Calling Bongo Tech Support!

[nicolasd]

Ok first, here's my new baby. Radiance Red Bongo 5 HSP!

I love this thing. And so far I keep all EQ flat as Kansas. But I've been tracking an elusive problem that may have a simple answer.

Clicking. or Buzzing. or Clipping. or Distortion.

depending on who you ask.

Now... before you say "turn it down," which may in fact be the problem, check this out.

I'm not getting this noise through my monitor. I'm not getting this noise through my on-stage amp.

I'll hear AFTER the show (and sound-check) that it sounded like the strings were hitting the pickups or that the loudest parts started buzzing. That's the maddening part. I'm not hearing it on stage. It's whatever signal is going to the house via the D/I box. (a Radial J48 for those of you playing along at home). I don't know why the front-of-house sound man is unable to avoid this situation.

This is not happening with my (LOVELY!) SR5 2006SE HP.

Obviously I need the stage volume I've set in order to hear what's going on. I'm not using earplugs.

I did lower the J-style pickup a bit (that's where my thumb rests and my fingers hit).

any ideas to open this convo?

thanks!

 

[mynan]

I think you hit it on the head with the title of your thread...

Call customer service. They may have some tips on the output signal, being that the Bongo has an 18v preamp.

866-82-EBALL

 

[bovinehost]

I really don't think CS is going to be helpful because - given that I am LOATHE to diagnosis setup problems or signal chain wackiness over the internet - I don't think it's the bass.

Really, when you think about it - and given that everything you've written is accurate - it can't be the the bass.

I'm not getting this noise through my monitor. I'm not getting this noise through my on-stage amp.

This seems to me to be quite clear. If you don't hear it through your monitor, if you don't hear it through your amp (and I'm betting you've tried!), then the instrument and the amplifier are functioning fine. There is no other possibility. They are working.

It's whatever signal is going to the house via the D/I box. (a Radial J48 for those of you playing along at home). I don't know why the front-of-house sound man is unable to avoid this situation.

I know doodley squat about the Radial, but if that's the point in the signal chain at which things go to poo-poo, that's your answer. Maybe the Radial is not dealing well with the hot output from the Bongo pre? I don't know. If your SR doesn't do it, then that's almost surely what it must be.

Call Radial. Explain what's going on, that the bass in question has an 18v pre - can their DI handle it?

Or, if you have one handy, try another DI and see what you come up with, but given that I can't see/hear/feel what you're talking about, that's my opinion on what it is.

Good luck!

Jack

 

[phatduckk]

Ya - i agree with Jack. sounds like the DI unit (since amp + bass sounds fine). their tech support is the best source for Q&A regarding their product

my 2 cents... make sure the -15 db pad is pressed in on the DI