I want to build a tiny mono (solid state is fine) amp as a second channel in a small (2 watt) tube guitar amp that I use for practice. The point is having something that can amplify my metronome, or an iPod for playing along with backing tracks, etc. For some reason that I don’t understand, when I use a Y-adapter to plug the guitar and another source into the amp (metronome or iPod), the guitar is attenuated to where it is hard to even hear.
It would have it’s own input and output, and I hope to power it off of the power light though I am not sure the voltage. The amp has a way-overkill transformer, so I am sure it would easily support the additional current.
I’m thinking the mono 7-watt amp kit would be great, but I don’t know what else I need to buy… Aside from wire and such, will that be all that is needed?
There are a number of things you need to consider:
The K4001 amp has an input sensitivity of 40mV.
You cannot connect it to a guitar pickup, the output level is way too low.
You will need a line level signal at the input of the amp.
You will also need a 47K log pot as volume adjust at the input of the amp.
Make sure to check the supply voltage. The amp requires 12VDC.
[quote=“VEL417”]There are a number of things you need to consider:
The K4001 amp has an input sensitivity of 40mV.
You cannot connect it to a guitar pickup, the output level is way too low.
You will need a line level signal at the input of the amp.
You will also need a 47K log pot as volume adjust at the input of the amp.
Make sure to check the supply voltage. The amp requires 12VDC.[/quote]
This would be for the line out of another device like an electronic metronome. (Headphone out actually, but I’d adjust the volume down to about" line level".) As there are volume controls on the iPod, etc, it sounds like all I need is to make sure I have a 12v DC supply? Maybe add the 47K log pot if I want better control from the amp side of things?
“Mixing” two outputs together with a simple Y-adapter is always a bad idea!! Device A sees the output of Device B as a load and vice versa. So the two device connected this way, always influence each other and this always results in a bad or changed sound.
The best you can do is to use a simple mixer (PROMIX100, PROMIX20, PROMIX20U,…) to combine your signals. As an extra advantage you get individual volume control also.