Kern IP-777 + Sadowsky CLIPS

[emohair]

So, I have been playing at this church for a bit and we usually record the service. It's really just the house mix, so nothing super fancy. On this Sunday for whatever reason, my bass was really up - and this was the first Sunday I used my Kern IP-777 preamp with my Sadowsky UV70 (ash and maple fretboard).

I attached two samples of how it sounds, I am SOOO happy with the tone I am getting out of the pair.

1st Clip - We had tweaked stuff between services, so I didn't realize my tone was like REALLY bright. This first clip, I had the bright switch on.

2nd Clip - When I got a chance at the end of the first song, I turned the bright switch off and I believe I adjusted the Tonal Balance knob...and that's all I can remember doing. It definitely warmed up the tone a lot, but still good clarity.

The only samples I could find online of the Kern were just on Basstasters, figured someone might want to hear it in action!

Also disclaimer...these are praise and worship songs, I am not trying to offend anyone, just provide some samples - dont hate me

[gastric]

Smooth.

[KJung]

Beautiful, smooth, warm tone. Nice!

That bright switch didn't seem to do much up top. I like the second clip tone better... nicer, more defined mids ( could hear a bit of growl down low on that one), and the top end sounded similar.

I like a bit more grind and upper mid presence in my personal tone, but that is a GREAT example of a kind of 'clean tube fat' tone... I use the word 'creamy' to describe that tone... very nice, and nice playing too.

Interesting how a very smooth, fat preamp like the Kern can make the very bright, aggressive UV70 sound like a warm, fat alder/RW model!

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by emohair

So, I have been playing at this church for a bit and we usually record the service. It's really just the house mix, so nothing super fancy. On this Sunday for whatever reason, my bass was really up - and this was the first Sunday I used my Kern IP-777 preamp with my Sadowsky UV70 (ash and maple fretboard).

I attached two samples of how it sounds, I am SOOO happy with the tone I am getting out of the pair.

1st Clip - We had tweaked stuff between services, so I didn't realize my tone was like REALLY bright. This first clip, I had the bright switch on.

2nd Clip - When I got a chance at the end of the first song, I turned the bright switch off and I believe I adjusted the Tonal Balance knob...and that's all I can remember doing. It definitely warmed up the tone a lot, but still good clarity.

The only samples I could find online of the Kern were just on Basstasters, figured someone might want to hear it in action!

Also disclaimer...these are praise and worship songs, I am not trying to offend anyone, just provide some samples - dont hate me

and nice playing. So what you haven't told us...was this DI'd, or a miked cab, line out, or ?

Cheers,
Cameron

[emohair]

It's been somewhat of a challenge to warm my bass tone up...but I had been using a SWR Grand Prix so, go figure.

I couldn't stop smiling when I first hooked up the pre, it sounds even better through my cab - this is just direct out tha back of the Kern to the board.

[emohair]

I should add, I have 3 full tracks - I just wanted to post samples here. If for whatever reason you want all 3 in full then just message me!

[chadds]

I don't believe everything I read on TB. Somehow I thought that the hype was true about the Kern. When one appeared locally I snapped it up.
Truly amazing.

[Jazzdogg]

Sounds great!

[emohair]

Believe the hype, I was skeptical but glad I made the plunge!

[Irishbass]

Gorgeous tone dude, and nice playing too... what cabs do you play through? Does the tone you have in the clips reflect what was coming from your speakers as well?

[chadds]

That grind is not in the Kern but in his touch, strings, etc. That bloom is so nice. The Kern is honest in that it doesn't hide anything and gives you back whatever your technique will allow.

[emohair]

I am using a Schroeder 410L, and I would say playing through the cab the tone is slightly more mid scooped. Oddly enough, its been a nice combo - I want another 410L tho! haha

And thanks again for the kind words, I feel at times I have a lighter touch than others that I jam with but its all in the feel - I try to approach the attack very carefully, I think you get more soul in your playing that way...and your dynamics are better!

[SactoBass]

GREAT bass tone!!

The Kern IP-777 rocks!

[emohair]

Felt like bumping this thread, AND I realized I never really answered some of your questions!

