the_bees_knees22 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 So since the DT-25 bypasses the tubes when using the direct out, has anyone tried something like the mesa cab clone so you can actually use the tubes when recording?I haven't looked so maybe line 6 has something similar?edit: it probably wouldn't really buy me much in terms of tone when recording direct. I was just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 DT25 does not bypass the tubes with direct out unless you are in STBY... otherwise the direct out is tapped off the output transformer after the tubes... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 Yeah, that's what I meant. But to turn it fully on, (not on standby), then it will be outputting sound to the cab which my neighbors won't appreciate too much. edit: And it's not a good idea to disconnect the head from the cab anytime to you turn it on right? (might be a dumb question. It's my 1st tube amp) DT25 does not bypass the tubes with direct out unless you are in STBY... otherwise the direct out is tapped off the output transformer after the tubes... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brazzy Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I think you need a load on the head anytime you turn it on, I always do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 yeah, that's what I thought. I wonder if there's a way around it to have a load that's not outputting to an actual cab. Ideally, I want to be able to turn the amp fully on so I can use the tubes with the direct out, but not actually be plugged into a cab. Otherwise there is the mesa cab clone.. but then I don't get the cab sim from the dt25 direct out which I think I'd rather have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I wonder if there's a way around it to have a load that's not outputting to an actual cab. a tube amp must have a load when not on STBY. They do make loads that you can use to reduce volume called attenuators. You can also make a cab isolation box which is a sealed, sound proofed box containing your cab. Using both together would certainly allow you to crank your amp without bothering the neighbors. There may be other issues such as heat generated, extra wear on the tubes etc. but that is the answer. Check out these links for more info... http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Quiet_Please_Attenuators_and_Their_Many_Uses http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm http://www.amptone.com/diyisobox.htm 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 Awesome! You rock dude! That's exactly what I was looking for. So I guess the question now is has anyone on here tried one out? ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 The DT25 literature says it has transformer protection for no-load situations. This topic has gone around and around several times as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 oh awesome! I wasn't really sure what to search for when I started this thread since it is my 1st tube amp so sorry if this is a redundant topic.edit: Before I go and try this though, has anyone else done it long term? Some threads I just looked up seem to think this was more of a safety feature than being intended to be used a lot.edit2: Actually the manual says to never turn it on without a cab connected. "11. Speaker Outs – Connect speakers here using speaker cables only. You should only use one output (A, B, or C) at a time and never power the amplifier up without speakers connected. If you want to silence the speakers, use the Standby switch. The details are as follows:"http://line6.com/data/6/0a06434d90db507efbe5b36b9/application/pdf/DT25%20Quick%20Start%20Guide%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20C%20).pdf Looks like an attenuator is the best/safest option here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Of course, do what makes you feel safe. There is a relay there to protect the transformer. I get a negative vote for something I was told directly from an L6 employee when I called about this over a year ago. Thanks radatats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Of course, do what makes you feel safe. There is a relay there to protect the transformer. I get a negative vote for something I was told directly from an L6 employee when I called about this over a year ago. Thanks radatats. Well I guess that was a little harsh... sorry... but I don't care what anyone tells you, don't fire up a tube amp without a load. Sure as hell something is bound to go wrong. I suppose you could just use your DT in STBY without a load and record from the direct out but why would you? You aren't getting any tube juice that way... (I would pull the negative vote but it doesn't seem to let me so I upped your last post) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 It's ok. I retaliated and then upped your last post. :) Well I guess that was a little harsh... sorry... but I don't care what anyone tells you, don't fire up a tube amp without a load. Sure as hell something is bound to go wrong. I suppose you could just use your DT in STBY without a load and record from the direct out but why would you? You aren't getting any tube juice that way... (I would pull the negative vote but it doesn't seem to let me so I upped your last post) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 I've been using it in STBY, and it sounds good. For some reason I'm getting a lot of noise going directly out from my PODHD500. So instead I'm going POD>DT> then direct outs... which is kind of dumb since I essentially don't use anything on the DT, but I'm getting pretty much no noise this way. I need to find time to debug where the noise is coming from. I really want to use the tubes though since I like that extra punch and clearity, or at least I would like to test and see how much of a difference it makes when using them to record. Who knows, it may not be that noticeable at all by the time everything is mixed and eq'd. It just seems kind of like a waste to not find a way to use the tubes. And I don't think an attenuator would be a complete waste to get even if it didn't end up sounding that much different. Seems like a good pice of equipment to have for playing small gigs.What do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 as an alternative, maybe not the best, but... You can reduce your DT volume considerably by changing to topology 1, class AB, and triode. Don't really know if it is worth it but you can crank it a lot more before you reach the same volume levels... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 yeah, I was thinking the same thing this morning with the AB/Triode setup, but haven't tried it out yet. Good call on trying topology 1. I have a feeling it'll still be just a little bit too loud for my apartment, but it's worth a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merdenoms74 Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have just started experimenting with a Black Cat Unleash http://www.badcatamps.com/unleash.html between the head and cab, fed into my interface, then using Two Notes Wall of Sound for cab emulation in my DAW. Of course you could always use a cab sim on the HD. For low volume playing I find the Bad Cat awesome. Sounds much better than Low Volume Mode and means you don't have to have full amp versions of your patches. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 Nice! I was actually looking at that or the Rivera RockCrusher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I can't imagine paying $4-500 for one of these for my DT25. However, I did find this site for DIY attenuators and I love it! I think I am going to order the parts this weekend and give it a try. I will post pics if I do it along with the results. Not including the case, parts are under $20... http://guitarprojects.weebly.com/diy-attenuator.html http://www.regiscoyne.com/Bohemian_Rhapsodyne/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 OK so after doing all the research, sourcing the parts and case I decided to check eBay. I found basically the same thing from Carl's Custom Guitars, $45 with free shipping. Forget making one, I bought the 16ohm one and should have it Tuesday. Basic but just the thing for a DT25. I don't need a giant rock crusher... Carl's Custom Guitars 16 ohm 50 watt Speaker Soak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bees_knees22 Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 Cool! I don't trust myself enough to make one.. ha Let us know how you like the Carl's Custom. It'll probably be the first of the year before I buy an attenuator so I'll be curious as to how it performs for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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