Passive and Active

[fifthorange]

my amplifier, Peavy Combo 115, has a button in which you can change the mode from passive to active. Whenever i plug in my stingray to active, to sound is always quieter than passive mode, but better sounding. is this normal?

 

[midopa]

Yep. Passive basses can only cut sound, not boost it like active can. Also, most combo amps setup to receieve passive signals have very high input impedance values (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this stuff). The higher the input impedance value for your amp, the less stuff is cut from your sound. Ie. You get a better sound.

I forget where a I read the article on this info. You can also get a high-end instrument cable with a very low impedance value to improve your sound.

 

[fifthorange]

no, i think you misinterpreted me (or i dont know what the hell your talking about). i have a stingray and it has active pickups, now when i swich the mode to active on my amp, it is quieter. if i leave it on passive it is loader. the same thing happens when i plug in a passive bass.

so basically, how can the passive cut the sound and the active boosts it when the passive setting is louder than the active?

 

[bovinehost]

*sitting, staring blankly, beginning to drool*

 

[midopa]

Here's the way I understand basses and combo amps to be:

Passive basses can't boost the sound, only cut it. Actives can.

Amps that have special features for both passive and active inputs need to somehow balance this inequality out, right? So, because passives are quiter, amps just boost the signal on the spot, before you even get to tinker with the EQ knobs and such.

My Behringer BX600 combo has two input jacks for passive and active basses. I too notice the tremendous volume difference when I plug in my active bass into the passive port. It's not like the amps can figure out what kind of bass you have - the two separate ports (or switches and what not) just tell the amp what you're playing with and then the amp magnifies accordingly to balance things out.

Update: By the way, if anyone knows a thing or two about basses, amps, etc., feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I'm no tech. expert or anything - I just read this stuff on an online article some time ago.

 

[fifthorange]

so you also have to turn up the volume of your amp on active mode to match the passive mode, right?

by the way, how do you like that amp? i was looking to get either that one or a fender to practice at my house and i need some input about the one you own.

 

[basspastor]

passive and active

if you plug an active bass into an passive amp it will be loud and somewhat distorted you must reset your eq's.Now, leave everthing as it was to start and plug the active bass into the active side, it will be quieter,clearer, and much better sound. On the active side when you adjust your eq's and turn up your gain on the amp you are letting the amp do more of the work which in turns gives you a much better sound.
KNOW, ARE YOU REALLY CONFUSED? I AM, I know what my mind is thinking but !!!!!!!!!!!!
A guy not knowing, plugged his active into the passive and constantly complained about the terrible sound the bass had, when it was brought to his attention and he plugged the active bass into the active side of the amp, OH WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MADE IN HIS LIFE!!!!!!!

 

[Psychicpet]

*sitting, staring blankly, beginning to drool*

Jack, has anyone told ya they loved ya today? I do!

but seriously, here's what I understand to be the case is

High Impedence (passive pick-ups) = low output
Low Impedence (active p/u's , on-board eq's) = high output

the active/passive switch on amps is usually a 6-10db cut when in "active" mode due to the aforementioned posts abotu active pick-ups being a lower impedence and hotter output driving the pre-amp gain stage harder if not "padded".

hehehehehehe... sorry, just re-read Bovine's comment... ahh you are a wonderful Man Bovi!

 

[basspastor]

active passive

I AM TOTALLY CONFUSED/ SO WHATS KNEW? NOTHING!!!!!!!!
interresting subject, i'll ask my dog; i'mm still confused i don't have a dog.
:

 

[shaver]

ok think of it like this...

Since Active pickups send out more signal then passive, the amp needs to cut back on that single to maintain a clean sound...

With Passive basses, it needs a boost, but instead of bossting its singal, they just make amps for passive basses and an active switch or imput....

All a Ative Switch is, is a cutback... a cutback for cleaner sound

 

[fifthorange]

i get it now, thanks

 

[bovinehost]

Well, I used to understand these concepts.

Now, hell, I just don't know.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

My old Ampeg B4 head had two inputs. One was marked -10db the other was not marked. The -10db one, I assumed, was for active, the other was for passive. The darn thing never seemed loud enough no matter what jack I plugged in to, so I sold it and got a GK800RB, which I love.

So I guess the moral of this story is that the jacks may not be marked 'active' & 'passive'. Or maybe I'm just a moron