DIY people! I need your help. Audere Onboard Pre --> Outboard pre

[sailorofcheese]

Hi guys. i'd like to convert an Audere onboard pre into an outboard pre/pedal format.

First, I'd really like to know if this would actually work....
What would i need to get started?

Here's the configuration of the pre i'd be converting into a pedal:

1 pickup configuration
Volume pot
Z-mode switch
4-band eq (bass/treb/lowmid/himid)
led light
9 volt battery supply.

Is true-bypass possible?
Can i also get a mute button as well?

Where do the wires go instead of the pickup? the input jack?
I'm a totally new to this type of project. Any advice would be great.
THANKS!!!!

*not sure i posted in the right place

[Stealth]

There are a few differences between installing the preamp onboard and outboard, but here's the gist of it.

On the input side, the tip contact goes to the signal input of the preamp, and the sleeve contact goes to the ground.
On the output side, the tip goes to the output of the preamp, the ring goes to the negative of the battery and the sleeve goes to the ground. This is to insure the preamp doesn't drain the battery of your outboard preamp if there's no cable in the output.

If you're going to give your pedal a 9V DC jack for powering from an adapter, you should read this as well because it describes how to connect it so it automatically disconnects the battery if you're running it off an adapter.

If you want true bypass, this is how it works. If you want a mute switch, that's the inverse of the True Bypass - the part that'd go to the preamp switches to ground instead so both the input and the output are closed.

Or if you want it drawn out, give me a few hours till lunch break.

[bongomania]

Edit: nevermind, I misread the OP.

One detail though, the Z mode function will not sound the same if you put several feet of cable between the pickups and the preamp.

[SGD Lutherie]

Another problem is that the Audere expects that the common on the pickups will not be connected to ground.

That's not possible using it as an outboard preamp.

[Stealth]

David, would it be possible with a stereo cable, running it in a hot-cold-ground combination?

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Stealth

David, would it be possible with a stereo cable, running it in a hot-cold-ground combination?

Yes, that would work, but you can't have passive volume/and or blend and tone controls that way.

[sailorofcheese]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Yes, that would work, but you can't have passive volume/and or blend and tone controls that way.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the input. So from what i'm understanding so far. "One detail though, the Z mode function will not sound the same if you put several feet of cable between the pickups and the preamp." --- Why does this happen?

Also, I'll be unable to use a volume control...that's okay.

"Another problem is that the Audere expects that the common on the pickups will not be connected to ground. That's not possible using it as an outboard preamp." --- how can i trouble shoot this problem?


This little project maybe waay over me. I dont have basic knowledge of schematics. I have some soldering abilities...but hopefully i can make this happen.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by sailorofcheese

"Another problem is that the Audere expects that the common on the pickups will not be connected to ground. That's not possible using it as an outboard preamp." --- how can i trouble shoot this problem?

You would have to use a stereo jack on the bass, and have ground, and (+) and (-) from the pickup. If you have two pickups, you either need a switch or they have to be on all the time.

You might be able to rig up a blend or volumes if you wire it up the way Audere shows, and only if you have the 3 wires out of the bass.

You might want to email Dave Meadows for his take on it.

This preamp was not really intended to be installed in a box.

[sailorofcheese]

I see what you mean. I've just emailed Dave. Let's see what happens....

[sailorofcheese]

Message from David:
''The Z-Mode system must be directly connected to the pickups before any volume pots so it would not be possible to make it work correctly in an outboard configuration."

just as Bongo described earlier...

well. shoot any other suggestions? audere classic 4 band pre (no z-switch)? thank you all for the input

*oh edit: my bass has a 3-way selector switch for my pickups.....

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by sailorofcheese

Message from David:
''The Z-Mode system must be directly connected to the pickups before any volume pots so it would not be possible to make it work correctly in an outboard configuration."

Just as I said in post #4.

[sailorofcheese]

Got it! thanks for all the input guys.