B5R + SVT115 + SVT410HE Trouble.....

newheartshadow

Hi!
I could use some help regarding the setup of my setup Smile

As it says in the topic, I've got a B5R amp with two cabs, the SVT115 and the SVT410HE.
I've connected them with SpeakOn cables (one from the amp into the 410 then one between the cabs)
I also have a rack-mounted dbx compressor plugged in.

The problem is that the sound is so low. I don't really know why...
I'm afraid to rise the volume too much since the 115's RMS handling is only 200 W and the amp produces 340-350 at 4 Ohm.
I've tried disconnecting the comp but that didn't do much.

It sounded loud enough with only the 410 plugged in but my lows were non-existant...

Have anyone encountered this and know how to solve it?
Pointers about anything else would also be appreciated.

God of Rapture · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:37 am Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about blowing your cab. That 350 watts would be across each cab not 350 watts to both cabs.

Also... On your DBX compressor there should be an output gain knob. Make sure it isn't turned down too low.

Where is the compressor in the chain? I did a ton of playing around when I got all my gear and found that the best setup was to run everything between the bass and the amp head.

So my setup is as follows.

Bass -> DBX 131 EQ -> Sansamp RBI -> DBX 166XL Compressor -> SVT-3Pro.

Regarding your 410 not having enough low end.... You should check out a BXT410 Cab. Mine can just pound when I want it to as well as still being really punchy.

Or you could try the classic 810 cab.

If you need any other advice just ask.

newheartshadow · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:37 am Post subject:

Thank you for your answer.

My DBX comp is hooked up to the effectloop on the back of the amp since it is rackmountable.
I've checked the output gain also and it's set on +/-0dB
and I have tested to unplug the comp as well.
I've been thinking about getting some pedals instead though, like the EBS multicomp (swedish high-end brand) and some other stuff.
Got any reccomendations regarding effects? I had the BOSS M50-B multifx
before but didn't like it very much. I want analog pedals.

I did blow my cab once when I bought it, don't know why though... just got the thing fixed.... =)
would the output load on the speakers be much larger if the comp output gain is set to higher than 0dB?

Also, do you think it's better to connect the cabs with 1/4" standard speakercables instead of speakon?
I read somewhere that you should use speakon if you're pushing the amp to its output limit. (in this case that would be 500W at 2 omhs)

I've got enough low end together with the 115E I just think I might have set the horn on the 410 to high....hehe.
And i've heard that the B5R can't really handle a 5-string as well as other ampeg amps. Mine is tuned ADGCF low to high.

God of Rapture · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

I'd say no to use the effects loop on your amp. If it is anything like the one on the SVT3-Pro then it isn't very good. I'd recommend running it before between the bass and the head.

If you boost the output gain on the compressor you will get as much volume out of the compressor as you want.

I prefer rack effects over pedal effects. Mainly because I like keeping everything in one place. Even though I don't change y sound during a set I do have the option of adding footswitches.

If you are looking for a good sounding overdrive unit then look no further than the Sansamp bass driver series. It comes in a stomp box or in a rack mount (I own the RBI rackmount). The only difference between the two is the rack mount has a mid knob whereas the pedal doesn't. That was a huge factor for me.

The wattage output on your amp can only go as high as it is rated. Turning up the output gain on the compressor will just add more volume. However turning it to high and it will start to distort your sound. Just keep an eye on your clip light. I believe your amp has one.

Your amp won't be running at a 2ohm load with your configuration. Both of your cabs are 8ohm cabs. Combinging them creates a 4ohm load.

Like I said, I just use a single 410 cab and it more than handles anything I throw at it. I use 5-string basses as well but in standard tuning. However since I play metal I don't like a boomy tone. I like a crisp grindy tone.

You can check out what I am talking about on this tune.

http://www.fallenvictim.com/audio/Fallen_Victim-Far_Beyond_The_Dark.mp3

newheartshadow · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject:

Yeah it's probably the same,
the only knob i have for it is for deciding how much effect i want mixed with my sound.

If I hook the compressor up before the amp,
should I have the bass go into the input on the back of the compressor
and then a cable to the input on the front side of the amp?

I like rack effects too but I have neither the room or the money for them at the moment. Smile

Now I just use the overdrive channel in the amp combined with the clean channel both of which i can control from a footswitch,
it's not the best distortion but it will have to do for now.

