most popular preamps for recording bass?

bchamorro · #1 03-25-2008, 04:17 PM

Which are the most popular preamps for recording bass under $2000 or around.

lambro · #2 03-25-2008, 05:10 PM

Chandler TG-2
A Designs Pacifica
Great River

these are microphone pre-amps with DI inputs

anomalybass · #3 03-25-2008, 05:13 PM

i use an ampeg svp pro preamp for live and recording. it has di and dual outs so you can run a split signal. it cost 500. it might not be the best, but i love it. -joep

JordanDelap · #4 03-26-2008, 03:58 AM

this might sound stupid but, what is a preamp?

51m0n · #5 03-26-2008, 04:08 AM

I've had some stunning results from a Joe Meek TwinQ. Really fat warm sounds, amazing compressor and a lovely eq....

msquared · #6 03-26-2008, 10:17 AM

For under $2000 you can get some decent stuff. Look at the REDDI thread that's going on right now, there have been some great bass recording chains mentioned in there.

Stumpy · #7 03-26-2008, 10:24 AM

Avalon U5
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ier?sku=186100

The studio we went to only uses this...

Dave Muscato · #8 03-26-2008, 10:30 AM

Save up a little more and get a Groove Tubes Vipre - *fantastic* pres.

bkbirge · #9 03-26-2008, 10:50 AM

API
Langevin/Manley
Brent Averill (Neve)

At your price point there are a lot of good choices. Look at recording preamps.

**baba** · #10 03-26-2008, 10:58 AM

I've been tracking for our new album using this: http://www.avalondesign.com/vt737sp.html

Sounds YUMMY!

anomalybass · #11 03-26-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordanDelap

this might sound stupid but, what is a preamp?

a preamp is a hardware device that is used to boost you input signal for recording. that is the primary function, but more importantly, a good preamp will drastically improve your tone and overall recorded sound. the pre you choose depends on the tone you are looking for, and what application it is being used for...mic pre, bass pre, ect. -joep

bchamorro · #12 03-26-2008, 06:58 PM

I don't get it, is the U5 a DI or a preamp?
Can I use the Avalon U5 to record vocals with a condenser?

pbass2 · #13 03-26-2008, 07:27 PM

Yeah these days, for your price range there's quite a lot of great mic pres available. Don't just think "bass"---do a lot of research on mic pres in general. A great mic pre will be great on many things in addition to bass.
But since you're talking bass largely, I'd recommend a set-up that falls under your 2g, and gives you a killer DI, a great mic pre, AND tube leveling amp(limiter):

REDDI, Summit 2BA-221, Summit TLA-50

msquared · #14 03-26-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchamorro

I don't get it, is the U5 a DI or a preamp?
Can I use the Avalon U5 to record vocals with a condenser?

The Avalon U5 is a DI with a simple onboard equalizer. It is not a preamp and cannot be used with a condenser.

rdmjazz · #15 03-26-2008, 11:31 PM

I've been using an Avalon 737. They are at the top end of you budget though.

bluestarbass · #16 03-27-2008, 07:05 AM

Yea the u5 is NOT a pre. There is a pre made my avalon that is similiar to the U5, but its called the m5. It has to be plugged into a pre to record at all. I really like old neves if i can, 1073 and 1081s, to dirty things up, then run a parallel cleaner pre, avalon, ssl, dda, something like that. The quad 8 pres are great for bass also.

elros · #17 03-27-2008, 02:05 PM

I don't know the price of this, but the studio engineer used a Millennia TD-1 DI / pre-amp for my direct signal. He was very happy about it, and I must say it sounded quite nice.

Scot · #18 03-27-2008, 02:40 PM

I have an Avalon M5 pre that sounds fantastic on bass. Of course, it's a great mic pre too.

The best recorded bass sound I've ever achieved have been through a Neve 1084. Unfortunately, a 1084 would come in at over double your price limit.

msquared · #19 03-27-2008, 03:48 PM

There are some great Neve clones for less than that, though. If I had two grand to blow, I'd probably go with the REDDI and a Great River ME-1NV for a good bass recording chain. The Great River on its own is a fantastic bass recording DI.

manmountain8 · #20 04-01-2008, 03:25 AM

Well I've been looking this sh#t up so I might as well chime in. My personal favorite mic pre is the Vintech with neves in it. 2 channel neve for 1,300! You couldn't build a neve mic pre from scratch for cheaper. I've recorded bass with it and is was very nice and clean but I can't justify buying it just for bass. I think a preamp designed for Bass would be best. Some bass Pres that I'm researching are.... These all have DI's and get good reviews. All are tube unless stated otherwise.

Aguilar DB680- discontinued $2000 retail, 1,100-1,500 used
Aguilar DB659- discontinued $1250 retail
Demeter HBP-1 $899 retail
Demeter VTBP-201s $849 retail
Ampeg SVP Pro discontinued $1000 retail 350 used (hiss)
SWR Interstellar Overdrive discontinued $849 retail 350 used (great if you want OD)
Alembic FX-1 $759 retail 350 used
BBE Bmax T tube $600 retail
EBS Microbass II Solid state tube emulator $400
BBE Bmax solid state tube emulator $300
Sadowsky Bass preamp Di solid state $240

If I could afford it I'd probably go for the Aguilar DB680. For a new (not discontinued) preamp I'd choose the Demeter HBP-1, Alembic FX-1, or BBE Bmax T.