I have very low volume when plugged into any input and is full of static no matter the gain/drive setting, Is the whole preamp bad or do i just to replace the tube in it, it is supposedly brand new, i have never used it before

1. Sounds like it's the input jack., but it could be the volume knob. Have you tried turning Gain1 and Gain 2 or the Clean Channel volume? Try them first when you're plugged in to the jack on the left , then when you're plugged in the back. If none of these work, it's most likely the preamp. 2. Even if the preamp is shot, there's a quick fix - get a guitar preamp or an effects pedal - they have volume and tone controls. 3. Finally - many pros just plug into the aux jack(on the rear panel) and control the volume and tone through their instruments. Hope one of these works. Good Luck.

Instructions:
Evaluate your current receiver. Take a look at the back-panel connections to make sure you don't have a phono input. In most cases, the phono input will be clearly marked. If the connections are not marked, look for a set of RCA-style inputs with a grounding screw next to them; this is a phono input. If there isn't a phono input on your receiver, see if you have an open set of RCA inputs. If they are all occupied by other equipment, you can disconnect one piece of equipment, buy an A/V switcher or get a new receiver--preferably one with a phono input.
2 Purchase a phono preamp. The voltage output of a turntable is much lower than those of other peripheral devices, including CD players, tape decks and game systems. Although the inputs look the same, connecting a turntable to a standard RCA audio input will result in very faint sound output, if you hear anything at all. The output of your turntable must be amplified to a level of about 150 millivolts (mVs) before it reaches the receiver, so a turntable "pre-amplifier" or phono preamp is necessary.
3. Purchase patch cables. You'll need a set to run from the preamp to your receiver. Measure how long your cables need to be, and purchase accordingly. Resist the temptation to "go cheap," because better-quality cables will provide better sound.
4. Connect the preamp into the system. First plug the preamp into an AC power outlet. Most models have a small AC-to-DC adapter built into the plug. Then connect the cables from the turntable to the preamp, and connect your new patch cables from the preamp to the receiver.
5. Adjust the gain of the phono preamp. Most models have a gain control for fine-tuning. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and adjust your system accordingly.

F150 Parts.

You haven't told us what type mic you are using. If you are trying to use a condensr mic with this, you will need a preamp that supplies Phantom power to the mic. You haven't told us what cable you are using. Do check that you aren't using a condenser mic as there will be virtually no volume.

I assume that the hum exists without any cables plugged into the input. If that is not the case, then make sure all input cables and source are using BALANCED lines. If the hum is present with no input cables, since this is a tube type preamp, the input tube for the bad channel is first suspect. It is likely a 12AX7 or 12AT7 type tube. Since there are two channels, the first thing is to SWAP the two channels and see if the hum moves with the tube... if it does replace the tube. I have seen another problem with preamps in general where bypass capacitors from either side of the XLR connectors to ground get zapped with static and one side shorts. This reduces the gain by 6 DB and leads to hum.

Sometimes the bypass switch contacts on the effects jacks get oxidized and fail to connect the preamp to the power amp... test this by plugging another guitar cable between the two effects (send and return) and see if the amp is solid with the cable in place, These jacks in the music equipment are really not very durable. If in failed mode you can plug a cable into the effects RETURN and touch the tip and NOT get a it of hum, there is a problem in the power amp portion. Conversely if that works, then plug a set of headphones into the effects SEND and see if you can hear a signal from the inout coming through... Itwill only be on one side of the headphones (left) as it is a monaural jack. If you can't hear a weak signal here, the problem is in the preamp... LIKELY a cracked board or bad solder around one of the volume or master gain controls... a very common problem and often is intermittent... you might try wiggling the volume/gain pots sideways a tiny bit... if it pops on, remove the amp and look for bad solder on the control leads where they attach to the board.

Setting of the DP2 depends on what type of input signal used. If the input is a strong line level,source such as the output of a keyboard or a synth module you may want to engage the Pad button and then set the gain knob to bring the average signal to 0 on the VU meter.
If you are using a condenser microphone the 48v button must be engaged and again set the gain control for an average of 0 on the VU meter.
If using a dynamic microphone, the 48v button does not need to be engaged,but it doesn't matter if it is on.
When using inputs plugged into XLR the signal can be inverted by depressing the I/O button, this will reverse the signal phase going to your multitrack (used for signal phase problems)
The 80hz button can be used to minimize annoying low frequencies (A/C rumble)present in the signal.
The tube drive knob is used to direct the signal to a 12ax7 tube drive circuit in conjunction with the main gain knob and as usual you want to keep the signal close to 0.
The clip light should not be illuminated when a signal is present,slight flickering is ok but total illumination means the signal is distorting.
This is a two channel unit so chn 2 is an exact copy of chn 1 and all controls are the same.
Most important, use your ears and listen closely to the results.

I suspect you are going into protect mode which backs the gain way off to prevent over driving.

You MAY be trying to get too much volume out of it. Remember that the value of "3" on the volume means ALMOST nothing as you may have a hotter guitar. Some guitars with internal preamps EASILY overdrive the amps at low settings. Do not use excessive gain at the input.

If the amp is real low volume way below what is needed to play, then there may be a problem with the protection/compressor circuit.

Suggestion: Take your guitar to a music store and compare action on an IDENTICAL amp.

Hello. As per the post before me, if you have a receiver with a Phono input(many receivers don't have one anymore) the output of a phono cartridge is around 30 millivolts, vs 300 millivolts for a CD(10 times the amount) or any other line level device. A Phono preamp, also has RIAA(recording engineering standards)Equalization that provides the proper equalization for a Phono cartridge. As per the other post, yes, it will sound very low, and unnatural sounding. If the input you are plugging the turntable input into, doesn't say Phono, you can purchase an inexpensive Phono preamp made just for this very issue. You can try Radio Shack, or find something of better quality on the Internet.

Regards,

Dave

it is possible to "blow" the input channel if you turn the volume up above a quarter( if it's set by numbers, say 1 low and 30 max then set to 6 or 7)
a microphone has no external power and runs entirley from the voice coil inside(micro volts) and the mp3 playrt will put out volts.

The preamp section has a problem. It could be anything in the preamp but is OFTEN the input jack itself. They take a lot of abuse.

Also the insert jack contacts that forward the preamp to the power amp if no external FX are used can go bad.

Additional things are circuit board cracks caused by rough handling and also controls that have had the knobs mashed in which can destroy the potentiometers they are connected to.