BB Preamp + VT Bass SOUNDCLIP

[Lowbrow]

I've had the VT Bass V1 since inception and NEVER turn it off. I mainly use the VT as a tone shaper rather than as a full-on overdrive - usually keep 'drive' around 11 oclock for a bit of edge.

To add hairy overdrive lately I've been running an Xotic BB Bass Preamp before the VT; I set the BB at a low gain/high volume, roll off a bit of BB treble, then mix the BB sound with my clean signal through a Boss LS2, my clean signal set at noon (unity) and the BB signal set at 7:30 oclock (= just a bit). This clean + BB mix then goes into the VT.

Here's the result recorded with my band when my Fender P with a DiMarzio Model P P/U is run through this chain, into the front my Mesa Walkabout, and into a DAW recording console via the WA direct out - There's a bass intro and a bass break at about 1:22:
Bucket Of Bites by Lowbrow on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

[Dethrats]

dayyum!!!!

[depalm]

Really good song, bass sound and playing!

[BassBrass]

What happens when the BB volume isn't as high and the LS-2 is 50/50 or closer to unity? Does slamming the LS-2 with mucho volume so you have to keep it so low...do something special?
I haven't found the need to blend my BB and sometimes it's high mid (treble at noon, slight low end boost) is What Cuts.

[Dethrats]

man... i must admit, ive been replaying your tune. so catchy!

again, digging the tone!

[gillento]

I have the almost exact same combo: VT Bass as a shaper and a BB in a parallel loop (RMI Basswitch or Lehle Parallel L in my case).

I've tried a lot of OD pedals and this is the best combination I ever had!

edit: the Xotic RC sounds equally great in this configuration....

[Bread Knife]

That sounds fantastic!

[Lowbrow]

Thanks for the kind comments, friends - I'm really digging this setup.

Originally Posted by BassBrass

What happens when the BB volume isn't as high and the LS-2 is 50/50 or closer to unity? Does slamming the LS-2 with mucho volume so you have to keep it so low...do something special?

Yes, actually! I find the BB set to a higher volume starts to sound much more like natural overdrive and less like distortion - and fuzzy-sounding distortion on bass is something I really don't care for too much. It's a sound I can describe as sounding more like power tubes & tortured speakers at high volume rather than a hi-gain tube preamp section. Rolling off some high as I do also helps trim the fizz. I get most if not all of my punch & cut from the clean signal + VT at 11 oclock drive, dial in a layer of OD from the BB through the LS2, and use the amplifier as a final EQ.

So truly, as far as sound shaping goes, the VT I treat as my amp, the BB as the OD on that amp, and the amplifier as a power section/final corrective EQ. That my Walkabout has a tube preamp section probably enhances things, too - the amp's DI is post everything, so while I run the Walkabout pretty flat without goosing the gain too much and pretty much let the VT do the tone work, I'm sure there is substantial coloration there as well. But for cut and a high-quality sound articulation I find the clean (no BB) signal essential.

[ryansalmond]

Very very cool.

[reddi]

Did you by any chance use a mic as well? I'd love to hear it if you did.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by ryansalmond

Very very cool.

Thanks - isn't that your former LS2 at work?

Originally Posted by reddi

Did you by any chance use a mic as well? I'd love to hear it if you did.

Not on this track, but on some other stuff we're working on I've split the signal between this direct set-up and a totally effect-free mic'ed signal through little Acoustic B20 practice amp. The little amp is very classic/organic sounding, very much like a B15 tonally. The mix of mic/direct is very cool. I'll post something done in this manner when it's mixed down.

In my past studio experience - pre-computer, usually paying at least a $500/day lockout in a studio - I've generally gone mic + direct, and 90% of the time I've ended up chucking the mic track. Working with DAW, free of time/$/impatient bandmate constraints, has shown me that the mic signal can be very useful if only you have the TIME to work with it. In other words, direct = quick good result; mic = good result given time, patience, and a good ear.

[paganjack]

That tone sounds quite good! That song is crazy catchy too.

[crustychef]

Very nice tone!
I just got a BB preamp. It was just in time to lay down a track in the studio 2 days ago. I ran it into my Tone Hammer with AGS off and then into a MXR envelope filter for some really hairy overdrive that had plenty of bight. I can't play with pick to save my life so it was perfect for my needs. Loving my BB for sure!

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by paganjack

That tone sounds quite good! That song is crazy catchy too.

Thanks again - maybe the public will think so too and I'll get to be a rock star before I'm 50.