Tone Hammer DI: A good live option?

IPYF · #1 12-08-2011, 05:15 PM

Hi All.

In my other thread I've outlined all my amp issues but this is a more positive query.

I'm interested to see what kind of experiences you players have had with the Tone Hammer DI footswitch used for a standalone live option, ie. running Bass to Tone Hammer to Desk.

I'm interested in this because I've got a string of interstate shows coming up and because of work commitments I'm likely going to have to fly up and back rather than taking the bus as we regularly would. Obviously taking a Bass and a GK in a rack unit up and back 3-4 times is going to cost me a mc-f**kload and I don't want to do it. I'm keen to see how people think a Tone Hammer (which could fit in my softcase and count as hand luggage) would go as a standalone in a small to medium sized venue. I am tuned to C and play metal. I really want to know if maybe this is a good interstate live option. I've played it through an amp before and I quite enjoy the sounds.

bassgod0dmw · #2 12-08-2011, 05:55 PM

Do you any of the venues have good monitoring? That would be my concern.

Any DI will work great for FOH sound, but if you can't hear yourself on stage you may run into trouble. A lot of places have monitoring that is adequate for vocals & guitar, but not so much for bass. That's why you see a lot of bassists with their amps still on stage, it is the monitor. With the exception of in ears...

bongomania · #3 12-08-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Do you any of the venues have good monitoring? That would be my concern.

Any DI will work great for FOH sound, but if you can't hear yourself on stage you may run into trouble. A lot of places have monitoring that is adequate for vocals & guitar, but not so much for bass. That's why you see a lot of bassists with their amps still on stage, it is the monitor. With the exception of in ears...

Agreed. There are dozens of preamp/DI pedals on the market that will all do a more or less equally good job of sending your bass signal to FOH with some basic tone shaping. The Aggie is one of many. But how will you hear yourself?

GrowlerBox · #4 12-08-2011, 06:14 PM

I've used mine in a smallish venue with foldback only (very limited stage space), and it worked fine for that in a duo gig on EUB, although I wouldn't want to make a habit of it. What it might be most useful for is getting a reasonably consistent tone out of whatever backline is available, and it'll drive any power amp with plenty of headroom.

**Faderoktopus** · #5 12-08-2011, 06:40 PM

I have done it a few times. It will sound great in the front (assuming your bass sounds good through it in the first place and the soundman knows his stuff) since the DI is quite honest, and the preamp can give you a far more lively sound than most clean DI boxes. However, if there isn't sufficient bass-friendly monitoring you will be in trouble.

Pretty much any beat up old bass amp available will do better in the low frequencies than a lot of monitors. Depending on where you are playing and who you know in the area you should consider what you could borrow. Just set the thing flat, feed it the TH signal and feel a bit safer.

Martin

GrowlerBox · #6 12-08-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faderoktopus

Just set the thing flat, feed it the TH signal and feel a bit safer.

Or into the effects return/power amp in, if it has one.

MuzikMan · #7 12-08-2011, 09:22 PM

I use the Tone Hammer in the way you want to and it works very well for me. I always have good monitors to hear myself; that is the key to success in this scenario.