PF350 Fault w/ SansAmp BDDI Deluxe

[AndrewM]

So, after posting about my PF350 experiencing the fault light coming on and ceasing to make noise, I have since discovered that this only happens when I'm using a recently acquired SansAmp BDDI Deluxe. I have tried running it into the effects return on the back of the amp, and also into the front of the amp. In my opinion it sounds a little better through the front of the amp, but that's beside the point. Even with low-gain settings at a reasonable volume it seems as though the fault light will eventually come on and stay on until I power off/power on the amp head.

Any ideas as to what could be happening?

 

[Gearhead17]

What are the EQ settings on the BDDI pedal? You are possibly injecting too much volume/low end into your PF350. Or that pedal is severely screwed up. Do you have anything else you can play the pedal through to compare?

 

[AndrewM]

Unfortunately the PF350 is my only head. I'll try turning down the bass a little bit, it seems to be up pretty high although you wouldn't guess it by the tone

 

[Gearhead17]

What kind of bass are you using and how are the controls set? The reason I ask is because your bass may have the bass knob boosted, the BDDI could have the bass knob past halfway and the bass knob on the PF350 may also be boosted. Your PF350 can only put out so much sound and this might be putting the amp into protect mode because you are simply asking your setup to do way more than it can.

 

[AndrewM]

Warwick Thumb 5 BO. All controls set flat, evenly split between the pickups, and then just a slight boost on the treble knob

The bass knob on the head was at about 12 o'clock, and at about 1 o'clock on the BDDI

 

[JimmyM]

What about volume? Do you crank the BDDI so it's a lot louder with it on than when you turn it off?

 

[tech21nyc]

Try setting the pedal for unity gain. This means the active signal level of the Bass Driver is the same level as your instrument without the pedal. You should not have the 1/4" out "boost" switch engaged when going into the front of the amp. Did you try the PAD switch on the front of the unit? Is the amp free standing? Those amps can overheat if there is not enough ventilation. Is the limiter on the amp engaged?

It would also help to know how you have the controls set on the amp. If you're running the amp fairly maxed out depending upon the impedance of the cab, the amp may always be on the verge of running out of headroom. Most digital amps have built in limiters to prevent the output from being over driven. It looks like Ampeg gives the user the choice.

Either way the pedal shouldn't have anything to do with the amp shutting down.