Using a bass head (MAG300 Evo ii) without a cab

[offhegoes]

Hi, pretty much as the title asks, can I use an Ashdown MAG300 Evo ii head to record DI without a cab connected? Or if not, are there any other options for getting the DI tone of the amp without putting sound out of the cab? Cheers

[LiamPodmore]

If it's a solid state amp (Which it is) you're fine. It's only when it's all valve that you need to worry about making sure it has a load attached.

Liam

[Salt on your Bass?]

+1. carry on as planned! as long as there are no power tubes youre fine.

[offhegoes]

Cheers guys

[BassTractor]

Just be aware that while the answers are OK for the MAG 300, they're not OK for some solid state amps that (still) have output transformers. Output transformers do require a load.

[Salt on your Bass?]

That's interesting - I didn't realise it was down to the transformer, I always thought it was valve related. Any examples of amps that fit that type??
Thanks

[RandomBass]

No problem at all to do this.

As an aside, which SS amps use output transformers?

[BassTractor]

Can't remember any of them without a net search, but new amps of this type are very rare these days. Though I seem to remember that some Hi-Fi freaks swear by some of them. I'd guesssuppose they say the distortion introduced by yet another stage is more musical than the distortion found in many or strong transistors, Idunno.

What I really was thinking of though was 60s amps (some 50s too maybe?) that are still in use, as there seems to be some degree of revival of using them old ones. The Dutch bass forum has had some exchange about old solid state amps, IMS.
Also here in Norway there is some "milieu" for this. I own an old solid state - probably with output transformer - that a guitarist I know swore by, until he moved out of the country and left it with me. Have never used it, but feel I must try it now.


BTW, by what I wrote I was not stating that valves have nothing to do with it. I'm still no expert, and have no idea about how valves would respond. Gut feeling says they're vulnerable, but mind seems to say they essentially work like transistors.


Anyway, the MAG heads are safe, and that's the core here.
I was just afraid of an untruth spreading.

[RandomBass]

Cheers BT that was rather interesting stuff.
Geoff

[Salt on your Bass?]

Thanks Mr Tractor, very interesting. Good to dispel mistrusths early! Much appreciated