Rackmount pre that's flexible? Can do clean and some dirt?

**mikeddd** · #1 12-09-2010, 12:54 AM

I'm in experimentation mode with my sound these days. Currently playing through a Shuttle 6.0 with a VT Bass in front of it. It's not quite the sound I'm looking for...not warm enough...though it is flexible due to the awesome EQ of the Shuttle. I know the Streamliner is coming but that's a few months off and I can always buy more gear later.

I've been reading up on pre's like the BBE Max-T and Demeter HBP-1 H/201S. I have not played any of them and don't really have access to go play/hear them. I'm looking for flexibility; something that can do clean and add some warmth and grit (not necessarily a fuzzed-out "metal sound"..I have pedals for that).

I normally play everything from light jazz to reggae to classic rock/metal. I'll caveat this next statement, as I'm ignorant as to these pre's capabilities. I notice the Demeter's do not have a Gain control; just a Volume. Does that mean that you can't get any drive out of them?

Thanks for your advice.

Mike

bongomania · #2 12-09-2010, 01:22 AM

The Demeter and BBE were definitely not designed for overdrive. Their tube is for warmth, not dirt. You might like the Sansamp RBI or RPM, the GK 2001RBP, the H&K Fortress, the Warwick Quadruplet, or the Ampeg SVP-Pro or SVP-BSP.

**mikeddd** · #3 12-09-2010, 02:55 AM

Thanks very much, Bongomania. I appreciate you naming some alternatives. While I want a warm sound all the time, I do want the ability to get a bit gritty if needed. Full blown fuzz/crunch is for pedals, which I've got covered. I'll look into what you've suggested.

Mike

Growly Lytes · #4 12-09-2010, 02:59 AM

I very much like & use both the RBI & RPM.I find when i have them connected in parallel with a Poweramp of choice i get really good results !

monroe55 · #5 12-09-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Growly Lytes

I very much like & use both the RBI & RPM.I find when i have them connected in parallel with a Poweramp of choice i get really good results !

Hey Growly Lytes, would that power amp be a QSC PLX1804 by any chance?

As for the OP, the Ampeg SVT IIP is the "Holy Grail" of preamps (IMO). Check one of these out if you can find one, used of course. I think it can provide what you're looking for. Good luck in your quest for preamps.

**mikeddd** · #6 12-09-2010, 03:34 AM

I saw one in FS a month or so ago; it was gone by the time I spotted it. You gotta wonder why manufacturers stop making products when they've been selling successfully.

@Growly: How are you using both the RPM and RBI? Care to share how you have them hooked up and what you use each box for? I.E. both are preamps, but maybe you get your basic tone from one and shape it with the other?

Son of Bovril · #7 12-09-2010, 04:41 AM

The Fender TBP-1 can - 2 blendable channels 1) warm clean & tubey 2) gritty overdrive

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 12-09-2010, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

I saw one in FS a month or so ago; it was gone by the time I spotted it. You gotta wonder why manufacturers stop making products when they've been selling successfully.

@Growly: How are you using both the RPM and RBI? Care to share how you have them hooked up and what you use each box for? I.E. both are preamps, but maybe you get your basic tone from one and shape it with the other?

They probably weren't selling all that well, Ampeg rarely keep a rack preamp around for long.

RPM & RBI are good pre's, another one from tech21 to consider is the PSA

**mikeddd** · #9 12-09-2010, 09:35 AM

The PSA while impressive, doesn't seem very bass-oriented. It's got lots of presets...not very "organic" for lack of a better word. Been reading lots of threads about RBI vs. RPM and it seems like the RPM is what I'd want; darker, warmer and much less "clanky" than the RBI...but there's no tube in there. I know; "Buy both!" a possibility if someone could convince my ears of the sound and my brain of how to get them working well together. Thanks for the inputs so far!

Zooberwerx · #10 12-09-2010, 09:47 AM

I have a GK 2001 RBP preamp which has dual switchable (but not blendable) channels. Channel B, the clean side, can get some mild grit / growl when adjusted for such and Channel A....well, let's just say you can get some pretty over-the-top distortion. I don't use Channel A but I can see where it would have its applications.

Riis

scottbass · #11 12-09-2010, 09:50 AM

Tech 21 SansAmp RBI. It does both clean and overdrive very well. The "clank" mentioned by mikedd can be eliminated easily - just use the blend knob to mix in some straight signal. The "clank" goes away and the desired sound stays.

I happen to have a SansAmp RBI I'm not using (I went all tube). PM me if you want to buy it.

Mod's: it's OK, I'm a supporting member!

**mikeddd** · #12 12-09-2010, 01:06 PM

I think I just bought a brand new RPM for a screaming good deal! Waiting for seller to get back to me. Deal waaay too good to pass up. Thanks, TB FS/FT! Thanks for the offer on your RBI, Scottbass; this one was too good to let go. We'll see how much I like it compared to my Shuttle 6.0 (I have a poweramp already, so that's a non-issue). I'm looking forward to discovering what the RPM can do.

Growly Lytes · #13 12-09-2010, 03:02 PM

O.k fellas what im doing is....
I send an `Uneffected signal` into the back input of the RPM from RBI.
Then i send the `RPM output` signal to the RBI` fx return.
Then send the RBI output to the Poweramp (no Monroe55 its not the PLX yet !!) input.
You have to set the 50/50 switch `on` & press the input pad on the back of the RPM.
What im finding is i get best of both worlds.I had people saying what can you do with two that you cant do with one.I need the Mid-Shift of the RPM & the Presence of the RBI.My cabinets have BP102 & they are pretty dark so having the Presence is great & the mid shift just gives me anything i need in the mid department.Shaping the Mids via Mid-Shift .They are very different in sound & gain structure, they go good together.
I get alot of usable sounds doing this.When its connected like this the RPM acts as the overall level control of the two Preamps & the RBI` level control acts as a blend of the RBI signal & the RPM signal & in the end this sounds great.
I did the `Unity Gain` thing last night which i never done before & that gave me great results, somehow to me it sounded better than just setting the levels by ear.
Having one is good having both is great !

Malachi71 · #14 12-12-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

I think I just bought a brand new RPM for a screaming good deal! Waiting for seller to get back to me. Deal waaay too good to pass up. Thanks, TB FS/FT! Thanks for the offer on your RBI, Scottbass; this one was too good to let go. We'll see how much I like it compared to my Shuttle 6.0 (I have a poweramp already, so that's a non-issue). I'm looking forward to discovering what the RPM can do.

Give yourself time to discover what the RPM can do. TB'er, JGR, indicated some time ago that the RPM is a "sleeper." That persuaded me to buy one. Then I read about running the RBI/RPM together as well as the RPM/RPM together. I think JGR originally did both of these setups. He has since sold the RBI and kept the RPM. Post your discoveries when you get an opportunity.