Best overall 1U component

[Teacher56]

I'm currently running a rack with a GK 1001, a Furman conditioner, a Line 6 G90, and a cool little 1U drawer to keep my stuff where it belongs. Everything runs through a 115 and 212 and as well as direct. I need some ideas for that gap that's left in the rack just in case there's something useful that I can use to maximize my versatility.

What's your go-to? I've been looking at the Tech21 stuff and the BBE 882i but I'm not sure if either would compliment my set up. I play country, rock, blues, contemporary Christian and some occasional Tejano with a few different local bands. Thanks for any ideas you might have.

 

[agedhorse]

Blank plate?

 

[TomB]

Does your Furman have telescoping and dimmable down-lights and 8 outlets on the back? If not that's my suggestion; if so, well there you go!

 

[wmhill]

I enjoy a BBE sonic maximizer immensely

 

[donahue]

Rack tuner? Or a number of preamps.

 

[Paulabass]

A real time analyzer. It does nothing for your tone or playing, but people can stare at it for hours.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I'm currently running a rack with a GK 1001, a Furman conditioner, a Line 6 G90, and a cool little 1U drawer to keep my stuff where it belongs. Everything runs through a 115 and 212 and as well as direct. I need some ideas for that gap that's left in the rack just in case there's something useful that I can use to maximize my versatility.

An Alembic F-1X is the single item you NEED to complete nirvana.

 

[BossOnBass]

Rane makes a nice 1U two-band compressor. The model is DC24. You can get a used one for a reasonable price....

Or a 1U backup amp....

Or put a 1U grill in that space. Then u can put your band logo there or something. Or maybe your TB username....

Or a flux capacitor....

 

[Downunderwonder]

You could put a shelf in and leave your HPF on it. I don't leave home without one

 

[blowinblue]

Blank plate?

Excellent suggestion. Why do folks feel this overwhelming urge to fill every inch of their rack with stuff? Blank plates are your friend. And a friend to your lower, middle, and upper back. Also, to your shoulders. Even the rig in this pic is a bit too heavy by my current standards. And I love its tone and power. It weighs in at 35.5 lbs. No, I'm not sticking anything but a blank plate into that empty middle space.

M. M.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Speaking as an engineer I would personally avoid any kind of sonic maximizers like the plague. It's the fastest way to ruin the tone IMO. The same goes for enhancers.

Do you need something that runs at unbalanced instrument level or is line level balanced an option?

If instrument level only I probably wouldn't bother unless you have a very specific piece of gear in mind that will give you the exact tone you are looking for.

If line level is fine there's so much great studio gear out there that sounds AWESOME with bass that I wouldn't know where to start. What do you need? Compressor/limiter? Saturation/distortion? Eq?

Budget?

 

[pfonck334]

I would suggest the best compressor imho: DBX 160a

 

[10cc]

Excellent suggestion. Why do folks feel this overwhelming urge to fill every inch of their rack with stuff? Blank plates are your friend. And a friend to your lower, middle, and upper back. Also, to your shoulders. Even the rig in this pic is a bit too heavy by my current standards. And I love its tone and power. It weighs in at 35.5 lbs. No, I'm not sticking anything but a blank plate into that empty middle space.

View attachment 3613106

M. M.

Clean

 

[Zooberwerx]

*Leave the slot open just above the GK.

*Defeat the cooling fan.

*Strategically position your foil-wrapped between-set sandwich in aforementioned slot.

*Rock on!

*About the time your GK's thermal protection / shut-down kicks in, the cheese should be nice and melty.

Riis

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I would suggest the best compressor imho: DBX 160a

Hmmm... "The best" is of course highly subjective and whatever works best for you IS best for you. But once we move into studio rack gear territory I don't think many engineers would consider the 160a as even remotely close to "the best". It's hard to beat for easy operation on a dimly lit stage and the learning curve is a lot less steep than most compressors so it can be a good choice for a anyone who wants decent compression without diving too deep into compressor theory. But there are FAR better compressors out there IMO.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'm having a lot of fun with an Alembic SF-2. (although I'm using it in the effects loop of my F-1X, it can be used as a stand-alone preamp too)

 

[Jrussblues]

I ended up moving my in ears to my blank spot when I ran a rack and just running bass only through my ears for reinforcement. I liked it better than trying to mix everyone in my ears on small stages.

 

[Dreig]

A real time analyzer. It does nothing for your tone or playing, but people can stare at it for hours.

This interests me.

 

[Humbled]

If you have any desire for a compressor, I often really like the original dbx 166 on bass.

Not, an "a", not a "xl", Invalid Link Removed, especially USA made ones. Even more-so than an original 160 (for electric bass), sonically on par for EB with the old 160VU. For live use, I can go between two different preset channels with the link button. I set one with light squish, one with heavy squish and about +10db gain for a aurally pleasant bit of "drive". All compressors have different personalities. The original 166 attenuates highs in a useful way to a useful amount as it squishes and has a pleasing crunch when over-driven, and tends to work well on EB and DB for live use, IMHO. But I won't fight about it.

 

[JRA]

Blank plate?

see https://www.talkbass.com/members/blowinblue.83628/ 's post/pic.