Need a non amp solution for live playing and recording

jealousblues · #1 12-22-2010, 07:07 PM

Hi
im a guitar player who plays bass for fun

I would like to have something other than an amp I could record some songs onto pro tools with (pop and rock stuff)

and also something I could play a live gig with
right now my only real shot at this would be during our bands cocktail hour setting which is mostly old school standards (and this is what im learning on bass right now)
but I would also like this thing to be able to handle pop and rock sounds live

right now im playing a passive Japanese Fender jazz bass

what would you guys suggest for this?

I could see spending up to 300-400

would I want some kind of DI
or a preamp or what?

thanks

edit: im also open to buying used

jealousblues · #2 12-22-2010, 08:22 PM

also I apologize if this is the wrong section to ask

I know there is an effects, live sound, and recording forum
im not sure if this is the right place

schecter5string · #3 12-22-2010, 08:33 PM

this is all you need I got one used for $50, great little preamp,DI box in one. Go to youtube search Sansamp bass driver, you will see what I mean

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDYQ8wIwAw#

audiomitch · #4 12-22-2010, 08:37 PM

IK Multimedia SVX plugin. It comes in a RTAS version for Pro Tools. You could plug a laptop in to a PA for small live situations.

jealousblues · #5 12-22-2010, 08:52 PM

thanks for the responses so far

Id rather keep it more simple than bringing a laptop to gigs though

JimmyM · #6 12-22-2010, 08:56 PM

tech 21 vt bass is awfully sweet if you like ampeg tones. there is no di but www.putnamguitars.com can install a really good one on it, or you can use a separate di, or you can get a vt deluxe and have a di + 6 presets.

mrcandyman · #7 12-22-2010, 08:58 PM

If you have a legit version of protools, then you should already have an interface which will work. I use my DIGI 002 exclusively (I don't have a real bass amp and cab, I have studio monitors and pro-tools).

jealousblues · #8 12-22-2010, 10:43 PM

im a total noob when it comes to bass gear

but would plugging my passive bass directly into the 1/4" imput of my pro tools interface actually work? (sound good?)

sadly this wouldnt work for live
(but it would be nice to know in the meantime)

JimmyM · #9 12-22-2010, 10:48 PM

it would work but i don't think it would sound so great. kind of dead sounding, actually. too clean, no balls. plus no way to control volume except your bass volume knob, and that sucks. best to have some sort of preamp.

jealousblues · #10 12-22-2010, 11:59 PM

So would running through one of the better DI's or preamps work in place of an amp?

just plug into that then into the board?

JimmyM · #11 12-23-2010, 12:36 AM

sure. even a cheap one would help.

mrcandyman · #12 12-23-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jealousblues

im a total noob when it comes to bass gear

but would plugging my passive bass directly into the 1/4" imput of my pro tools interface actually work? (sound good?)

sadly this wouldnt work for live
(but it would be nice to know in the meantime)

It works just fine, just set it to instrument. Pro Tools has a built in bass amp plugin you can run it though, but there are better plugins out there too. Or you could chain it with Reason for a perhaps more familiar work flow through VST.

Mjury02 · #13 12-23-2010, 01:03 AM

I think this video should explain it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwnnSSs0kFA

JimmyM · #14 12-23-2010, 01:11 AM

i must admit i missed something...didn't see you had a pro tools interface. i saw it and my brain translated it as "soundcard input" for some strange reason. sorry about that...mrcandyman is absolutely right. it should be fine.

audiomitch · #15 12-23-2010, 01:36 AM

You kind of tie our hands with the "non-amp" thing. Why is it you don't want an amp again? You could get a solid state amp head that has a pre-amp out for recording or going through a PA. Later you could also get (or borrow) a cab if it makes more sense for the situation.

Here's a pretty good option. It's smaller and lighter than a rack preamp too.

Gallien-Krueger MB200 Ultralight Head. It's the size of a book and weighs 2 pounds. 200 watts with a line/headphone output.

dumelow · #16 12-23-2010, 03:45 AM

that head is fantastic

jealousblues · #17 12-23-2010, 04:35 PM

Yeah, im a guitar player so I have my rig I need to take to gigs
but like I said Id love to play some bass on the cocktail hour stuff (where I hardly play really)

SO I was thinking some kind of preamp or DI would work

but I forgot about the little micro bass amps

is there a big difference b/t something like that and a DI or Preamp for bass

(im honestly clueless ;-))

thanks for putting up with me so far

audiomitch · #18 12-23-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jealousblues

Yeah, im a guitar player so I have my rig I need to take to gigs
but like I said Id love to play some bass on the cocktail hour stuff (where I hardly play really)

SO I was thinking some kind of preamp or DI would work

but I forgot about the little micro bass amps

is there a big difference b/t something like that and a DI or Preamp for bass

(im honestly clueless ;-))

thanks for putting up with me so far

I don't think there's a difference for what you are describing. You want a basic bass sound, right? This head will get you that with some to spare.

A dedicated preamp might have a more extensive EQ and maybe a tube. But you are describing a simple setup for a non-bassist. Yeah, I think this little head will deliver what you're looking for.

As always, you need to go check it out and decide if it's right for you.

RickenBoogie · #19 12-23-2010, 05:20 PM

For less than $150, an MXR Bass DI+ would do all you need, and sound good doing it. Nevermind the "distortion" effect it also has, ignore that, and enjoy the good times.

jamesie · #20 12-23-2010, 05:28 PM

ebs microbass is also worth a look - a very versatile and good sounding unit