What's the difference in practice between +4dBV and -10dBu?

 
Specifically, I have an Aphex Aural Exciter C2 that I want to try running it in front of my Line 6 Valve Amp.
 
As in: GUITAR → EXCITER → AMP
 
Both the Input and Output on the Exciter are standard ¼” jack sockets, so I'm assuming I'd run a guitar lead into the input and a similar lead from the output into the amp.
 
However, there is a small switch between the Exciter's input and output which can either be set to +4dBV or -10dBu.
 
I've been searching around the internetz to try and find out which setting to use in my situation, but to no avail.
 
I'd really appreciate any advise for this particular set up, and maybe an easy(ish) to understand explanation of the general usage of each setting.
 
Thanks in advance!
 
 
 

Thanks - that's some good stuff Mike, very informative.

Do you reckon one or the other would be better in my situation? If it helps, all my pups are passive.

I'm prepared to 'experiment' a bit, but I was just trying to ascertain whether or not I could do my valve amp any damage if I use the higher +4dBV setting.

Here's the bumph:


 
 

SteveStrummerUK


Thanks - that's some good stuff Mike, very informative.

Do you reckon one or the other would be better in my situation? If it helps, all my pups are passive.

I'm prepared to 'experiment' a bit, but I was just trying to ascertain whether or not I could do my valve amp any damage if I use the higher +4dBVusetting.

I don't think you can actually damage anything with the +4dBu output, but it will seem like a very HOT output so turn it down until you get a handle on your gain stage.

A pedal board can put out +4dBu
A good old humbucker wound real hot being driven by a fat set of strings and a fat pick can easily put out +4dBu (If you want to check you can measure it) power chord and no one has melted down an input yet. fixed :-)

The thing about that rack unit is that it may be able to put out +25dBu peaks at full output... so turn it down some... or put an inline pad in it.

The preamp tube in your amp is in a circuit that is self limiting. You can probably melt it with some sort of test apparatus or maybe by plugging your guitar cord in the wall outlet but for the most part you should be ok.

When the tube goes full square wave you are going to hear a glassy splat. Just turn it down to where it grinds instead of splats or what ever you want.


Some old transistor designs can be fried with over voltage on the input so in general it is a good question.

Remember... turn down that output til you get a feel for the gain staging. :-)


Hope you have fun!

best regards,
mike

Oh no!  Strummy got an Aural Exciter???  What's the world coming to?

(I've got both that one AND a BBE Sonic Maximizer but ONLY to make backing tracks sound better to play to.)

SteveStrummerUK

paulo

SteveStrummerUK


Here's the bumph: 

 
  

Shouldn't that be bumf ?

 
I think you can use whichever pheels right. 
  
  
  
 

Phair enouf.

but does strummy NEED an oral exciter???

I've got an Aural Exciter as well.  I use it as a rack spacer to plug up an empty slot till I get something I can use.  

drewfx1

mike_mccue

A good old humbucker wound real hot being driven by a fat set of strings and a fat pick can easily put out +4dBu (If you want to check you can measure it) power chord and no one has melted down an input yet. 

OK, in what universe are you measuring this? 

You got me... a brain fart universe.  :-S :-)


I was thinking of condenser mic outputs

I should have said pedal board outputs... even though I really was in the middle of a brain fart.

Or maybe active pickup outputs.

I do not think the realization of this mistake alters the conclusion though.

Sorry for the confusion Steve.

A thanks to Drew for requesting clarification. :-) Good catch.

all the best,
mike

at the severe risk of sounding sensible for a change...

if you are going guitar>exciter>amp, set to -10dbV

if you are going amp fx out>exciter>am fx return, set to +4dBu

given the input impedance, i would think that the better place for this would be in the fx loop