Active/Passive question

[bassist_for_a_band]

I've got an amp with a 0db input and a -10db input... I also have a passive Squier Precision, and an Active Ibanez SR300DX. They both sound louder through the 0db input. Isn't one of the inputs for active and the other for passive?
Also, when I use the Squier, the master volume is a little under half way, but with the Ibanez, it's a little under all the way... Why is this happening?

[bottlerocket]

I'm pretty sure the -10dB is if you have an ERB that goes below E (like if you have a 5 stringer turned BEADG). It's sort of like a compressor in light of the fact it attempts to equalize the volumes so your lower-tuned strings don't overpower the higher strings.

If you have 4 stringers, don't turn on the -10dB switch because it takes away the boom from your E string. If you have a 5 stringer and use the B string in a certain song, turn it on so the B is boomy but isn't overpowering all the other notes.

Maybe your Ibanez just has reeeeeally crappy output. How old is it?

-Gav

[Jimbobntnr]

I've seen this done both ways on the -xxdB. What's the model of the amp?

[Kilalues Guises]

0db is for passive

-xxdb is for active

[bottlerocket]

So the guy at GC lied to me. :evil:

God damn GC...

-Gav

[LewsTherin]

I'm pretty sure the -10dB is if you have an ERB that goes below E (like if you have a 5 stringer turned BEADG). It's sort of like a compressor in light of the fact it attempts to equalize the volumes so your lower-tuned strings don't overpower the higher strings.

If you have 4 stringers, don't turn on the -10dB switch because it takes away the boom from your E string. If you have a 5 stringer and use the B string in a certain song, turn it on so the B is boomy but isn't overpowering all the other notes.

Maybe your Ibanez just has reeeeeally crappy output. How old is it?

-Gav


sorry gavin, but this ^^ is wrong.


the -x dB input/switch is for basses with active/really hot electronics. If you plugged a passive bass into the 0dB and an active bass into the -10dB, they should be about the same.

[LewsTherin]

So the guy at GC lied to me. :evil:


.....duh?

[bottlerocket]

****ing GC...the guy who sold it to me is the assistant manager, too. I'm really mad, too, because he told me that's what the button on my GK head was.

Idiot.

-Gav

[Jimbobntnr]

on my gk, there is a -10db push button. pushes in for active.

the Hartke has a -10db and a -20db input. My initial reasoning said that the -20 is for active, but the owner's manual says otherwise.

When in doubt, rtfm.

[LewsTherin]

****ing GC...the guy who sold it to me is the assistant manager, too. I'm really mad, too, because he told me that's what the button on my GK head was.

Idiot.

-Gav


dont GKs have the 4/5 string voicing thing? that might have been what he was talking about, not the input pad.

[bottlerocket]

dont GKs have the 4/5 string voicing thing? that might have been what he was talking about, not the input pad.

I've got both on it but he specifically said the input pad because I asked about both.

-Gav

[LewsTherin]

I've got both on it but he specifically said the input pad because I asked about both.

-Gav


oh, ok.


yeah, GC sucks, unless you manage to be left alone while youre in there.

[edgebass5]

one other thing of note. I always plug my basses into the non-padded input (i.e. the -0db input, NOT the -10db input). The reason being is that if you can plug it into the non padded input and it doesn't clip the preamp you'll be just fine. That way you'll get a more "pure" signal right from the start.

Maximize your gain stages people! :thumb:

[LewsTherin]

one other thing of note. I always plug my basses into the non-padded input (i.e. the -0db input, NOT the -10db input). The reason being is that if you can plug it into the non padded input and it doesn't clip the preamp you'll be just fine. That way you'll get a more "pure" signal right from the start.

Maximize your gain stages people! :thumb:


oh yeah, tru that.


not only do you get more 'pure' signal, but its also more efficient. you want your gain as high as possible while still maintaing a clean signal (unless you want distortion, then crank away). Having your gain too low will cause the introduction of noise, brought to you by your friendly neighborhood power section!

[PainKiller8191]

123 edge

[darrell]

one other thing of note. I always plug my basses into the non-padded input (i.e. the -0db input, NOT the -10db input). The reason being is that if you can plug it into the non padded input and it doesn't clip the preamp you'll be just fine. That way you'll get a more "pure" signal right from the start.

Maximize your gain stages people! :thumb:

Are you saying plug into your passive input no matter whether your bass is active or passive... as long as it doesn't clip?

[Kilalues Guises]

Are you saying plug into your passive input no matter whether your bass is active or passive... as long as it doesn't clip?
depends, i have a bass with a very variable out put. it may not clip on one setting but it will another. just be safe and plug active basses in to the -10db.

oh and the argue ment of the 0db being a cleaner signal is BS

[LewsTherin]

Are you saying plug into your passive input no matter whether your bass is active or passive... as long as it doesn't clip?


yes. you want your gain set as high as possible without clipping. if you can manage to plug in your active bass into the normal input, and not have it clip, do it. if it clips, then dont. and the occasional flash of the clip led is alright. You just want to avoid constant clipping.

