Preamp decisions for my IEM rack. ART, Joe Meek, Ashly, TBP-1

Rocksolid · #1 11-22-2011, 04:27 AM

A lot of my gigs these days are done with IEM and powered wedge. I have been using a Presonus Studio Channel (pre, eq, comp in 1RU) but it received a fatal blow from a drum stand (probably) last weekend and it needs replacing. I have decided to try something else.

My options are:
ART Tube PAC. pre and comp - no eq. No eq isn't a deal breaker as I don't seem to use much eq anyway. A big plus is that it is 1/2 rack size and I could rack it up with my Boss TU50 tuner and save a whole 1RU space. the tube PAC has had good reviews on TB

Joek Meek ThreeQ. 1/2 rack so a big plus as stated above for the Tube PAC. The ThreeQ is pre, eq, and comp but there seems to be mixed feelings about the Meek colouration and if it good for bass or not.

Ashly SC40. 30years old, pre and eq - no comp. I would have to run it with my Boss TU50 tuner and a dbx163x in another rack space. The people that have these seem to like them.

Fender TBP-1. pre, eq, tube emulation, vari Q for dialling in room tone. possibly overkill but an awesome pre. Might be able to use the tube emulation as compression?? not sure.

Mindprint Envoice. Mindprint
Wildcard. pre, eq, and comp. don't know much about them but looks pretty cool. New kids on the block. Found one going cheap and might be worth the risk. Does anyone know anything about them?

I would appreciate anyones opinions on one or some of the above preamps to help me make a decision!!!

gillento · #2 11-22-2011, 01:16 PM

Hi Steve,

I ran my IEM sound with a TLAudio 5051 (TL Audio 5051 - Mono Tube Voice Processor) for a certain period. In the end I realised it made my sound too mellow.
In the end I didn't use any preamp at all: just my bass through the pedalboard containing among other a VTBass and a Maxon CP9Pro+ compressor.

btw, the Fender has no tube emulation, it is the real deal: a tube preamp with 2 x 12AX7 tubes! Should sound great with IEM.

fenderslaper · #3 11-22-2011, 01:23 PM

Would this do it for you?

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Rocksolid · #4 11-22-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

Hi Steve,

I ran my IEM sound with a TLAudio 5051 (TL Audio 5051 - Mono Tube Voice Processor) for a certain period. In the end I realised it made my sound too mellow.
In the end I didn't use any preamp at all: just my bass through the pedalboard containing among other a VTBass and a Maxon CP9Pro+ compressor.

btw, the Fender has no tube emulation, it is the real deal: a tube preamp with 2 x 12AX7 tubes! Should sound great with IEM.

TLA 5051 - I recorded with one of those once and it was beautiful! Always loved them, but I think you are right - not ideal for IEM in a live set up.

I have been doing exactly the same as you since the preamp died - running my pedal board into my IEM. My pedal board consists of a VTB, Seymour Duncan Comp, Radial Bassbone etc. This works well but often I don't need my pedal board which is why I just run a rack tuner and a pre in the rack already patched in. The TBP-1 keeps sticking in the back of my thoughts..

Fenderslaper,

The Carvin looks great but no can do with the voltage difference here in Australia.

fenderslaper · #5 11-22-2011, 05:17 PM

"The Carvin looks great but no can do with the voltage difference here in Australia."

Oops, didn't see where you live!

Rocksolid · #6 11-23-2011, 03:44 PM

Anyone??

BartmanPDX · #7 11-23-2011, 04:50 PM

Have you considered a Summit TD-100?

1/2 rack space. No Eq or comp, but it's a studio-quality pre that gives you the sound of your bass. Fantastic tone. Stellar DI. And a loading knob that's great for a passive bass. Wonderful tubey goodness.

Personally I run my bass direct into wired IEMs using a Rolls PM351 that allows me to mix in my own mic and a monitor signal as well. I also have a unit that allows me to have just one cable that carries my bass signal out as well as the IEM signal in so I'm not tripping over a wired IEM cable.

Rocksolid · #8 11-23-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BartmanPDX

Have you considered a Summit TD-100?

1/2 rack space. No Eq or comp, but it's a studio-quality pre that gives you the sound of your bass. Fantastic tone. Stellar DI. And a loading knob that's great for a passive bass. Wonderful tubey goodness.

Personally I run my bass direct into wired IEMs using a Rolls PM351 that allows me to mix in my own mic and a monitor signal as well. I also have a unit that allows me to have just one cable that carries my bass signal out as well as the IEM signal in so I'm not tripping over a wired IEM cable.

the Summit came up in a lot of threads when I was using the search function - there had been some links posted for it but they all came up with an error so I assumed that it no longer existed. Is that not the case?

Edit: Just did a search on Google and there it is. I found the Australian distributors website and they are $700 here. I bit out of my price range for the application I am using it in

Zooberwerx · #9 11-23-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocksolid

Anyone??

I'm gonna fly out there and personally %&*#@-slap the culprit.

Best wishes on finding a suitable replacement!

Riis

Rocksolid · #10 11-23-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I'm gonna fly out there and personally %&*#@-slap the culprit.

Best wishes on finding a suitable replacement!

Riis

Ha! Thanks mate. The threshold pot took the hit. I have replaced it but it still isn't working. It is going to the Tech today to see what he thinks. He has weaved his magic for me over the years so we will see what happens!