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Topic: transtubefex + stereo steel; effects loop = hiss! |
Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 7:22 am |
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I recently got a Peavey transtubefex for use with my Walker Stereo Steel amp. The Stereo Steel has an effects send/return loop and L&R effects level pots. I have wired the TTF into this loop (mono send, stereo return).
At my first gig with this combination, I noticed a real problem with hiss. With the Stereo Steel master about half way up (12 o'clock), I was getting an intolerable amount of hiss out of the TTF on some patches.
It got really bad when I would jump to a patch that actually used the tube front-end (TB) and when I selected crunch (for a lap steel, blues tune).
When I got back home, I tried it again, but this time I plugged directly into the TTF. This seemed to work better, but then I am bypassing the entire front end of the Stereo Steel.
This unit came with a bunch of Jeff Newman patches- but it seems that these are useless if you are plugging directly into the TTF, since they were written for the profex II and do not use the TB effect (Jack Stoner noted this on an earlier post). If a patch doesn't use TB, you cannot use the pre/post gain or the tone controls at all!
So- I guess my basic question here is- do many of you use a TTF in an effects loop of another amp/preamp, or do you simply connect it to a power amp and plug your steel into the front?
(I have temporarily gone back to my nash 400 for gigs until I get this worked out!)[/b]
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 8:14 am
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You are sending a line level into Transtubefex input designed for a guitar level signal. Yes, you will get a lot of hiss if the levels are set wrong. Here are the instructions I use for a Profex 2 into an effects loop, same would apply for the Transtubefex. You have to set the global volume levels (in the global menu). You cannot access them if a tube is in the patch. Use a Newman setting that does not have a tube to access the global volumes.
For using an effects loop:
1- Set the amp (or your preamp)for normal working volume level without the Profex II (TTFEX) in the loop. Then put the unit in the effects loop
2- Turn off/down the Profex output level
(Transtubefex post gain in the global menu).
3- Plug the “Effect-out” jack of the guitar amp (your Walker preamp)to the “Input” jack of the Profex II (TTFEX).
4- Set the of the Profex 2 input volume (input volume of the Transtubefex in the global menu) to where the green overload LED light comes on occasion only while playing your guitar (watch the LED/ light, as you can't hear anything at this point). This may require a low setting on the Profex II “Input Level control knob”, as the amp’s “Effect-out” signal is much hotter than the guitar pickup’s signal. Turn down the effects out on the Walker unit so that the pre gain is in the 50-60 range on the TTFEX with the input light just turning green when playing the steel)
5- Once the input level is set for the Profex II (TTFEX), plug the output of the Profex II (TTFEX) into the “Effects-Return” jack of the amp (Evans preamp).
6- Now slowly increase the output level on in until the amp is back to the playing volume in step #1 |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 9:06 am TB patches vs non tube patches
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Thanks for the info, Ken. Very helpful!
So- would you suggest that if I am going to use it in th effects loop, that I do not use any patches that start with the TB?
Or, can I use TB patches and calibrate the pre/post settings for each, just as I would do with the global settings? Or- will having TB involved increase my noise level too much?
Maybe the right thing to do is use NON TB patches for effects loop use, and TB patches for plugging directly into the TTFEX.
Once I get this all settled out, I'll be ordering one of your battery-less chips. This unit had the battery replaced at Peavey a year ago.
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 9:39 am
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| Once you do the setup you can use any setting with or without tubes. The above is a one time set up |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 11:13 am
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Ken, would these setup instructions also be true for the TubeFex? I just have not used mine since you completly went thru it as I haven't been able to set it up correctly, one of the Emmons patches (14?) has a very loud pop when switching between patches. I maybe have not spent enough time with it  |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 11:34 am pops between patches
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I believe the tubefex will work nearly exactly the same as the transtubefex.
I have noticed the pops sometimes when switching patches. I think it is a good idea to lower the amp vol when switching.
The reality is that I'll probably only use about 3 or 4 patches on a gig. One with reverb only, one with reverb and a teeny delay, and a crunch patch for raunchy lap steel. Maybe a real bright patch for doing Ralph Mooney licks.
It would be interesting to know how many patches folks actually use, after getting over the novelty of the crazy spaceship sounds you can make  .
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2007 12:28 pm
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Yes, it would be the same procedure.
What you are attempting to do is set us the best signal to noise ratio.
This is very important when setting up any external rack mount effects device into any piece of equipment. |
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