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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2039.0. "Peavey KB300 Amp - Compression Light?" by CURIE::DECARTERET (I81B4U) Fri Jul 07 1989 00:28

    I was wondering about my amplifier.  I have a Peavey KB-300, which the
    DDT Noise Compression built in.  When the compression kicks in (when
    the light comes on), does it mean that, "Compression is on, your
    speaker is safe from what would have been damaging, so just keep on
    going", or is it saying, "Compression is on, your speaker is going to
    start smelling pretty funny if you don't turn down a little bit."
    
    What is happening is when using my drum machine, the compression light
    comes on when the bass drum is sounded.  
    
    Thanks.
    
    JD
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2039.1Should be OKAQUA::ROSTIt's the beat, the beat, the beatFri Jul 07 1989 09:049
    
    DDT is *designed* to limit the signal in the preamp once it gets
    high enough to cause power amp distortion.  In *theory* this means
    that you can run the preamp as hot as you like and the power amp
    and speaker should be OK.
    
    What surprises many folks who own Peavey stuff is how *often* the
    compressor kicks in.  Most drum machines have pretty good dynamic
    range so it's no surprise the compressor kicks in on the bass drum.
2039.2DDT LED = MAX OUTPUTLEDS::ORSICuz I felt like it, OK?Fri Jul 07 1989 09:2011
    
    	DDT compression is not compression in the conventional sense,
    	but circuitry to prevent the power amp section from sending 
    	clipped waveforms to the speakers. DDT is the reason your
    	speakers are still OK, and yes, you can just keep going. But
    	it won't get any louder. You've reached max output before
    	meltdown. Most Peavey stuff has a switch to disable the DDT
    	if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it.
    
    	Neal
    
2039.3low frequenciesHPSTEK::RENElearn design and study over seas...Fri Jul 07 1989 11:419
    I use a KB400 and it has the same DDT compression. I have found that
    it only comes on when I crank a bass patch or kick drum through it. It
    seems to react to overall signal energy rather than dynamics. For
    instance, I can play a low, slow attack bass note (low frequencies require 
    more energy (power) than higher frequencies for the same volume) with
    lots of 20-100 hz EQ and it doesn't take much to get DDT into the act.
        
    
    Frank
2039.43 yrs old and still go'inNYEM1::RYANFri Jul 07 1989 14:5228
    Greetings,
    
    I also have a KB300 that is about 3 years old. I use it every weekend
    playing between 1 and 3 keyboards thru it. I have seen the DDT light
    do everything from an occasional flicker to 80% constant on. I have
    never noticed a difference in the output (level or quality) between
    the occasional flicker and pretty much constant on. If you read
    the Peavey lit the light lights (light Lights??) when clipping is
    about to occur, how they determine that and where it's measured
    is a mistery to me. IMP either it works real well ( I've never noticed
    any distortion in the sound even though I tend to push it pretty
    hard, multiple keys midi'ed etc.) or it's got a real low trigger
    point because it seems to flicker at what I consider pretty low
    levels.
    
    At any rate.... I think you'll be safe continuing to doing what
    your doing, the whole point of the DDT is to "protect" the speaker
    not limit your use of it. 
    
    As a final note: as I said, I push my unit pretty hard and in 3
    years or so of regular use ( and being loaded and unloaded from
    the truck) I've had no problems at all. Now if they could just get
    the same functionality and sound in a 25lb. package..........
    
    Good luck...
    
    Gary Ryan
    
2039.5CURIE::DECARTERETI81B4UFri Jul 07 1989 21:089
    Well, it all seems pretty good to me.  I feel good knowing what you
    have told me.  Thanks.
    
    re .3
    
    How many watts is the KB400??  Mine is 130 into 4 ohms (then newer ones
    are 150 into 4 ohms), so I suspect that it is considerably more.
    
    JD
2039.6SOPWEFXEM::COTEYou opened your umbrella...Sun Jul 09 1989 09:214
    The manual to my Peavey XR-1200 board says it is entirely normal for
    the light to be on most of the time.
    
    Edd
2039.7KB400 ..350 W HPSTEK::RENElearn design and study over seas...Mon Jul 10 1989 12:1017
    Re: KB400,
    
        The KB400 is 350 Watts out into ? ohms (4 or 8, I'll hafta check).
    It is a basic 4 channel mixer/amp in one package. It doesn't contain
    any speakers, as it is just a 'head' or 'brain' as some refer to these
    things. As for other features:
    
    9 band graphic eq
    4 band parametric eq for each channel
    2 effects sends/returns
    built in spring reverb
    preamp out with adjustable crossover (lo-hi)
    
        I've had mine now for about 4-5 years. It has given me no problems
    whatsoever. 
    
    Frank
2039.8my KB300 is newerKEYBDS::HASTINGSMon Jul 10 1989 13:1915
     I bought my KB300 within the last 6 months. It doesn't have a
    compression light. I am told that Peavey is always making changes...
    
    Anyway I am very happy with my amp. I tend to drive it quite hard
    (input = 10, main volume = 8) mainly because my EPS seems to have
    a low output.
    
    	When I was shopping for this amp I tried them with and without
    Black Widow speakers. I heard enough difference to pay the extra
    to get one with the BW speakers. If you want to squeeze a bit more
    out of your amp, and minimize blown speaker worries even more, consider
    upgrading.
    
    		regards,
    		Mark
2039.9KB100 QUESTIONRAVEN1::HBROWNTue Nov 14 1989 12:1410
    I have a KB100 amp which I have been very pleased with.
    
    It's 75 watts RMS and I run my electronic drums through it.
    
    My question is:  Is there any way to hook up another speaker cabinet to
                     it?
    
    
    thanks,
    Hunter