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Author
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Topic: Experience with the Crate Power Block
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Jerry Knapper
Member From: Roland, OK, USA
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posted 17 May 2006 06:30 PM
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Thought some of you would like to here my experience with the crate power block. If you are not familiar, it is a 150 watt class D power amp, mono or stereo usable.
I got called to do a gig in Muskogee, Ok and my other amp was acting funny so I grabbed the CPB150, put two hook brackets on it since it is so small (4.6 lb) and hung it on the side of my seat. I have a digital effect processor on the other side, so all I needed was a speaker. I used a JBL in an open back cab that I built. The result was terrific. The band commented that I had one of the best sounds I have ever had. We were playing a type of battle of the band contest and won. One of the judges commented that she gave us lots of points because the steel sounded so sweet.
I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I ran it about 1/3 gain with the lever 3/4 and had plenty of clean clear tone and lots of exra volume.
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Len Amaral
Member From: Rehoboth,MA 02769
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posted 18 May 2006 05:56 AM
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I assume you used the mono output on the amp to get the 150 watts. Was the speaker a 4 or 8 ohm? I heard that you can't use two 4 ohm speakers in stereo with that amp but I don't know about mono.Less than 5 pounds for an amp is a blessing. My MRI shows 4 herniated disks.....  |
Jerry Knapper
Member From: Roland, OK, USA
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posted 18 May 2006 06:36 AM
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Yes I did use the mono position and the speaker is an 8 ohm. I tried it in one of the 4 ohm load outputs and it still sounded good, but I could tell a loss of tone difference. I used two of Peavey's older single enclosed 12 cabs the other night. One P cab alone did not sound good, but the two in stereo sounded very good.
Tonight we are doing an outside gig. I think the single speaker in mono is what I will use. It is nice to move only a seat with everthing attached, a speaker and the Steel. I have been playing my Sierra 12, but am going to use the MSA 12 for the outside gig. Hope it sounds as good. Am thinking about trying an ampeg twin 10 neo-demium cab like Fred Newell is using. They are lite and come with a wheels cart. |
Jerry Knapper
Member From: Roland, OK, USA
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posted 18 May 2006 06:41 AM
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The stereo outputs are labeled for 4 ohms so using the two 4 ohm speakers worked well.
I forgot to add that the low Z antenuated line out will be used tonight out to the mackie board for the outdoor gig. What is really nice is if I didn't want to carry a speaker and just use the sound system, I would only have my seat with the 4.6 lb amp attached and the steel to carry! |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 20 May 2006 08:57 AM
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Hi Jerry,
What digital effects processor are you using? I have an Alesis Quad GT, but I find it is so hissy that I don't use it.
I think your idea of an extremely light rig is attractive. It takes advantage of the modern electronics designs now available.
-paul |
Jerry Knapper
Member From: Roland, OK, USA
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posted 20 May 2006 07:40 PM
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Yes Paul, light is the way to go and now with Class D power amps, we can really get light and have great clean or Marshall 1970 tube type sound.
Today was great to go into the recording studio, set up the seat with the processor and amp, (which were stored in the seat) and play. Two pieces to carry was all I needed.
I use a Crate GFX1000 (guitar processor) most of the time. I found a BFX100 (bass unit) also and either works great. These units are no longer produced, but have multiple preset effects with ajustable parameters. They also have a digital tuner and adjustable tone to tune by (super sensitive). New they were $279. I have purchased them for as low as $75 used, to about $180. After trying them and some of the most popular other units, I and a few other steel players I know, have gone back to the crate units. The uniqueness of the CPB150 with it's 10" long size and only 4.6 LBs, warrants a good 1/2 or 1/3 space processor that fits in the seat. It really is neat to not have to lug so much weight around.
Concerning Hiss, if you have an input gain, attempt to set it as far open as you can without causing distortion; then, only open the output level or volume to a sufficient lever. Also, if you do not have it in an effects loop, you could be preamplifying and amplifiying any signal and noise coming thru the processor. Try to always run through an effects loop, (in some cases an insert jack) to get the least noise. The CPB150 has two effects insert loops, one for each channel or you can use the left/mono in the mono mode. | |
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