Installing the mono/stereo switch

[goran]

I have old Series 1 and I want you thoughts on installing mono/stereo switch on it? I don't know if it's even possible,but right now just need you thoughts on that.

thanks
Goran

[JimmyJ]

Hey Goran,

Or ... you could just decide.  Ha!  The choice between mono and stereo output is already available at the power supply and that is the "normal" way to run our basses.  I always thought of the 1/4" output as a "backup" of sorts, to be used either when the power supply was un-available or just to sit in for a few songs at a jam session.  Although I do use it for tuning in some situations, I never liked the idea of depending on battery power on the job.

When I first got into Alembics I did run stereo amp rigs.  It's a joy to hear that huge clean sound using separate amps for each pickup.  But only a joy for you and a few nearby listeners...  I have only on very rare occasions recorded in stereo.  And in those cases I would only split the channels slightly left and right of center.  The result sounded like a mono bass signal but with slightly more open overtones - in a nice way.  But again, only on rare occasions.

So modifying the bass itself with a mono/stereo switch wouldn't be for me but it's your axe so you can do whatever you want with it!  Everybody has their own special tweaks and that's the way we personalize our instruments.

Jimmy J

[lbpesq]

Old #10, like some other early Alembics, has a little stereo/mono switch for the 1/4" output, so it is possible.  However, I agree with Jimmy that the usefulness of such a switch is questionable.  On #10, I leave it on mono all the time.

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

When I was up at Alembic last week Mica told me they no longer install the mono/stereo switches in Series instruments unless specifically requested since it is redundant. But, redundant for some may not mean for others, if you think a switch would be useful to you it is certainly possible to put one in.

[goran]

Thank you all for your vies on that, well I just use it as mono (always) and I'll order a stereo to mono cable, because I'm not good with soldering and scared of doing it to mono output.

Yea, as Jimmy said, I just need it for few songs sometimes (specially when it's a concert with rented backline and a lot of bands are playing), don't want to bring the power supply and then leave it on sage until my show starts.

Ok, I'm off the idea of installing the mono/stereo switch... thanks guys

[mica]

The stereo/mono switch is not exactly redundant, but that there are already lots of controls to handle, and very few people actually use it. But if you need it, of course we're happy to put one in.

[lembic76450]

Goran,  you might find having 2 cables to your advantage.  You could have
a true stereo cord, TRS  to 2-1/4" ends for either 2 amps or 2 channels and
a TRS to a single 1/4" with summing resistors.  I have both, but, since getting
the second example, that has been my go to for rehearsals and opening act/multi
act shows.  Just remember to keep your batteries current.  I keep an extra pair
of 9 volts in my gig bag.

[goran]

Thanks all, Mica I would love to install it in my bass, but situated in Europe that's a bit of problem, I'm not sure if I'll ever use my bass stereo with batteries and if I really need stereo I could just use it with power supply. So, I'm gonna transfer jack to mono, that's the best thing for me!

[rv_bass]

Goran, i use stereo to mono cables from this source, works great and I don’t have to modify the jack.  But as mentioned above, use fresh batteries and keep spares in your case,

https://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=92&zenid=80baf4e2a5fc9b3c87b03ad9cd0c4539

[goran]

Hey, yea just yesterday I wanted to order cables from them, but no international shipping... Spare batteries are always a good choice . Thanks

[goran]

Just wondering if you guys know this (you probably do).

If I have on through 5 pin cable and I can hear myself on amp, is it possible to put also headphones into jack and hear myself through headphones and amp at the same time?

thanks

[JimmyJ]

Good question Goran but I think the answer is no.  I wouldn't recommend trying it because it would be like plugging your headphones into the input of your amp.  (By the way, if you did that and spoke into the left earpiece it would probably work like a funky microphone).  The 1/4" jack also turns on the bass's battery power so if you did that while your DS-5 and amp was on and turned up it would likely send a large transient down the audio line.

I say this all without ever trying these combinations, even by accident.  But I'll take the opportunity to mention that as long as the bass pickup selector is in the "off" position you can plug and unplug the 5-pin cable - at the bass - without a problem.  But if the bass is "on" and you do that you will send a large "THUMP" down the line.  That one I have accidentally done numerous times, followed by be shouting "sorry"!


Jimmy J

[lbpesq]

Ah yes, I know that "Sorry" well, Jimmy!  For me it usually follows me screwing up the lyrics and throwing the arrangement off.  The bottom line is that we human-types just aren't as close to perfection as are our Alembics!

Bill, tgo

[goran]

Great, I didn't try it, was kind of weird to do that, but yea, took my bass today to a guys that will convert it to mono....
Thanks Jimmy

I let you how it goes

[mica]

You got the instructions on the FAQ page? Make sure your guy adds the mixing resistors.

For your question about using the 5-pin and and the 1/4" stereo output at the same time, you can! Plug them in when you have the amp down of course, but it will work. You will be using exclusively battery power though, but you can use the outputs on the DS-5 the same as usual. Once you convert to mono, you can't use the headphone function anymore, but you ca still use the 1/4" mono out to something like a tuner, but again, if anything is pluged in the 1/4" output, the power source switches to battery only.