Distortion Preamp/ Analogue path / MIDI - reviews and opionions please!

[dood]

Hi all!

After reading the 'TC Nova Drive' thread and asking for opinions on the unit I have been looking in to other 'distortion racks' and went a bit mad in a reply on the above thread that to be honest, probably belongs in a new topic - so here it is, edited so that my request makes a little more sense!

I am on the look out for a rack mounted MIDI controllable (analogue signal path) distorton preamp. I want to mix a dry bass tone with the preamp's dirty signal - but I want to be able to control the sounds, along with my effects via my MIDI controller.

The ADA MB-1, MP-1, Classic and MP-2 are on the hunt list, along with the Rocktron Piranha, the Digitech 2120/2112, Mesa Triaxis and even the Marshall JMP-1. However the last two are possibly no-goers. The Triaxis in the UK is just WAAAAAAYYYYY over priced and the Marshal probably won't give me the kinda drive I need - unless it is modded.. but I am happy to be proved wrong.

I saw an MB-1 come up here on TalkBass, but when I looked in to the cost of converting from 110V to 240V, it wasn't really a viable option, even before finding out if shipping to the UK was - but every now n' then I keep an eye out on european ebay as a few come up there. That leaves the other items on my list above - but I don't really need MORE effects having a really nice TC Electronics G Major 2. So i'd only grab the 2120 (with it's dual audio paths) if the price was right. The Piranha, now discontinued sounds pretty good in audio reviews I have heard, on guitar at least - so in that case I'd have to look at a way of mixing my clean bass tone in to the signal.

I like the fact that the Nova Drive *can* do said mixing - AND it's still controllable via midi - so I can have a patch with more or less dry mix should I need it - but I want to know if the Nova Drive can do those nice gnarly bass tones - and then go completely over the top for.. well - distortion more akin to Mssr's Rectifier,SLO and Randall etc ...

oh!! nearly forgot!! I need to search down some posts for the Sansamp PSA 1/1.1 too - as the MIDI control on that baby could well be the ticket.

What I *do* want to do though, is to stay analogue and not just resort to my line 6 X3 for 'digital versions of'.

Thanks all.

So if anyone has any reviews, or tones/samples I can hear, that'd be much appreciated!

[gastric]

Line6 Pod XT Pro - get the guitar "red" version with all of the model packs and you can simply use it for a multi-effects box, though many of the amps have tons of gain available that may sound better than the dirt box models. I'm pretty sure most of the stomps I've sampled have directs in them so you can blend, but only the bass amps have clean blend I believe. And you could add EQ as well to each patch, not to mention all of the other effects.

BOSS SE-70 has analog dirt on the front, digital effects after. But the dirt supposedly gets very hissy on higher gain settings. Which is typical, though.

Note the MB-1 isn't distortion. It's a preamp that has a tube side to it. But at least with the unit I had it provides overdrive, not distortion. Maybe swapping the tubes would push it into higher gain territory?

[dood]

Hey Gastric! Thanks for the info'. I actually own the Line6 X3 live already - It's a great unit - however, being the floor unit - it's a bit of a pain, as I like using my Roland MIDI contoller for patch selectection. The X3 Pro is a huge great box - and the X3 bean would be brilliant if it had MIDI connectors on it - so, I guess the XT 2u would probably be a good choice lol.

Hmmm.. I'll have a think on it a bit more, but your suggestions have opended up some new thoughts.

Now, line 6 - can you do the X3 live in a 1u rack????!!!! ;o)

[grovest]

The latest Eventide Eclipse firmware beefed up its distortion capabilities....

[dood]

Anymore for anymore?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by grovest

The latest Eventide Eclipse firmware beefed up its distortion capabilities....

They sound good too (I plan on getting an Eclipse in the next couple months), but it's not analog.

[grovest]

You're right Bryan, I missed that part of the subject. Apologies!

I do love a good grit, and I'm all for more digitally controlled, analogue-path pedals. MIDI and presets are all the better. The TC Electronic seemed like nirvana until I heard some atrocious (to my ear) Youtube demos.

[dood]

Agreed! The YouTube Videos aren't 'doing it' for me - hence keeping an eye out for alternatives.