Ultralite MK3 Input is HOT! What am I missing?

[steeeve]

I searched through the forum and found one inconclusive post about this.

Why is the Instrument input so hot? I'm plugging a Strat in with low output vintage single coils. The trim on analog 1 is backed ALL the way down. The input is still way hot. If I play an open E chord I get overshoots in Reaper and in Live 7.

Anyone else experiencing this. If this is the way it is, then this unit is useless to me. I play pretty hard and dig into the strings. I can't do that under these circumstances. I can't change the way I play to adapt to hardware.

Please help. Thanks.

[eyeknow]

I know I have to push the pad to -20 then turn up to taste. My strat is usually at about +9 AFTER that -20 pad

[steeeve]

wait...my pad switch has no effect on the TRS input and the manual says that it doesn't. Are you using a DI into the XLR or something?

I thought about doing that but I shouldn't have to resort to that.

[eyeknow]

I doesn't matter what input I use. That is what it is there for.....signal too hot? No problem, hit the -20 db pad and adjust from there.

You should at least try it

[steeeve]

Hmm, I tried the pad on Analog 1 (front) and Analog 2 (rear) using an instrument cable and nothing happened.

Keep in mind I am referring to the combo jacks only. My manual clearly states:

"Since the pad is NOT AVAILABLE ON the TRS jack, hot signals connected via the TRS jack will probably overdrive the input."

Well, it's a Strat with vintage single coils! Is this instrument input really too hot to use for a guitar? Anyone else having the same issue? I could plug a DI into the thing, but that's kind of counterintuitive since I bought this thing as an "all in one" type of thing.

[eyeknow]

"Since the pad is NOT AVAILABLE ON the TRS jack, hot signals connected via the TRS jack will probably overdrive the input."

That is not a good thing. My traveler the pad works regardless of trs or xlr.

I have crossed the ultralite mk3 off my list! Hope you get it sorted out and sorry I couldn't help

[glenecho]

On my Ultralite the Analog 1 is not too hot with the trim turned all the way down...especially with a Strat. On a guitar I have with hot EMGs it will barely peak the input but hey...that's what EMGs do. I think you've got a technical problem going on.

And no...when using the trs the pad does not do anything on the Ultralite...only XLR.

[bybalone]

Same thing here. when i plug me Les Paul in analog, it's too hot. I have to turn off a bit my volume knob on the guitar. I guess you could use a cord with a jack at one end and the XLR at the other and then use the pad.

[steeeve]

glenecho, would you mind playing an open E chord pretty hard with the trim all the way down and tell me where you're peaking? I don't play that hard, but some people do.

Also, is yours a MKIII?

thanks

[HotShot]

Hi Steeeve:

According to the manual, "Hot signals are best connected via an XLR cable so that you can use the pad switch."

So for you, you should find a way to connect to Inputs 1-2 via an XLR cable ( a cable with a female XLR end and a male TRS (1/4 inch) end on the other end should do it, if your output source is a 1/4 inch TRS jack). Then, you can use the pad switch using the -18 dB or -36 dB setting and adjusting the trim as needed to get the signal level you want. Because as you say, the pad switch is not functional when connected via the TRS part of Inputs 1-2.

So, for the UltraLite-mk3, the pad switch isn't functional when connected via the TRS part of Inputs 1-2, but it is functional when connected via the XLR part of inputs 1-2.