Balancing Active and Passive Bass Signals

[JeezyMcNuggles]

So I started with an Ernie Ball Musicman (active) and just added an American PJ Bass (passive) and a custom build (passive). The output from the passive basses is almost half of what the active bass is. I'm playing through a Mesa Boogie WD-800 with volume and gain at about 12 o'clock. When I play the passive basses I have to crank the amp up to about 9 o'clock on both knobs to get close to the same volume and dialing back the volume on the Musicman to match. I didn't care for the results. I'd like to find a solution where I can leave my MM and my amp settingb at the 12 o'clock positions but boost the signal of the passive basses via a pedal of some sort.

I'm thinking a boost pedal, DI, or some type of overdrive pedal might work. I do not want any overdrive though. I play a very clean style.

I'm interested in the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI. It seems like I could use this pedal to increase the signal on the passive basses and I could program 3 distinct profiles (1 for each bass). Would that work? I'm just want to ensure that I'll be able to boost the "Level" with out adding too much "Drive" so I can get a clean boost.

I'm sure others have used a variety of basses at gigs. Let me know what you think and what gear you're using as a solution.

That'd work. Set your gain for your stingray, then adjust the pedal for your other basses. Click it on when you plug in your others, click it off for the ray. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Oh, 3 presets. Even better. I had a BH500 head. It had 4 channels, 3 with set buttons. Set everything up, hold a button, set everything up, hold a button, set everything up, hold a button, click the button again and it goes to whatever's on the dials. It was awesome.

 

[eddododo]

The original source Audio Programmable EQ- it can be found quite cheaply, and you don’t have to change the EQ (but you can), but you have programmed levels.

 

[BAG]

I have an active 8-string and just recently got my first active 4-string. Both have slightly less output than my passive Pbass.

 

[HolmeBass]

MXR micro amp is nice inexpensive clean boost. Or any EQ pedal, like a Boss. Just change the output level slider, leave all the others at 0. But if you have to buy, the MXR or the TC Spark.

 

[bassbrad]

If you want a simple boost that adds no color try the TC Electronic Spark Mini

 

[TrevorR]

I go for this — LEHLE, or this — LEHLE, or the EBS MicroBass II Preamp/DI-box |. All do a tidy job. Any good boost'll get you there.

I’ll second the Lehle pedals, and used their 3@1 pedal (rather than the 1@3) for many years to do just this balancing a hot Wal, a medium Frankenjazz and a passive Aria. Bomb proof build on those pedals and totally silent operation and switching. They cut the hot signals rather than boost the quiet ones so no active circuitry and no additional gain/noise/hiss added to the sound.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Good choice! The first Lehle SGoS I ever landed was the 1@3. I ended up using it in a loop, most of the time but, as it has their boost circuitry, it fits other unconventional purposes The Dual SGoS stepped up to replace it, along with a couple of D Loop SGoSs.

They're refining their fleet, I notice. But there's still a number of alternatives. I haven't tried these but the switchable Sunday Driver might be a good option, or the Parallel SW II, if there were only two level requirements. Bomb proof's right They're brilliant — versatile stereo midi magic.

I’ll second the Lehle pedals, and used their 3@1 pedal (rather than the 1@3) for many years to do just this balancing a hot Wal, a medium Frankenjazz and a passive Aria. Bomb proof build on those pedals and totally silent operation and switching. They cut the hot signals rather than boost the quiet ones so no active circuitry and no additional gain/noise/hiss added to the sound.

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