DB 680 GAIN SETUP

The "halfway" point on a knob is not a good indicator of the output level of an audio device. For example, some basses are louder than others, using effects can either boost or lower the signal, and preamps also have different gain characteristics. This means that you can't tell from the knob positions how close you are to full output (clipping). The DB680 is designed to accept a wide variety of inputs and drive a wide variety of amps. Additionally, most power amps are designed to accept a wide variety of inputs. This means there's a little work involved with setting up your levels optimally. May I suggest the following procedure:

1. Use this setup: bass>>DB680>>power amp>>speaker to start with

2. Turn the bass volume all the way down.

3. Turn the power amp input volume to maximum

4. Set the DB680 master to 9 o'clock

5. Set the DB680 input gain to 11 o'clock

6. Bring up the volume on your bass to the normal playing level and listen for distortion. If there is distortion you can lower the input gain on the DB680 or switch to "active".

7. Tweak the gain and tone knobs on the DB680 to get the tone that you like, but don't turn up the master volume.

8. If you have effects, now insert the effects and adjust them so you get the same volume output. If you get distortion at this point then you need to mess with the input and output levels of the effects (not the DB680) until it sounds right.

9. When you are happy with the tone, adjust the DB680 master to get the volume level that you need.

10. Use the DB680 master volume control to adjust your volume level during a gig. If you find that you are keeping the DB680 master really low all the time, you could throttle back a little on the power amp to get the DB680 master volume more into the center of it's travel. But as a general rule it is better to adjust your playing level at the preamp master output than at the power amp.

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Geof Lipman
Chief Technical Officer