Author Topic: F-1X/Mix Board can't handle bass signal (Read 180 times)

charles_holmes · « **on:** January 08, 2012, 06:11:18 AM »

Hey guys,
Here's my delima/scenario. I use two F-1X's, One for treble and one for bass and each has it's own channel going into the sound man's mixer. The mixer that our sound man uses is a Berringer 24 channel. Anyway, when I go direct using the F-1X (treble) the signal is perfect but when I try to go direct using the F-1X for bass, the Berringer can't seem to handle the signal, the house speakers breakup (farts so-to-speak). Consequently I have to put a microphone in front of the speakers where the bottom is coming from thus losing prescence. What could be the problem? The guys in my band are trying to say that something is wrong with my F-1X and I do not believe that there is something wrong with the F-1X. Has anybody faced this particular issue? Or does something need to be adjusted inside my F-1X?..Mica, has an issue such as mine ever been presented to you? Suggestions please!!!

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2012, 06:47:13 AM »

Have you tried switching the F-1X you use for bass with the one for treble to see if the problem moves with the F-1X? If it follows the preamp or does not occur when you use the treble preamp for bass then it is most likely a problem in the one F-1X.

The other guess is the Berringer channel is being over driven for the bass frequencies. Is the pad enabled and gain set correctly on mixer? Have you tried a higher quality mixer? Have you tried a different known good xlr cable and different channel?

Keith

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:18:25 AM »

I'm with Keith. First thing to do is swap the preamps; easy to do, easy to reverse, and (we hope) tells them immediately that you're not the problem. Then check the pad. And even if the problem is one of those, lose the Berringer! You probably don't need a Gamble or a Neve, but even a Peavy would be a noticable upgrade.

Peter

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:35:00 AM »

I'd say... 1) Swap the F1-xs, 2) Try other cables to get to the console. 3) Are you going out from XLR outputs? Try using line outputs and a direct box, to rule out the XLR pad. 4) Try other channels in the console. 5) Since it seems to happen only in the lows section... try the whole system (if everything above fails) in a WAY lower volume setting, compare if it happens the same both in PA and monitors, to rule out a failure in the PA system (in other words... try another soundguy, Hehehe!).

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2012, 09:52:31 AM »

In addition to the other excellent suggestions provided above, also check to see if changing the pre/post switch on the F-1X makes a difference.

As the other posts have alluded to, you want to check each part of the signal chain. Having said that, it does seem that you may be overdriving the mixer channel; and as others suggested, the pad switch and gain control on that channel are a good place to start.

Another thing to consider after checking all of the suggestions in the other posts, is the amount of signal you are sending to the board. Thus you would want to look at where the gain levels are set on the back plate of your Series bass, where you have the volume settings on the front of the bass, and the volume and b/m/t levels on the F-1X. It may be that the board can't handle the amount of signal coming in even if the channel's pad and gain controls are set properly.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2012, 02:57:00 PM »

Thank you guys!
I did indeed switch the F-1X's and had the same result (did that a few months ago).Dave would you please send me the link to the back plates
That's something I never really looked into. I'm not sure which potentiometer corresponds with each pickup. Thank you all very, very much..I agree that upgrading the console would add a noticable difference though!

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2012, 07:51:16 PM »

Here it is.

edwin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2012, 10:18:00 PM »

Lose the Behringer. It's like expecting a Vespa to run on rocket fuel. Clearly you are overdriving the input, and it's something that every decent mixing board should handle.

You could also put a pad on the output of the F1X. You can find the necessaries to make one yourself here:
http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

Or buy one from
http://www.amazon.com/Karma-Audio-Productions-Line-Microphone/dp/B003U5ZJNK

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:55:30 AM »

Indeed, Dave's explanation makes the most sense.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2012, 10:05:32 AM »

Many Thanks to you for the information to purchase a pad Mr. Ed! Expecting a Vespa to run on rocket fuel Hee hee!!!!!

willie · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:15:50 PM »

Are you using a compressor?
I still have to get back to you on the alternate way of rigging your system I spoke to you about before for Bi-Amping the out put of each pick up using 2 stereo power amps and 4 cabinets and the Bi-Amp outputs from your 2 F-1X's.
Will