Recommend me a preamp/DI.

Gord_oh · #1 08-29-2010, 09:59 AM

i started playing bass in my church again from my normal job as tech manager. when i play bass i play through a grounded DI box into the sound board. we have house speakers and an instrument monitor right in front of me. im not sure if its the board or my monitor but i sound really muddy.

the guitar player has a preamp tube emulator, and it makes his sound very crisp and clean. i was hoping to accomplish the same thing with some sort of preamp.

the big problem: my lows are muddy and my highs are almost none existent.

EDIT: im playing a jazz bass.
im looking for something under $100.

mercuryl · #2 08-29-2010, 10:09 AM

Line 6 X3 Live. Has everything - a tuner, instant access to four sounds (handy while in a complicated song)...... and ability to replicate just about any bass rig.

HitByABlimp · #3 08-29-2010, 10:11 AM

Are you using an active or passive DI? Passive DI's can have the effect you describe.

Munjibunga · #4 08-29-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitByABlimp

Are you using an active or passive DI? Passive DI's can have the effect you describe.

So can improper EQing at the bass and/or board.

HitByABlimp · #5 08-29-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

So can improper EQing at the bass and/or board.

True, but just tryin' to get the story straight

CharlieC · #6 08-29-2010, 11:28 AM

1. Best Tones: Line 6 POD X3 (Bean/Live/Pro) @ $399-$699
2. Smallest + Quality tones: Tech 21 VT Bass @ $150
3. For ALL My Needs: Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro @ $169

Come visit my thread and learn more about my preamp quest

Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro

Cheers!

rnilson · #7 08-29-2010, 11:33 AM

DHA VT1 EQ Bass

Nice tube DI with Excellent EQ. The tube is on a starve plate, buy it sounds great none the less. You can get warm clean modern tones, vintage tones, and moderate grit which all sound great. It is a very high quality product for around $300 which is cheap for a pro-level tube DI.

Gord_oh · #8 08-29-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitByABlimp

Are you using an active or passive DI? Passive DI's can have the effect you describe.

to my knowledge they are passive. if they arent, they are in need of a battery.

ill have to do some research.

in the mean time, anyone else with recommendations?

Jeff Scott · #9 08-29-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

So can improper EQing at the bass and/or board.

+1, what is the sound droid doing to your tone? A Jazz Bass should sound very full range, assuming you have all the controls on it wide open and you have good, fresh strings on it. Tell us about your settings, etc. going in to the DI box.

4Mal · #10 08-29-2010, 07:42 PM

Many, many mixers just aren't voiced well for Electric Bass. I carry a SansAmp ParaDriver with me just in case. It will set you back more than a C-note but it's well worth the investment. Sweepable mid can cure a multitude of evils.

The vernerable BDDI isn't bad but lacks the sweepable mid in favor of a Presence control.

My 'interface' pedal board consistes of a Korg PitchBlack tuner/mute, BBE Sonic Stomp and the ParaDriver. Simple and effective.

I Forget · #11 08-30-2010, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

when i play bass i play through a grounded DI box into the sound board.....

....im not sure if its the board or my monitor but i sound really muddy.....

the big problem: my lows are muddy and my highs are almost none existent......

EDIT: im playing a jazz bass.

A jazz thru a functioning di should at least sound ok. Sounds like you need to do some trouble shooting first as you may find you spend money and still have the same problem. Check the signal path and all the desk/processor settings. Try plugging headphones into the desk and see what you get. Try a different channel on the desk/unplug any insert devices if it sounds bad. Make sure the monitor isn't faulty. A new preamp won't fix a blown horn driver.

Son of Bovril · #12 08-30-2010, 02:49 AM

You can get your tone as clear and crisp as you want but if the sound guy likes your tone muddy then thats how he will mix you and no amount of gear can change that...

Gord_oh · #13 08-30-2010, 07:13 AM

the sound techs are teenagers that were taught to level, not to EQ. im one of 3 people that know how to work the board. we are working on training others.

the insturment monitor has me plus two other guitars and a keyboard, possible it is just being over loaded?

maybe i could bring an combo amp and use it as my monitor, then go out to the sound board. that way i would have my EQ in the house speakers as well as a monitor made for a bass.

as far as my bass goes, my setup and strings are fine. sounds great in my home setting. its something about the church's equiptment too. a lot of our stuff is breaking down, one being the sound board and another being the monitors.

Gord_oh · #14 08-30-2010, 08:17 AM

im kinda liking this:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--TCHBSDR

or should i go programable?:
http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ox-_-SPBDRXXXX

little more than i planned on speading, but i have some time to wait on it and save up.
a lady pulled out in front of me the other day without a blinkers and messed up the front of my car.
so i have time to hopefully save up.

tsunami1052 · #15 08-30-2010, 08:20 AM

http://www.eden-electronics.com/prod...ndiv/wtdi.aspx

PJMiDi · #16 08-30-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Many, many mixers just aren't voiced well for Electric Bass. I carry a SansAmp ParaDriver with me just in case. It will set you back more than a C-note but it's well worth the investment. Sweepable mid can cure a multitude of evils.

The vernerable BDDI isn't bad but lacks the sweepable mid in favor of a Presence control.

My 'interface' pedal board consistes of a Korg PitchBlack tuner/mute, BBE Sonic Stomp and the ParaDriver. Simple and effective.

+1 I use the BDDI, but my guitarist leaves his Para here all the time. Its definitely as good as the BDDI; I just prefer the presence knob most of the time. Both are worth a look at.

4Mal · #17 08-30-2010, 08:21 AM

This http://www.zzounds.com/item--TCHPMDI

..way I see it - if you're running the device in front of an amp as a tone shaper, the BDDI is a good bet. If you're going to a low end/mid range mixer - the sweepable mid is a life saver ...

P-oddz · #18 08-30-2010, 08:22 AM

Nobody has mentioned the Tone Hammer thus far. So that is my job. Aguilar Tone Hammer. Pre amp, EQ, DI. Fully sweepable mids. I love it personally. You can find them for about the same price as the BDDI.

http://aguilaramp.com/products_preamps_tonehammer.htm

There are some sound samples off of that link as well.

tsunami1052 · #19 08-30-2010, 08:24 AM

+1 on the ToneHammer. Wish I still had mine!

Gord_oh · #20 08-30-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsunami1052

http://www.eden-electronics.com/prod...ndiv/wtdi.aspx

its not even out yet.
idk if i want to be the beta tester on that one.