Preamp/DI box that can be used with bass, acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards

[rafmagana]

well, that, I'm looking for a multi-instrument preamp and DI box, if it's programmable it'd be better.

So far, I've found that the Sansamp Para Driver is multi-instrument, I've read is very good and that is very bad , I like the Sansamp Bass Driver Programmable and Deluxe and I am thinking of getting one of those (since I'm primarily a bassist, although I play guitar and keyboards too), but I'd like something like the Para Driver but programmable, any suggestions?

EDIT: I ended up buying a Sansamp Bass Driver Programmable (so, only for bass), I haven't tested it yet, I think I will post my impressions later. Thanks to everyone!

[meatwad]

I dig the demos of the VT Deluxe on youtube, but I've never tried one out personally. I recently picked up an Aphex Punch Factory from the classifieds, which is a compressor instead of a preamp, but it's DI is suppose to be pretty sweet. So far, if I could only take one pedal to the gig, it would be the PF.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by meatwad

I dig the demos of the VT Deluxe on youtube, but I've never tried one out personally. I recently picked up an Aphex Punch Factory from the classifieds, which is a compressor instead of a preamp, but it's DI is suppose to be pretty sweet. So far, if I could only take one pedal to the gig, it would be the PF.

Didn't know about the Aphex Punch Factory, I'll take a look, thanks!

[caeman]

The Moen Buffalo


For the lower rent option.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by caeman

The Moen Buffalo


For the lower rent option.

Wow, haven't heard about it, it's kinda hard to find its website btw.

Thanks!

[newbold]

I love my Eden WTDI and if it were battery operable I would tell it on the frickin moun-tain.

If you want electric guitar though I'd have to say to use something honkier or throw a Tech21 Character pedal in front.

Sansamps are fine if you like that tone. For the money, Behringer does it best with their BD21 - though they have acoustic, electric, and keys models.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by newbold

I love my Eden WTDI and if it were battery operable I would tell it on the frickin moun-tain.

If you want electric guitar though I'd have to say to use something honkier or throw a Tech21 Character pedal in front.

Sansamps are fine if you like that tone. For the money, Behringer does it best with their BD21 - though they have acoustic, electric, and keys models.

Have you thought about doing a video reviewing the Eden WTDI? I didn't find any good video to see how it works.

What are the pros and cons of this unit? does it colors the tone or EQs the actual sound of the bass?

About the Sansamps' tone, what is that tone? which kind music do you think these units are for? can you describe the kind of tone they deliver?

Thanks a lot!

[cultrvultr]

Skips the sansamps and head to a MXR-80. I know it says bass on it, but I've used it on a ton of different instruments. Sounds great everytime.

I've run it with Keyboards, guitar, Bass Guitar, Ubass, Upright Bass. Sounds good on everything. The second output can be run as an input so you can keep two instruments plugged in. Keeping the gain down on the distortion channel gives you a second clean volume as a boost or for quick balancing.

Battery Power lasts forever or it can be powered by 9V supply or phantom. They are up in the forums for about 75-80 bucks all the time.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by cultrvultr

Skips the sansamps and head to a MXR-80. I know it says bass on it, but I've used it on a ton of different instruments. Sounds great everytime.

I've run it with Keyboards, guitar, Bass Guitar, Ubass, Upright Bass. Sounds good on everything. The second output can be run as an input so you can keep two instruments plugged in. Keeping the gain down on the distortion channel gives you a second clean volume as a boost or for quick balancing.

Battery Power lasts forever or it can be powered by 9V supply or phantom. They are up in the forums for about 75-80 bucks all the time.

Wow, really? in all those instruments? sounds really good!

just one thing, the second output can be run as an input? how is that?

Thanks!

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by cultrvultr

Skips the sansamps and head to a MXR-80. I know it says bass on it, but I've used it on a ton of different instruments. Sounds great everytime.

