Practice amp > quality DI

marco1977 · #1 05-17-2011, 12:51 PM

Hi

I'm looking for a small practice amp (at home practice) – as this will sit in the living room, I need it to look nice But I would also like to use this small setup in recording studio's. Some studios have nice pre's some don't, and I like to blend mic+DI also.

So i've been looking at PJB stuff > especially the new Cub or Briefcase. Not worried about volume, more about quality of sound.

Are there others around the same price range that I should look into - especially considering the same budget (in europe)?

Also I'm very interested in any opinions on these (not looking for volume issues).

-- for the record, my main bass is a precision with flats and a Hofner Club, gigging amp is an SVT+4x10 HLF--

Thanks!

marco1977 · #2 05-18-2011, 01:09 AM

Hi guys,

Is there anyone with an opinion on these?

I tried a search but not a lot came up?

Thanks!

BillyIVbass · #3 05-18-2011, 01:19 AM

The sky is the limit really if you don't need a loud volume. If it were me I'd probably be looking at an old Ampeg B15 or a small tube combo similar. Very warm and fat sound.

Even cheaper stuff like a Fender Rumble sounds good at a quiet volume. Do you have any stores near you that would allow you to bring in your bass and test their amps?

MNAirHead · #4 05-18-2011, 01:26 AM

Why not get a headphone amp/di?

This removes clutter from the home and noise complaints.

kosmicwizard · #5 05-18-2011, 01:37 AM

I am totally not meaning to be a d!ck, but if you can't get a tone that you are happy with in the studio from a SVT & 410HLF, I think you need to try a 210AV. Wait ... What SVT are you talking about? Please get back to me. All the best. Cheers.

Most studio engineers will use a DI and a speaker feed, in order to get a nice full sound. Honestly my advice is to start with your live tone and build from there.

marco1977 · #6 05-18-2011, 03:33 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Soundwise the SVT-II / HLF combination is great for my purposes. Live with a band it's great. However it sits in rehearsal space, so I can't use it at home. Also it would just be to big and loud.

As for studio usage: most of the time studio's require a lower wattage to mic right, and I need a good DI also.

B15 is great sounding and looking, but it doesnt have a quality DI, and would be to big to take 'on the fly'

Thanks!

MuzikMan · #7 05-18-2011, 03:47 AM

I can back up your PJB briefcase idea. I had one (wish I still had it) and that thing does a fantastic job. The portability can't be beat. The DI is very functional in a live setting but I never tried it for recording.

Cutty · #8 05-18-2011, 03:52 AM

Iv'e used a line6 studio 110 for a few years now and it's really great for recording as well as practice and small gigs,you may want to check one out.

kosmicwizard · #9 05-18-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco1977

Thanks for the replies.

Soundwise the SVT-II / HLF combination is great for my purposes. Live with a band it's great. However it sits in rehearsal space, so I can't use it at home. Also it would just be to big and loud.

As for studio usage: most of the time studio's require a lower wattage to mic right, and I need a good DI also.

B15 is great sounding and looking, but it doesnt have a quality DI, and would be to big to take 'on the fly'

Thanks!

I have a SVT-II as well. It is hard to get OD at a reasonable SPL. 2 210AV's might be more reasonable volume wise than the 410HLF, or an ACME low B-2 (due to it's inefficiency and only 2 10 inch woofers). The DI on the SVT-II is not terrible, but I wish it had a volume knob like the SVT-2PRO does. I understand the whole wanting DI and miced tones, but I think when it comes to the B-15's, V4's or SVT's the tone is sweeter coming out of a cab IMHO. All the best! Cheers.

jaywa · #10 05-18-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cutty

Iv'e used a line6 studio 110 for a few years now and it's really great for recording as well as practice and small gigs,you may want to check one out.

I have its slightly bigger brother (the LowDown 150) and like it very much as well. It is not only my practice amp, but my main gigging amp as well (DI'ed to our P.A. through the onboard balanced out). With adequate P.A. support it carries a 550 capacity room with no problem at all.

Jeff Scott · #11 05-18-2011, 05:29 PM

Markbass Minimark (MM)!

I have tried several different PJB combo amps over the years and non of them sounded even close to the great tone from the MM.

The DI sounds great, too; I have used it for recording a few times, plus the headphone out sounds great, as long as the headphone impedance is not too high. It did not really like my AKG K401 but my Sennheiser 280PRO sound fine.

Nagrom · #12 05-18-2011, 05:42 PM

I did a session at a top end studio last year using my PJB superflightcase. The engineer said it was the nicest sounding D.I. he had ever heard.

Koog · #13 05-18-2011, 06:37 PM

Check out MarkBass CMD 121P. I've been using one in my studio for practice and for full band rehearsals for the past year with both active and passive basses. It has a DI and is quite versatile in tone capability. I like mine big and beefy with a bit of vintage sound and it's no problem. It sounds great in quiet practice and cuts the mix well in rehearsal. Only weighs 29# and that's a big bonus for me.

Good Luck.

Koog