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Avalon U-5

ModulusQ5-122

ModulusQ5-122

Jan 28, 2011
1,903
120
Lafayette, La
#1
I am wanting to know how big of a difference an Avalon U5 will make for a live set up in a church. We have a few bass players with passive basses and they pretty much sound like crap going directly into a direct box. I dont have so much of a problem with it being that i dont own anymore basses without onboard preamps. Im looking for a good preamp that the guys dont really need to do to much eq'ing on just so they dont mess around with it all the time(we will leave that to the sound man). I have been searching for a while and always seem to go back to the U5's, any input?
 
#2
Sounds like the right tool for the job. Any ordinary active DI will help, but may not have enough tone shaping; any rack preamp will help, but all the knobs and functions may open up too much opportunity for bad sound, when you have a rotating cast of bass players to work with. The U5 is active, and has some really basic foolproof tone shaping.
 
#5
I am apron ably going to go to an Avalon as a pre/DI again. I hate hauling it around, but used for a couple gigs recently and it sounded so good I think I have to start using it again.

I don't know what it is, I call it magic dust, but it makes anything sound good. I want to say it almost acts like a compressor for me. My bass just sounds so even.

With revolving players, having just one tone knob would be a good thing. Suggest a few settings (1,3 ad 4 are my favs) and you are good to go with great sound no matter who's playing.
 
#7
It's a fantastic piece of equipment. I actually use it more for my acoustic in the church setting, but that's just because I've been playing more acoustic than bass lately. I would also recommend the SansAmp. You could print out the suggested presets from the user guide and keep it set to those presets. It would achieve your same overall goal (make the bass sound better) at a fraction of the cost.
 
#9
I use the U5 for almost every session I do and have used it on countless live gigs. The one thing that, in my opinion, you need to be aware of is that the U5 is like a microscope on your bass. If there are electronic issues with the instrument, or you have messy technique, you will sound worse through the U5, most basses sound fantastic.

My favorite EQ shapes are setting 3 for modern/scoop and setting 4 for punch. I don't use either with my bart NTMB equipped Jazz.
 
#10
I adore my U5... I also have other DI/interfaces. ParaDriver, Fishman Platinum, DBX active, ART Tube Channel (which is very, very good) Have had Radial J48, JDI & Bassbone - none of them comes even close... I do get a lot of use from the ParaDriver live. If the ultimate in sound quality is not paramount, it is flexible with the sweepable mid. Sounds good if the EQ isn't pushed too far and the blend is way down or better yet, off... Still, the U5 smokes it.
 
#11
there are a lot of good DI units on the market - the U5 is one of my faves. Doing a head to head comparison with it and my old VTBP-201 demeter (line out and DI out) the two sounded very similar. This is a good thing.

Of course, if you have a good preamp with a good DI out, many times you can just use that. I'm all for getting good gear - but sometimes what you have is good enough.
 
#12
IvanMike said:
Of course, if you have a good preamp with a good DI out, many times you can just use that. I'm all for getting good gear - but sometimes what you have is good enough.
Click to expand...

there's nothing wrong with the DI from my Genz, but the Avalon in front just adds something and the more I play with it, the more I don't want to play without it - even if it's bulky and a pain to haul around.
 
#13
You guys are giving me a GAS attack!

I extensively used the U5 in the studio, by recording other bassist and not me, and from all the goodies in the studio the U5 was at the top list for bass recording. Man that DI/pre is awsome, it enhances the bass really good.

P.D: I just found out I resurected a thread from 2011. Well, talkbass is reknown for this kind of stuff.
 

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