F-1X and WT550

[rv_bass]

Hi,
I recently purchased an F-1X and would like to try it out using my Rden WT550 as the power amp.  I know others have posted stating a dedicated power amp is better to use than a bass head, but that's not an option for me right now.  So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best way to hook up the F-1X to the WT550.
Thanks,
Rob

[mtjam]

I would run a cable from the F1-X full range to the 550's Effects return. That's what I do with mine, and it works pretty well.

[hieronymous]

Plugging into the effects return bypasses the Eden preamp, right? I would think you could experiment with plugging into the regular input as well, set everything flat and use the F1-X for tonal shaping, just don't overload the input. I've considered doing that with my F-2B into my GK MB-112 II combo.

[mtjam]

Yes, plugging into the effects return bypasses the Eden's preamp.
 
Did it last night with my Aguilar Tone Hammer, and it sounded great as usual.

[rv_bass]

Thanks very much.  I would first like to see how it sounds bypassing the Eden preamp, so I'll try plugging it into the effects return as mtjam suggested and see how that goes.  
Thanks!

[rv_bass]

Deleted double post.
 
(Message edited by RV BASS on March 29, 2015)
 
(Message edited by RV BASS on March 29, 2015)

[rv_bass]

I just read through the Eden manual, which states that the effects return joins the signal chain prior to the amp's tone controls and depending upon the year the compressor as well.  So, the amp's tone controls need to be set flat, compressor disengaged, and enhance control turned off.  It will be interesting to hear how the F-1X sounds with the WT550 (set flat).
Thanks!

[rustyg61]

Robert, I just bought a F-2B preamp & was using the power amp section of my Eden WT800. With the WT800 you have the option of tying into the power amp either pre or post EQ, so I experimented & tried setting my EQ flat on the Eden & tied in pre EQ, & it was a noticeable difference in sound going through the Eden EQ than bypassing the Eden EQ. It lost a lot of clarity going through the Eden EQ. So if you don't have the option to tie in post EQ I would suggest getting a seperate power amp if you can. I traded my WT800 for a QSC GX7 & it sounds MUCH better than the Eden power amp did.

[rv_bass]

Thanks Rusty,
 
I received the F-1X yesterday and was playing around with it last night, and noticed the interference from the WT550's preamp that you described, so I'm going to go and check out the CSQ GX7 this afternoon.  Thanks for your comments!
Rob

[rustyg61]

You're welcome Robert! The GX7 is 800 watts into 8 ohms when running one channel & 725 watts into 8 ohms running both channels so it is much more power than the Eden & will really bring out the fullness & clarity of your F-1X. Don't worry if it is more wattage than your cabinets are rated for, I talked to Andy with ACME & Mark with Accugroove & they both recommended getting a power amp with more wattage than their cabinets are rated for. You are more likely to damage a speaker by clipping the amp than by overpowering the speaker. The GX7 only weighs 13 pounds too as opposed to my WT800 which was 26 pounds.

[rv_bass]

Thanks Rusty, I purchased a GX7 yesterday.  The F-1X is at the service center getting all cleaned up and checked out to make sure it's in good working order.  I look forward to hearing how they sound together!
Rob

[rv_bass]

I just got my F-1X back from getting a check up and cleaning and plugged it into the GX7 for the first time, wow that's a lot of power and clarity!  My Orion bass sounds like a monster through this set up! To start I'm running two Eden D112 cabs (8 ohms each) through one channel (4 ohm load total), they handle 350 watts each (700 total), so I should be OK.  
 
I'm wondering about the set up though.  I'm going out of the Fullrange from the F-1X into the Channel 1 input in the GX7 using 1/4 plugs.  Does that sound like the correct connection?
 
I also have an Eden D210(4 ohms) cab (handles 500 watts), so I was wondering if I could split the signal coming out of the Fullrange from the F-1X using an ABY box and plug into both Channel 1 and Channel 2 on the GX7 with 1/4 inch plugs? This would allow me to use all of the cabs.  I'll have to be careful with volume so I don't pop the speakers, but does this sound like a correct connection set up?
 
Thanks very much for your input!
 
Rob

[rustyg61]

Hey Robert, glad to hear you like the QSC, you are right, it has LOTS of power! I went round & round trying different ways to send the same signal to both channels on the QSC, & what you need to do is continue to use the full range  1/4 output on your F-1X into the 1/4 input on the channel A on the QSC, then get a XLR to TRS cable & jumper from the XLR input on channel A to the 1/4 input on channel B. Guitar Center sells a 1' cable like this & it works perfect!  
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Livewire-TRS---XLR-M--Patch-Cable-101046324-i1166979.gc
 
The input jacks on the QSC are both high impedance inputs & are wired in parallel so you can jumper from one to the other without any issues.  
 
I have seen questions on if it would be better to use the balanced line out XLR jack on the F-1X to go into the QSC, but that will not work well, you will loose a lot of power that way. The balanced out on the F-1X is designed to go into a mixer at mic level, & the inputs on the QSC are designed to take a line level signal which is much hotter. So you are better off using the 1/4 output on the F-1X.
 
Rusty

[keith_h]

As Rusty said all you need to do is jumper the Channel A input on the amp to the Channel B input. You can use an XLR to XLR jumper, XLR to TRS jumper or XLR to TS jumper.  
 
With the short cable lengths involved in hooking up the F-1X to the amplifier it won't matter if they are balanced or unbalanced. The only time the requirement for balanced lines comes into play is longer cable runs such as those between the stage area and mixing console.  
 
Keith

[rv_bass]

Rusty and Keith,
 
Thanks for your comments.  Looks like a quick and easy fix, I'll pick up the cable in the morning!
 
Rob