preamp + boost? + poweramp advice

[patrickj]

I'm completely rethinking my rig. Bear with me.

[at it's simplest...]
I run a pedal preamp (BDI21) into a power amp (nuke3000). With just those two components the volume is fairly low, so I add in a rack compressor (Output knob adds up to +15dB). Volume issues are gone, no clipping anywhere, everything seems fine.

Is this the right way of doing things? I assume there's some sort of impedance? imbalance between the preamp and power amp. What goes in the middle that matches the two properly?

 

[Noylin]

I'd guess it's a sensitivity issue - the pedal can't fully drive the amp, but the compressor can. That's a fine way of doing things... If you wanted to cut out the compressor, you'd need to switch power amps to something easier to drive (greater sensitivity, which is a lower voltage number), like a crest prolite.

See the second half of this article: Preamps Explained

 

[patrickj]

Thank you!

I did a bit of searching and found this thread: Art Tube MP into a power amp - Anyone tried this?

Is my case a similar example of where an ART Tube preamp's +20dB would be useful? I would like to cut out the rack compressor.

 

[Noylin]

Yes, the Art would get you there

 

[nomeX]

I'm currently running a Peavey Max Preamp into a Peavey Classic 60/60 biamped to a Classic 410e for highs and GK MBE 212 full range. I think I will add a rack compressor, since I'm going rack, anyway. I am totally sold on a 6U rack rig now. My problem is all this Tube Preamp GAS! I just got a Crate TDP-1, BK Tube Driver and Blue Tube. I'm loving my rig right now, but the funny thing is, I sound the same, or can dial in my setting on all my rigs to sound the same-- I'm happy and worried at the same time.

 

[Jack]

In my search for something to go between my mxr pedal and my qsc amp I ended up with a Presonus Studio Channel. A preamp or channel strip such as that would be the best bet.