.

Always felt it was a double standard that bassists get no control over their sound, but guitar players get to through a mic in front of their cabs and send whatever crap down the wire they want and it's never questioned. I've never really been happy with what foh does eith my pre-eq signal.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Never touch my eq once the show starts..ever.

Always felt it was a double standard that bassists get no control over their sound, but guitar players get to through a mic in front of their cabs and send whatever crap down the wire they want and it's never questioned. I've never really been happy with what foh does eith my pre-eq signal.

100%. I use a post eq signal and no soundman has ever questioned it. Honestly, I don't think they even know the switch is there.