Preamp / Di with Stereo ins / outs

[L.A. Moore]

Is there such a preamp ?

[bongomania]

My Phoenix Audio UK preamp/DI has two discreet channels. Several DI brands such as Radial make two-channel DI's, but most of them are not also preamps. Many mic pre's in rack form have two discreet channels with the ability to be used as a preamp or a DI, but usually not both at the same time (having only one output per channel).

[L.A. Moore]

Is that the P.A.U.K DRS-2? Do hey make a pedal form or just rack mount?

Actually depending on how I configure my board, I may only need the 2 channel DI if I put my preamp up front.

[bongomania]

The one I'm using is the "Nice DI" which also happens to have 26 dB of gain, enough to drive a power amp. I've modded mine into a one-channel unit with simultaneous DI and preamp outputs, but the stock version is two separate channels each with one output. Rack only.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you're trying to achieve?

[L.A. Moore]

I'm going to be using a "3 way system" Clean, Dirty L, Dirty R.
I'm looking for the best way to configure my amps / FOH set up. I'm running my Sunn 200s for my clean side. For my stereo sound I have a few options:

2 amps
2 rack pre's / stereo amp
2 pedal pre's / stereo amp

Just looking for the best configuration.
My effects chain:

bass
opto stomp
boss eq-20
hartke vxl - dry out to clean channel
distortion (double muff, or P.E. Yardbox)
Line 6 mm-4 (stereo out)
boss dd-2o (stereo out)
amps

This isn't set in stone as I am still configuring my board. I know I need my Vxl before the double muff. It distorts if I run it the other way around.

I also know this is overkill, but I have the cabs so why not.

PS: I might add more filters / envelopes later

[bongomania]

OK, if I was on a budget but looking for new retail items I might go with a Radial Pro D2 into an ART TPSII into a Carvin DCM power amp. That comes in just over $600 and has all the functionality you'd want. There are lots of preamps similar to the ART on the market, it just happens to be the one I thought of that's decent but cheap. One feature on such a two-channel mic pre that you may appreciate is the phase reversal switch, in case any of your speaker channels interfere with each other. If I was going to "upgrade" from those choices mentioned, I would upgrade the DI to a stereo Radial JDI first; the ART to any of the many high-quality 2-chan mic pre's out there second; and the Carvin to a QSC 1804 last, but only if necessary.

If I was on a tighter budget I would just get two old amp heads that happen to have a DI output on each, and use a passive 3-way splitter to divide your signal into each chain. It would take some shopping around to find the "right" amp heads, but that could be fun on its own, digging around in the classifieds and dusty old gear shops.

If I was not on a budget I would probably just get two (or three) Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 heads.

Come to think of it, there are some even smaller amp heads (last year's models from Eden and EA) which I've seen in the TB classifieds now and then. Since you already have a big amp for your main "clean" bass tone, and these secondary amps are just for effects, you don't have to worry about the tone of the micro amps.

[L.A. Moore]

I had 2 of the groove bass 1200's and that was just too much weight, not to mention I don't need all that power any more.

I've also looked at old Sunn and Acoustic amps. I thought rack would be a better way to go. I was thinking of getting a peavy 50/50 or one of the marshall split amps. (MARSHALL VALVESTATE 8008 160 WATT STEREO POWER AMP) I'll read up on the eqipment you mentioned.

This is fun........

The ART is nice and at a nice price. (179)

[L.A. Moore]

Eden WT800a Stereo Bass Amp: (or any stereo bass amp)

Since I have the the pre on my board I can just run into the stereo return. This also gives me the option of using a smaller set up if need be. Might cost a little more but I make money everyday. Somedays just more than others.

With that logic, I could use the BBE 381 Guitar preamp I have laying around.

This is fun....

[L.A. Moore]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Does your GK's fx loop run at line level (sometimes labeled +4 dB or 0dB) or instrument level (sometimes labeled -20dB or -25dB) or the ever-mysterious -10dB? Cjeck the manual to see if they specify line level for the loop (sometimes you have to check the specs on the last page).

Most rack gear is designed to run best at line level, and most pedals are designed to run best at instrument level. An example of instrument-level connection is:
bass --> pedal --> amp.

Once you've figured out what level the GK's loop runs at, you have to figure out what level the rackmount BBE runs at. Maybe it's designed for compatibility with low and high signal levels. Check the manual.

The send on the bbe effects loop is -10db

[norby]

i may be wrong, but i think the radial bassbone has dual inputs.

[bongomania]

It's not stereo though, it just switches between those two inputs into one output.