Using A Power Amp On A Bass Cab

bestkeptlie · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 2:38 pm Post subject: Using A Power Amp On A Bass Cab

I use a bass pod pro hooked into a QSC850 power amp. I also have a ampeg 4x10 cab.....The cab is distorting at levels that should be just testing this cabs limits.....Any suggestions or articles on this material.

Shane
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AIM - bestkeptlie

gibson_thunder · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 2:43 pm Post subject:

whats the cab`s power rating?
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bestkeptlie · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 2:49 pm Post subject:

400 watts rms

gibson_thunder · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 3:15 pm Post subject:

do you have the qsc bridged or anything? sounds like a simple case of overpowering the cab...I know the qsc pushes 200w at 8 ohms & 300w at 4 ohms not bridged- shouldnt be causing a problem with the cab, though.
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bestkeptlie · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 4:02 pm Post subject:

yes its brigded ...the qsc puts out like 600 watts at 8 ohms when its brigded...the cab should withstand 400 w rms .....the overall sound is just not adding up with it distorting at low levels

gibson_thunder · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 4:06 pm Post subject:

sounds like you`re overpowering the cab- 600 watts rms into a 400w rms cab=distortion...
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bassmaniac50 · Rattlesnake Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 430 Location: Ohio

My understanding is that the Bass POD isn't designed to be used direct into a poweramp, and the signal needs to go through a mixer or a bass preamp, which has an output signal that's designed for direct input into a poweramp.
I saw a good explaination of all of the technical reasons at another forum a week or so ago, but of course I can't seem to find the post now, figures!
I'm sure that's why you're getting all of the distortion by running it directly into the poweramp.
I'll get back to you on it as soon as I find that post that explains how it should be hooked up correctly, ok?

bestkeptlie · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 5:55 am Post subject:

thnx man....any pre amp you would recomend

bassmaniac50 · Rattlesnake Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 430 Location: Ohio

This is the preamp I use in my bass rack, but there are many other good bass preamps made by other companies.

http://peaveymag.net/03054/prod-details.asp?prodid=1725

bassman80189 · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 10:24 am Post subject:

I've heard great things about aguilar's preamps, check out www.aguilaramp.com

And Ampeg's SVP-PRO Preamp is basically the preamp inside the SVT-Pro amps and it usually sounds pretty good. I'd check both of those out and see what you think. www.ampeg.com

Dark Lord Vigo · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:06 pm Post subject:

You sure you're not just driving the pod too high. It will simulate distortion for the drive level of whatever it's modelling.

Hey, I know it's obvious but it's worth checking.
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PorkChops · Kitten Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 137

First off, the Bass Pod works fine through a power amp, I do it all the time.
Next, which Ampeg 4x10 cab are we talking about? Some Ampeg cabs are very inefficient and require a lot of power to get em loud, a lot more than a RMX850 can dish out.

NUTT · Tadpole Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 23 Location: Normal

I've used my SansAmp Bass Driver DI as a preamp before (its okay, TECH21 NYC says so).

If you can't find what you're looking for, get one of those, they rock for under $200.
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MustangDave · Tadpole Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 16

Dark Lord Vigo · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 1:29 pm Post subject:

I never said it didn't work Pork Chop. I was talking about simulated distortion...SIM-U-LA-TED. Don't be so dismissive, it's insulting.
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