JMM Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I've got a gig coming up with quite a crowded stage, but a lot of monitors. All the bands have been asked to share their amp (unlike the guitarists who get their own sound!). I was just wondering whether it would be possible to set up just a head and DI that, to get the tone I want. The stage has a lot of monitors so I don't think it should be an issue hearing it, but can the amp be used without outputting to a cab? Also the DI has a ground/lift button, what is this for? Thanks (If it makes any different, the amp in question is an Orange Terror Bass 500.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 A DI that has the sound you want would be ideal, Sansamp if that is your sort of thing. Ground lift is to deal with ground loop issues, only to be used if there is such an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMM Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks for the reply. I'll avoid the ground lift button for now then. The Sansamp does look a good option. For the moment though, would running an amp purely through a DI damage it in any way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hmmm, I'm sure someone will be able to give a definitive answer, but I was under the impression that valve amps should always be connected to a cab. I think it's ok for transistor amps though. I used to use an Ampeg PF-500 purely as a DI and it was fine. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMM Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks, this is a transistor output, but with 2 preamp valves, just to make things a bit more confusing haha. With my very little understanding of electronics, the power produced must go somewhere and 500 watts is quite a bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Well I certainly wouldn't like to give you any misconceptions here as I don't really know how it all works. I'm sure someone will be along soon! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 If its your Orange Terror Bass Amp you're talking about it[i] should [/i]be fine. Class D power amps (as yours is) are pretty resilient, generally don't require a load (speaker) and I know other makes I've tried are perfectly fine in this scenario. But I'd like to be clear that [b]I MAKE NO GUARANTEES ON BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER[/b]. So you might just want to check with Orange first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 If it is an Orange terror, no probs with having no load. The impedance selector is a fudge. Should be noted it isn't the class that causes things to be upset by no load, its the use of an output transformers, you could make a class D amp with an OT, and one with valves, and it would be upset by no load, ditto with solid state amps with output transformers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1362665988' post='2003024'] Should be noted it isn't the class that causes things to be upset by no load, its the use of an output transformers, you could make a class D amp with an OT, and one with valves, and it would be upset by no load, ditto with solid state amps with output transformers. [/quote] I bow to your superior knowledge Oli I thought when I said class D I was referring to these new-fangled B&O car stereo type thingies with the SMPS - which the Terror is one of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 SM<PS is switch mode power supply, pretty unrelated to the output. You can make a valve amp with SMPS, think Peavey did one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dincz Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='JMM' timestamp='1362651697' post='2002669']With my very little understanding of electronics, the power produced must go somewhere and 500 watts is quite a bit! [/quote] It can't produce 500 watts with no load connected. Closer to zero in fact. A bit like turning off a tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 As far as I understand (or not) the answers in this thread, 1) the power amp in the OTB provides the load that the preamp needs, also when there's no load on the power amp 2) the DI button is not switching between ground and lift (whatever those might be if they even exist) but is a ground lift switch The manual is very short and really does not volunteer much information, though it does say that the ground lift button is used only when a ground hum appears. In case I wonder about the dash in "Ground/Lift". Can anyone confirm or correct my understanding? best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362679135' post='2003305'] 2) the DI button is not switching between ground and lift (whatever those might be if they even exist) but is a ground lift switch [/quote] Think its switching between grounded, and having the ground connection lifted (so not on the ground any more). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Has the OTB got a pre and post option for the DI? A sound guy rushed off his/her feet might automatically put it on pre which would defeat the object in this scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1362681968' post='2003356'] Has the OTB got a pre and post option for the DI? [/quote] Nope. It's post only. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1362679241' post='2003307'] Think its switching between grounded, and having the ground connection lifted (so not on the ground any more). [/quote] Thanks! Language barrier is kicking in though, but allow me to try: So if I get this right, "lifted" means you're simply disconnecting the grounding? I'd have expected something more advanced. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362692594' post='2003585'] Thanks! Language barrier is kicking in though, but allow me to try: So if I get this right, "lifted" means you're simply disconnecting the grounding? I'd have expected something more advanced. best, bert [/quote] No, no, that's exactly right. Normally, one would want to have one's equipment grounded. If, however, one is linked to other equipment (DI's, consoles etc...) there may be another ground path. This can sometimes cause problems such as low-level hum. If this is the case, one or other of the ground paths should be removed (lifted...) temporarily. The equipment is still safe, as there is still a path to ground. Once the equipment is back in 'solo' use, the ground should be re-established to provide best safety. Hope this helps; subject to correction from others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazm Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Ground lift just disconnects the ground/earth from the XLR DI socket not from the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks, guys! It's fully clear now, and also explains why I would find both "ground lift" and "ground/lift". b, b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362692328' post='2003579'] Nope. It's post only. best, bert [/quote] That's a bit odd,I have never had a post only di on any amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thatguy59 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 http://forum.orangeamps.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43564 http://forum.orangeamps.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43350 Orange say yes.....and no........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 If you are sure of your Monitor mix... and I would check that you get your own.... then you just need a pre signal and something like a Tonehammer would do that with a degree of control... or if you have a stage mon engr...let him do it straight off the DI box... On big stages, your cab set-up becomes your own personal bass monitor system anyway... and fills and wedges do the mix.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1362700440' post='2003742'] That's a bit odd,I have never had a post only di on any amp. [/quote] But with an OTB, post is the only reason you'd have it on stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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