[LewsTherin]

depends, i have a bass with a very variable out put. it may not clip on one setting but it will another. just be safe and plug active basses in to the -10db.

oh and the argue ment of the 0db being a cleaner signal is BS

not really.

theres less resistance in the 0dB circuit, meaning less signal loss, meaning a truer, cleaner signal.


also, having your power section turned up, but not being fed much from the driver stage, is noisy.

[Kilalues Guises]

not really.

theres less resistance in the 0dB circuit, meaning less signal loss, meaning a truer, cleaner signal.


also, having your power section turned up, but not being fed much from the driver stage, is noisy.
if you're going to get that critical then your bass's eq system gives resistance, so you should boost all your eq on your bass.

[PainKiller8191]

depends on what sound you want...when it comes down to eq, it doesn't affect the resistance or the noise half as much as gain

[mikespahn]

not really.

theres less resistance in the 0dB circuit, meaning less signal loss, meaning a truer, cleaner signal.


also, having your power section turned up, but not being fed much from the driver stage, is noisy.


i second that

[Jimbobntnr]

signal loss? in a padding circuit? you have to be ****ting me....

[PainKiller8191]

^not a significant one, but logically, it's right....

[edgebass5]

if you're going to get that critical then your bass's eq system gives resistance, so you should boost all your eq on your bass.

my basses have no eq system onboard. in fact.. they have no tone circuit onboard at all. I wire my pickups directly to the output jack.

[Kilalues Guises]

my basses have no eq system onboard. in fact.. they have no tone circuit onboard at all. I wire my pickups directly to the output jack.
rare, so dont make it a standard for everyone else though

[bassist_for_a_band]

Well the head is an Acoustic 230 (http://acoustic360.homeunix.net/products/main/230.html) head.

But my question is... Why do an active and passive bass both sound louder in the same input? I always figured one input was for active, and one for passive.... But one is louder than the other with either kind of bass.
The battery might be old, it was in there when I got it (which was only like two weeks ago). Both basses are probably only a few years old. I might change the battery but it's fine for now, I suppose.


Wait... Now that I read that link^, it says high and low gain input jacks. Well, what's that mean then?

And about the footswitch... It didn't come with one, and I'm not sure how to describe the input for it on the back. I'd have to take a picture or something. But it's not like a 1/4 inch jack or anything, but some 6prong kind of thing...?

Refer to the picture for this:
To the right of the EQ, there's a master volume knob, and a reverb knob. The reverb is supposed to be footswitchable, but neither of those knobs do anything. I take it they're for the footswitch? I don't know what kind of footswitch it's supposed to have but I doubt I could find one.

[amj8831]

It sounds pretty plain to me: they both sound louder because they both aren't having 10db knocked off the gain!

[bassist_for_a_band]

Okay well then also


Why does the active bass need the volume up so much higher?
Passive bass + volume at half = Active bass + volume at full

Shouldn't the active be louder?

EDIT

And on the Ibanez, what the heck is the third knob for!? It's like a double knob... The site says EQB-IIC 2 band... But what does the knob do!? When I turn either of them, it does nothing

[Spencer]

So the guy at GC lied to me. :evil:

God damn GC...

-Gav

Nah I have heard that before from a bunch of people who have been playing for a LONG time. Like 30 years. So maby its just an old timers thing.. Was he old?

[edgebass5]

rare, so dont make it a standard for everyone else though

I wasn't making that the standard for everyone, just pointing out something. My prior statement still stands as accurate though.

[LewsTherin]

if you're going to get that critical then your bass's eq system gives resistance, so you should boost all your eq on your bass.

well, you also have to consider the fact that EQ is meant to change your tone. The input gain control is not.


and, btw, i do use boost-only on my EQ. :thumb:



signal loss? in a padding circuit? you have to be ****ting me....


your onboard volume control causes a noticable loss in treble as you increase resistance. the input pad on your amp can do the same thing.

[PERFECTXDARK]

I'm pretty sure the -10dB is if you have an ERB that goes below E (like if you have a 5 stringer turned BEADG). It's sort of like a compressor in light of the fact it attempts to equalize the volumes so your lower-tuned strings don't overpower the higher strings.

If you have 4 stringers, don't turn on the -10dB switch because it takes away the boom from your E string. If you have a 5 stringer and use the B string in a certain song, turn it on so the B is boomy but isn't overpowering all the other notes.

Maybe your Ibanez just has reeeeeally crappy output. How old is it?

-Gav

So,if you took off-10dB you'd get a really crunchy cheesy 80's tone? and like almost no bass to it,more trebly?

[darrell]

So,if you took off-10dB you'd get a really crunchy cheesy 80's tone? and like almost no bass to it,more trebly?

No, Gav was wrong. :)

-10db is for active basses that have more power than passive basses due to their onboard preamp.

I'm going to try going in the passive input and see what happens... if I ever get my amp back. It's at my guitarists' house.

[bassist_for_a_band]

Okay... Well, as that one website said, I think the two inputs are different gain levels.

But the battery was dying in my Ibanez, so I swapped that out for a fresh one... It all sounds great, and that third knob works. One part is for a treabely toney sound, and the other is bass punchy. It sounds great though. Also, I don't need the amp nearly as loud with a fresh battery.