r/mandolin • u/JJThompson84 • 3d ago

Pre-amp/amp settings

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Hey all. So I've been doing a bit more gigging with this setup but plugging in is still fairly unfamiliar to me. I have a Bartlett Audio mic that goes into my ART Tube MP and then a Fishman Loudbox Mini.

The Tube MP is basically input and ouput level. Both i set to the 12 o'clock position as pictured and use the 20dB+ gain button with phantom power on for the mic.

On the Fishman I have low/mid/high set to 12 o'clock which is the zero point I believe. The gain I set to about 11 o'clock (40%?) and then the master is set to about 7 o'clock (5-10%?)

I realize I may not require the 20dB+ boost on the pre-amp. If I switch this off, what should I be increasing... Input or output?

As for the Fishman, if the master is any higher it just high pitch tweaks out.

How should I be approaching this setup with regard to input/output, gain and master?

TIA. Pardon my terminology!

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2

u/JennySplotz 3d ago

Video demo plz

1

u/JJThompson84 2d ago

Sorry haven't had a chance!

2

u/Kavanaghpark 2d ago

Hey nice! I just started using one of these to send line level to FOH for my gigs too! I love it. Adds a little something. Seems to make the signal super clean and tasty.

1

u/JJThompson84 14h ago

I'm still playing around quite a bit to get what I want but I i am pleased overall at how my mandolin sounds!

1

u/Piper-Bob 3d ago

If you’re not getting noise or unwanted distortion then you’re doing it right. Ultimately it doesn’t matter if you add gain here or there as long as you like how it sounds.

Adding more gain up front will allow longer cable runs with less noise, and gain before pedals is good (up to a point). Doesn’t sound like any of those are problems.

As an experiment, turn the art input all the way up with the fish man gain and master off. Then bring up both a little. It probably sounds rough. That’s clipping. You probably want to avoid that, but learning how it sounds is important.

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u/JJThompson84 2d ago

Thanks for the tips

1

u/MoogProg 3d ago

Here's what works for me with these pre-amps. Listen carefully. Ignore the meter, and the dial positions (for the most part).

Set the INPUT to the position where the 60hz hum goes away. This position will vary from stage-to-stage. Listen for it.

Set the OUTPUT volume to where you have sufficient signal to feed the Fishman a healthy signal.

You should not need that 20db pad at all, and it is just adding more noise that you then knock down. Not needed for your rig.

Rock on!

1

u/JJThompson84 2d ago

Thanks for the tips! Some playing to do...