DI w/ Combo Amp

Stev187 · #1 12-04-2011, 11:44 AM

Hey guys:

I've poked around the archives for some direction on this and can't find exactly what I am looking for; here's my question.

Q. Is it advisable to run a DI/preamp with a large combo amp that doesn't have an effects loop?

After many years away, I am playing BG again and starting to put a stage rig together. The gear is very different (much improved) from when I was playing out in the late 80s/early 90s. Back then, I ran a large head bi-amped with a 1x15 and 2x10 (pretty standard rig back then). Playing live, I always used a DI box which took straight signal from my bass to the board. I use a very dry setting: my thing was lots of clean power and almost zero processing from a Jazz bass w/ EMGs. I never used any effects when I played out before, and I don't think I will now. I didn't even like the on-board chorus that was part of my head.

Flash forward to today, and I have a GK MB210 which is loud enough for all the playing we are doing now. When I need more, I plan to add an MBE extension cab. The two cabs will weigh less than my old rackmounted head did all by itself!

My ideal setup would be a DI/preamp that sent direct bass signal to the board, then passed that on to my combo.My thought is that I could EQ the DI for the sound I want from the bass and use the EQ on the combo very "neutral" and tweak it to fit the room. Ideally, I'd like an out for a tuner. I wouldn't even ask the question if the MB210 had an effects loop--I'd just get one and try it. So, would this work well?

A follow-up question would be recommendations for DI/Preamps. I've been eyeballing the SansAmp Bass Driver DI and Eden WTDI. My preference would be for a very clean sound with the option to do something other than the GK EQ.

Thanks!

--Steve

bongomania · #2 12-04-2011, 11:51 AM

Actually what you're describing is the mainstream norm. Only in a rare weird instance would you find somebody running a DI out of an fx loop.

As for preamp recommendations, there are honestly dozens of great options out there, at every price point from $40 to $4000, no exaggeration. So you'll need to be a little more specific in that department.

oldcatfish · #3 12-04-2011, 11:55 AM

I use my Zoom B2 processor (for the eq and amp simulations) into a DI box, with a parallel out to a combo as a stage monitor...just like you are proposing. I play at several different churches, each with a different provided backline. Rather than bring my own amp, it provides consistency, and works very well.

To answer your second question, I think the Tech21 VT deluxe has everything that you are looking for.

RickenBoogie · #4 12-04-2011, 01:04 PM

When looking at (and listening to) preamp/DI's, check out the MXR M-80. It's a very "neutral" sounding preamp, with a 3 band eq, and also has distortion, which some love and some hate, but includes a blend feature to dial it in better. Very well made and inexpensive. I prefer it over any of the Sansamp models.

RobbieNuke · #5 12-04-2011, 01:13 PM

I have MXR M-80 as well, nice middle of the road unit with a combination of pre-amp, 2nd channel with distortion/gate, a boost feature (think deep switch), a 2nd dry line-out for tuner, and a XLR-type DI! Small, very quiet. The distortion is more of a fuzz tone effect, so as stated earlier not for everyone. The blend feature works in making the distortion a bit more usable, but the overall distortion effect can be tricky to dial-in perfectly each and every time. Sound check with the full band is the best way.

BTW, I'm against DI's in general lately. Heard a band last night where the bass player plugged directly into the mixer (mixing on-stage w/ small PA system, 15 + HF horn stick-system, no-subs)... noisy at all hell! DI box may have worked there, but a medium size (100W w/ 15") bass amp would have been just fine too.

Stev187 · #6 12-04-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

So you'll need to be a little more specific in that department.

This is really helpful, gang. I never used a stompbox ever in my years playing out. The MXR unit looks great, and it fits the "specific" thing I am probably looking for: quiet, neutral, tuner-out, and $200 price point.

Funny--my kid is now a bassist and bugging me for some kind of pedal to get "that Peter Hook sound." 10-year old Owen has become a huge Joy Division fan (his dad likes soul and R&B, so how did that happen?), but he wants some kind of pedal to sound like Hooky's overdriven Hiwatt on "Isolation." It's hysterical.

Joy Division - 02 - Isolation - YouTube

I don't suppose the distortion on this unit could come close, eh?

--Steve

Stev187 · #7 12-12-2011, 04:14 PM

Okay guys... got the MXR M-80. Back when I played out, every pedal I tried got taken back. Never liked them. But this thing does give a good deal more control over the boomy GK MB210. I need to do a lot more messing around, but by putting all the combo amp settings at 12 o'clock and then using the M-80, I get a much more pleasing sound out of the amp.

So, what does that "color" circuit do, anyway? Sounds a bit scooped in the mids, but I really don't know.

It would be interesting to try to dial in a similar sound on the GK 4-band EQ and then compare.

Definately a very usable pedal. Thanks for the recommendation.

--Steve

RickenBoogie · #8 12-12-2011, 04:57 PM

You got it, the "color" button is a mid scoop, which, when engaged, renders the 3 band eq useless. I never touch that button. As to the Joy Division sound, I don't know, but you've got the pedal, so maybe it'll work. I never use the distortion on that pedal. It's yuk to my ears. Glad it worked out for you.

Stev187 · #9 12-12-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

You got it, the "color" button is a mid scoop, which, when engaged, renders the 3 band eq useless. I never touch that button.

Thanks again for the rec. I've only played with it for 15 min or so, but the EQ seems to function with the "color" engaged. Sounded a bit like the compression I had on a large head back in the day (and similar to what most sound guys did to my signal).

Not sure about the Peter Hook tone. That was only a side thought. I think that's mostly a HiWatt and cheap Hondo Ric-copy talking (or his later Yamaha) with some chorus. I suppose I could Google it if I really wanted my son to play like that! :-)

--Steve

P.S. Seems like you could use the 2nd channel w/o distortion for some utitlity. Mute/kill switch? Slight signal boost? But it always has "color" engaged, right?