HELP! EBS Microbass II - B channel massive volume drop

[warwickhunt]

I've read the manual, I've watched the videos, so I'm assuming it isn't me using it wrong but I need to check...

 

Plugged into input A, nothing plugged into input B, volume at 90%, Boost down and all buttons out/EQ centred.  The preamp has a nice healthy output and tone.

 

Hit channel B button and there is a massive volume drop (huge, almost inaudible).   Back to channel A, engage the A+B button and switch to B (the 2 channels should combine), massive volume drop.  I can increase the Drive setting but channel B is then full on Drive and not much volume, flick back to A and it is back to a healthy setting.

 

In summary, whenever channel B is engaged there is a huge drop in output.

 

I've tried engaging various buttons etc but nothing changes that basic issue; neither does increasing the Boost, that simply makes A even louder.  

 

Is this unit defective or am I missing something? 

[Al Nico]

Hi. It says that Ch B can be added to Ch A using the A+B button and selecting A/B

It says you can use a second instrument on Ch B through input 2

but it doesn't say you can monitor input 1 on Ch B

 

So with the instrument in input 1 you can have Ch A, and Ch A+B

That's what I'm working out from the manual?

[warwickhunt]

Agreed and I'm not plugging anything into B but when you plug into the A input and engage A+B button using the switch to go from A > A+B there is a massive volume drop which you can't compensate for (it literally feels like going from 10 down to 1 or 2).  Effectively with a single instrument it is a single channel pedal and trying to add channel B to add drive (or clean) reduces the volume to unusable levels.

 

I'm now off to plug basses into A and B to see what we get.

[warwickhunt]

Tried plugging 2 basses in (1 in A 1 in B) with A+B disengaged.  Channel A selected and the bass is nice and clear, select Ch B and the bass is inaudible unless the Drive is cranked and there is a low level (massively overdriven by now) output.  Pretty sure that is not how it is meant to work; I've even read the manual.  

 

I can only surmise that Ch B is fecked!  It can't be used as a 2nd channel nor can it even be summed with A to give a bit of Drive because any combination involving Ch B drops the volume and you'd need to put the Drive on 100% to even hear anything (which would still be loads quieter than A).  

 

Looks like a repair job or return to seller! 

 

[Al Nico]

Well, that would be the test. A signal into input 2 is expected to monitor through CH B.

In this case the output is unexpectedly low where it is expected to be similar to CH A

Have you tried switching it off and on again?

[warwickhunt]

2 minutes ago, Al Nico said:

Well, that would be the test. A signal into input 2 is expected to monitor through CH B.

In this case the output is unexpectedly low where it is expected to be similar to CH A

Have you tried switching it off and on again?

 

Multiple times.  I've also tried setting/unsetting all switches but it's exactly the same each time.  Pretty sure there's something died in Ch B, it'll make a great clean 1 channel preamp/DI but absolutely not fit for the 2 channel purpose or even to use the overdrive (as it is on the B channel).  

[Al Nico]

Have you tried blowing on it, or rapidly firing the mains switch to help purge the ROM?

Or what about using a higher voltage power supply to 'kick start' it?

 

te he

 

I'm done now. Right. I agree. Sounds Feecked. Poo.