Have I Damaged My VMP-2?

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ghetto3jon

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i used to run the XLR output of my ampeg bass amp (100 watt, about 50% volume) to the XLR input of my vmp-2 to grit up the sound a little bit. i've since read some things that make me think this could have damaged my VMP...it still sounds fine, but i'm just concerned. was that a bad idea?

thanks!
 
Probably not a good idea, but I doubt you've totally destroyed anything.

.
 
if i did damage something, what would have been damaged? is there anything i could listen for, or would it be obvious?
 
Well, you've basically been feeding a line-level source in to a mic-level input.

Again, I doubt it would have killed anything, but I'm sure it's been seeing a little more than normal wear and tear as a result ... and you'll probably want to change the caps and the tubes at some point, anyway, so those would be the first two places to look. An obvious sing would be a significant drop in signal or increase in noise, or just an overly distorted signal. I'm not an expert in electronics, though, so take whatever I say with a grain.

If it sounds good, though, then you're probably fine, and shouldn't worry too much about it.
 
replacing the tubes is simple, and something i was going to do anyway. but replacing the caps, is that more involved? i'm afraid i'm not familiar with that mod...
 
if anyone is willing, could i get a quick rundown of how to replace the caps on a vmp-2? i have a little experience with working with electronics, but my father is pretty handy with it...if someone could point me to some instructions, i'm sure we could perform the task together. your help is very appreciated!
 
Sounds like you're ready to do a hell of a lot of work on something that's not displaying any symptoms... You have more chance of creating a problem if you go in to replace the caps then if you just leave it alone... and worry about it only when you do notice sonic problems with it's performance...

If the unit didn't sound like dog-poo while you were driving it with line level... (if in fact it was line level... what model was the amp?) chances are you did little to no damage...
 
it's a line out, not a mic level out (ba115). just don't hook it up like that anymore. i would'nt go poking around in your preamp if you don't know what you're doing. you and/or your preamp could end up dead.
 
***Post deleted ***

Please ignore me, I'm st-st-stooopid.
 
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Most mic inputs have a minimum input gain of single digit dB. That means that if you have a device that puts out line level output, if you drop the input gain all the way down and set the line level device to somewhere between a quarter and half the level you'd use when hooking it to a line input, you'll be right in the normal range electrically.

Running a line output into a mic input is not likely to damage anything. If it did, people would be blowing gear constantly; the difference in input gain between a mic preamp at minimum and maximum gain is far greater than the difference between a typical mic preamp at minimum gain and line level. Thus, if a hot mic with the input gain turned up too high doesn't damage anything, chances are very slim that a line level signal will, either, as with the exception of parts prior to the initial FET or tube, everything else would be operating at similar electrical levels either way.

That said, if you're really scared about it, a basic voltage divider with two 10k resistors or so would probably be sufficient. :D

Or a schematic for much better voltage divider values....
 
amra said:
The V-AMP2 has am XLR in/out?
The one I had didnt...
Click to expand...


VMP-2 ≠ V-AMP2


Edit: whoops, there you caught it just as I post this. ;)
 
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