Doubling preamp/di

derridiandrift · #1 10-16-2010, 04:06 PM

I'm considering buying a preamp pedal with 2 channels so that when I double on electric and upright I can switch quickly between the two and have the option to go straight to the house with no amp on stage.

Radial and EBS Microbass are the only products I know of. Does anyone have opinions and experience to experience to share? Are there any other products I should be looking at?

derridiandrift · #2 10-17-2010, 07:12 AM

I've had a new thought... how 'bout using an Aquilar tone hammer to shape the sound of the electric and just send the upright direct to the house? Anyone using this kind of single channel eq/di but disengaging for one or the other instrument?

Ric Vice · #3 10-17-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I've had a new thought... how 'bout using an Aquilar tone hammer to shape the sound of the electric and just send the upright direct to the house? Anyone using this kind of single channel eq/di but disengaging for one or the other instrument?

Derridiandrift,
Quite a few bassist use a different pre amp directly into the effects loop of amps like the Gentz Benz Shuttle or Acoustic Image Clarius as their DB pre amp. When it's engaged it becomes the pre amp for the upright. The Aguliar has gotten some pretty glowing reviews for just that purpose.

Ric

derridiandrift · #4 10-17-2010, 08:47 AM

Thanks Ric. Let me make sure I get this right...

The electric bass goes into the amp's input.
The upright goes through the aggie and into the effects in.
To switch to the upright you engage the effects loop. When the effects are turned off, you get the electric.

Ric Vice · #5 10-17-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Thanks Ric. Let me make sure I get this right...

The electric bass goes into the amp's input.
The upright goes through the aggie and into the effects in.
To switch to the upright you engage the effects loop. When the effects are turned off, you get the electric.

That's what I understand it to be. Just how that works I'm not totally clear on, but I know there are folks on TB that do it that way.

Ric

TimmyP · #6 10-17-2010, 10:21 PM

Radial: Do you mean the PZ-Pre? If so, I'd say yes.

BCAlbin · #7 10-17-2010, 10:33 PM

+1 on the Radial PZ-Pre! Used it for the express purpose of doubling on a gig last night (as well as on many other gigs) and it works great.

-BCA

derridiandrift · #8 10-30-2010, 08:04 AM

I borrowed the EBS Microbass II for a gig this week. Very impressed with the flexibility and build quality and it sounded great. I'm just wondering why the two channels are so different from each other. Does nobody offer a more straightforward eq section in a 2 channel preamp? I'm talking about something like two channels, each with a gain stage, each with a sweepable mid, bass and treble shelving, blending, DI. Maybe someone already does. We've all seen that tons of times in bass heads (epi, mb, even the SVT). I guess I'm thinking it should look like two mixer channel strips but really simplified. Is there such a preamp pedal?

JazznFunk · #9 10-30-2010, 08:08 AM

What about just buying an A/B box and switching like that? Same amp, same DI, no fuss. I do it all the time. If you're using a preamp with the double bass you can gain-match as best as possible with the electric and hopefully make the switches fairly easy.

PaperbackRyder · #10 10-30-2010, 11:17 AM

FWIW, I prefer a simple setup so I took a leap of faith and bought the EA Micro 500 w/ a Wizzy12m and Wizzy 12. Use the W12 for UB and the W12M for EB gigs. For doubling I have the W12M on top of the W12. Plug the EB straight into ch1 and the UB straight into Ch2. Simple.
Was apprehensive about no variance to the mid point, but I dont miss it. They both sound great! pleasantly surprised to say the least.

hensonbass · #11 10-31-2010, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I'm considering buying a preamp pedal with 2 channels so that when I double on electric and upright I can switch quickly between the two and have the option to go straight to the house with no amp on stage.

Radial and EBS Microbass are the only products I know of. Does anyone have opinions and experience to experience to share? Are there any other products I should be looking at?

Buy a two channel lightweight micro amp by Genz Benz, Markbass, Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, ect. Use it for gigs with and without a speaker cab for the DI function.

Pedal formats probably don't have enough space to accommodate all the electronics or it's price prohibitive.

timbledum · #12 10-31-2010, 02:21 AM

VT deluxe has that channel swapping feature as well, and you can get it pretty clean. Not sure how sweet it is for upright though. Plus three saves per channel.