Behringer BDI21 as preamp

konaboy · #1 10-25-2009, 04:38 AM

HI!

Would this be suitable as a preamp to drive a power amp - cabinet?

I'm not sure it it would have enough output. Perhaps its more intended to connect to the preamp in a bass head?

Would be great if someone can confirm.

DonnyDanger · #2 10-25-2009, 08:03 AM

It would have enough output but i personally think it doesnt have enough tonal options to serve as a preamp.

mcnach · #3 10-25-2009, 03:23 PM

You can use it as a preamp, for sure. Whether you like the sound or not is another issue. I had one, but felt it was a little limited sound-wise. Still, it would be a good backup, but I wouldn't use it as my main sound source.

You can get a Zoom B2 used for not much more than the Behringer, and even if you disregard all the FX, the range of tones you can get from that is very wide. One trick with it is to judge how much to blend the amp simulation tone with the direct un-effected tone. Sometimes you need all effect, sometimes a mix. This is a good cheap backup unit, it'll give you a decent sound, some FX if you need, and a tuner. I always carry mine, you never know when it will save the gig!

bassbrock · #4 10-25-2009, 03:38 PM

I have the Behringer BDI-21 and it will drive a power amp, although you have to set the level pretty high on the unit but it works just fine.

I also have the Zoom B2.1U and its output is not line level, only instrument level and I've found it isn't sufficient to drive a power amp without hitting a mixer first.

If money isn't the reason you are going for the Behringer BDI21, I would check out the $200 or so Aguilar Tone Hammer. It is a line output and works great.

ga_edwards · #5 10-25-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnyDanger

It would have enough output but i personally think it doesnt have enough tonal options to serve as a preamp.

+1. I have one and it sits in my spare gear bag unused. It has a pleasing tone on it's own, but use it in a mix or band context and it disappears into a low end rumble with no definition. Like the SansAmp it's based on it lack a mid control, but even by rolling the bass and treble down to fool it into producing mids it still fails to give me the mid definition I require.

I'd recommend looking for a more flexible dedicated bass pre-amp if this is the route you wish to go, or as someone else has mentioned, an amp modeller of some kind such as the Zoom B2 or a Line 6 offering.

bassbrock · #6 10-25-2009, 04:14 PM

Well, the key to good sound that doesn't get lost in the mix is judicious use of the blend knob, like the Sansamp. I rarely turn mine past the 12 o'clock position.

mcnach · #7 10-26-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrock

I also have the Zoom B2.1U and its output is not line level, only instrument level and I've found it isn't sufficient to drive a power amp without hitting a mixer first.

I do not have a separate power amp. But if I plug the Zoom B2 into the power amp input in my TC Electronic RH450 head, it works just fine. Not that I would prefer the Zoom over the RH450's preamp, but... it clearly can be use to bypass the built-in preamp.

Are the inputs of a separate power amp, and the power amp inputs in the heads that have them not equivalent then? I guess not, eh?
You can use it to go direct to desk, into PA, but my comment about using a power amp straight with the Zoom B2 was based on what I described above. Apologies if that was misleading...

MNAirHead · #8 10-26-2009, 03:19 PM

If you're looking for a budget.. look for an MXR M-80 used OR the Rolls red DI box.. both will do it and serve as a DI

konaboy · #9 10-26-2009, 04:11 PM

thanks guys. Today I used a Behringer MIC100 preamp to drive the power amp and it was great. Since posting the question I purchased a used Behringer V-AMP which I will test next week. I sound like a behringer fan boy, but actually I just stumble across this stuff cheap on the used market and can't resist trying it out.

bassbrock · #10 10-29-2009, 12:49 PM

The Behringer MIC-100's are great and do output a line level signal, same for the Behringer V-Amp. I owned a Behringer V-Amp and then a V-Amp Pro for a while and loved it, was very versatile. There is some editor software out there for both PC and Mac that lets you sort of 'unlock' some hidden effects and adjustments in the V-Amps that are not accessible from the front input panel. In the end I got rid of it as I already had two Zoom pedals, sort of redundant for effects use.

Here is my current signal path:
G&L L-2500 Bass -> Zoom B2.1U (for effects and tuner) -> Aguilar Tone Hammer -> Behringer EP2500 Power Amp -> Acme Low B-4 speaker cab.

The DI output on my Aguilar Tone Hammer is fed to the Front of House PA system for PA reinforcement.

musicxfactor · #11 10-29-2009, 01:11 PM

I bought one last week & it really did wonders for my combo amp. I haven't tried it yet on my amp/cab setup yet, but I'm sure the results will be good.