The Kala U-Bass Preamp Competition
Behringer ADI21 vs. Fishman BII
The Bass: Kala U-Bass with piezo under bridge (fretless, spruce top)
The Amp: GK Backline 210 w/ 210BLX
In my search to have a nice setup for my U-Bass, I am testing various acoustic preamps and have started on the low end of pricing.
*The Noise Test
For this, I cranked up my bass amp and for each preamp, cranked it's volume and listened for any nosie differences. The results: both were dead quiet. EQ was at noon for all frequencies.
*The Loudness Test
I turned up the EQ settings to max and began playing. The ADI21 can get louder than the BII. Just in case one feels the need to crank up the settings to absurdity.
*The Transparency Test
I ran the U-Bass through the GK straight to get a reference. I then played the same thing through each pedal and found both pedals to equally transparent in their task.
*The Summary
As a simple preamp, both of these units seem equal to the task. The Fishman's molded plastic case can be attached to your guitar strap for convenience. The ADI21 has the advantage of the mids frequency and level for additional control. The Fishman is always on, where the ADI21 has an on/off switch. Both cost me about the same money, as I bought the Fishman used.
In the future, I am hoping to give the Fishman Pro-EQ Bass a try, as it brings in an XLR out like the ADI21, along extra freq bands and a built-in compressor.
I am purposely ignoring the ADI21's tube emulation feature. I don't use it and find it a useless appendage. I would rather have a compressor in that spot.
Behringer ADI21 vs. Fishman BII
The Bass: Kala U-Bass with piezo under bridge (fretless, spruce top)
The Amp: GK Backline 210 w/ 210BLX
In my search to have a nice setup for my U-Bass, I am testing various acoustic preamps and have started on the low end of pricing.
*The Noise Test
For this, I cranked up my bass amp and for each preamp, cranked it's volume and listened for any nosie differences. The results: both were dead quiet. EQ was at noon for all frequencies.
*The Loudness Test
I turned up the EQ settings to max and began playing. The ADI21 can get louder than the BII. Just in case one feels the need to crank up the settings to absurdity.
*The Transparency Test
I ran the U-Bass through the GK straight to get a reference. I then played the same thing through each pedal and found both pedals to equally transparent in their task.
*The Summary
As a simple preamp, both of these units seem equal to the task. The Fishman's molded plastic case can be attached to your guitar strap for convenience. The ADI21 has the advantage of the mids frequency and level for additional control. The Fishman is always on, where the ADI21 has an on/off switch. Both cost me about the same money, as I bought the Fishman used.
In the future, I am hoping to give the Fishman Pro-EQ Bass a try, as it brings in an XLR out like the ADI21, along extra freq bands and a built-in compressor.
I am purposely ignoring the ADI21's tube emulation feature. I don't use it and find it a useless appendage. I would rather have a compressor in that spot.
