How come no one uses mic pres as bass pres?

bluestarbass · #1 10-04-2007, 09:04 AM

Not just in the studio but live? Ive heard of a few people doing it, mostly lower end pres like the eureka. Why doesnt anyone use a neve or an api or a chandler into a power amp? Maybe this is a stupid question, maybe not.

pogipoints · #2 10-04-2007, 09:19 AM

Although it's not a high-end pre like a Neve, I sometimes use my JoeMeek SixQ as a bass pre for live gigs. I've read here that some people use the ART tube pre/tube channel for bass with good results. The Avalon pre seems to be a popular choice too.

D.A.R.K. · #3 10-04-2007, 10:19 AM

there are quite a few folks here that use avalon and millenia pres for their rigs.
one main problem to factor in, alot of this type of gear is not built to take the rigors of the road.

cloudermilk · #4 10-04-2007, 10:27 AM

I've got a Presonus Bluetube on the way that I'll be using live.

bluestarbass · #5 10-04-2007, 11:57 AM

I think the road wear is a big issue. Having worked on many a board, they just sit there and stuff goes wrong with them all the time, so i can see that. Id love to put a chandler germ pre as my bass preamp, pretty hefty money though. I think it might also be an issue of how articulate a channel strip is. Some dont have any eq at all, which really wouldnt do me any good. Some are too heavy, which I understand too.

maxvalentino · #6 10-12-2007, 01:25 AM

I have a UA LA610, Chandler Germanium and Manley VoxBox, and , on loan, a Brent Averill racked Neve 1073. They stay at home. Each is pretty darn expensive, and while quite well built...not the kinda unit you really want to expose to the "dark forces" at work in most gigs.

That being said...there is another reason....interfacing. These units are all +4dBu balanced systems....the chandler, one of my fav recording pres, has only a single +4dBu xlr out. So, is this intended as your DI? Run a power amp with it? Well, some amps...not all mind you...and most live boards are not gonna like seeing that +4 level.

And...just plain cost (should it fail, break, or become stolen or kidnapped...). It would be very difficult to replace my $3k Manley mic pre (and it being stuffed full of glass would likely be the first to develop any problems/anomalies from being used in gigs).

Live I like my Demeter VTBP201....which really has some similar characteristics t those mic pres.

Max

jwl · #7 10-12-2007, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

there are quite a few folks here that use avalon and millenia pres for their rigs.
one main problem to factor in, alot of this type of gear is not built to take the rigors of the road.

all the avalon stuff is road worthy. i have a vt 737 sp pre amp that i use in my studio for vocals. it is absolutely bullet proof and one of the finest made things i have ever owned. i would have no problem gigging it. according to avalon, they are out on the road with several pros. geddy has two u-5's in his rack. i have an alembic f-1x that i use in my rig so i don't need a dif pre for that application.

stedtale · #8 10-12-2007, 08:08 AM

I regularly use my ART Tube MP V3 live, I even replaced the stock tube with a nice sounding (to me) 5751.

petersenbass · #9 10-16-2007, 10:29 PM

I used to run my bass into an ART Tube MP ->300 watt Audio-Centron power amp->
Hughes&Kettner 2x12. It sounded pretty pleasing, I just had to finally switch to SWR because I love that sound most. Especially a jazz going throught it.