I've run it with Keyboards, guitar, Bass Guitar, Ubass, Upright Bass. Sounds good on everything. The second output can be run as an input so you can keep two instruments plugged in. Keeping the gain down on the distortion channel gives you a second clean volume as a boost or for quick balancing.

Battery Power lasts forever or it can be powered by 9V supply or phantom. They are up in the forums for about 75-80 bucks all the time.

I've been reading about this pedal, it sounds to me more like a distortion pedal, I don't need distortion at all since I play reggae and jazz mostly, so it seems I'd be using only the EQ section and maybe the color button, but not the most important part of the pedal, the distortion section, so I don't know if it'd worth it. I'll continue reading a little bit more about it, thanks.

[caeman]

If you never use distortion, it does seem like an Active EQ pedal into a passive DI box would be a better setup.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by caeman

If you never use distortion, it does seem like an Active EQ pedal into a passive DI box would be a better setup.

Any suggestions on Active EQ pedal and passive DI box? Thanks.

[caeman]

I like the MXR M-108 EQ. 10 graphics bands that cover the entire guitar spectrum, with level and gain. I don't see many EQ pedals with a GAIN slider. I run that into a Behringer UltraDI. It is a noiseless setup. At my Synagogue, I have to play straight to the PA, so this setup gives me a modicum of control over my sound -- which is straight forward bass. The M-108's bottom EQ setting for 31.5Hz is well below my bass' E string, so I have it set down to -12db. In doing that, it helped to clean up my signal coming from the Synagogue subwoofer when I am on bass. The DI's with integrated 3-band EQ don't allow me that sort of control.

I recently added the FEA Growler to my board (which has a +6 db boost switch), and with an [sfx] Micro Thumpinator on order, my M-108 may be retired off the board once the mThump arrives.

Maybe I am just being a finicky musician? A lot of people seem to be very happy with simpler 3-band EQs on the integrated units.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by caeman

I like the MXR M-108 EQ. 10 graphics bands that cover the entire guitar spectrum, with level and gain. I don't see many EQ pedals with a GAIN slider. I run that into a Behringer UltraDI. It is a noiseless setup. At my Synagogue, I have to play straight to the PA, so this setup gives me a modicum of control over my sound -- which is straight forward bass. The M-108's bottom EQ setting for 31.5Hz is well below my bass' E string, so I have it set down to -12db. In doing that, it helped to clean up my signal coming from the Synagogue subwoofer when I am on bass. The DI's with integrated 3-band EQ don't allow me that sort of control.

I recently added the FEA Growler to my board (which has a +6 db boost switch), and with an [sfx] Micro Thumpinator on order, my M-108 may be retired off the board once the mThump arrives.

Maybe I am just being a finicky musician? A lot of people seem to be very happy with simpler 3-band EQs on the integrated units.

would the MXR M-108 EQ work for bass, guitar and keyboards?

[caeman]

With 10-bands covering below a bass' low E and past a guitar's High E up the neck, I would think it would work with a keyboard just fine. The gain adds an extra aspect of control.

[SteveC]

You need something like an Avalon U5.

[mikkejohansson]

EBS Microbass II, Fishman Platinum Pro Bass...perhaps the ToneBone BassBone as well?

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by SteveC

You need something like an Avalon U5.

Wow, kind of expensive! I think I can't afford it right now, but thanks for the suggestion.

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by mikkejohansson

EBS Microbass II, Fishman Platinum Pro Bass...perhaps the ToneBone BassBone as well?

Have read and seen some videos about the EBS Microbass II, it's kind of expensive, but, would it work for acoustic and electric guitar, bass and keyboards?

I didn't know the Fishman one, couldn't find any review/demo on video, very sad.

Thanks!

[rafmagana]

Originally Posted by caeman

With 10-bands covering below a bass' low E and past a guitar's High E up the neck, I would think it would work with a keyboard just fine. The gain adds an extra aspect of control.

It looks intimidating I'll take a look at it. Thanks.