Gain levels for D.I. Out to P.A. Fishman Loudbox mini

[Brooks Montgomery]

Is there a general rule of thumb for how high to set the gain knobs for the signal going to the P.A.?
For gigs, (Dobro and Weissenborn with pickups), I’m using a Fishman Loudbox mini amp with D. I. out to the P. A. , as are two other musicians that I am gigging with (guitars and fiddle).

On the Fishman Loudbox mini, the Master, when using the D.I. out, controls how much sound comes out of the amp speaker (so it works as a monitor of sorts).

[Stew Crookes]

Seeing as the master also controls your monitor level, I’d concern myself with that primarily and there should be a workable level coming out the direct output of a well designed device such as the loudbox at any reasonable volume setting. I use a Quilter SuperBlock (and a Nashville 112 before that) and it’s the same scenario - I’ve never had anyone at the mixing board tell me the direct out was too loud or too quiet.

When there’s no ‘amplification’ involved, a good starting point for clean sound on devices with both gain/master controls is to put the master around 3/4 of the way up, and use just as much gain as you need to get a workable level at the mixer and adjust from there if needed.

[Brooks Montgomery]

Thanks Stew.

[Howard Parker]

According to the manual's block diagram the master level will not effect the DI output level (as expected).

So set the input gain for an adequate signal to the PA and set the master for suitable stage volume and you should be good to go.

hp

[Brooks Montgomery]

Thank you Howard.

[Stew Crookes]

Oops - I misunderstood and thought the Loudbox DI output was post master volume the way it is on my Quilter

[Howard Parker]

Looks like the master controls only the power amp section.

[Brooks Montgomery]

Thanks Howard. As confused as I am by electronics, that schematic really is helpful in understanding “the flow”.