Ampeg SCR-DI Question

[MrBassman17]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or not, but here it is: I just got and installed my Ampeg SCR-DI. The signal path is : bass output to Planet Waves tuner/mute -> TC Electronics chorus -> BBS Sonic Mini -> SCR-DI -> Behringer iNuke 1000 (in bridged mode) -> Bugera 115 cab. With this setup, I have the volume on the Ampeg and on the iNuke maxed out. I control the volume with the knob on my bass, and I get adequate volume.
Heres the question : Should I have to max-out the SCR-DI and amp to get 'adequate' (i.e. not really loud) volume? Seems I should have more output 'headroom'? Any thoughts/experience related to this?

 

[The_Janitor]

Are you using the 1/4" out or the XLR out? 1/4" out may not have enough output to properly drive the power amp.

 

[MrBassman17]

Are you using the 1/4" out or the XLR out? 1/4" out may not have enough output to properly drive the power amp.

I'm using the 1/4". The drive is up about 3/4 and mix as well. I don't understand - I previously had a Carvin pre-amp in the chain, instead of the Ampeg with no problem! You're saying that the SCR-DI has lower output?

 

[The_Janitor]

I'm using the 1/4". The drive is up about 3/4 and mix as well. I don't understand - I previously had a Carvin pre-amp in the chain, instead of the Ampeg with no problem! You're saying that the SCR-DI has lower output?

I don't know that for sure, but it definitely could have lower output than the Carvin, there's no real standard when it comes to bass/guitar preamps, especially those in pedal format.

I'd try an XLR cable from the SCR-DI to the Power Amp and see if that works better.

 

[Kenson]

I know that the pedal has a -15db (or what ever # neg. Db) inside the unit. You have to open it to see. Look up the user manual on ampeg and see if it's engaged. That could be the problem

 

[MrBassman17]

I know that the pedal has a -15db (or what ever # neg. Db) inside the unit. You have to open it to see. Look up the user manual on ampeg and see if it's engaged. That could be the problem

Hadn't thought about that - the instructions say you have to remove the back plate, no biggie! Thank!

 

[Kenson]

Have you tried the di straight to the board? How does it sound? I'm on the fence on getting one. I'm going IEM for a couple of venues every week and want to run headless. Thought about this preamp and the VT bass pre. Also (extreme thought) the shift line Olympic MKIIIS

 

[crlujan]

I only use mine in the studio with an XLR. I only run the volume about halfway. Otherwise, it’s too much output.

 

[patrickj]

So the outputs of the scr either drive a channel (xlr) on a mixer (ie: DI) or go into a traditional preamp (1/4”). It won’t drive a power amp. I experience the same issue with my BDI21 and a nuke 3000. What I did is add an ART 1 channel preamp in front of the power amp.

Think of it as basically a 1 channel mixer -> power amp.

 

[MrBassman17]

So the outputs of the scr either drive a channel (xlr) on a mixer (ie: DI) or go into a traditional preamp (1/4”). It won’t drive a power amp. I experience the same issue with my BDI21 and a nuke 3000. What I did is add an ART 1 channel preamp in front of the power amp.

Think of it as basically a 1 channel mixer -> power amp.

Thanks, that's good to know. I am using the SCR-DI for my home studio, and am getting adequate volume out of the speaker, so I think I'll just leave it as is for the time being. I did notice the input signal to the channel on my Focusrite interface is quite pronounced, even though the gain is all the way down for that channel! When I do record, the bass channel is a separate track, so that won't be a problem either. I have to say that I am disappointed that I was totally unaware that this supposed 'preamp' isn't really that! I could have left the head I was using and not bothered with this whole evolution had I known! Ah well, live and learn!