XLR out on bass amp sending too much to sound board

Is there a level control on the back of the amp near the XLR out? A lot of amps have this. What model is your amp specifically? I assume we are talking about the WorkingPro 2x10C?

 

I used to have an SWR Basic 350 head that I got the same complaint about from many a sound-man. The solution I found was to replace it with an Eden WT-550 which has an adjustable level. Probably not what you want to hear though.

 

Ok, I just looked at the users manual online for the WorkingPro 2x10C, and it looks like there is a 0db/-10db switch. Engage it so that the switch is on "-10db" and that should at least help your problem. Also, there is a Direct/Line switch. Have it set to "direct" as well.

 

Check for a -??db pad on the back of the amp.

I don't run sound but aren't there different setting on the input channels (or separate channels) for line level inputs and mic level inputs? It seems that the gain settings would be used for the mic level inputs.

 

If the solutions listed already fail then google "XLR Pad". A pad is an attenuator. I believe you can get them in -10dB increments and aren't that expensive. I saw some for less than $20.

 

The sound guy should have a "pad" switch on the board to change between instrument and line level signal. Ask him to take care of it there.

 

Another option would be an outboard DI.

 

Man, i was gonna call BS cuz thatd be about the first board that didnt have a pad on it, but your right, i checked online. I guess im more used to recording consoles than live boards. A pad is what you need. Either just a pad or a pad on an external DI. Something with steps would work ideally so you arent just left with one option. Im not sure if the a designs ATTY would work for this or not, I think so though.

 

It sounds like you are running Post EQ if you are able to control the DI level with your gain.

How about setting the DI to Pre EQ?

 

Many Mackies are like that. Use the line input (TRS) instead of the XLR, problem solved. All the line input is is a padded connection to the mike input on those boards. So you'll need a female XLR-to-male TRS cable to make it work.

 

You should research that a bit. My Roland guitar synth is unbalanced 1/4 (TS). But my EMU sampler that I use with it is 1/4" balanced, and I do use TRS-to-TRS in that case.

I've always thought if they used a DI box it would somehow be better. Probably because the 1/4" send is not a "balanced" send and the XLR is. I probably need to research balanced verses "not" balanced because I don't understand the difference.


Many DIs output a mike level signal, stepping down from line or hot instrument levels. So you'd be taking line level, knocking it down to mike level, then bringing it back up at the board via the mike input. But if you're sending through a 100 foot snake, the fact that it's balanced through the DI will often trump the extra re-amplification stage's noise.

You could just use a balancing (1:1) transformer that doesn't knock the level down though. But if you have a ton of channels sending line level signals through a long snake sometimes that causes crosstalk between channels. Take a look at the Jensen transformer website for an overview on these issues. The Rane site has lots of useful info too, as does ESP.

 

You need an external pad, I used to use one with my SM400 it was a -30db pad.

 

The internal pad in the CFX boards accessed through the line input jacks already allows input signals up to +38dBu, which would be insanely hot.

 

I had a problem the other night with recording PRE-EQ. I was running direct out of my GK 400RB-III and post-EQ, my levels were fine, but pre-EQ, I spiked levels something fierce.

 

As a soundguy myself, I like to keep external pads on hand when I do a gig. The TRS to XLR will work, barring that, this little guy can be a lifesaver.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68600-REG/Shure_A15AS_A15AS_In_Line_Attenuator.html

If your XLR output is post master volume though, I'd pick up a decent active DI and either take the signal pre-everything (ie: DI before your amp), or from an effects loop send (which should be post-eq). If you don't, and need to goose up or down your amp volume, it's going to mess with the PA sound.