Thinking of adding in a small mixer

DRafalske · #1 07-09-2010, 12:22 PM

Hi all, need a little advice on how well this will work. I play in rock band; pretty much standard bar/party fare. We do several songs in Eb, and for that I use a 2nd bass.
The basses are a Fender HWY 1 P, and Fender MIM P with SPB-3 pickups.
I've been using a Morely ABY box to quickly switch between the two. It works well, but the MIM has much hotter output so I have to adjust the gain on my amp as well.
It's a minor inconvenience, yes. But since I'm lazy, and to save even more time, I've been thinking of plugging both basses into a small mixer then running it's output to my amp.
I'm really liking this Behringer UB802 since it has tape in and headphone out, which would make a good practice setup for me if I'm traveling or what not.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...xer?sku=631238
Thoughts? Any other recommendations?
Thanks!
Dave

chjohnst · #2 07-09-2010, 12:45 PM

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AB2/

DRafalske · #3 07-09-2010, 12:50 PM

I already have a Morely ABY filling that role.
What I'm trying to avoid is having to go back to my amp and adjust the gain when I switch basses... which is why thought a small mixer would be the ticket.

SteveC · #4 07-09-2010, 12:53 PM

Radial makes a switcher with a gain control on one channel. Check their site.

Big Shot I/O I believe.

Mo'Phat · #5 07-09-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRafalske

I'm really liking this Behringer UB802 since it has tape in and headphone out, which would make a good practice setup for me if I'm traveling or what not.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...xer?sku=631238
Thoughts? Any other recommendations?
Thanks!
Dave

I have that exact piece of gear and use it for home practice with headphones. I'd venture to guess that it will do exactly what you're trying to do, plus give you a nice little backup in case your vocal mixer craps out or you want to experiment with keyboards, samplers, and whatnot going through your amp.

stflbn · #6 07-09-2010, 01:18 PM

Buy one of the many affordable boost pedals out there that boost and cut. Set it up with the pedal off for bass #1 and on for bass #2.

Problem solved, and MUCH easier to deal with than a mixer.

M0ses · #7 07-09-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chjohnst

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AB2/

Way to not read the post.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...tch?sku=153938

hennessybass · #8 07-09-2010, 01:32 PM

Why do you need a different bass to play in Eb?

If you want to play notes below standard E, maybe you are a 5 string guy! One 5 string = notes below E, 1 bass, no ab box, no mixer, no volume adjustments.

Now if you are just looking to get some new toys to play with, that's another thread.

A cheep Behringer mixer might help even out volumes, but probably won't help much in the "quality of your sound" department - IMHO.

sandman51 · #9 07-09-2010, 01:44 PM

How about the Radial Bassbone? I have one and it works great. Both channels have a level control and one channel has tone controls. In addition, it has a boost function which is great for solos and whatnot.

Sandy.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....one?sku=153907

Munjibunga · #10 07-09-2010, 01:47 PM

If I were going to go the mini-mixer route, I'd spend the extra bucks and get this. Friends don't let friends buy B-word gear.

Munjibunga · #11 07-09-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman51

How about the Radial Bassbone? I have one and it works great. Both channels have a level control and one channel has tone controls. In addition, it has a boost function which is great for solos and whatnot.

Sandy.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....one?sku=153907

This is a good idea, too.

Mo'Phat · #12 07-09-2010, 01:48 PM

^ looks great...and is about $210 more than the mixer he's looking at!

(referring to the Bassbone)

phatbass · #13 07-09-2010, 01:53 PM

Boss LS-2.

Among all the other things it'll do you can plug in 2 instruments and adjust the level for each, then just hit the footswitch to change between 'em...

wideyes · #14 07-09-2010, 01:55 PM

Just to clarify - the HWY 1 has a stock pickup, and the MIM has the SPB-3, right?

Because the way it's written, at first I thought you meant that both basses were packing the SPB-3. In that case, their outputs should be fairly closely matched unless you have a preamp in one bass or one pup is way lower than the other one. Which doesn't seem like an option you would have chosen.

stantonl · #15 07-09-2010, 02:05 PM

I have the Radial Bassbone and can attest that it works great for switching between two basses without have to fiddle with the amp, so +1 there. However, I just bought the exact Behringer mixer you are looking at and use it in my practice setup and have been happy with it thus far. It would definitely work for what you need and is more versatile than the bassbone, especially if you are looking to use it with headphones. Plus it's cheap enough, so if you end up not being happy with it you won't be out a lot of dough. Just my 2 cents.

MODELL · #16 07-09-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRafalske

But since I'm lazy, and to save even more time, I've been thinking of plugging both basses into a small mixer then running it's output to my amp.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...xer?sku=631238
Thoughts? Any other recommendations?
Thanks!
Dave

If you step back and look at this, you are doing this the easiest way. It will take more time to set up that mixer (plugging in another outlet, summing the R/L outputs into your amp, etc., etc., etc.) than it will take to step on the A/B box and move the gain on your amp approx. 3 notches. I would save your money (and time) and continue with what you are now doing. Plus, I believe that running the basses through that mixer first will "take away" from your sound.

Chasarms · #17 07-09-2010, 02:18 PM

Most basses have a small, rotary-style, single-channel mixer built into them. It is typically located on the lower half of the bass below the pickups.

You could cleverly use this device for your needs. Simply set the gain to meet the needs of the lower output bass, and attenuate the hotter bass accordingly.

jgroh · #18 07-09-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatbass

Boss LS-2.

Among all the other things it'll do you can plug in 2 instruments and adjust the level for each, then just hit the footswitch to change between 'em...

+1

wideyes · #19 07-09-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

Most basses have a small, rotary-style, single-channel mixer built into them. It is typically located on the lower half of the bass below the pickups.

You could cleverly use this device for your needs. Simply set the gain to meet the needs of the lower output bass, and attenuate the hotter bass accordingly.

Best post I've read all day!

DRafalske · #20 07-09-2010, 02:24 PM

Yes, the MIM has the SPB3 and the HWY1 is stock.
I use two basses for two tunings because that just works best for me. I've tried fivers too, but find them uncomfortable to play.
My band is 6 people. On smallish stages, one of the guitar players has stepped on my ABY box at several inopportune times. Frankly, the idea of being rid of the pedal appeals to me.
I don't see it taking much more (or less) time to set up, and I have a power strip in my rack anyway, so that's not an issue. The ability to use it for silent practice, and the fact that it will be portable is also a bonus.
I'm not stuck on the Behringer either. The one I pointed out has all the features I desire at an excellent price point. There are units by Mackie, Peavey, and Alesis that have also caught my eye, although they're a higher priced. I'm not out spend hundreds of dollars here though. Anything more that $100 or so, and I'll stick with my current setup.
D