Members ToeJamFootball Posted November 9, 2008 Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 I understand what they do, but just wonder why? When I use my active basses, I always still leave all the active/passive switches on Passive. To me it just seems like the all it changes is I have to turn my amp up. Am I missing something? Does useing the active switch give me more headroom or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted November 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted November 9, 2008 When I use my active basses, I always still leave all the active/passive switches on Passive. To me it just seems like the all it changes is I have to turn my amp up. Am I missing something? Does useing the active switch give me more headroom or something? It allows you more control of your gain staging. It is typically a pad to prevent unintended input overload when running your front end equipmenr at their optimal settings. Since active basses aren't necessarily any "hotter" than passive basses, the passive/active label is a bit of a disservice, but it is convention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted November 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 If you really did, you wouldn't have posted this. It allows you more control of your gain staging. It is typically a pad to prevent unintended input overload when running your front end equipmenr at their optimal settings. Since active basses aren't necessarily any "hotter" than passive basses, the passive/active label is a bit of a disservice, but it is convention. OK. Is there any benefits other than that? I think it sounds better with the active bass through my gear on passive. And the input gain isn't clipping, so there's no problem right? EDIT: I have two Aphex pedals each with active/passive switches, and then there is the one on my amp. Now if all three are switched to Active, does that mean I have 3 -6db pads all added up? I guess your right I don't really understand them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted November 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted November 9, 2008 I guess your right I don't really understand them. - you probably do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted November 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 No. Exactly. Exactly. - you probably do Hahah, thanks man, you rock.So really, if I wanted to get an idea of how the rig would sound if I was using the active mode, I should go through and trial it on each of the pedals and the amp separately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted November 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted November 9, 2008 So really, if I wanted to get an idea of how the rig would sound if I was using the active mode, I should go through and trial it on each of the pedals and the amp separately? Sure, but I'd always start with all on passive unless something isn't working right. Then I'd fix any issue by using an active pad only where needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted November 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 Sure, but I'd always start with all on passive unless something isn't working right. Then I'd fix any issue by using an active pad only where needed. Ok, cool. That sounds more like it. I was just reading the Manual for these pedals and it said to set them to active when using an active bass. But I think it just makes it sound {censored}. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't hurting anything. Thanks again man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xbassman Posted November 9, 2008 Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 On this same subject, I am surprised I have never seen and attenuator control along with the switch. (Just like a lot of DI's use)Considering the wide range of outputs between various basses whether active or passive.It would surely make switching basses with dissimilar pickups a lot easier IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hi.flyer Posted November 9, 2008 Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 Passive>active :poke: Just IMO, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted November 9, 2008 Members Share Posted November 9, 2008 the active switch is for 'hot' pickupsnot all active pups are hotsome passive areuse common sense and if you have a gain setting let that be your adjustmentusing a passive pup into an active input tends to make the volume not only lower for similar passive setting but darkens the tonei always used the passive input even with EMG actives and altered the gain setting..i have a clip led on my combo so that alerts me to overdriving the preamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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