API TranZformer Bass Preamp

[NKBassman]

Yeah, but it's all relative.
There are cheaper DI pedal options out there,
but this is certainly cheaper than buying a 500 series lunchbox plus preamp, EQ, and compressor.

I'm still tempted by 500 series though.

I was just thinking about this actually, and suddenly $500 didn't seem so bad for an API "channel strip".

 

[therhodeo]

Yeah, but it's all relative.
There are cheaper DI pedal options out there,
but this is certainly cheaper than buying a 500 series lunchbox plus preamp, EQ, and compressor.

I'm still tempted by 500 series though.

The 500 series stuff is going to be quite a bit more versatile though. To me if you're recording very seriously you've got all that functionality in your rig anyway and if you're not then you're likely as well served by having a more versatile comp, a more versatile EQ, and a more versatile DI. Used market you could easily have a Markbass Compressore, Empress ParaEQ, and a Radial JDI for $500. Possibly with money left over.

 

[jimfist]

I think it would make sense to keep in mind this was only released a few days ago and vintage king put out a video that would appeal to their audience.

API is as highly regarded as is possible and there is a good chance this thing is top notch.

Oh, there's no doubt that API is great stuff. My major qualm is that, as presented in the video, you'd never know it unless you already were predisposed to know that API is top notch gear. If it's more suited to the studio due to the subtleties of the compression, for example, than their media delivery method ought to reflect this detail, so perhaps they should be linking to lossless audio files for more critical listening, rather than audio-compressed videos. There's nothing pertinent from that video that one couldn't get from an online manual, a couple photos, and some well-done .wav files with settings descriptions. FWIW, JMHO.

I agree that those who are looking for next-level quality in an EQ/Comp/DI will be interested in this. Were I doing a lot of critical recording and high level gigging, I'm sure I'd be interested in this stuff. But then again, if that were the case, I'd never have sold off my rack mounted NEVE Broadcast modules and pair of EL8 Distressors, due to lack of worthy use...but that's just me. ;-)

 

[funkaholic]

So has anybody already got this?

 

[mark beem]

So has anybody already got this?

I'm REALLY wanting to get one. API's rep in the pro audio game is well established and I think it would be awesome to have that technology in my signal chain. I had considered putting together a 500 series rig but this would definitely be the cheaper way to go.

 

[HeavyJazz]

I'm in. Love the API gear!

Anybody know where it's built?

 

[Mosfed]

Y'all seen this?

API Tranzformer LX - Vintage King Audio

fuggedaboutit!

Damn. That's amazing

 

[sears]

I'm glad I'm on Talkbass because otherwise I'd have thought it was a good demo video. The type of music I am usually asked to play. I die a little inside each time I see a youtube demo where the guy is soloing way up the neck.

 

[HeavyJazz]

I'm glad I'm on Talkbass because otherwise I'd have thought it was a good demo video. The type of music I am usually asked to play. I die a little inside each time I see a youtube demo where the guy is soloing way up the neck.

And starts with, "Hey what's up guys" as if we established some previous bond through an alternate social media fiction.

 

[Snaxster]

Anybody know where it's built?

Usually I can find that info in a few minutes of online search. But this one seems to be a closely guarded secret.

'Not in Maryland' would be my guess.

 

[blindrabbit]

I'm in. Love the API gear!

Anybody know where it's built?

Probably somewhere on Earth, I don't think companies are having much success outsourcing to the Moon (yet).

 

[mrufino1]

could the guys in the demo video pick up a bass that has a modern tone with some round wounds on it? Jeez. I guess this is a conscious effort to appeal the the vintage/booteek crowd? I'm sure this is a good pedal and all, and I could be tempted b/c I loves me bass preamp/comp/DI pedals, but I'd like to hear some more varied bass selections before getting too excited. Unfortunately, my work speakers won't allow me to get a good bearing on what's happening with this pedal, but IMHO flat wound strung basses don't represent either the widest of tone or dynamic variation for demo purposes. Asking close to $500 for a pedal of this type, you'd better demo convincingly that it SHINES, or don't bother wasting your time.

A helpful hint to the guy in the video (with the Hofner bass): if you're going to look all zombie when you're playing, you might want to zoom in on something else other than showing your waist-up body shot...or...hire someone to do the video that looks at least the smallest bit excited to be playing the bass. JMHO.

Funny you should say that- my reaction was : FINALLY, a bass demo in which the person plays bass, not slap banjo or roundwounds rattling away louder than the actual note. The "tone" demos using insane slap bass that would never ever ever actually be used on a gig that didn't take place at a bassist event always make me laugh, all I hear is clickety clack. To each their own I guess.

 

[mrufino1]

And starts with, "Hey what's up guys" as if we established some previous bond through an alternate social media fiction.

