What is a "line out" output for?
- Thread starter DBras
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dystrust
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Line out is a line-level out which is typically used for recording / PA or to slave into another amp. You can't drive a cab directly with it, however you could run the line out to a power amp which in turn would drive extra cab(s).
Line out is a line-level out which is typically used for recording / PA or to slave into another amp. You can't drive a cab directly with it, however you could run the line out to a power amp which in turn would drive extra cab(s).
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dg27
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Excellent question, Dbras--thanks.
This raises another question related to yours: Can the line out be used to go into an audio interface? My MusicMan tube head has a balanced line out labeled "+4 dBm." It'd be great if I could use the head without any cabs for recording.
Excellent question, Dbras--thanks.
This raises another question related to yours: Can the line out be used to go into an audio interface? My MusicMan tube head has a balanced line out labeled "+4 dBm." It'd be great if I could use the head without any cabs for recording.
dystrust
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
You absolutely can; that +4dbv means that it's a full line level signal rather than instrument level. Depending on various factors it may not sound that great; all I can suggest is to try it and see how it sounds.
You absolutely can; that +4dbv means that it's a full line level signal rather than instrument level. Depending on various factors it may not sound that great; all I can suggest is to try it and see how it sounds.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
A lot of people go direct instead of micing bass cabs.
DBras
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Well it is a hundred watt amp, but sometimes with the drums and other amps it's kinda quiet so I might try it
Well it is a hundred watt amp, but sometimes with the drums and other amps it's kinda quiet so I might try it
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
100 watts (solid state) is not that loud in the bass amp world, I would certainly encourage using it to go to the PA IF you PA can handle it without muddying everything up/ losing the vocals etc.
If you have any extra cash, I would recommend getting a dedicated DI or something like a sansamp which has a built in DI (and will be easier to justify sending money as you can do much more with it), both will serve better in feeding a PA, for some reason I've never heard a 'line out' or 'D.I. out' on a bass amp that I liked or didn't give me trouble (hum etc.).
100 watts (solid state) is not that loud in the bass amp world, I would certainly encourage using it to go to the PA IF you PA can handle it without muddying everything up/ losing the vocals etc.
If you have any extra cash, I would recommend getting a dedicated DI or something like a sansamp which has a built in DI (and will be easier to justify sending money as you can do much more with it), both will serve better in feeding a PA, for some reason I've never heard a 'line out' or 'D.I. out' on a bass amp that I liked or didn't give me trouble (hum etc.).
dg27
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
I have the Tech21 BassDriver and it's outstanding.
View attachment BassDriver-OM1.pdf
I have the Tech21 BassDriver and it's outstanding.
View attachment BassDriver-OM1.pdf
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Check the manual: it could be either. In theory, "Line Out" should be for a PA, but not everyone labels their stuff properly.
Check the manual: it could be either. In theory, "Line Out" should be for a PA, but not everyone labels their stuff properly.
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Your a bass player, the more headroom you got to play with the better. 50w is a joke for bass IMO.
dg27- I have a bass driver as well, best thing I ever bought for bass and GREAT to record with.
Your a bass player, the more headroom you got to play with the better. 50w is a joke for bass IMO.
dg27- I have a bass driver as well, best thing I ever bought for bass and GREAT to record with.
One Bad Monkey
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
It all depends on who made the amp in question. A 50w amp from most companies is a practice amp, suitable for the bedroom. Something like the Double Four from Phil Jones Bass (which is 75w) I use regularly with 37 piece orchestras with no support and it's fine. The DF does have a line out, but the soundmen I deal with usually like having a regular DI box instead, because they're used to that and know how to EQ from it so I don't bother.
All of the Tech21 stuff is great - if you want THAT sound. If you have a tone that you like already and you don't want to screw with it or have anything added to the chain that will impose its sound upon yours (which I found their stuff does), grab a regular DI box and call it good.
It all depends on who made the amp in question. A 50w amp from most companies is a practice amp, suitable for the bedroom. Something like the Double Four from Phil Jones Bass (which is 75w) I use regularly with 37 piece orchestras with no support and it's fine. The DF does have a line out, but the soundmen I deal with usually like having a regular DI box instead, because they're used to that and know how to EQ from it so I don't bother.
All of the Tech21 stuff is great - if you want THAT sound. If you have a tone that you like already and you don't want to screw with it or have anything added to the chain that will impose its sound upon yours (which I found their stuff does), grab a regular DI box and call it good.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
+4db is a balanced out for professional gear. If you are thinking of going into a -10db consumer recorder, the level will not be right. If it's 1/4" jack, it will require a TRS cable, not a TS cable.
Keep in mind tube amps are designed to drive speaker cabinets, not line outs, so a significant part of your tone is that cabinet and its speakers. Tapping your sound off the line out is before all that, so it can end up harsh, brittle or have otherwise unsavory results in the recording that require 'treatment'.
Also, you don't want to run a tube amp without a speaker load. You'll burn it up. So if you want to not use a cab, you'll still need to have a power soak / attenuator hooked to the speaker out at least.
+4db is a balanced out for professional gear. If you are thinking of going into a -10db consumer recorder, the level will not be right. If it's 1/4" jack, it will require a TRS cable, not a TS cable.
Keep in mind tube amps are designed to drive speaker cabinets, not line outs, so a significant part of your tone is that cabinet and its speakers. Tapping your sound off the line out is before all that, so it can end up harsh, brittle or have otherwise unsavory results in the recording that require 'treatment'.
Also, you don't want to run a tube amp without a speaker load. You'll burn it up. So if you want to not use a cab, you'll still need to have a power soak / attenuator hooked to the speaker out at least.
dg27
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
Wow--did not know that.
Holy sheet..I think I knew that once but had forgotten...
Thanks for a very informative reply!
Wow--did not know that.
Holy sheet..I think I knew that once but had forgotten...
Thanks for a very informative reply!
dystrust
New member
Re: What is a "line out" output for?
This is not true. A balanced line output is designed to use a TRS cable, but will work just fine with a TS one. Your biggest worry when going into a -10db recorder will be clipping due to the much hotter signal from a +4db source. The only other difference when running a TS cable into a balanced input will be slightly higher noise floor. Balanced connections carry two copies of the signal out of phase with each other so that noise can be canceled when they're re-combined. A TS cable can only carry one of the copies, so this canceling isn't possible.
This is more true in the guitar world than the bass one since guitar speakers and cabinets tend to be more colored than bass ones. This doesn't mean that your amp's DI will sound good (it may not) but the bass sounds you hear both on albums and at live shows is far more likely to be DI than mic'd.
This is absolutely true. Most solid state amps can be safely run without speakers connected, but tube amps need a load to prevent damage.
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