Bongo and DI box buzz

[lebowsky]

hey all, I got a questions I hope you may have some information on.

I play a Bongo through an Eden amp, which I plan to replace because I dislike the controls, I can never dial in the proper volume I want to on it. I don't know yet what I will replace it with (Markbass, hmmmm ). One thing I know, is that I never had any problem playing my Bongo through it at gigs, with the Direct Out from the amp going to the soundboard.

Now I recently had to play a gig through another amp (gig with another band, we took the drums, they took the bass amp), which didn't have a DI out, and the soundman didn't want to mic it ("too much of a hassle"), so he put a DI box (BSS iirc) to go from my Bongo to the soundboard. but MAN, that thing was buzzing like crazy. he tried several ones, switching the lift/ground toggle, no go, I had to use the passive f***** from the other bassist.

so I wanted to know if other people experienced similar problems with the 18v Bongo preamp? is my Eden is particularly well isolated/whatever, can I change amp with no risk of getting a buzzy Direct Out from a MB/GK/etc?

thanks for reading!

 

[mynan]

I can think of at least half a dozen things besides your Bongo that could have caused your problem. I play at my church, where I'm also one of the sound guys. We have about 3 different players for each instrument that rotate on a schedule and they all, understandably, want to play their own instruments throught their own amps and FX, gadgets, etc. I see these kinds of problems all the time. It can be a huge hassle. We recently got a few active DI boxes, including a Sansamp programmable BDDI for the bass players. This has almost completely eliminated our buzz problems. I don't play a lot of road gigs anymore, using other people's gear, but if I did I would make it a priority to invest in a Sansamp or some other active DI box. You could get a good passive DI box, but they don't seem to isolate as well from electrical/grounding problems.

 

[Psychicpet]

I would check the cable first, then the battery in the bongo. aside from that I'd say it's something else and not the Bongo.

I've done many shows going direct with my Bongo and it's actually one of the only basses that has never had grounding issues for me. I reeeeeally would suspect something other than the Bongo IMO

 

[Aussie Mark]

Fluorescent lights, dimmers, bar fridges, glass washing machines, poorly wired venues, dodgy DI, lots of potential causes ......

 

[SharonG]

The MB has a ground switch - reversing that usually does it for me. Once had a problem with being on the same circiut as fluorescent lights. Running to another box took care of that.

 

[oli@bass]

Once had a problem with being on the same circiut as fluorescent lights.

AFAIK, that's a very bad idea, as in "live threatening situation".