Channel strip info

[basscooker]

Are the channel strips in the $200-$300 used range any good as a bass preamp? I see quite a few tube preamp models coming up for sale. For that matter, would a tube mic preamp work well? I've read that some guys here use channel strips and power amps for their live setup, but are the less expensive ones as good as a designed bass preamp? (and I guess the same question about mic tube pre's, they come up for much less). Are either suitable for substitution as a DI box?

 

[coughingskunk]

I've got a presonus studio channel pre that I used in conjunction with a stewart pa1000 power amp that sounded really good. The compressor and eq adjustments on the presonus are great and allow a complete by pass as well.

 

[EastCoastThump]

There's nothing magical about a tube in the design, especially at that price point.

 

[thedane]

I have a couple of ART PRO-CHANNEL units that fit this bill EXACTLY. They're fantastic for bass! But sadly they stopped making them a couple of years ago. eBay may have some.
Very flexible input gain staging, VERY in-depth EQ section, VERY flexible compressor section. lots of tube gain stages, and lots of needed ins and outs on the back at various points in the signal chain.


Well, well..... turns out they now make the PRO-CHANNEL 2.
It's a little different but probably still just as good.
Bass players LOVED the version 1. As do I.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ProChannel2

 

[Khronic]

I have a couple of ART PRO-CHANNEL units that fit this bill EXACTLY. They're fantastic for bass! But sadly they stopped making them a couple of years ago. eBay may have some.
Very flexible input gain staging, VERY in-depth EQ section, VERY flexible compressor section. lots of tube gain stages, and lots of needed ins and outs on the back at various points in the signal chain.


Well, well..... turns out they now make the PRO-CHANNEL 2.
It's a little different but probably still just as good.
Bass players LOVED the version 1. As do I.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ProChannel2

+1 Absolutely love mine, $110 delivered from a TB for sale thread.

There's nothing magical about a tube in the design, especially at that price point.

Three tubes in this design is nothing short of magical, especially at that price point.

 

[EastCoastThump]

Yes. It's not that a low-cost unit with a tube in the preamp stage can't sound good, it's that having a tube in the design doesn't guarantee anything magical.