Preamp pedals with line level output

Implosion · #1 12-31-2010, 01:32 AM

I'm trying to gather a list of pedal preamps that are capabale of pushing a power amp easily even if it is +4 dBu / 1.25 V. Tech 21's different variations of the the Bass driver (starting from ver. 2), Para Driver and the VT Bass are capable of this. Also the Aguilar Tone Hammer has got enough juice. Are there any others?

The MXR-80 and EBS MicroBass II can drive a power amp if the amp has got a low sensitivity, but with those two pedals you might run into problems in some cases when the instrument level output is not going to be enough. Could something like the MXR Micro Amp be used to boost the signal in these cases?

behndy · #2 12-31-2010, 01:46 AM

Tronographic Rusty Box (mine's on it's way) has a balanced out to act as a DI and an unbalanced out for pushing a power amp. takes 40v and is s'posed to have headroom for days.

The Eden WT series also i believe.

the Radial DI Bass Tone does NOT. thing is anemic power wise.

silky smoove · #3 12-31-2010, 01:48 AM

Please get some good soundclips of your Rusty Box when you get it. I'm considering one and am finding a distinct lack of soundclips for this thing.

behndy · #4 12-31-2010, 01:53 AM

*salutes*

will do sir!

i'm very interested in hearing how good the clean is. Erukus (Eric!) pretty much talked me into one, but all the clips i can find try to show off the dirty side of it. which IS intriguing, but (again, according to that adorable lil' Eru) the clean is s'posed to be very nice indeed also.

silky smoove · #5 12-31-2010, 01:57 AM

I've got my search narrowed down to either the Rusty Box or the FEA Dual Band Distortion. Both seem to be capable of delivering what I'm after... Too many decisions...

behndy · #6 12-31-2010, 08:48 AM

op - lemme know if this is a thread hijack, we'll move the Rusty conversation to pm or something.

Master Shake - yah. FEA is nice. does it work well as a preamp? are you using a head and want a distortion in front of it or a pedal that also acts as your preamp? like the OP (i think), i run preamp -> power amp and FOH. that's why the Rusty intrigues me so much. it's like a mad scientist dirtier SansAmp. REALLY excited.

Silent Fly · #7 12-31-2010, 09:22 AM

Does the pedal need to have any other functionality apart from amplifying the signal to line level?

behndy · #8 12-31-2010, 09:33 AM

woof. THAT is why preofessionals are just awesome. break it down to the pure, no-nonsense level. well played. well played sir.

i don't care WHAT the field (ok, maybe Genocide and Rape and nasty stuff are exluded), it's amazing to watch somebody that excels at their craft work/talk. i could sit, eat vegi beef jerky and watch a guy change tires all day if he had done it long enough to just PIMP it.

Implosion · #9 01-01-2011, 06:48 AM

The Rusty looks interesting so I don't mind the sidetrail at all. Behndy's interpretation was also on the money: BDDI's 1/4" out to power amp+cab and XLR to FOH (and recording). I want to be able to create my sound with my bass and pedals so therefore i've recently been also considering about ditching my 4x10 and getting a flat PA-cab.

As for the Silent Fly's question. I like my BDDI otherwise but because we play in B-standard the EQ controls on the pedal could be centered a bit differently. Though I like the slightly scooped sound and the sealed cab emulating low end roll off and I've been succesfully able to implement it into the mix. A dedicated mid control would on the otherhand be nice so i wouldn't always have to do the adjustments with cutting/boosting the lows and highs. Also a post drive (blendable) effectsloop would be nice because the drive on the sansamp can be a bit too responsive sometimes. 9/18 V operation, but 9V preferred. Also the hiss on the BDDI can get bad if the drive is cranked and the presence boost is not used sparingly.

scotch · #10 01-01-2011, 09:21 AM

I wonder if the forthcoming Basswitch might be an idea?

http://www.basswitch.com/

jacojbass · #11 01-02-2011, 10:20 AM

this pedal really has me curious, anybody chime in? sound clips? Can this go clean and dirty, I'm guessing the boost would control this? If you intend to drive a power amp with this as a pre, could you still run your pedals through it, or would they have to be separated?

scotch · #12 01-02-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacojbass

this pedal really has me curious, anybody chime in? sound clips? Can this go clean and dirty, I'm guessing the boost would control this? If you intend to drive a power amp with this as a pre, could you still run your pedals through it, or would they have to be separated?

I don't think its available yet. The website & manual has very little info... but, it appears to be more of a clean preamp with an effects loop. I can't see why you couldn't drive a power amp & use the loop. As long as the output is close to line level, that is.

Lehle appears to have partnered to build it. Lehle stuff is truly top-notch! It looks a bit large, but it also serves at least 3 functions. Id be curious to try it out, but I admit that I already have a setup that takes care of all these functions.

gillento · #13 03-16-2011, 03:38 AM

I heard that the Basswitch was designed to drive a poweramp.

The output should be aroun 5V RMS: http://www.rmi.lu/PDF/BASSWITCH-Manual-EN.pdf

videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/CC2410

Jacques · #14 05-02-2011, 01:58 PM

I confirm 5 Volt max level up to 30 dB gain if needed !!

Regards

Jacques

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

I heard that the Basswitch was designed to drive a poweramp.

The output should be aroun 5V RMS: http://www.rmi.lu/PDF/BASSWITCH-Manual-EN.pdf

videos: YouTube - CC2410's Channel