Cacophony Forums

Unofficial Mackie User Forums => DL1608/DL806/DL32R/ProDX Mixers => Topic started by: Chirro on July 17, 2019, 09:34:58 AM

Title: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: Chirro on July 17, 2019, 09:34:58 AM

I'm thinking different options to reduce my equipment in some cheap gigs. I always plug my bass using a DI box in my pedal board and then to a XLR input in my DL1608, but I want to know if it's safe to plug my bass directly in one of the jack inputs (channels 13, 14, 15 or 16), knowing that almost always I have to turn on the phantom switch for the drummer's mics.

Could this damage my bass?

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: WK154 on July 17, 2019, 03:10:41 PM

As  long as your pedal board outputs line level and not require a high impedance input you should be fine as long as you use the TRS/TS input on the mixer. The XLR input will have phantom power if switched on although many units will tolerate the 48V phantom power it's best to be safe.

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: Chirro on July 18, 2019, 06:37:53 AM

Thanks WK154. This is the official response of Mackie's technical support:

Quote

Hi Chirro,

Thanks for writing!

Phantom power never travels over ¼”, so you cannot harm the bass with such a connection.

Whether the connection will sound good is a different matter. When connecting unbalanced, instrument-level connections, it’s always recommended to use a DI box to balance the signal. Check out our line of DIs here!

Thanks,

I have tested the inputs with a voltimeter and can assure that the phantom power is not present in the jack inputs, only in the XLR ones. I have pluged my bass and everything sound right.

This Saturday I will play this way, mainly for checking if the sound is good enough for a live performance.

Thanks.

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: Wynnd on July 18, 2019, 02:46:30 PM

As long as you don't over drive the input, the DI box is optional.  Just make sure there's some head room after you've adjusted the trim.  Enjoy.

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: JohnMHoyt on July 25, 2019, 04:28:36 PM

Quote from: Wynnd on July 18, 2019, 02:46:30 PM

As long as you don't over drive the input, the DI box is optional.  Just make sure there's some head room after you've adjusted the trim.  Enjoy.

I played many gigs with the bass plugged direct into the DL1608 and the DL32R, and also with a preamp and pedals in between - never a problem. 
Nothing but nice clean sound.

I can confirm that no power goes over the 1/4" as I too was worried with my DL1608 since it was either on or off and checked it with my VOM.

Rock on!

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: Chirro on July 26, 2019, 06:34:45 AM

Everything was fine in the gig. Good clear sound.

Thanks for all your responses.

Title: Re: It's safe to plug my Stingray 5 bass direct to a jack input in my DL1608?
Post by: JohnMHoyt on July 26, 2019, 06:57:16 AM

Quote from: Chirro on July 26, 2019, 06:34:45 AM

Everything was fine in the gig. Good clear sound.

Thanks for all your responses.

AWESOME!  Thanks for following up too!