Clean boost between preamp and power amp - will it work?

[Bassed in NZ]

G'day Cats,

I need more gain from my preamp to poweramp so I'm seeking the collective TB wisdom – will a clean boost pedal between preamp and poweramp work?

So, there's the question, now the background...

I have a Berg IP112ER/EX112ER rig that I drive with an EBS Microbass II. Most of the gigs I play I have PA support, so don't need a huge amount of level out of the stage rig. But, just got caught out at a large gig without PA support where the Microbass just wouldn't drive the IP hard enough for appropriate level (the IP will pump out 1000W, but not this night). I cranked the input gain on the Microbass until it was just below distorting, and nowhere near enough output level.

Have done some research, and it seems the EBS is typically considered a little light on output. I tested driving the IP with a Sansamp BDDI and VTBass, and both drive the IP harder than the EBS.

But, I like a preamp with a really “clean” tone (like the EBS - i.e. the VT Bass by itself is not the answer, and the BDDI is not my tone).

1) Will a clean boost pedal work between the output of the EBS and the input of the IP? Don't know much about impedance and input / output levels etc, but this would seem to me to be a reasonable option. (Extra gain before the Microbass is not an option - with the gear I've got I can happily clip the input, and the effects loop if necessary, and still not enough output)

2) If I went a clean boost, what would you recommend for this specific application? MXR MicroAmp & EHX LPB-1 are both available locally, otherwise a quick look around the forums suggest that MythFX Midas, Lizard Leg Blue Tail or Catlinbread SCP might work, though I'd have to import. Small form factor preferred (Mk4.23 probably too big)

3) Or, am I fooling myself and just need to harden up and get a preamp that will do the trick? (if so, that’s a conversation for another thread…)

Would appreciate your wisdom and experience – thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[m.oreilly]

#3

 

[Bassed in NZ]

#3

 

[m.oreilly]

some of them inexpensive channel strips are sweet for bass, and they bring the clean volume.

 

[m.oreilly]

an example:
http://www.amazon.com/ART-Channel-Tube-Preamp-Compressor/dp/B0002E50X6
i dunno if you can get a similar deal in your parts, but it has a fair bit of goods

 

[Silent Fly]

(...)
1) Will a clean boost pedal work between the output of the EBS and the input of the IP? Don't know much about impedance and input / output levels etc, but this would seem to me to be a reasonable option. (...)

I clean booster would do the trick but you need to be sure that the booster can drive a low impedance loads.

I checked the IP112ER specs and the input impedance is 39k ohm. Which is lower than the majority of pedals expect to drive.

The MXR MicroAmp might work but the LPB-1 almost certainly would cut some low frequencies.

 

[Bassed in NZ]

I clean booster would do the trick but you need to be sure that the booster can drive a low impedance loads.

Thanks man - would something like the sfx Micro Boost work? (I assume you're allowed to answer a question like that on this forum??) Forgot to add that to my list - I read good things about it.

 

[MuzikMan]

Have you considered a rack mount unit? An EQ for example has input and output gain that will match everything up for you.

 

[Vic Winters]

Art Tube MP?

Lots of available boost, balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs, *no coloration, $30.

*Maybe some tube warmth, but nothing like a Sansamp.

 

[Silent Fly]

Thanks man - would something like the sfx Micro Boost work? (...)

The micro Boost would work. It can drive loads even lower than 39k with no tone loss or distortion.

 

[Silent Fly]

Art Tube MP?

Lots of available boost, balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs, *no coloration, $30.

*Maybe some tube warmth, but nothing like a Sansamp.

I have the big brother of the Art Tube MP, the V3. Sometimes I use it as a mic preamp. For the price, it's a great unit but as you said, it is far from being transparent. Some of the presets are quite good though.

 

[Bassed in NZ]

Have you considered a rack mount unit? An EQ for example has input and output gain that will match everything up for you.

Thanks, but I really want to keep my rig pedal-based for simplicity and portability (hence the EBS pedal preamp) - that's probably my key consideration here.

 

[Bassed in NZ]

The micro Boost would work. It can drive loads even lower than 39k with no tone loss or distortion.

Good news - cheers

 

[ryansalmond]

While we're on the subject, Max, I've been wondering- in a separate pre/power set up, could one place a router pedal between the preamp pedal and the power amp?

I've been thinking of getting 3-4 different pre pedals, plugging them into this:
Link Removed

and using it to select one at a time, as though they were different amp 'channels.'

 

[Silent Fly]

While we're on the subject, Max, I've been wondering- in a separate pre/power set up, could one place a router pedal between the preamp pedal and the power amp?

I've been thinking of getting 3-4 different pre pedals, plugging them into this:
Link Removed

and using it to select one at a time, as though they were different amp 'channels.'

I don't see any problem with a switching system before the power amp. The only issue is that any small switching noise of the switching system is amplified with no attenuation by the power amp.

I don't know the unit you mentioned so I can't comment about the usage between pre and power amp.

 

[aledeville]

Why not putting a DBX 160A between the pre- and the poweramp?

 

[ryansalmond]

Thanks Max!

 

[Bassed in NZ]

Thanks guys - appreciate you taking the time for a response. So, technically it's possible - good news!.

But, am I nuts going down this path?? Should I just replace the preamp/di with something that will do what I need out of the box?? Simple is better, and as only use some of the functionality of the EBS, perhaps I should replace it?

I've started a new thread with what my criteria would be for a different pedal preamp/di - would appreciate your thoughts further either here or there...

 

[Bassed in NZ]

Thanks to all for your input here - much appreciated. Decided in the end to go for a different preamp, and ended up after much investigation (see this thread/post) with an Aguilar Tone Hammer. Like what I'm hearing so far, and simpler / smaller than the EBS preamp + boost pedal option.