AV and bass guitar

[Nanaea]

Hey guys, I'm planning on getting a bass guitar and I wanted to use my ht to play on but I'm not sure how to connect it!! Now i know that if i use a mixing table it will work but I wanted something a bit more simple like DI unit but I need to know if it'll work?? anyone know? Also I've been looking at a few but so far all that I've seen have the balanced output with a XLR connector which is useless since my AV only has optical or RCA inputs, any suggestion? Last question, I know that using my ht to play the guitar is not the best solution but its easier and for the level of playing I do it's enough for the time being so my question being do am I risking damaging the ht system?

thanks

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey guys, I'm planning on getting a bass guitar and I wanted to use my ht to play on but I'm not sure how to connect it!! Now i know that if i use a mixing table it will work but I wanted something a bit more simple like DI unit but I need to know if it'll work?? anyone know? Also I've been looking at a few but so far all that I've seen have the balanced output with a XLR connector which is useless since my AV only has optical or RCA inputs, any suggestion? Last question, I know that using my ht to play the guitar is not the best solution but its easier and for the level of playing I do it's enough for the time being so my question being do am I risking damaging the ht system?

thanks

What is your speaker system? For most domestic systems playing a bass guitar through it will certainly put it at risk. Instrument speakers are much more robust. A guitar output is unbalanced, so you could use 1/4 to dual RCA lead. However guitars are very high output, so you will likely over load a receiver line in and clip it, without attenuation.

I would get an inexpensive amp/speaker combo for bass guitar.

Electric instruments are also prone to explosive blasts, for instance when you accidentally pull the plug out form the guitar. That will put the cones of most domestic speakers in your lap.

Strangely your sub will not help you much as bass guitars have huge output in the 60 to 200 Hz range.

I have built bass guitar speakers, and your best solution is a 15" instrument speaker in a ported cabinet of the correct design. Consider DIY.

 

[cpp]

Put it this way, the low E string on a 4 string bass is usually around 41Hz and I do know my 5 string bass on the low B string goes down around 31Hz. Be safe get a cheap bass amp..

 

[Nanaea]

I wasn't thinking the subs would help I'm running a Pioneer VSX-921, as for the unbalanced output that's why i wanted to use a DI since it balances it only problem is that so far all of their outputs are XLR so i'd have to find some sort of adapter..., I know that a mixing table does the same but they tend to be more expensive. The DIY option sound interesting but I have 0 experience, I don't even know where to start ...

 

[TLS Guy]

I wasn't thinking the subs would help I'm running a Pioneer VSX-921, as for the unbalanced output that's why i wanted to use a DI since it balances it only problem is that so far all of their outputs are XLR so i'd have to find some sort of adapter..., I know that a mixing table does the same but they tend to be more expensive. The DIY option sound interesting but I have 0 experience, I don't even know where to start ...

You do not need to balance the guitar output. You would then have to unbalance it again!

You will destroy those Wharfedales, with a bass guitar.

 

[cpp]

You do not need to balance the guitar output. You would then have to unbalance it again!

You will destroy those Wharfedales, with a bass guitar.

Yep blown in 60 secs on some low notes

 

[Nanaea]

Can you please explain to me why they'd be destroyed? What's the big difference between playing the bass directly or lets say playing a pre-recorded bass track on flac or something??

 

[Grador]

Can you please explain to me why they'd be destroyed? What's the big difference between playing the bass directly or lets say playing a pre-recorded bass track on flac or something??

Your bass is capable of a very large range of voltage output (compared to line level). Bass amps are designed to work with this large range. From there a mic picks up the sound and it's recorded. When the recording is played back, you're playing it back on something that outputs line level, so the PEAK output that a CD calls for will still be within the PEAK of line level voltage.

There's a little more to it than that, but this is an accurate representation of the problem.

 

[fmw]

Really bad idea, Nanae.

