Ultrasound DI Max

[martinc]

I have not seen any mention of this preamp/DI on TB:

http://www.ultrasoundamps.com/image-viewer-dimax.html

It has two inputs that can be blended. It can handle 1 meg inputs so that includes the high output BassMax. Lots of other goodies too. Made in USA. Most places are selling it for around 170 bucks.
Also, for a small company, there are lots of big hitters endorsing the company's stuff.
I was hoping LR Baggs would come out with something like this given all the talk on this forum about blending mic's and pickups.
I'm not connected to this company in any way. I just found their website today.

[martinc]

Just to clarify....the Ultrasound Max DI is only designed for dynamic mics. It does not supply phantom power for condenser mics.

[Phil Rowan]

I'm really thinking about picking one of these up.

[hensonbass]

I would seriously consider this:

http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/pro...tic_preamp.php

The EQ settings on this preamp work wonders on a double bass. Better than any preamp I've ever owned.

[martinc]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I'm really thinking about picking one of these up.

Phil:

I've been using the Ultrasound DI for a couple of months now. It's every bit as clean as the Baggs Paracoustic DI and much cleaner than the Fishman Pro Bass EQ I have been using for a few years despite the wealth of bottom end controls on the Fishman.
Ultrasound told me the unit will handle signals down to 20 Hz but the active bass control ( +/- 12db) only affects the 150 Hz spectrum.
I have used mine at a couple of outdoor shows and the sound through the PA in both cases was the best I have ever had. I blend a BassMax and a RevSolo. I have not tried blending my Audix D2 mic yet.
I prefer the full, clean sound the DI Max gives me over the single channel Fishman.... which has more control over the lower bass frequencies. I can't figure that out. Maybe the blending has something to do with it.
I am surprised Fishman has not come out with a two channel Pro Bass Platinum EQ unit.
The Headway looks great too. It gets excellent reviews and provides much more control over the lower frequencies than the Ultrasound.

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by hensonbass

I would seriously consider this:

http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/pro...tic_preamp.php

The EQ settings on this preamp work wonders on a double bass. Better than any preamp I've ever owned.

Originally Posted by martinc

Phil:

I've been using the Ultrasound DI for a couple of months now. It's every bit as clean as the Baggs Paracoustic DI and much cleaner than the Fishman Pro Bass EQ I have been using for a few years despite the wealth of bottom end controls on the Fishman.
Ultrasound told me the unit will handle signals down to 20 Hz but the active bass control ( +/- 12db) only affects the 150 Hz spectrum.
I have used mine at a couple of outdoor shows and the sound through the PA in both cases was the best I have ever had. I blend a BassMax and a RevSolo. I have not tried blending my Audix D2 mic yet.
I prefer the full, clean sound the DI Max gives me over the single channel Fishman.... which has more control over the lower bass frequencies. I can't figure that out. Maybe the blending has something to do with it.
I am surprised Fishman has not come out with a two channel Pro Bass Platinum EQ unit.
The Headway looks great too. It gets excellent reviews and provides much more control over the lower frequencies than the Ultrasound.

Sigh

[martinc]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

Sigh

Huh?

[Phil Rowan]

Y'know, being pulled in different directions by different bass gear and weighing one against the other, etc.. The Headway looks really great and gets awesome reviews, but it's just slightly more than I'd like to spend right now. That said, I'm still considering it because I've learned in the past that spending more upfront can be, in the long run, worth the little extra you pay. We'll see.. the other thing is that I'm hoping to get the whole mic/pickup thing happening kinda soon and take it on a little New England tour I'm going on w/ a 4tet I'm in (Old Time Musketry.. starts Jun 23rd). I plugged my AudixD4 (w/ lo to hi-z adapter) into my Micro300 and my SansAmp Para into the FX loop, and while it worked, it also became clear how a blender would be more desirable. I'm gonna call Nova Strings or Gordon from Headway to see what they're going for in US$'s and if I could get it in time.

[martinc]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

Y'know, being pulled in different directions by different bass gear and weighing one against the other, etc.. The Headway looks really great and gets awesome reviews, but it's just slightly more than I'd like to spend right now. That said, I'm still considering it because I've learned in the past that spending more upfront can be, in the long run, worth the little extra you pay. We'll see.. the other thing is that I'm hoping to get the whole mic/pickup thing happening kinda soon and take it on a little New England tour I'm going on w/ a 4tet I'm in band (Old Time Musketry.. starts Jun 23rd). I plugged my AudixD4 (w/ lo to hi-z adapter) into my Micro300 and my SansAmp Para into the FX loop, and while it worked, it also became clear how a blender would be more desirable. I'm gonna call Nova Strings or Gordon from Headway to see what they're going for in US$'s and if I could get it in time.

Phil:
Yeah....I understand the dilemma.
The Headway looks like a very good product. It's tempting for sure.
However...the Ultrasound is doing the job for my needs very well right now so I'll have to resist the temptation unless things change.

[Phil Rowan]

Right.. I was thinking I could just use my Para DI along w/ the Ultrasound, but then I'm thinking, just get the Headway, which seems it would take care of things w/ out an extra box. Fun times!

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

Right.. I was thinking I could just use my Para DI along w/ the Ultrasound, but then I'm thinking, just get the Headway, which seems it would take care of things w/ out an extra box. Fun times!

The advantage of the Headway IMHO is that it's has all the features in one box. Granted it would be ideal if it had two channel's of EQ, but it's so small and compact, I think it's a good trade off for a unit that features Lo Cut and Notch Filters, Phase Reverse, Phantom Power and great Pre amp voicing.

Ric

[Phil Rowan]

Yes indeed, Ric.. yet another thing to pull me towards the EDB. I'll figure it out soon enough.