John Littler
Commercial User
- Aug 5, 2020
- 154
- 226
- 65
- Disclosures
- Headway Music Audio Ltd; Wychwood
I see what you mean now. An extra channel. Any of our pre-amps would do it, but only VaP adds a valve.
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Double Bass Breaking News NEW EDB-2 VAP From Headway
- Thread starter rickwolff
- Start date
It would be interesting to hear a comparison between the Noble and the VAP. The former is running two 12au7s and the latter is a single 12ax7 (among many other differences). I would be surprised if they provided the same tonal flavour.
I've experimented a bit with combining multiple mics through the VAP and found that the tube stage gets overdriven much more easily with the addition of a second signal. This is with 2 active microphones but maybe it would be a different scenario mixing a mic and pickup?
The past few months I've been using the VAP in combination with all kinds of different amps, powered speakers and P.A. systems. Every gig requires totally different settings but the preamp has been flexible enough to handle each scenario plus I can always be sure that the DI signal will sound warm and musical as well.
Unfortunately the VAP has caused me to develop a bad addiction to tube rolling...
I've experimented a bit with combining multiple mics through the VAP and found that the tube stage gets overdriven much more easily with the addition of a second signal. This is with 2 active microphones but maybe it would be a different scenario mixing a mic and pickup?
The past few months I've been using the VAP in combination with all kinds of different amps, powered speakers and P.A. systems. Every gig requires totally different settings but the preamp has been flexible enough to handle each scenario plus I can always be sure that the DI signal will sound warm and musical as well.
Unfortunately the VAP has caused me to develop a bad addiction to tube rolling...
I got my Headway VAP finally.
I have only played it through headphones and I must say that it sounds better than the Headway EDB 2 H.E.
At least from memories I had of it since I sold it a while ago.
The real killer feature is the tube. I feel like I could use it on its own in heaphones and without my Sarno V8. I will continue testing also amplified but for now I am happy about it.
Also one thing which is quite important is the other yellow knob (the one for the harmonics, but that was already on the HE version) which helps a lot with piezo to achieve some brilliance (so to avoid using a mic or at least I hope). All IMHO
I have only played it through headphones and I must say that it sounds better than the Headway EDB 2 H.E.
At least from memories I had of it since I sold it a while ago.
The real killer feature is the tube. I feel like I could use it on its own in heaphones and without my Sarno V8. I will continue testing also amplified but for now I am happy about it.
Also one thing which is quite important is the other yellow knob (the one for the harmonics, but that was already on the HE version) which helps a lot with piezo to achieve some brilliance (so to avoid using a mic or at least I hope). All IMHO
I have been using my Sarno Black Box into my Alix and am very happy. I like the idea of an all in one unit. I prefer the HPF over the notch filtering on the Headway. But still curious about making the switch.
Anyone have experience with both?
Anyone have experience with both?
John Littler
Commercial User
- Aug 5, 2020
- 154
- 226
- 65
- Disclosures
- Headway Music Audio Ltd; Wychwood
Hi Ned, I saw your post and thought I would just point out the the EDB-2 VAP has both a tuneable notch filter and a HPF on each channel, labelled Range. John of Headway
So I did some tests yesterday evening on my GK 800RB + Barefaced BBII with my Marcustico on the EDB 2 VAP.
The VAP sounds a bit more modern maybe?
Unfortunately I sold the HE a while ago so I cannot A/B test
- the HEAT is killer! It makes you play through a piezo and not feel so much the need for a microphone (it is available on the EDB HE version also)
- The notch filter works very good to remove feedback from a microphone
- the HEAT enhancer gives more feedback (so I used it only on piezo channel)
- the tube also adds feedback if used on the microphone (not so strange as both HEAT and tube add harmonics)
- Both Headway preamps I have had (EDB HE and VAP) have a very nice sound and some features not to be found on other preamps
The VAP sounds a bit more modern maybe?
Unfortunately I sold the HE a while ago so I cannot A/B test
Here's some live footage with a band where I'm amplifying the bass directly through the PA via an Ischell X48C3 and the Headway VAP. No other sound reinforcement. I really like this preamp. Sorry not sorry if free jazz is not your thing...
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/you-on-youtube-db-forum-thread.696395/page-44#post-28519414
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/you-on-youtube-db-forum-thread.696395/page-44#post-28519414
Hello all!
I read all the posts in this thread several times in deciding to buy the Headway VAP. Thanks for all your informative comments!
I have had it for about a week now, plugging a Krivo p/u and an Audio-Technica 35 condenser mic into it. It sounds amazing. However, on 2 occasions now, I have found that the audio turns off when there is a loop connected to the send/return jacks. The first time it happened was when I first connected a second loop to the channel 2 TRS loop. Unplug the loop, and it works fine. Again yesterday, I was rehearsing, both effects loops in use, took a break to eat lunch so switched to standby, and, when I returned, the channel 1 audio was gone. After flipping all the switches, it finally came back. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a particular sequence of switches that must be engaged before plugging in the effects loops? I need this to work for a live performance board, leaving everything plugged in and just switching on the power before playing, so I’m hoping to not have to faf about with some finicky setup. TIA.
I read all the posts in this thread several times in deciding to buy the Headway VAP. Thanks for all your informative comments!
I have had it for about a week now, plugging a Krivo p/u and an Audio-Technica 35 condenser mic into it. It sounds amazing. However, on 2 occasions now, I have found that the audio turns off when there is a loop connected to the send/return jacks. The first time it happened was when I first connected a second loop to the channel 2 TRS loop. Unplug the loop, and it works fine. Again yesterday, I was rehearsing, both effects loops in use, took a break to eat lunch so switched to standby, and, when I returned, the channel 1 audio was gone. After flipping all the switches, it finally came back. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a particular sequence of switches that must be engaged before plugging in the effects loops? I need this to work for a live performance board, leaving everything plugged in and just switching on the power before playing, so I’m hoping to not have to faf about with some finicky setup. TIA.
