The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi guys
I have an evans preamp with an MPX 100
running direct to the PA.
The problem I am having is the signal
is too hot that I am sending to the PA
they have it padded and my outputs are at 3
input is at 3 MPX 100 Input is at 1 and it
is still too hot I'm using BL710's , that
could make a difference.... any help would
be appreciated

Thanx
Steve Smith....

If only Larry Dee were here, he'd know what to do.

Steve, are you using a direct box? Are you going into a low Z input on the PA with a high Z signal. Just a thought. I am very weak on such tech. matters.
Jerry

Thanks Andy... Don't we know it

Jerry, all I know is, is that I am taking
2 x 1/4" jacks from my left & right out to
2 direct boxes that have xlr connectors to
the p.a. so I am guessing that I am hi-z
although the xlr's convert the signal to low-z. Also, my headphone jack is clean as can be.

Thanks Jerry and Andy!
Steve Smith.

I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago when I was furnished a direct box by the house sound guys. My signal was too hot and they couldn't cool it down. So I used my own Behringer Ultra DI box and it solved the problem. I was using a new Evans combo amp.

Without knowing all the details, I would have to say that the problem lies in taking a line level signal from the Evans and patching it into a mic level input on the front of house console, or using an instrument level DI box to split a line level signal. Some direct boxes can't handle line level. Some consoles have a separate 1/4 inch input for line level and an XLR for mics and are not interchaneable, meaning a separate inputs must be used. I would try skipping the direct box altogether and patch into a line level input on the console. You make no mention of using speakers for the Evans pre, so I won't suggest micing it. I would think that a reasonably experienced sound person would be able to figure this one out in a hurry.

It could be one of two problems. The DI may have a circuit (if it's active)or a transformer (if it's passive) that is being overloaded and distorting. If the signal is clean coming out of the DI and the mixers input is distorting it could be that the mixer's mic input will not pad down far enough. In either case just turn down the level of the last piece of gear before hitting the DI to about instrument level. If that makes things too noisy or if you don't have enough volume for your headphone feed (I assume that is how you are hearing yourself), there are DI's that have pads on them like the ProCo DB-1. By the way, a DB-1 will take a fair amount of level before distorting and you could just add pads between the DI's and the mixer inputs. Using a DI is the best way to get your direct signal into a mixer only because it can provide isolation from ground loops and resulting hum. Going direct in with 1/4" line level may work if you are in a favorable grounding situation. Good luck!

TC Furlong