Impedance mismatch problem

[Mattattaker]

Hi everybody!
I’m trying to use an old DBX 160A compressor via the SEND/RETURN of my «new » (built in the 90’s) Trace Elliot RAH600SMX bass guitar amp.
I was forced to add a preamp (FMR Audio RNP (very transparent)) between the SEND of the amp and the INPUT of the DBX, because otherwise the signal was so weak that it barely showed on the DBX INPUT Led indicator (VU of the DBX if you will).
I see with the specs that it’s basically plugging HIGH-Z to LOW-Z INPUT (which is wrong), so i thought it (the preamp) would solve both the strenght signal and Impedance problem, but it turned out that I’m getting a lot of (pink? white?) noise if I turn the BLEND knob of the SEND/RETURN effect (with parallel configuration, not serial) or if I bypass the DBX.
The « Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh » noise it does behind is a bit annoying.
Any advice?
Thanks

 

[LazerBeakShiek]

FX send 2 of the Trace Eliot is only half way up.. Crank it and use that send. Is it still quiet in the DBX? You will need to find unity gain. A preamp in the loop is probably wrong.

A compressor in the loop should be good. I can place a RNC in my loop on an ADA MB-1. There is plenty of gain.

Nice Trace! turn on the blacklight for everybody!

 

[RRuskin]

It looks like your amp has a sensitivity switch for the send/receive loop. Send +4 to the dbx and then bring it back to the receive. Preamp shouldn't be needed at all.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

What RR said. Also, it looks to me like you're sending low-Z to high-Z, which is correct, assuming you're using the effects send and receive on the amp.