The only clip light I have is the one next to the gain knob on the clean channel, is that the one?

Yeah I know, the amp is only running at 350W right now, but the maximum is 500. Need other cabs for that....
I'd like to own a tube amp like the SVT2-PRO but that's about 4000 $ US
over here...

The music I like to play is a mix of styles so I need my sound to be versatile.
My sound fluctuates between a sort of soft incubus/dredg kind of sound and a more crunchy one, sort of like death from above 1979,
but I often leave that up to what sort of song I'm playing. Might even sound punk some of the time....

We'll probably rehearse tomorrow so I'm gonna test some stuff out then.
like switching some cables and having the comp before the amp.

God of Rapture · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:53 pm Post subject:

Connect a cable from the output on the bass to the input on the compressor then go from the output on the compressor to the input on the head. I think you will be surprised at how much better it will sound.

I bought a nice SKB 6U rack for all my rack gear. It all fits nice and perfect and it makes it really east to move everything at once. Right now in my rack i have.

ART Power Conditioner - 1U
DBX 166XL Compressor - 1U
DBX 131 EQ - 1U
Sansamp RBI - 1U
Ampeg SVT-3Pro - 2U

So my rack is as full as she goes. That entire rig with the rack and including my cab ran me about $3,500 Canadian. Bought it all within the last 6 months as well. My bank account hates me. lol

Yes, I was talking about the clip light beside the gain know. Just keep your eye on that and you won't over distort your signal using the output gain on the compressor. It should just barely flicker when you are playing hard to get the best signal.

Yeah a fully tube amp would be nice but right now I am very happy with my 3-Pro and it keeps up with my guitarist's marshall and peavey stacks.

I am a huge Dredg fan and I really dig Death From Above 1979. In fact I saw them live about 2 weeks ago opening for Nine Inch Nails.

I'd like to hear your stuff if you have anything recorded.

newheartshadow · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:17 am Post subject:

I got a rack when I bought the head and I guess it would be a 4U one,
cause I think the amp takes 2U and then I have the compressor and on top of that I have a KORG rack tuner.
How are your compressor settings? I'm still fooling around with mine....

yeah these kinds of things can sure drain your wallet.
I haven't payed it all off yet though, still have payments left on the cabs..

The 3-Pro is a hybrid model right? Tube preamp and SS amp? I was looking at that but then I found a used B5R at a killer price.
If I had bought a brand new one, I probably would have gone for the 3-Pro cause it seems to be alot of amp at a reasonable (Ampeg) price.

Cool, I'm actually flying to London UK this tuesday to see dredg for the first time. Haven't seen DFA1979 yet but hope I will get the chance soon.
Not many "underground" bands make their way over here.
Saw NIN at a swedish festival this summer too, that was awesome...

I like your tune, sound a bit like old Fear Factory to me.
I'm gonna let you hear an mp3 of song that we recently recorded, but it's not very representative since the "producer" had his own ideas about the levels amongst other things.
anyway, here it is:
http://www.teardrive.com/audio/bleed.mp3

We plan on hitting the studio soon to really record a decent demo, but I'm not sure when that'll be.

Low E Louie · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:24 am Post subject:

nexesbassist · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:39 am Post subject:

newhart, did you ever get the volume problem fixed? Because if I read your post correctly I believe you are running the cabinets in a serial configuration. It like this right amp-->410-->115 right? And if each cabinet is 8ohms then the total would be 16ohms so you would probably only be running the amp at 125- 150watts. If you ran a 1/4" cable to each cab separately from the back of the amp then you would be running the amp at 4ohms and it should put out 340watts. The reason your lows are noexistant is probably because the 125-150watts are not enough to drive both cabinets. Hope this helps. If you want to know how to calculate ohms check out this link.
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Fender P-Bass Lyte Deluxe, Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass, Ampeg SVT-3 Pro, Genz-Benz XB-2 410

God of Rapture · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:40 am Post subject:

nexesbassist · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject:

Correct if they were run in parallel and not series. But I believe that when you chain the cabinets together then they are run in series. But when you connect each cabinet separately to the amp then they are run in parallel.
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Fender P-Bass Lyte Deluxe, Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass, Ampeg SVT-3 Pro, Genz-Benz XB-2 410