Always-on pedal to colour the signal before DI

[Cat-o-matic]

Hi folks!

Recently the situation called for going ampless, so I got myself an MXR M81 preamp to use DI out. I like it a lot, works very well and I love mid frequency control.

However, I find my general tone to be a little sterile now, so to speak. I was thinking to add an always-on pedal to the chain to add a little bit of magic to the tone, maybe a touch of grit, but not really an overdrive. According to reviews, pedals that might help me include Phat Phuk B, EP Booster and Hudson electronics Broadcast. What do you think of those or what can you recommend (better if it's reasonably priced).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jazz Ad]

You should have bought the M80 instead of the M81 then.

 

[Cat-o-matic]

You should have bought the M80 instead of the M81 then.

Well, the enclosure was noticeably bigger (back then I didn't know I would need another pedal), had no parametric mids and I didn't like the drive channel on it tbh

 

[StayLow]

BOSS BB-1x.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I’d personally look at replacing the M81 with something like a Tech 21 VT or an Aguilar Tonehammer.

 

[bassbrad]

I have a Mosky Xp that is a clone of the Ep that does add a nice bit of warmth. If I want more tube sound then EHX Hot Tubes does a nice job plus it has a nice tone stack for a tone change or it can be bypassed.

 

[40Hz]

I’d suggest a Doc Lloyd Death Ray or an Ovinfx Smoothie compressor. Both can add a certain something to an overly clean sounding DI.

Another alternative (and something I’ve been using a lot for a little extra thickening and warmth lately) is the Supro 1310 Harmonic Tremolo. And although the tremolo effect is one of the nicest I’ve heard, most times when I’m using it with bass I’ll leave the intensity set to zero which effectively removes the tremolo effect from the signal path. But what it does not remove is the special sauce this pedal brings to the table. Because this pedal basically has the sound of a Supro tube amp’s preamp and power amp stages.

From the company website:

The Supro Tremolo pedal features pre-amp and power amp sections, with an actual output transformer deployed to recreate the magnetic saturation and coloration of the original vacuum tube based effects found in these historic amps.

 

[Nunovsky]

Diamond Bass compressor or Markbass Compressore.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Anyway, the M81 is praised for its clarity. If you want grit it isn't the right unit for you.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Hi folks!

Recently the situation called for going ampless, so I got myself an MXR M81 preamp to use DI out. I like it a lot, works very well and I love mid frequency control.

However, I find my general tone to be a little sterile now, so to speak. I was thinking to add an always-on pedal to the chain to add a little bit of magic to the tone, maybe a touch of grit, but not really an overdrive. According to reviews, pedals that might help me include Phat Phuk B, EP Booster and Hudson electronics Broadcast. What do you think of those or what can you recommend (better if it's reasonably priced).

Thanks in advance!

IMO, go for the MXR Bass distortion/DI. Can't remember the nomenclature right now. There is this single "color" button adjacent to the upper left volume knob...KaPow! It tightens, punctuates, and is "always on" on my board. Tank tough chasis, excellent tones, and if distortion side engaged, just enough grit/grind to taste. The DI can be used as a complete by-pass or, obviously, used in conjunction with the FX of the pedal.
About $150 or so (USD).
Good luck.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Seeing you already have the MXR preamp and are somewhat satisfied, I'd go with the Fairfields Barbershop Modele B. it will make your pedal rig sound like a tube pre / power amp. I run mine in front of a Tone Hammer but I bet it would shine with just about any pedal pre. They're not expensive, either.

Modèle B

Spend a few more bucks, ditch the MXR, and add a SansAmp Fly Rig. It's got everything I would consider essential including tube emulation / drive, tuner, chorus, EQ, and DI in a single package.

Bass Fly Rig – Tech 21 NYC

Riis

 

[Blaargh]

I always liked the Catalinbread SFT for this kinda thing- It's supposed to replicate an SVT (I don't really think it manages it, but it gets that vibe). If you have the gain down it's not that aggressive overdrivey, and you can run it at 18V for more headroom.

 

[Zbysek]

I am using Eden GlowPlug tube warmer for this very purpose...

 

[Jay Corwin]

Tech 21 - either BDDI or VT Bass. Tones of tonal options, and easily found used in the classies here.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Tech 21 - either BDDI or VT Bass. Tones of tonal options, and easily found used in the classies here.

This is the answer I would give and you can get the deluxe or programmable model of either so you can save and instantly recall a variety of settings.

 

[Spent]

I recently had a similar experience. We’re going to be recording at the end of the month, so we started practicing with headphones and no amps. I originally used a JDI from my pedal board and hated the sound. I had a GK Plex and when I used that instead of the JDI it sounded so much better. In the end I went with a Tech21 Q/Strip, mainly because it has a parametric EQ, and an MXR Studio Compressor, and it sounds amazing. We’re recording each rehearsal off of the board and the bass is prominent with the best tone I’ve ever gotten out of it. I’m a big fan of the MXR M80 and use it in my home studio, but the flexibility of the Q/Strip makes it a winner for me.

 

[groovaholic]

Here’s the thread I started to document my quest for an “always on” pedal...
Looking for a dynamic, uncompressed, mild overdrive...

 

[Low Down Brown]

+1 more for a compressor of some kind...a nice optical or tube comp like the ones mentioned already should really make that MXR M81 thicken up and add some warmth. Eden glowplug is a good idea too. I used to use a Black Finger comp. for the same purpose, but the Eden is much smaller and still has a pretty decent tube tone.

 

[Jebberz]

Way Huge Green Rhino. With low drive setting, it does color the nound nicely, you have control over the bass, and responds very well to dynamics.

 

[Jenra]

Throw in a DarkGlass Hyperluminal, and use it as a comp/limiter/gritgiver - It's quite good at that ^_^