Ha! I think in the few demo videos I've done I have said that. I'm on no social media though. I just know I'm not really meant to present videos but these were for some unique things that I wanted to share with the 11 people who watched (a new bridge on my Kala 5 string for example). But there was no slapping or soloing in either one, that's for sure.

 

[10cc]

So has anybody already got this?

@mattyiop got one and sent it back. He has a Cali he was able to compare it to. Maybe he can give you the reasons.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Usually I can find that info in a few minutes of online search. But this one seems to be a closely guarded secret.

'Not in Maryland' would be my guess.

My Sweetwater guy said, "My best guess would be in Asia, although it could be made in a European country." Kind of the equivalent to 'somewhere on planet earth' - I know they have it in stock though.

 

[jimfist]

Funny you should say that- my reaction was : FINALLY, a bass demo in which the person plays bass, not slap banjo or roundwounds rattling away louder than the actual note. The "tone" demos using insane slap bass that would never ever ever actually be used on a gig that didn't take place at a bassist event always make me laugh, all I hear is clickety clack. To each their own I guess.

This demo is just fine for what it is: flatwound basses, vintage tones, direct, and a mic'd vintage tube bass amp. I do appreciate that it is "Vintage King", which obviously carries implications, but I do recall roundwound strings being widely used since the mid-1970s, and predominant since the 1980s.

Given that so many bassists use roundwounds, I don't think it's beyond the pale to include something with rounds. Pretty simple. Does that mean I like a demo video with only pop/slap? Nope. I hate them, too, for the same reason: too narrow of a demo. Does that mean I prefer a demo using roundwound strung basses that go clickity-clakkity? Nope, but that doesn't mean that neither pop/slap or clickity/clackity has no value to anyone out there, even though it might sound insipid or lousy to me.

Look, I'm just calling it like I see it, and unless Vintage King/API are 100% fine crafting their videos in such a narrow fashion, that's up to them, and perhaps that's exactly what they want to project in a video. IMO it just doesn't demonstrate the preamp's capabilities across the broadest tonal and stylistic spectrum, that's all. It would be nice to see them demo a roundwound strung bass, though...even if there is no justifiable reason to do so.

 

[mrufino1]

This demo is just fine for what it is: flatwound basses, vintage tones, direct, and a mic'd vintage tube bass amp. I do appreciate that it is "Vintage King", which obviously carries implications, but I do recall roundwound strings being widely used since the mid-1970s, and predominant since the 1980s.

Given that so many bassists use roundwounds, I don't think it's beyond the pale to include something with rounds. Pretty simple. Does that mean I like a demo video with only pop/slap? Nope. I hate them, too, for the same reason: too narrow of a demo. Does that mean I prefer a demo using roundwound strung basses that go clickity-clakkity? Nope, but that doesn't mean that neither pop/slap or clickity/clackity has no value to anyone out there, even though it might sound insipid or lousy to me.

Look, I'm just calling it like I see it, and unless Vintage King/API are 100% fine crafting their videos in such a narrow fashion, that's up to them, and perhaps that's exactly what they want to project in a video. IMO it just doesn't demonstrate the preamp's capabilities across the broadest tonal and stylistic spectrum, that's all. It would be nice to see them demo a roundwound strung bass, though...even if there is no justifiable reason to do so.

I can't believe they didn't run synth bass, tic tac bass, uke bass, half round strings, coated strings, and acapella bass singers through it as well. I was hoping for a 17 hour demo video, compete with silly faces!

It was intended with a little humor anyway, but for once someone used flats so as a flatwound lover let me have my little moment in the sun?

 

[jimfist]

I can't believe they didn't run synth bass, tic tac bass, uke bass, half round strings, coated strings, and acapella bass singers through it as well. I was hoping for a 17 hour demo video, compete with silly faces!

It was intended with a little humor anyway, but for once someone used flats so as a flatwound lover let me have my little moment in the sun?

 

[Turn Em Loose]

In my lengthy and varied experience with bass gear, I've come to the conclusion that the most expensive, hi-fi, boo-teek, soup of the day, break your bank gear rarely yields large, positive, audible differences in a live rig. It might sound godly in your bedroom, or make a great versatile studio tool - but the nuances of such gear are often buried in a live band mix. Especially for the weekend warriors playing through an average PA that's been unloaded out the back of your car. The exception might me nice tube heads.

I wish I had all of the money back I spent on high end stuff, especially for upright bass. The journey has lead me back to what I call "off the shelf" gear (stuff that you could pick up at music stores when those things still existed). I've never sounded better, and I'm not so worried about my gear.

#runonsentences

But new gear is all shiny and smells good and stuff. And the anticipation....Ohhhhhh, the anticipation!

 

[pbassjbass]

So, one player's used the API, and he preferred the Cali?