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Electrochemica… 17 October 2011

Ok, so I've been battling a seemingly simple problem for ages. All I want to do is play bass into ableton, then send the processed signal out to an amp. Right now I have it set up so I run the bass into Ableton through the DI slot on my Mbox, then from a track in there, send that signal out one of the Mbox's output's. The output is run into a Radial X-Amp, then into my amp.

The problem is I have to turn my amp 100% to max volume, and I still get about 10% of the volume I get when I just plug the bass straight in. Everything in the signal chain is about as maxed as they can go (which, when mixed with the crappy electricity of this house makes the static unbearable). Any ideas? Thanks!

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Boswell Tue, 10/18/2011 - 02:45

Assuming your X-Amp is not faulty, and the level control next to the "direct" out on the X-Amp is turned up, this setup should be relatively easy to get working, and the problem may be something as simple as a mis-wired cable.

Before giving you a list of things to try and report back, it would help if you could describe exactly which connectors on the MBox, X-Amp and guitar amp you are using, and (importantly) the types of interconnecting cables - TS guitar lead, balanced TRS-XLR lead etc.

Electrochemica… Tue, 10/18/2011 - 09:57

Gotcha, ok let's see. From bass to Mbox I have simple 1/4" instrument cable (monster brand). This is plugged into Input 1 of my Mbox Pro, which also functions as a DI. I am getting clean good signal at least that far, because when I just send the audio to the master output instead of an external output everything sounds good.

Now I'm not entirely knowledgeable about the differences between 1/4" cables, so this is where the problem is most likely located. From here, I am running a 1/4" cable (radio shack brand) out of Output 3 on my Mbox, to a 1/4"-female to XLR-male converter, which is plugged into the X-Amp input. From there, a 1/4" planet waves instrument cable runs from the Isolated output 2 of the X-amp into my amp head.

The biggest glaring thing to me is the converter set-up, but I couldn't find a 1/4" male to XLR male cable, which it seems this set-up requires. Anything jump out at you? Thanks again

bouldersound Tue, 10/18/2011 - 11:04

ElectrochemicalReaction, post: 377357 wrote: Now I'm not entirely knowledgeable about the differences between 1/4" cables, so this is where the problem is most likely located. From here, I am running a 1/4" cable (radio shack brand) out of Output 3 on my Mbox, to a 1/4"-female to XLR-male converter, which is plugged into the X-Amp input.

The output is probably a balanced TRS connection. You are using an unbalanced TS cable (your guitar cord), and then adapting that back to balanced XLR. This is almost certainly the point of failure. Probably the way to fix the problem is to get a TRS (looks like a headphone plug rather than a guitar cord plug) to XLR cable to maintain a proper balanced line connection from the MBox to the X-Amp. If you can't get a TRS-XLR cable locally you can order one online from Parts Express, Markertek, Sweetwater, Full Compass etc. Be sure to specify male ends.

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