What can I use to add real/emulated tube warmth to my sound that doubles as a DI?

fourstringbliss · #1 08-15-2007, 06:17 PM

I'm looking for something to add real/emulated tube warmth to my sound that will also work as a DI. My bass has an onboard EQ so I don't need any EQ functions on the unit (though it wouldn't be a problem to have EQ functions). I've owned two Sansamps - not my kettle of fish. I'm also not looking to spend more than about $100.

Presonus Tubepre?
Art Studio V3?
Behringer MIC200?

Something else?

Thanks!

SteveC · #2 08-15-2007, 06:25 PM

In the $100 range, non-SansAmp (which I never liked after 3 of them either) I would say the PreSonus. I've had their stuff before and it's worked great.

fourstringbliss · #3 08-15-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

In the $100 range, non-SansAmp (which I never liked after 3 of them either) I would say the PreSonus. I've had their stuff before and it's worked great.

So, you think if I got a TubePre and replaced the stock tube with a higher quality tube I could use it as a DI box that gives tube amp warmth? I only mention swapping out the stock tube because I've read of others getting a so-so tone from the stock tube but when the replaced it with a Groove Tubes the sound was much better.

SteveC · #4 08-15-2007, 06:57 PM

fourstringbliss · #5 08-15-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Yep.

Thanks! I'll be on the lookout for one at a good price!

idoru · #6 08-16-2007, 06:09 AM

I read the title and nearly screamed - you should have mentioned "non-SansAmp" there

Jazz Ad · #7 08-16-2007, 06:23 AM

Well yeah the SansAmp does a pretty much perfect job at this so if you didn't like it I'd say you're not looking after what you describe.

GrooveWarrior · #8 08-16-2007, 06:33 AM

I've used a TubePre, and they are nice. You definitely need to put a new tube in it. I used this one, and it improved the tone by 1000%.

fourstringbliss · #9 08-16-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idoru

I read the title and nearly screamed - you should have mentioned "non-SansAmp" there

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Well yeah the SansAmp does a pretty much perfect job at this so if you didn't like it I'd say you're not looking after what you describe.

The Sansamp BDDI does a great job of emulating tube warmth and I suppose I should have mentioned that in the title. As crazy as it sounds, I'm looking for something simpler. I'm installing a great preamp in my bass and I don't need any other tone controls - just something to warm up the sound.

fourstringbliss · #10 08-16-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrooveWarrior

I've used a TubePre, and they are nice. You definitely need to put a new tube in it. I used this one, and it improved the tone by 1000%.

I think I'll give a TubePre a shot. I've read some reviews that say they're nothing special and some others that say they're great - the difference hinged on replacing the tube. I'll try one of the tubes you suggested.

How did you find that the TubePre with the JJ Tesla tube affected your tone?

Crabby · #11 08-16-2007, 10:51 AM

Even the dirt cheap ART Tube MP can be very nice sounding and a tube upgrade would probably work very well. The basic MP is only abou $50 brand new.
They also make a fancier version with a VU meter and some tone presets.

fourstringbliss · #12 08-16-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

Even the dirt cheap ART Tube MP can be very nice sounding and a tube upgrade would probably work very well. The basic MP is only abou $50 brand new.
They also make a fancier version with a VU meter and some tone presets.

I had though about getting the ART Tube Studio V3, which is the fancier version you mentioned. The tone presets are attractive for changing the warmth level. There's one at my church I might be able to try out.

GrooveWarrior · #13 08-16-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

How did you find that the TubePre with the JJ Tesla tube affected your tone?

I would say that it was more focused. The low mids were not flabby at all. Great top end presence. Like I said, it was way better than the other tube, which was a generic 12AX7.

PaleMelanesian · #14 08-16-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

Even the dirt cheap ART Tube MP can be very nice sounding and a tube upgrade would probably work very well. The basic MP is only abou $50 brand new.
They also make a fancier version with a VU meter and some tone presets.

+1
That's exactly what I use, and it's done wonders in front of my SWR. You can find it on sale from time to time. Mine was $29 at MF.

fourstringbliss · #15 08-16-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

+1
That's exactly what I use, and it's done wonders in front of my SWR. You can find it on sale from time to time. Mine was $29 at MF.

So, just the plain ART Tube MP, huh? Have you tried it connected to your FX in/out? That's how I had the Sansamp I used to own connected.

PaleMelanesian · #16 08-16-2007, 01:45 PM

Just the plain basic one. I run my bass into it, and from that into the Active input on the amp. Running the MP where it just sometimes clips, the level to my Active input is about the same as the bass straight into the Passive. I'm sure you could use the FX loop as well. I haven't tried that.

I've come to realize the SWR sound is not the tone in my head, and no EQ tweaking gets around that. This was a quick-fix test, and I'm loving it.

bongomania · #17 08-16-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

So, just the plain ART Tube MP, huh? Have you tried it connected to your FX in/out? That's how I had the Sansamp I used to own connected.

Why would you put a sansamp in the fx loop? Or did you mean that you plugged only into the fx return, bypassing your head's pre?

Puru · #18 08-16-2007, 01:49 PM

My Tube MP Studio, $30 from MF, came this morning, already popped in a EH 12ax7. Sounds great in the effects loop. I've also tried the JJ. Groove warrior already described the JJ pretty well, focuses and compresses. The Electro Harmonix tube fattens more and give a nice round clarity. I recommend either depending on what you want. JJ if your sound is woofy, EH if your sound is thin. Both are warming. The stock tube is kind of plain vanilla. I'd like to try other tubes someday for comparison. I hear the Tung Sol is nice.

fourstringbliss · #19 08-16-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Why would you put a sansamp in the fx loop? Or did you mean that you plugged only into the fx return, bypassing your head's pre?

I ran the FX send to the input on the Sansamp and the Sansamp output to the FX return. It works pretty well. I just found the sound too dark, and when it wasn't dark it was really hissy.

I just want something simple to warm up my sound. The preamp I'm putting in will give me all the tone control I need.

bongomania · #20 08-16-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

It works pretty well. I just found the sound too dark, and when it wasn't dark it was really hissy.

I'm not an expert on either the Sansamp or your amp head, but what you say there sounds like a contradiction to me. Did you have the same results when using the Sansamp connected differently to your amp?