Connecting existing bass amp into external power amplifier

[sockdeluxe_mikey]

Hello all!

I have a Markbass SA450 amp, and I am considering buying a power amplifier to give me some more headroom on my bigger gigs with one cabinet (a Barefaced Compact) such as this one:



This, by the looks of things, has an XLR in on the back and in mono configuration outputs 600w at 8 ohms which is double of the Markbass SA450.

Would this interface okay with the XLR out on the amp? The SA450 also has an adjustable line out level which could prove very handy for setting the level right going into the power amp. My logic here is I can take this with me in the boot of my car and if it turns out I need for volume I can whip it out and gain instantly much more headroom.



Any advice would be great appreciated!

[Mr. Foxen]

If you aren't clipping the Markbass, it probably won't make much odds. Double power is 3db. Probably better off adding 3db of compression if you are clipping.

[markstuk]

Or a second compact/midget would probably be a better choice.. 4 ohm load and more speaker area....

[quote name='sockdeluxe_mikey' post='1349182' date='Aug 23 2011, 05:04 PM']Hello all!

I have a Markbass SA450 amp, and I am considering buying a power amplifier to give me some more headroom on my bigger gigs with one cabinet (a Barefaced Compact) such as this one:



This, by the looks of things, has an XLR in on the back and in mono configuration outputs 600w at 8 ohms which is double of the Markbass SA450.

Would this interface okay with the XLR out on the amp? The SA450 also has an adjustable line out level which could prove very handy for setting the level right going into the power amp. My logic here is I can take this with me in the boot of my car and if it turns out I need for volume I can whip it out and gain instantly much more headroom.



Any advice would be great appreciated![/quote]

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

What's the displacement limited power of the Midget? If it's 600w then the most additional output you might get is 3dB. If it's 300w or less you won't get any more output. A second Midget will get you 5 to 6dB with your existing amp.

[sockdeluxe_mikey]

This is the problem mate - sometimes, I have been hitting the limiter on my amp which feels really nasty 'under my hands'. Would using a power amp like this be an effective solution?

My girlfriend actually also has a Barefaced Compact which I can use on a few occasions, but for a number of reasons I don't want to take it around all of the time it's not technically mine for one!

Edited August 23, 2011 by sockdeluxe_mikey

[markstuk]

You could always add another Compact to your collection :-)

And as Bill says you'll get 5-6 dB from the second cab, but only 3 db at best from the power amp....

[quote name='sockdeluxe_mikey' post='1349292' date='Aug 23 2011, 06:41 PM']This is the problem mate - sometimes, I have been hitting the limiter on my amp which feels really nasty 'under my hands'. Would using a power amp like this be an effective solution?

My girlfriend actually also has a Barefaced Compact which I can use on a few occasions, but for a number of reasons I don't want to take it around all of the time it's not technically mine for one![/quote]

Edited August 23, 2011 by markstuk

[alexclaber]

Mike, you're welcome to borrow my rack power amp for a gig or two to see if it makes a useful difference. My gut feeling is that you'd need an amp with a good limiter and highpass filtering so you can use the extra power to its full extent, in which case 2-3x as much power plus nice compression at full tilt could feel like a 6dB gain. But the proof is in the pudding!