So I recently purchased a Microtubes X7 and I absolutely love the distorted sounds I can get out of it. It's a beast of a pedal. I can get some pretty decent clean sounds out of it too but I'd like to buy another preamp that can do better. I know the DG Harmonic Booster seems to be the obvious choice but I've heard people get some really good clean sounds out of the SansAmp also. Just curious, what preamp do you guys recommend for getting a good clean tone? I play mostly rock and some metal. I know it really depends on what sound I'm looking for. I play mostly modern rock (Tool, A Perfect Circle), classic rock (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin) and some metal. I'm mainly just looking for something versatile with really good sounding hi-mids and a tight lowend. I'm pretty much trying to decide between the Harmonic Booster and the SansAmp but I'd like to see what some other people suggest before I make up my mind and buy something...
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Best preamp for "clean" bass sounds?
- Thread starter Adrin
- Start date
I wouldn't consider Sansamp a clean pre. I got the BDDI too.
Sadowsky is an option that is well known for its mids.
Oh damn. I haven't seen this yet.. I'm definitely gonna have to look into this.. thanks!
Yeah the Sadowsky outboard pre jumped out at me when you said "clean" and "mids".
Yea that's why I was a little unsure about it. I know it's a great pedal...but not necessarily popular for it's clean sounds. I'm gonna look into the MXR stuff more. They make alotta guitar pedals I like so it's definitely worth looking into... thanks for the advice!
Yea that's the main thing I think... good sounding hi-mids that'll cut through the mix without distortion. But I don't think I've heard of Sadowski, I'm definitely going to look into it. Thanks for the advice!
+1 to the Qstrip. Clean and powerful, with a slight bit of warmth... but not nearly the amount of color that the BDDI or Darkglass preamps introduce.
Also, for further rabbit holing... Check out The Great Preamp/DI Comparison thread. It was started with the Tone Hammer, and is now 241 pages.
5sg.
Also, for further rabbit holing... Check out The Great Preamp/DI Comparison thread. It was started with the Tone Hammer, and is now 241 pages.
5sg.
Why not focus onboard or perhaps your physical amp?
Your standard "clean" tone should be the sound of your rig with no pedals.
I never think of pedals when it comes to clean tone, but maybe I'm different.
Good luck,
Dirk
Your standard "clean" tone should be the sound of your rig with no pedals.
I never think of pedals when it comes to clean tone, but maybe I'm different.
Good luck,
Dirk
Fishman Pro Platinum :
Sweepable mids, compressor, high pass filter, tuner and crisp sound
Sweepable mids, compressor, high pass filter, tuner and crisp sound
I love my Tone Hammer! It lets you dial in just a bit of hair for more organic clean sound, has sweepable mids, and a DI out for going direct to FoH.
However, for enhancing your clean tone you might want to look into getting yourself a good compressor rather than a preamp, especially if you use an amp rather than going direct. I have a Cali76 CB, and I love it even more than my preamp. Some compressors are designed to be transparent while others go for adding some tone-enhancing magic; the Cali is definitely in the latter category.
Darkglass' Hyper Luminal compressor is also a similar style compressor that I hear is worth a look.
However, for enhancing your clean tone you might want to look into getting yourself a good compressor rather than a preamp, especially if you use an amp rather than going direct. I have a Cali76 CB, and I love it even more than my preamp. Some compressors are designed to be transparent while others go for adding some tone-enhancing magic; the Cali is definitely in the latter category.
Darkglass' Hyper Luminal compressor is also a similar style compressor that I hear is worth a look.
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I think that if you want a "good clean tone" it is hard to surpass a traditional style simple tube preamp like Alembic F-2B, or like.
I mean a classic high voltage "old style" tube circuit, not those IC loaded preamps with one low voltage tube. And I really don't mean that those are crap.
I mean a classic high voltage "old style" tube circuit, not those IC loaded preamps with one low voltage tube. And I really don't mean that those are crap.
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