 

[Nanaea]

Isn't it the goal of a DI to keep the output line level voltage within the PEAK line level voltage?

 

[markw]

There are physical differences between speakers made for musical instruments ad home stereo listening. Kinda like the difference between an industrial 4X4 used to tow trucks and a SUV used to carry the kid to and from soccer practice.

Sometimes learning by experience can be valuable but expensive. Wise people can learn by listening to others with knowledge and experience and save a lot of money.

Even with sage advice from people that probably cumulatively have well over a century of experience* in this business/hobby, it sounds like you really, really wanna go ahead with your plan. Let us know how it works out. Ever see "Back to the Future"?

* I've got over 40. I'd say TLS guy is about the same. Dunno about the others but I'll venture a guess they aren't newbies either.

 

[TLS Guy]

Isn't it the goal of a DI to keep the output line level voltage within the PEAK line level voltage?

No! That requires a compressor/limiter.

 

[Nanaea]

markw, I don't like taking risks and the moment everyone said it was a bad idea I removed it from my mind and have been thinking of alternatives, however I am curious and I like understanding why and TLS just gave me an answer that leads me to believe that what I seem to understand about DI and line in is wrong...

So then what's the purpose of a DI, is it only to be able to connect at further distances with less interference??
TLS you said that it requires a compressor/limiter, is a mixing console able to do that?

 

[markw]

This is what a DI unit does.

A DI unit, DI box, direct box, or simply DI (variously claimed to stand for direct input, direct injection or direct interface), is a device typically used in recording studios to connect a high-impedance, line level, unbalanced output signal to a low-impedance microphone level balanced input, usually via XLR connector. DIs are frequently used to connect an electric guitar or electric bass to a mixing console's microphone input. The DI performs level matching, balancing, and either active buffering or passive impedance matching/impedance bridging to minimize noise, distortion, and ground loops."

I snipped that from the "DI unit" hyperlink in your original post. It was there all along.

A mixing consols doesn't do what you want. A compressor/limiter is a totally separate creature.

Your initial post asked if it was a bad idea. You got several answers to the affirmitive and many reasons why. You'll spend more money trying to jury-rig something, and then still probably blow your speakers, than you would by buying a small bass amp/speaker unit.

 

[TLS Guy]

markw, I don't like taking risks and the moment everyone said it was a bad idea I removed it from my mind and have been thinking of alternatives, however I am curious and I like understanding why and TLS just gave me an answer that leads me to believe that what I seem to understand about DI and line in is wrong...

So then what's the purpose of a DI, is it only to be able to connect at further distances with less interference??
TLS you said that it requires a compressor/limiter, is a mixing console able to do that?

Since you are just starting out, you should not spend a fortune. You don't know yet if you will be any good.

You don't need a DI, since you are not going to connect to a mix console.

You only need a compressor/limiter for recording.

You will need a unit with some effects. I would start with a speaker/amp combo.

There is a selection here from Sweetwater. Their staff there are friendly and experienced and will advise you better then we can.

If you can't afford a bass guitar and suitable starter speaker amp console, then you need to shelve the project for a while. Used equipment could save you money, but in this arena equipment has often been abused. There is no cheaper route to what you want to do.

 

[fmw]

Great advice from TLS. I've been a Sweetwater customer for years. They will certainly take care of you. Several years ago I tried hooking my digital piano to some home brew speakers (Vifa drivers) I had built that were powered by a pro audio amp. A mixer acted as a preamp. Knowing the instrument would be tough on the speakers, I installed a fast blow fuse on one of the speaker wires. You guessed it. The fuse blew constantly. It was such a hassle, I gave up on it. I have what one would consider a fairly high end setup now. The piano is connected to small mixer that drives a big Yamaha stereo amp and it, in turn feeds a pair of big two way Electro Voice PA speakers. Everthing is very stable. Go get a bass guitar amp and be done with it.

 

[Nanaea]

I'll be having a look at that then , thx for the help