These samples were from the DI in my Kern run straight into the board. Typically there is just a DI for the bass but we just throw that back in the sound booth when I roll up with the Kern haha. The mix was just the FOH or monitor mix. I believe I run it pre EQ now, but for the clips I believe it was still set to post EQ (that's why the bright switch was apparent in the mix).

I still have this rig, getting some new Sadowsky strings in the mail and I'm playin out next Friday with the Kern IP-777, Sadowsky, and Schroeder 410L!! Now I gotta brush up on "Do I Do"

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by emohair

Felt like bumping this thread, AND I realized I never really answered some of your questions!

These samples were from the DI in my Kern run straight into the board. Typically there is just a DI for the bass but we just throw that back in the sound booth when I roll up with the Kern haha. The mix was just the FOH or monitor mix. I believe I run it pre EQ now, but for the clips I believe it was still set to post EQ (that's why the bright switch was apparent in the mix).

I still have this rig, getting some new Sadowsky strings in the mail and I'm playin out next Friday with the Kern IP-777, Sadowsky, and Schroeder 410L!! Now I gotta brush up on "Do I Do"

Did you have to do anything specific to run the Kern DI Pre-EQ? I have one (Chadds' unit), and If I read the DI controls at the back you've got a ground switch and a phase switch and its hard wired to run post-EQ. Am I wrong?

The tonal balance knob certainly is key to the preamp's performance. I tend to leave mine close to 12 o'clock though...I found that rolling it back certainly emphasizes the lows and attenuates the higher ranges, I also find that too much in that direction you lose some of the really nice tube harmonics and sacrifice definition. If you want modern yet smooth, a bit to the right of noon sounds great too.

The DI in the Kern is sort of a secret gem of a thing...I had the 12AU7 in my DI go bad, and ended up doing a BUNCH of rolling before settling on a 50's GE grey-plate. I've also switched out the 12AX7's to 5157's...slightly less gain, but lots of warmth and clarity.

[emohair]

You know what, you might be right about the post eq...I might be getting the phase switch and the "post/pre" switch confused. However, I talked with Les at length about these units and he said there are some variations between units (one has a different input option, others dont have the external power supply, etc). I'd have to give it another listen.

Tonal balance knob is the bomb, and I think it's what I felt was "missing" from the Aguilar DB659 I bought mid 2011 (sold it, does not hold a candle to the Kern).

I'm not sure what tubes I've got currently, but at one point there was an Electro Harmonix and some other NOS USA tubes but all that stuff kinda goes a bit over my head ha! Love that there are other Kern owners on TB!!!

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by emohair

You know what, you might be right about the post eq...I might be getting the phase switch and the "post/pre" switch confused. However, I talked with Les at length about these units and he said there are some variations between units (one has a different input option, others dont have the external power supply, etc). I'd have to give it another listen.

Tonal balance knob is the bomb, and I think it's what I felt was "missing" from the Aguilar DB659 I bought mid 2011 (sold it, does not hold a candle to the Kern).

I'm not sure what tubes I've got currently, but at one point there was an Electro Harmonix and some other NOS USA tubes but all that stuff kinda goes a bit over my head ha! Love that there are other Kern owners on TB!!!

Yep. Mine's awesome with a BIG class D power amp and a couple fEARful speakers. That big three dimensional tube tone, but none of the breakup or dirtiness I really don't always love.

I've got a later issue model, no wart, and I have the regular and locking inputs. The one quirk of my unit is that neither of the clip lights appear to work or do anything.

And for the heck of it (though I've posted them often), not too long ago I opened mine up and took some interior photos. There's so little documentation about these units, I thought it would be a good idea:









There are a few things I wish I knew...what the EQ points really are, what the deep/bright switches effect and do specifically... and how the tonal balance function works.

[Nev375]

I have the same pre. Don't use it often since I'm moving toward smaller equipment with age, but if you like warm tubey clean tone I don't think there's anything remotely as good.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by Nev375

I have the same pre. Don't use it often since I'm moving toward smaller equipment with age, but if you like warm tubey clean tone I don't think there's anything remotely as good.

I'm hoping to have a rackmount Jule Amps Monique to compare it to soon.

[wcriley]

Originally Posted by KJung

...I like a bit more grind and upper mid presence in my personal tone...

This contradicts many of your more recent posts.
Has your taste changed that much over the years?