Leaving speaker in cab while using line out

[heavenorlasvegas]

Or can i remove it? I have a fender rumble 40 that I will be using the line out connection of, and I’m looking to plug this straight into my interface.

I’ve read reports that I could damage the amp by unplugging the speaker from the cabinet while using only the preamp section of my amp for recording purposes.

Is this true?

[MOF]

It’s not a good idea to disconnect the speaker, the amplifier is expecting a load to work into.
If the line out disconnects the amplifier/speaker and that’s what you want then that’s fine, but if you’re getting an output at the speaker and you don’t want that then you’re going to have to put a power soak between the amplifier and speaker and that would be a better place to get a line output as you get the over driven sound while having the speaker volume low or silent.

[James Perrett]

Since this amp features a headphone output that mutes the speaker, you might be better off just plugging in some headphones when you want the speaker muted.

It is usually only valve amps that need a speaker connected at all times but I'd consult the manual and follow the recommendations in there.

[Wonks]

It’s solid state so you should be fine with the speaker disconnected. But have you tried the line out to see if it’s affected by the master volume?

It may be taken before the master volume (but after the EQ) so that the recording/FOH level stays constant if you change the stage volume. In that instance there’s no need to disconnect the speaker.

[heavenorlasvegas]

thanks for the help you guys. i just read that about not having to disconnect if its solid state...

im good to go! thanks again.

[MarkOne]

Not sure what this will achieve. The amp is solid state, and therefore it’s preamp is probably a pretty generic op amp gain stage.

Not sure this will impart any tonal magic, (other than some noise maybe) so you might be better off plugging into an instrument input on the interface.

[James Perrett]

I presume the line out goes through the tone controls and any other processing that the amp offers so there could be some advantages to sending the signal through it. I have an Ampeg transistor head here which offers useful preamp processing so I use its line out fairly often when recording bass or anything else that might benefit from the sound.