Double Bass Advice on preamp / tuner / compressor / DI chain

[momsmomsmomsmom]

Hi all,

Apologies in advance for the length of this -- I'm weighing a lot of variables.

I sing and play upright (mostly pizz but some arco) in an "orchestral rock" band. My ideal bass sound is punchy but natural, but that's hard to achieve when I have to contend with loud drums onstage. (For example: studio vs. live.)

I play an Eastman with a Fishman Full Circle pickup. For years I've gone straight into a GK MB150S (via a Korg Pitchblack tuner) and direct out from the amp (pre-EQ) to the PA. Plugging my f-holes and cutting low mids helped with feedback, but I still had to keep my stage volume pretty low.

The band has just upgraded to in-ear monitors, so now I'm going direct in to the mixing board with no amp. I'm thinking a lot more about my tone now that I can actually hear myself onstage!

I got a Link Removed to use as my DI. I find the HPF and compression very helpful, but I don't love the sound of the EQ, and the unit adds a LOT of noise.

So now I'm considering returning the Fishman and investing in a setup something like this:
FDeck HPF-Pre -> Korg Pitchblack tuner (already own) -> [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] compressor -> DI

I'd miss the simplicity (and price) of the "all-in-one" Fishman, but from what I've read, the HPF-Pre and comp pedals do better at their specialized jobs.

So here are my questions:

1) I assume I should use a passive DI in this chain? I'm eyeing the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]… any other recommendations?

2) Will the HPF-Pre's impedance buffering eliminate the loud "pop" when I switch my tuner on and off? Or do I just need to get a tuner that's not true bypass, like the ubiquitous Boss? (The Fishman reduces the pop when I put it before the tuner, but then I can't mute my sound to the PA.)

3) Is there a better or simpler way to achieve impedance buffering, HPF, true bypass tuning, good compression, and XLR output?
I've considered the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], which would do the job of the HPF-Pre and the DI in one box, but I assume putting a tuner and compressor before the PZ-DI in the chain would defeat the purpose of the impedance buffering?
(I could also consider rack gear, since I don't need to change my sound onstage... though I wouldn't know where to start.)

Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks!

Evan

 

[GrowlerBox]

Very briefly -- the Radial PZ-DI looks great, and assuming it's up to their usual standards, should be an excellent DI.

The tuner could be run from the "Thru" output on the DI.

If it were me, I'd be using this rig without the compressor -- if the sound guy thinks it's needed for the house, he/she can add it, but you won't need it for your stage sound -- but if you still find it helpful, you can put in the chain without "cancelling" the input buffering of the DI.

 

[untitledtopher]

I agree with Growlerbox, i think the PZ-DI seems to cover most of your bases, minus the compression. The tuner could be run out the thru which would essentially take it out of the chain and eliminate that popping sound. That seems like the easiest option with the least amount of gear to lug around.

On another note; I, by chance, caught your sound check at World Cafe Live in Philly last month. Your bass was certainly sounding great there!

 

[Timmy-Watts]

The Pz-DI is good and has cool features, but was sonically underwhelming for me. Here is my direct rig:


I have it set up in that arrangement because of jacks and neatness, and so I can change the order in the chain easily. But my path is F-Deck Series 3 --> sfx Micro-EQ --> sfx custom Red Dragon --> Orchid active DI --> PA. Always put your buffer first (the F-Deck in this case). That's what loads the pickup. The tuner should go somewhere after that. That will also minimize the Pop.

I have tried a LOT of preamps and tone shaping floor units for upright and U-Bass. I sold the Fishman and almost everything else. I use this rig everywhere. In my trunk I have an Aphex Punch Factory compressor which has a DI, and a MXR 10-band EQ if I REALLY need compression or more EQ.

The HPF-Pre really is the best at what it does. The Micro-EQ can sculpt overall tones very well, and has so much gain it can be used as a clean boost. The Red Dragon is awesome overdrive. I had a custom built, but the production Micro Red Dragon has that same awesome tone knob that settles down the highs or makes them punch on through. At lower, cleaner settings it acts like a very warm, natural compressor (I generally don't like compression, and I agree with another poster to leave that to the sound guy). But it is a great tone tool in its own right. The Orchid is a simple active phantom-only DI that is awesome. I could not tell a lick of difference between that and an active Radial J48. Crisp and clear. Best thing yet, all of these units are extremely low noise! Put your tuner right before the DI.

Series 3 F-Deck-$100
sfx Micro Red Dragon-$180
Orchid Direct Inject-$42

For under $350 you have a great direct rig very well suited to Upright bass. Less than many quality full-featured heads and rack gear. Start with the F-Deck and I would suggest an active DI, like the Orchid, because its more clear than a passive one. Think Dynamic vs. condenser mics.