I need Preamp ideas for live sound. Anyone??

ModulusQ5-122 · #1 02-22-2011, 06:16 PM

My church is doing some upgrading on the sound system and we are wanting to get a really good bass pre amp to go direct in because of too much sound stage with cabs onstage. I have researched a little bit and have seen the Sadowskys the Tech 21 stuff and a couple of David Eden pre's. Anybody know what would be the best thing for us? Preferably we would want something with some kind of eq on it being that we have a few different bass players and of course our basses dont all sound the same. It is a really big church shape in a semi-circle with subs under stage as well as a few hanging. We want the best sound possible. Any ideas??

kosmicwizard · #2 02-22-2011, 06:21 PM

http://www.uaudio.com/hardware/channel-strips/6176.html

johnboy65 · #3 02-22-2011, 06:23 PM

If you are thinking of a pedal, I've been super happy with my Radial BassBone. It has shaping and is simple.
If you are thinking rack then there are tons of great units out there.

ModulusQ5-122 · #4 02-22-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy65

If you are thinking of a pedal, I've been super happy with my Radial BassBone. It has shaping and is simple.
If you are thinking rack then there are tons of great units out there.

Well it doesnt really matter wether its rack or pedal but not really thinking of anytype of effects pedal or anything of that nature. We tried a rack mount bass pod which i absolutley hated, and i messed with it a tweeked and tweeked and still hated it.

basslinejam · #5 02-22-2011, 06:43 PM

What are your tone goals? Sansamp and Sadowsky have very different philosophies. BTW The Bassbone is a terrific suggestion for a clean tone with some EQ -ability -- as is the Sadowsky.

ModulusQ5-122 · #6 02-22-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basslinejam

What are your tone goals? Sansamp and Sadowsky have very different philosophies. BTW The Bassbone is a terrific suggestion for a clean tone with some EQ -ability -- as is the Sadowsky.

As far as tone goes just something that wont get lost in the mix because right now it sounds kind of muddy and isnt a very distinct sound. With me its not as big an issue because my basses have on board pre's but a few of the guys have passive basses and they quite honestly sound like poo poo. BUt just something with great clarity and eq adjustable going from player to player, we even have a guy that plays with a pick(not a big fan of) so i cant really single out one tone just something that is really a good over all preamp. Our style is somewhat of a coldplay feel. I hope that answers your question, if not feel free to reaply. Thanks

svtb15 · #7 02-22-2011, 07:38 PM

Do you want a pedal thing or a piece of Pro Audio gear?

cableguy · #8 02-22-2011, 07:45 PM

I use a tech 21 sansamp bass DI. It can get a great warm tubey kind of sound. Just don't get too crazy with the tone controls. I use it mainly for the tube emulation and keep the blend at about 12:30. BTW I used a POD XT live and couldn't get a good sound either. I think it had too many options for me. Went back to my sansamp and loved it. There is also other DIs like the tone hammer that many people like as well.

Ben Clarke · #9 02-22-2011, 07:55 PM

I tend to prefer a channel path with little room for error in that type of situation. Something like a U5 with limited controls prevent some users from going nuts with innapropriate settings. Better yet a REDDI or Tubepac type of deal puts the control at the desk and will sound great with all but the worst of POS bass. But that's really from a systems/support/production standpoint. Most players prefer a full featured front end.

BZadlo · #10 02-22-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Clarke

I tend to prefer a channel path with little room for error in that type of situation. Something like a U5 with limited controls prevent some users from going nuts with innapropriate settings. Better yet a REDDI or Tubepac type of deal puts the control at the desk and will sound great with all but the worst of POS bass. But that's really from a systems/support/production standpoint. Most players prefer a full featured front end.

+1 on the Avalon. It's so simple that it tends to scare people.
Great piece of equipment and reasonably priced on the used market.

ataunton · #11 02-22-2011, 08:09 PM

Check out this thread about the Jule Amps Monique. They are quite nice and sound awesome.

Jule Amps Monique

locisbrelm · #12 02-22-2011, 08:12 PM

i recommend the sansamp rbi. i find that it does a lot. you just have to watch the blend knob. i find its what gives and takes the "sansamp" tone. but its an amazing piece of gear

johnk_10 · #13 02-22-2011, 09:28 PM

IMO, Yamaha's PB-1 preamps are excellent and rival any high end one at 5X the price.

ModulusQ5-122 · #14 02-22-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtb15

Do you want a pedal thing or a piece of Pro Audio gear?

We want whatever the best is, not really worried about price to much just something good.

ModulusQ5-122 · #15 02-22-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZadlo

+1 on the Avalon. It's so simple that it tends to scare people.
Great piece of equipment and reasonably priced on the used market.

Yes i have played live through an avalon before and i really like it so thats definitely a candidate. Keep em coming guys, thanks for all of the replys i am doing research on all of the ones that are recommended and will pick whichever one i think will suit us best.

johnk_10 · #16 02-22-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

We want whatever the best is, not really worried about price to much just something good.

okay, if price is no object then, i really like my:

UA 6176: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...FQkFbAod5k7GDw
Avalon VT737SP: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...FQcBbAodmmEgcg
Focusrite ISA 430 MKII: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ISA430mkII

Rooster009 · #17 02-23-2011, 06:53 AM

If your sound is muddy I would EQ it by taking out about 6db at 125hz, 3db at 250hz and 2db at 500hz. Then add 3db at 2khz and 4khz. Just a rough piece of advice but it should clean your sound up a good bit. After doing this you may need to raise your volume level to sit in the mix to your taste. As for the pre I would use the Avalon 737 if price was no object.

taviswardlaw · #18 03-03-2011, 12:27 AM

i own and regularly use the sansamp, aguilar tonhammer and eden wtdi. For my two sense I find the eden the most enjoyable and easy to get great clean tone (but I've been an eden user for quite a long time). The only downside to it is a ridiculously bright LED that is on all the time when the pedal has power.

taviswardlaw · #19 03-03-2011, 12:29 AM

oh I also use the avalon a lot - apart from the fact that the tone knob appears to have died in mine (probably an easy fix) they are very accurate and aren't going to intrude on the natural sound of your instrument.

MuzikMan · #20 03-03-2011, 05:15 AM

Demeter VTBP-201s - Nice midrangy tone that sits in the mix well.

Ampeg SVP-CL - Front end of the ever so exhalted SVT.

Avalon U5 - Probably the most pleasing tone I have gotten from a preamp but the EQ is very limited and I think the subtle improvement in tone is lost in a live mix.

Aguilar Tone Hammer - Approaches the clarity of the U5 IMO but has a very powerful EQ. You have to ignore the low price to love it as much as I do!