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Zoom B3 As Preamp

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#141
Shane Carter said:
CharlieC, I tried the B3 straight into one side of the XLS 1500. I had to turn the volume on the amp all the way up (just running on one channel.) Global volume was all the way up on the B3. Could not really find something I liked, so connected the Ampeg SVP PRO preamp again. Only could spend 1/2 hour as I had to work, but I will try again.
Click to expand...

With a typical 8-ohm speaker load, the Crown XLS 1500 will only output 300 watts at best with just 1 channel. I am not surprised that turning everything up in that case did not impress. I would highly suggest that the amp be set for bridge-mono operation along with use of the required, specially-wired Speakon cable to properly audition the B3.

IMHO, the Ampeg models in the B3 are stellar and rival the tones I get with my SVT-7 Pro and its tube preamp.

In a recent post, I provided the settings I use for the SVT sim and I hope you are able to achieve the same results as I do.

Please keep in mind that 3 specific "Level" parameters will need proper setting in order the use the B3 with the Crown XLS and be sure that no other effects or nasty patch artifacts are in-effect while assessing the amplifier sims.

Good luck!
 
#143
DemonGene said:
My apologies, I understand now. I have decided to take the plunge and have sold the TB600. I'm now deliberating over which power amp to replace it with. It'll be driving my Schroeder 21015 rated at 1000w and 4ohms
Click to expand...

No apologies necessary, Demon! I do not know if your TB600 was new/used nor do I know what condition it is in, but it would not be uncommon that dirty/corroded contacts in the PWR AMP IN jack could have been the culprit.

I am confident that if you like the tones provided by the B3 thus far that a new power amp combined with your Schroeder cab will later "make-up" for things... as in "make-up" worn by Mr. $immons, himself. :D

Cheers!
 
#144
gard0300 said:
I have a Crown XLS 1500. I've only ever used a Speakon to Speakon cable to connect the cab. Not sure if I'm getting full power potential, but it's pretty loud.
Click to expand...

It is perfectly fine to run just one-side of Crown XLS using a standard-wired Speakon. In most of those cases, just know that you are getting less than half of the power you paid for.

What may possibly be damaging (TBD) is if one sets the same Crown XLS for bridge-mono operation and in-error still uses the standard Speakon cable.

It is very easy to wire the necessary bridge-mono Speakon cable and I would highly suggest the use of one when bridging an amp.

Cheers!
 
#145
CharlieC said:
It is perfectly fine to run just one-side of Crown XLS using a standard-wired Speakon. In most of those cases, just know that you are getting less than half of the power you paid for.

It is very easy to wire the necessary bridge-mono Speakon cable and I would highly suggest the use of one when bridging an amp.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I believe I'm getting Full power?? I'm running in Bridge Mono Mode, channel 1 Speakon out into two 8 ohm cabs. 1/4 to 1/4 between the cabs
 
#146
gard0300 said:
I believe I'm getting Full power?? I'm running in Bridge Mono Mode, channel 1 Speakon out into two 8 ohm cabs. 1/4 to 1/4 between the cabs
Click to expand...

A specially-wired Speakon cable is required when running an amplifier in bridged mode. This cable is commonly known as a bridge cable and is not easily found on the shelf at music stores. You need to wire/make it yourself and some amp manufacturers have been known to package one with their amps. Wiring information is provided in the Crown XLS owners manual and is also readily available on the Internet, including How-To videos on YouTube.

I am sorry to say that you are getting less than half of full power with a standard Speakon cable and the jury is still out on whether this is actually damaging to the amp.
 
#147
CharlieC said:
A specially-wired Speakon cable is required when running an amplifier in bridged mode. This cable is commonly known as a bridge cable and is not easily found on the shelf at music stores. You need to wire/make it yourself and some amp manufacturers have been known to package one with their amps. Wiring information is provided in the Crown XLS owners manual and is also readily available on the Internet, including How-To videos on YouTube.

