preamps

[jay43]

So I have a question for those more experienced with amps. I understand a preamp changes the signal before it hits the amplifies, as the name implies. But how do they connectt? I have a combo amp now could I get a preamp and just plug it into that and it would work? Basically markbass has a tube preamp was looking into hooking up to my amp?
Thanks

[srxplayer]

It depends. A stompbox like a Sansamp BDDI or something like a Hartke Bass Attack can be run directly into the front end of the amp. You just set it to the instrument level output or if your amp has one you can run it through the effects loop. A rack mounted unit such a Sansamp RBI or BBE BMax could be done through the effects loop as well but they are usually not designed to be run into the front end instrument input.

[bongomania]

It depends on the specific preamp and the specific amp you want to plug it into. The two most common methods are:
1) Plug it in between the bass and the instrument input on the amp, as if it was an effect pedal.
2) bass --> external preamp --> "Effects Loop Return" or "Line In" jack on the back of the amp.

The first way stacks the new preamp on top of the old one built into the amp; the second way bypasses the old preamp (in most cases) so your tone is only shaped by the new external preamp.

In both of those cases you just use regular instrument cables. If you want to connect a rack preamp to a rack power amp, or anything similar to that, then you'd want to do some homework to find out whether a balanced cable will give you better results--it will vary depending on the specific gear.

[jay43]

I have a fender rumble 75 and was looking at the Markbass MoMark T1M Bass Preamp Module. I cant find any info on markbass's web sight of how to connect it and ideas?

[rad bassman]

i dont think the MoMark is designed to work as a standalone pre, its designed to go with and EQ module, output module, and the MoMark amp rack to fit the modules to feed the poweramp.

[fingerbun]

I do something that may be similar to what you want...I run a SansAmp preamp into a Peavey combo amp.

If this is your amp http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products...prodNo=2315500 then the website says it has an effects loop.

If this is the preamp you are looking at Markbass MoMark T1M-HE Bass Preamp Module: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend then I am going to guess it has a phono output and you just plug it to the amp with a guitar lead. But if it's a different connector you just need to get the right lead.

I'm not really sure what the preamp does. It has no EQ so I assume it is just to give things a "valve tone". You can plug it into the amp input, or you can put it in your signal via the effects loop, or you can plug guitar into Markbass and Markbass into Poweramp in of effects loop (though the lack of EQ on the preamp would not be a good thing here).

Because of the questions you are asking, I am guessing you might not have actually plugged it all together to see how it sounds, and I would suggest you do that before buying anything. The guys at Markbass know what they are doing, so this is probably a well designed product, but it's not immediately obvious to me why I would put this in circuit. In my experience running one preamp into another doesn't always sound very good, and you might be better off with a different device that has more than a gain control and a valve - either EQ if you want a valve preamp or a level control and a switch if you want distortion.

Edit : Rad basman's append came in while I was writing mine...based on what he said it reinforces my view that you need to look at a different preamp.

[jay43]

ya cant see the back so i dont know if its a phono out. I am just looking to add a little tube sound without the tube price

[seanm]

Yeah, the MoMark preamp will not work. It is meant to be used as part of a MoMark system. It cannot be plugged into a "normal" amp.

[fingerbun]

Originally Posted by jay43

ya cant see the back so i dont know if its a phono out. I am just looking to add a little tube sound without the tube price

There's no magic in tubes. Try the gear and see what it does before you buy it. Choose based on how it sounds, not what components it has.

No magic in Markbass either...don't assume it's what you want just because they make it. (Declaring my bias, I don't like their stuff, I bought Peavey instead, which many would say is a lesser brand).

The SansAmp that I use is supposed to emulate tube tone as well, and there are a bunch of other pedals out there. If you can, spend a few hours trying several of these out in a high end bass store and see what works for you.

[4Mal]

Stomp box city...
Dave Hall if you want to get to tubey mojo is not a bad place to start. Sans Amp ParaDriver is a good choice as well though not as tubey. I use 2 PD's in my rig. 1 per wired bass.