ossyrocks Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 (edited) Quick question. I’m doing a little impromptu gig this afternoon. Everything through a little PA, but there’s no bass preamp or anything. I was thinking I could just use the LM3 as a preamp with no load, but I don’t want to damage it. Mine is an earlier class AB version. What do you think? Rob Edited June 4, 2022 by ossyrocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 No worries. I just found this on the Markbass website: "Can I use my Markbass amp without connecting to a speaker cabinet? Yes, any Markbass amp can be used as a preamp only. We recommend that when doing so, you turn off the master volume (not essential, but it's better for the amp). The gain control and/or the Line Out level control will regulate the output from the amp." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Same goes for virtually all non valve amps, ie Solid State amps without power tubes. There are a very few vintagey solid state amps that employed output transformers similar to the valve amps they were replacing. Maybe a few 'throwbacks' as well. If you have one of those you should know it always needs a cab on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 41 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Same goes for virtually all non valve amps, ie Solid State amps without power tubes. There are a very few vintagey solid state amps that employed output transformers similar to the valve amps they were replacing. Maybe a few 'throwbacks' as well. If you have one of those you should know it always needs a cab on it. My experience in the past has always been with valve amps. I’ve never owned a solid state amp until I got the LM3, so hence the reason for my caution. Thanks for the reassurance. Anyway, it went very well, and I had some monitoring too, so I was happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 If you are concerned, get a dummy load box (guitar players use them with valve amps when recording). Palmer make a decent one that isn't too expensive. Plenty of other makes available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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