Problem with Input on a HD 500-amp

[Andreas.K.]

Hi,

I bought an used Ernie Ball HD 500-amp some weeks ago and an Audiophile 210-cab. When I use the Input 1 for active basses with my Stringray, I have to turn up Gain to 75% or more to get an input-signal that´s not to low (OK-LED green). Is that normal? Tried it also with other active basses and it´s still the same.

 

[pete bass]

I have the same problem with my Ampeg portaflex (Active / Passive button) and Ashdown (Active / Passive inputs) amps but not with my TCelectronic which has an "autosensing" input in which there is virtually no difference in volume when plugging in a passive bass, If i remember correctly on average the active cut is about 10 Db which is quite considerable ! And also because i always have the gain set at 50% 100% of the time i´m on stage......Peter

 

[Ray Salamon]

I pretty much only use the "active" pads (either dedicated input or the push button) if my bass / FX are clipping the pre unreasonably easily. Otherwise, I just use the normal passive input. So far, I've only ever found one amp that I actually used the active switch on, and that was probably about 10 years ago.