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

[seamonkey]

I'm not adverse to knobs, once you get familiar with them.
But these knobs on the plugin modules aren't automated right? Just the Quiver pre-amp and routing.

I see the copy says they're targeting Acoustic Guitars and Bass players.
That seems odd. I think keyboards would like it.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It's funny the amount of "gimme the old ways" reaction in here... Remember that it was not so long ago, one or two generations, that double-bassists thought you crazy kids with your electric "Fender basses" were dilettantes and not real musicians.

We still do.

The old ways include analog effects and class AB power amp. Why not digital?

[kurotenshi]

I Don't get it, all over these forums we see gigantic pedal boards and 6, 8, 10 unit racks with stuff, both mark bass and Randall designed modular amps and still this much people saying that this is to big and a bad idea??? Gezzz
Although it is true many people are going for light wight, there are still a large amount of people that would not use an AxeFx if their life depended on it and still carry Avalon units along to every gig.

So IMO, this is a great way to go, one can get a studio grade signal chain with about half the space of the typical rack units and the MIDI switch is just how I would control my rig.

[Chef]

Hey; there's your first customer

[petrus61]

I think it's pretty neat. The 500 series stuff is certainly interesting, particularly the compressors still only available as rack mount or strips. I like it. (Then again, I don't mind lugging my heavy, old dinosaur of a GK700RBII around)

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by KJung

FYI, all those 'non bass specific' studio plug ins are available now, along with powered single space rack units to hold them.

IMO and IME the necessities of a live mix are quite different than studio needs. Hwever, this does seem a unique combination of a traditional bass amp with a complex effects switching system and an effects rack all in one.

Again, seems like a niche of a niche of a niche product, especially given the size and that it is built for multiple rack units. Who knows. I surely wouldn't introduce this if making money was a goal of the company

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, its not a micro amp thats for sure. Kjung, everybody is starting to buy big and heavy again....No more micro's Kjung. Start to get a bigger and heavier Cart.

[jungleheat]

I think it looks pretty cool. Might be cool if they offered some basic configurations, as well as the "empty" version. Not really sure why so many people are saying 500 watts isn't enough. That's a ton of power unless you're playing huge places. The problem is people try to squeeze 500w through a single 10, not realizing that A, you will only have about 60% of that on tap with a typical 8 ohm 10, and you can really only push a single small speaker like that so far. On the other hand, 500w through a good 4x10, 2x15, etc... is enough to blow the doors off most venues most bassists are likely to actually play in real life.

Duh, obviously this is not going to appeal to the "just give me my SVT and 8x10 so I can rock out" kind of guys, or the "I need to be able to carry my entire band's gear with my pinkie, while hopping on one foot, sound quality be damned" guys, and it's clearly not supposed to.

I see it more appealing to R&B/funk/jazz guys, going for a cleaner, more modern tone, studio session guys, prog guys (or just anyone who wants to use effects and processing a little more creatively), tone tweakers, etc...

As long as they can bring it in at a reasonable price point (maybe $500-1000 street price), they should sell a few. I mean, guys spend $1700 on SVT heads and those weigh 90 pounds and are only 300w and only about a 1/2 dozen controls to experiment with. Plus, I'm sure with these 500 series modules, there's a whole culture of DIY stuff that could be done. So it will also appeal to people who are into that stuff.

[droskobass]

I think people are getting it. The idea of a new product is usually to add new choices and new options, not just offer the same thing we're used to in blue...

I had never heard of 500 series modules until I saw this.. Now I feel like there is a choice that can take my GAS in a new direction.

[sysexguy]

a similar thing happened in the early 2000's with studio channels strips and FOH...when the makers first proposed a studio channel strip (basically an integrated preamp/eq/compressor) for use other than a studio, everyone thought they were nuts and the controls usually found on a touring console were considered more than adequate.

Not long afterwards and to this day, most tours have a selection of high end channel strips for lead vocals and kick and snare, even with today's digital consoles that run a near infinite selection of plug-ins.

[mike bass]

OK, I work for these guys so technically you could call me a corporate "suit", so there is my disclaimer. That said, I am bass gear guy first and foremost. I still play alot of gigs and I follow gear as closely and passionately as any of us here. This amp may not be for everyone but that's OK. Some players will dig this idea and some of you won't. Please keep offering your thoughts and suggestions. For those of you that are into this concept....

For me this amp is a dream come true. I never would have thought to do this and once Andy at Diffusion shared it with me it became the amp I want. He has done a brilliant job designing an amp that makes it possible to have an unlimited tonal pallet while not being locked into to one manufacturer's idea of tone by using proprietary modules.

There are currently over 300 modules on the market offering anything from compression and EQ to effects, bass enhancement and more. Most of these products are studio grade so you're gonna' sound great. Some pedal manufacturers who saw Quiver recognized its potential and some hinted that they might get into the 500 series market, making your options even greater in the near future. Besides, if you want to use pedals there are comprehensive effect loop options which are programmable with each preset. Eventually my "big rig" will be based around Quiver and my Rocktron Loopmate all under MIDI control.

I found the amp easy to use and understand and it generated quite enough volume for me. It was loaded with an Empirical Labs EQ, Little Labs bass enahncement tool, Moog filter, and Alysia comp. Different combinations of the modules yielded a variety of tones that were all useful. We ran it through Form Factor 210 and 115 cabs.

It was fun to have the Moog filter at my disposal but the subtle differences in tone you can achieve by using different eq's and compressors in different combinations makes for a richer playing experience. Like I said, you will be using studio grade eq's and comps, unless you totally screw up your settings, you're gonna' sound good. I also found that when all modules are bypassed the Quiver preamp held its own quite well.

Hopefully more of you will get an opportunity to try one somewhere soon. Please keep the posts and suggestions coming and let us know what you guys think. If you wish to message me privately with questions you can get me here or at mvt0726@hotmail.com