Best overall 1U component

[CryingBass]

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)

View attachment 3613151

Darn this site. I am ordering an SF-2 now!

Nice rack Edward! ( and not just your avatar )

 

[Kmonk]

I had a BBE 882i and never noticed a difference in my sound. Simply wanting to fill a space in a rack is not a good reason to by another piece of gear. I prefer to leave a blank space in order to allow more air circulation.

 

[Pushrod]

When I ran a 1001RBII in a rack, I left the space directly above the amp open to allow for the top cooling fan on the amp.

 

[Humbled]

...Simply wanting to fill a space in a rack is not a good reason to by another piece of gear...

Of course it is. If the "need" for an airspace is questionable, put something in there and learn something. Lots of people spend money on education, and it can even be fun.

 

[Humbled]

I put this rack together originally for live-use with my upright: GK 400RB, dbx166 compressor, and an Ashly PQX 571 seven-band parametric (which came in handy for getting the DB up to a good volume). Educational tools, and I still use it occasionally.

 

[dkelley]

I'm also building a 2U DIY rack module out of my favorite little cheap pedals - putting a nice little bass/guitar preamp in there, from behringer pedals mostly. Why not? bdi, gdi, compressor, tuner, noise gate, and something to use for a cab sim probably. it'll sound great and will always be with me. Modelling on the fly, analog style, no amp needed.

It's lots of work though... and of course if any part dies I'll have to replace it, but I'm just mounting things front facing and routing is going to done internally using the existing 1/4" jacks. Yea, no foot switches yet, but eventually I could choose to control that too (doubt I'll bother though). Reason it's 2U is simply cuz I'm taking the control boards from each pedal and front mounting them, and it takes 2U to fit. Doesnt' directly help you I guess though being 2U, not to mention quite a DIY project....

Also, I'm in the process of throwing one of my old studio rack units into a portable rack ... I see no reason not to use something like this with the 1001rb bass head as well...

in my case a Digitech S200. it's a really really good, very cool digital multifx unit. I used it in my studio for many many years, but now I'm hoping to do more mobile stuff, and might as well use it on bass. Great modulations, other special effects, like truly crazy stuff.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Digitech/S200-Multi-Effects-Processor.gc

You can grab things like that for less than $100 on craigslist all the time... and if they work properly still, they're a blast. On bass or anything else.

 

[Liam Wald]

Rack tuner? Or a number of preamps.

The Korg Pitchblack rack tuner is a good choice.

 

[donahue]

The Korg Pitchblack rack tuner is a good choice.

Yes, I have one in my rack. Lightweight too. Won't even notice you added it to the schlep.

 

[Spent]

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

I have one and it is indeed a great compressor.

 

[BassPilot]

Blank plate?

Pure Genius!
You ever thought about taking up engineering?

 

[grinx]

use a solid faceplate and cut in an 8-track player with an orange 8-track of BTO Greatest Hits with a white wrinkley label perma-inserted therein

bonus points if you can make it light up and look legit somehow

 

[Rip Van Dan]

*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

LMAO...

I read the "Defeat the cooling fan" part and thought, "what the hell?" and then read on through to the cheese being nice and melty. Well done!

 

[Humbled]

OTOH, you could possibly make good use of one of these:

 

[CryingBass]

I find it interesting how much love those DBX comps get. Y'all could be spending a lot more. Wazzup with that?

 

[Humbled]

I have compressors that cost considerably more. To my ear, different compressors have different personalities. It's just a quirk of the design (or dumb luck) that original 166s usually work well for me on a plugged-in bass.

 

[CryingBass]

Darn this site. I am ordering an SF-2 now!

Nice rack Edward! ( and not just your avatar )

Hey, I was not kidding. Don't ask what I paid for it! Happy Holidays Jeannie.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Blank plate?

Or a ventilated plate to allow more air flow. Get rid of the Furman it’s not doing all that much for you besides adding weight.

 

[lomo]

The Joemeek sixQ2

 

[dcr]

Rack tuner.

dcr

 

[agedhorse]

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.

Sure it's subjective, but more #1 hits used a 160 series comp than all other comp options combined.