How are you digging that DCX with the ReVolt? Considering the same, and may suggest to the OP as well.
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another thread asking recommendations for a specific preamp
- Thread starter valaka
- Start date
This is a constant search for a lot of folks. When someone makes the all in one tube preamp that fits everyone’s needs and wants, let me know.
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Just to make sure I understand before I start scratching my chin thoughtfully considering this important issue: you are looking for a single preamp pedal with a switchable (on/off) gain/distortion, preferably tube or tube emulation, with an active EQ and a direct out, available new or used for under $350 - is this correct?
That's a difficult pedal to get here in the US and who knows when they will build again. For subtle try the Palmer Bass Preamp. It doesn't have a IR cab simulation, only an analog circuit can emulation. The ShiftLine has really good IRs and their tube power amp modelling is also great. Have you tried playing with those
They are the only preamp manufacturer who has the most detailed EQ explanation. I used this guide for my other Fender ToneStack preamps (Demeter etc, Mesa 400) and it works.
Shift Line Olympic MkIIIS Tube Preamp: EQ Section
I have only seen one in person and was pretty impressed. Maybe the grass won't be greener.
Source Audio EQ has surgical 10 band EQ (HPF) and clean boost. It is really good. Maybe the best compliment to the Olympic.
They are the only preamp manufacturer who has the most detailed EQ explanation. I used this guide for my other Fender ToneStack preamps (Demeter etc, Mesa 400) and it works.
Shift Line Olympic MkIIIS Tube Preamp: EQ Section
I have only seen one in person and was pretty impressed. Maybe the grass won't be greener.
Source Audio EQ has surgical 10 band EQ (HPF) and clean boost. It is really good. Maybe the best compliment to the Olympic.
Some of the best preamp pedals I've tested/heard include:
Phil Jones Base PE-5
P: PE-5 Pre Amp, EQ, DI | Phil Jones Bass
MXR M81 (very transparent)
MXR® BASS PREAMP
Aguilar Tone Hammer
Tone Hammer
Walrus Badwater Bass Preamp/DI
Badwater Bass Pre-amp and D.I.
All have balanced outputs
Phil Jones Base PE-5
P: PE-5 Pre Amp, EQ, DI | Phil Jones Bass
MXR M81 (very transparent)
MXR® BASS PREAMP
Aguilar Tone Hammer
Tone Hammer
Walrus Badwater Bass Preamp/DI
Badwater Bass Pre-amp and D.I.
All have balanced outputs
I had the original finish DCX Bass so I can say having had it more than a few days and it sounds SMASHING!
I am very happy with this combination. The pedal missing is a Rothwell Love Squeeze that JohnK has been working with and will have that compressor back to me shortly. (I only had it a couple of days before sending it to JohnK, but it is dead quite, no coloration and no artifacts. It is set up for 3-5:1 or so on the compression @ 9/18v operation) It is very cool...
Here is something very nice about the ReVolt that is very handy...(disregard knob setting, pic only.)
The #3 Channel has a Wet/Dry mix knob with the Dry signal coming straight off of the 1/4" input jack. The gain/drive is the ONLY signal being sent through the effects loop and is controllable between the Gain knob and Wet/Dry mix knob. I have the Mooer e-Lady Flanger in the effects loop with only the #3 Channel effects loop activated (#1/#2 Off) This allows me to set up the effect/flanger on only the drive signal, mix the effect level on the pedal and mix the dry signal with the effect drive signal and leave the flanger pedal ON at all times. It is only involved with #3 Channel as it's own sound when engaged. Of course, I could disengage the flanger at anytime the #3 Channel is operational to delete the effect. (Red Witch Binary Star Modulation Delay pedal is post-ReVolt into the OPUS and NOT in the effects loop system. The delay CAN be applied to the post-ReVolt & C4 signal by footswitch activation control.)
Try that trick with any single or double channel preamp with or without a tube!
Here is the trick I'm working on with a midi person...
Midi I/O is available on the Revolt to talk to the OPUS to change IR presets. I'm having a small midi switch configured to BYPASS the ReVolt, change the OPUS IR for a Synth specific preset (Bass amp + Mesa PH215) and kick the SA C4 ON and then disengage back to the ReVolt #1 Channel.
Using this SA168A Midi Adapter:
I REALLY LOVE the REVOLT (& OPUS) + DCX Bass
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Yeah-the one that sounds as though it'd most likely scratch your itch is the Venus X and it's above stated budget ;(
Yes. It doesn't have to have a tube in it, but the overdrive channel should be able to emulate a drive tube.
The problem is to get a good preamp sound (highly subjective) mixed with a food drive sound (also highly subjective).
Have a look at the EBS MicroBass 2 and 3.
Both do what you ask for, but will you like the sound?
I love the clean sound of the MicroBass 3, but have no use for the drive sound because I don't like it.
What about a Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver DI?
Has DI, has three presets, does a decent tube emulation, comes with speaker emulation.
No mids knob, but the sound is not as scooped as it is on the Olympic - you can actually shape mids by cutting bass and treble and adding gain.
Have a look at the EBS MicroBass 2 and 3.
Both do what you ask for, but will you like the sound?
I love the clean sound of the MicroBass 3, but have no use for the drive sound because I don't like it.
What about a Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver DI?
Has DI, has three presets, does a decent tube emulation, comes with speaker emulation.
No mids knob, but the sound is not as scooped as it is on the Olympic - you can actually shape mids by cutting bass and treble and adding gain.
Perhaps the JF CAPO?
€499.99??
It's hard to get everything under the Sun in one box and actually like everything...
The ReVolt Bass Preamp with a 12AT7 change is badass enough for me!
€499.99??
It's hard to get everything under the Sun in one box and actually like everything...
The ReVolt Bass Preamp with a 12AT7 change is badass enough for me!
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I have the MKIII (no experience with the MKII) and am surprised by the lack of saturation issue as I'm usually keeping the gain dialed back as it seems like it has a lot of it (of course, how hot the input signal is is a big factor with how quickly it pushes into saturation/overdrive). Makes me wonder if the 12AX7 might have been switched for a lower gain one like a 12AU7 (?)
True that the EQ range is fairly limited (though sounds very good IMO).
I have some of the others mentioned alternatives and prefer the Olympic but that's, of course, subjective.
True that the EQ range is fairly limited (though sounds very good IMO).
I have some of the others mentioned alternatives and prefer the Olympic but that's, of course, subjective.
If you like the sound of the current pedal could't you take the 1/4 in out into a stardard DI box to get the effected sound from the preamp or am I missing something here?
I would like to stress, that i have MKII. The main differences between MKII and MKIII(s) are: no cabsim, sligthly different gain control, DI level controlled only by Gain, bright only boost no cut.
