The Bass amp bar just got raised a lot higher: Diffusion Audio Quiver Q505A

[rumblinbass]

this or this or this

[HolmeBass]

I like the concept, but yeah, the power amp is too anemic for the kind of user that would be interested in this for live use. I could see a high-end studio buying one, especially since they already have the 500 modules they like on hand.

[silky smoove]

500 series lunchbox for a bass amp? Overkill. Expensive. Complicated.

No thanks. I hope it sounds great, and works well for a lot of folks, but I'll be passing on this one. The lunchbox format is amazing for guys working in multiple studios, doing engineering or session work. For a live date, just give me a micro with sufficient power and an adequate cab(s) and I'm all set.

[Blue_Whistle88]

I agree with what was said about it being a solution to a problem that doesn't exist yet. That said, that's how many great business ventures started (make something people don't need that costs a fortune, then convince them they need it), so maybe it'll take off. I can see how one could use it if one needed one unit to amplify bass guitar, some Taurus pedals, and maybe another synth of some kind (Geddy Lee comes to mind)), but... shesh, talk about a small target market.

For your typical bass player, it's too big, undoubtedly too heavy (especially considering the advances being made with class D amps these days), under-powered considering its size, and has too many controls. They're probably assigned to different sections within the unit, but a good live amp needs a few, very concise controls. Plus, I shudder to think how much it'll cost.

[sysexguy]

Hi everyone, all feedback is most welcome and I thank everyone who contributed from yeah, neah and meh to specific concerns and suggestions.

The amp is actually a 4 knobber and one can happily load it with super simple modules and be done. We also got lots of feedback from pedal manufacturers who are considering entry into the 500 series market, which can make for simpler and less costly modules in the near term.

The power is something we are watching closely.....but class D won't happen unless we nix the pre-amp compatibility....until one hears what a bass amp sounds like with a Neve front end , that may seem to be a simpler sacrifice to make.

At this point, with so many 5-8 lbs amps out there, I think it's time to take a different direction....either not bother...or offer the Quiver....

thanks,

[Sid Fang]

More knobs than I want on stage, more watts than I need in the studio...

[Downunderwonder]

You're looking to replace high end pedalboards?

I don't see who would buy one for playing onstage. I like the pedals I have. If I desperately wanted to try something only available in a 500 module I would get it and jury rig it.

Why can't a Neve front end drive a class D amp?

[lyla1953]

Originally Posted by keiththebassist

Pilots have a joke about the cockpit appointments: Pull back on the stick, the plane goes up. Push down on the stick, the plane goes down. All those lights? Oh, those are just to impress the chicks

No, No, No..Pull back and houses get small...Push and houses get big...Lights are only there to impress the flight attendants...female only on my watch - On that we do agree!

[hdracer]

6l6's or 6550's in that thing?

[vin*tone]

I have a modular effects unit already. I call it a "pedal board".

[rumblinbass]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Why can't a Neve front end drive a class D amp?

um...it...can.

[Kmonk]

Originally Posted by oerk

Way too complicated and expensive for me, but I'm sure there's a market for it.

Originally Posted by B-string

Sorry IMHO for a working bassist this is way over-kill. The point of all the bells and whistles is what? Knobs and pretty lights though?

Originally Posted by pgolliher

It looks like the cockpit of an airplane. I am way more into one good sound that is portable and gigable than a million different sounds in a rack, but to each their own.

I agree!

[sysexguy]

Well, we don't want to use class D (even so called premium class D solutions like ICE power and Hypex) with the possible gain structures present all in the same box....it is entirely possible to do it but that's not the point. Every design needs some framework and that's a decision that we made.

As mentioned, there's nothing keeping anyone from getting a serially connected 500 chassis from Radial, Empirical Labs etc. etc. and connecting that into a great powerful lightweight class D amp. I don't think the result will be as good as the Quiver but it will be cheaper, lighter, available today and perfectly suitable for many applications.

As far as pedals are concerned, while the fad is to measure a musician by the size of their pedalboard, in my opinion, placing certain pedals on the front of the stage is neither secure (wrt theft or damage) or the right place for simplest signal path. The same pedal companies are also venturing in Eurorack formats for synthesis....a market where pedals in their current form will also 100% provide functionality and performance in their intended application.

[Downunderwonder]

So you are looking to replace high end pedalboards!

[sysexguy]

Not at all, just to offer an alternative to consider.

[mjac28]

Congrats looks like an awful amount of R&D went into bringing it to life I hope it sells well and you continue to bring some very innovative products to market.

[sysexguy]

RumblinBass, we're looking forward to trying your 517 with an acoustic guitar or upright bass combining 2 the inputs from a dual pickup system. Seems like a perfect application for this module.

[rumblinbass]

Originally Posted by sysexguy

RumblinBass, we're looking forward to trying your 517 with an acoustic guitar or upright bass combining 2 the inputs from a dual pickup system. Seems like a perfect application for this module.

it will work very well for both applications. The 517 is a repackaged 5017. The 5017 was designed with the gigging musician/singer-songwriter in mind. With it you can go from the stage to the studio with one preamp and send your signal to a live/recording mixer. With all of its features and flexibility it made sense for it to be our first product in the 500 series market.

...keep input impedances of both inputs in mind and match your source accordingly.

[svtb15]

I used the Voice Of God on a session the other day with my A Design Erickson - Montessi EM500 Gold Pre and it was amazing... This is a nice idea for studio tones in a live setting..

[svtb15]

+1
I have the A-Design 500 HR 1 space rack unit with the EM500 pre and BAC500 Compressor.. Works great with my old crown MA1200...
I really dont even need any EQ depending on the cabs...
It only comes out about 2x a year on a special gig.. but it is all that!
But A-Design has the Electrodyn EQ that i have my eye on...

Originally Posted by rumblinbass

I like the concept, but I agree, I bit overboard.
I like the idea of using 500 series modules because of the flexibility - you don't like this compressor? fine, there are 300 others you can choose from.
Personally, I would get a 500 series rack that holds two modules and a power amp.