I am sorry to say that you are getting less than half of full power with a standard Speakon cable and the jury is still out on whether this is actually damaging to the amp.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Interesting I actually emailed Crown about this subject a year or so ago. The person at Crown told me that I had it wired correctly for maximum output. ??? So now I'm perplexed a little. Did I just get an ignorant person at Crown? Thanks though CharlieC
 
#148
gard0300 said:
Hmmm. Interesting I actually emailed Crown about this subject a year or so ago. The person at Crown told me that I had it wired correctly for maximum output. ??? So now I'm perplexed a little. Did I just get an ignorant person at Crown? Thanks though CharlieC
Click to expand...

Converting a standard Speakon cable to the wiring required for bridge operation is easy, provided that your cable has the NL4 type connector on them.

Ampeg's Dino Monoxelos has a video for this on YouTube and he is a great guy to know as well:



Cheers!
 
#151
QSC uses this bridge wiring as well.
Remember to label both ends! Wrong end in wrong hole yields no sound. Charlie you are doing a fine job at making me gas for a b3. Keep up the good work!
 
#153
Less On The Floor

Rather than have the B3's power adapter and/or AC extension cords at one's feet, I highly recommend the following cable that makes it possible to keep them both hidden behind your rig.

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MFG_10-00464.jpg
 
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#156
Charlie,
What is xlr going to your amp or your pa? I was thinking of using the B3 as a preamp also. I would need 2 xlrs out 1 to my power amp and and 1 to the PA unless you are running out of your amp into your amp in a pass through. Is that would you are doing or using the 1/4 to your amp?
 
#157
.
Charlie,
What is xlr going to your amp or your pa? I was thinking of using the B3 as a preamp also. I would need 2 xlrs out 1 to my power amp and and 1 to the PA unless you are running out of your amp into your amp in a pass through. Is that would you are doing or using the 1/4 to your amp?
Click to expand...

Troy, from Charlie's 2nd posting in this topic:
.
Connection from B3 to the amp is via a single 1/4" cable between the B3's L/Mono unbalanced out to the Crown's 1/4" Channel-1 input.
............
Connection to Front-Of-House (FOH) is made via the B3's XLR out and since I control my on-stage volume via the power amp's attenuator, the XLR output could be considered a consistent level, although not truly "fixed".
Click to expand...
 
#158
troy mcclure said:
Charlie,
What is xlr going to your amp or your pa? I was thinking of using the B3 as a preamp also. I would need 2 xlrs out 1 to my power amp and and 1 to the PA unless you are running out of your amp into your amp in a pass through. Is that would you are doing or using the 1/4 to your amp?
Click to expand...

My B3's balanced XLR out is feeding the PA/FOH and the unbalanced L/MONO 1/4" out is feeding the power amp

Please see my previous post for more info

Post #14: Choosing Your Outs

Cheers!
 
#159
I recently seen a YouTube video of the guys from Filter using the B3 live. If I remember the bassist used two B3 daisy chained. I figured he was trying get 6 sims.
When the new Zoom-MS50B hits the shelves. I'm wondering if it would advantageous to pick one of these up and daisy chain to my current B3.
Unless a firmware update is made to the current B3. CharlieC your a thinking man. Which do you think would be more beneficial ? Updated firmware to 6 sims or add a MS50-B?
Thanks in advance.
 
#160
gard0300 said:
I recently seen a YouTube video of the guys from Filter using the B3 live. If I remember the bassist used two B3 daisy chained. I figured he was trying get 6 sims.
When the new Zoom-MS50B hits the shelves. I'm wondering if it would advantageous to pick one of these up and daisy chain to my current B3.
Unless a firmware update is made to the current B3. CharlieC your a thinking man. Which do you think would be more beneficial ? Updated firmware to 6 sims or add a MS50-B?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I would wait for the firmware update and save $99 on the MS-50B, primarily because having all parameters in one unit would allow for saving of the complete patch instead of managing two separate devices.

Cheers!
 
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