QStrip with character pedal of choice on the front-end. I used a Barbershop.
Riis
Riis
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DCX Bass + RNDI vs Q\Strip
- Thread starter Kerem Koseoglu
- Start date
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- Tags
- neve origin effects tech21
For those reading this in the future and curious about my actions, here's the scoop: I had two gigs this weekend, testing the gear in question. My subjective winner? DCX into RNDI – my go-to route for now.
I have run a Humboldt into a DCX into a Neve and that sound was very good.
Nice! My go-to is quite similar concept: Secret Preamp -> RNDI.
Well, things changed over time.So how is this holding up? I'm considering this exact setup
Although I initially liked this setup, my ears have decided that RNDI has too much treble content for my taste; it kinda shadows my low end. It also had noise problems on some venues.
So I switched to DCX into JDI. I was very happy with this rig. Got through countless gigs without any hassle. I could still use that setup with a passive bass.
Later on; I got my hands on an active bass: Sadowsky M5-24. It also has a 2 band EQ and I like its stock sound very much. Therefore, I decided that I don't need a second preamp and have simplified my rig as Sadowsky - Radial J48. Got through many gigs as well, no problems whatsoever.
But this might change over time as well
Well, things changed over time.
Although I initially liked this setup, my ears have decided that RNDI has too much treble content for my taste; it kinda shadows my low end. It also had noise problems on some venues.
So I switched to DCX into JDI. I was very happy with this rig. Got through countless gigs without any hassle. I could still use that setup with a passive bass.
Later on; I got my hands on an active bass: Sadowsky M5-24. It also has a 2 band EQ and I like its stock sound very much. Therefore, I decided that I don't need a second preamp and have simplified my rig as Sadowsky - Radial J48. Got through many gigs as well, no problems whatsoever.
But this might change over time as well
Don't blame you the RNDI is about the most boring and lifeless DI I've owned.
Well, things changed over time.
Although I initially liked this setup, my ears have decided that RNDI has too much treble content for my taste; it kinda shadows my low end. It also had noise problems on some venues.
So I switched to DCX into JDI. I was very happy with this rig. Got through countless gigs without any hassle. I could still use that setup with a passive bass.
Later on; I got my hands on an active bass: Sadowsky M5-24. It also has a 2 band EQ and I like its stock sound very much. Therefore, I decided that I don't need a second preamp and have simplified my rig as Sadowsky - Radial J48. Got through many gigs as well, no problems whatsoever.
But this might change over time as well
Interesting, who would have thought changing DI's would make that big of a difference
I still really like my RNDI, and I actually don't need anything else, but I might look for a different preamp at some point.
I'm a little late to the party, but I had been looking for a console-type sound as well. I had the below, my thoughts on them.
I also did own a Q-Strip awhile back, but I did not like the fact that the HPF/LPF were not variable.
I was looking for Neve in a pedal, ended up with a few options.
Hudson Broadcast - no EQ, but has the best dirt amongst the bunch - sounds like an overdriven console in a really good way. The version that I have has the germanium boost options, so that is also super helpful. I'm really digging this, I'm trying to find a place on a board for it.
Broughton Studio One - the hype is real. Sounds great, has three essentials (HPF, LPF, sweepable mids) plus a nice sweet touch of tone boost. It DOES sounds different than the SBM+Messenger Jr. - the S1 has some sort of compression-type tone (or maybe it's an ultra smooth slight clipping) to it that smooths the sound out - the SBM+Mjr doesn't have this. Impossible for me to get any dirt on this without a seperate "boost" pedal, at least for me.
Broughton Studio Mini Boost+Messenger - Again, the hype is real. The SBM adds that Neve sweetness, and the Messenger Jr is pristine and responsive, again, with three of the essentials. It's more flexible IMO than the S1 - the S1 has a compressor type smoothness that you can't get rid of; the Mjr sounds cleaner, but with the SBM I can get some nice hair/dirt out of this - nothing too fuzzy, but some nice console style clipping.
JHS Colourbox - Great all around pedal. Perhaps not fair as it's not made specifically for bass, but I find it limiting for bass - the HPF is useless for bass and it overdrives almost too easily in the lower settings and not easily enough in the higher settings. The OD gets harsh very quickly - too harsh for my tastes for the most part, but it's a nice clipping at lower levels. All of that said, it does sound great in certain situations - it adds a good amount of console tone "magic", and if I want clean with lots of really, really good EQ then it's the box to go to. I keep thinking of selling this, then keep thinking about how useful it is and how it sounds great in certain situations.
Grace Designs ALiX - the best of the best, IMO. Even flat, the tone is more dynamic and full - sounds incredible. The EQ is super responsive, and the DI is great. Add a boost switch and HPF and a ton of other options. This one is a winner, and it's no wonder that I have it paired with a Noble.
Origin DCX Bass - probably the most bass friendly of the bunch. The OD is up there with the Broadcast, but it's more flexible. The console tone is definitely there, and it's one of the most touch-sensitive OD boxes out there. Great box, killer tones.
I also did own a Q-Strip awhile back, but I did not like the fact that the HPF/LPF were not variable.
I was looking for Neve in a pedal, ended up with a few options.
Hudson Broadcast - no EQ, but has the best dirt amongst the bunch - sounds like an overdriven console in a really good way. The version that I have has the germanium boost options, so that is also super helpful. I'm really digging this, I'm trying to find a place on a board for it.
Broughton Studio One - the hype is real. Sounds great, has three essentials (HPF, LPF, sweepable mids) plus a nice sweet touch of tone boost. It DOES sounds different than the SBM+Messenger Jr. - the S1 has some sort of compression-type tone (or maybe it's an ultra smooth slight clipping) to it that smooths the sound out - the SBM+Mjr doesn't have this. Impossible for me to get any dirt on this without a seperate "boost" pedal, at least for me.
Broughton Studio Mini Boost+Messenger - Again, the hype is real. The SBM adds that Neve sweetness, and the Messenger Jr is pristine and responsive, again, with three of the essentials. It's more flexible IMO than the S1 - the S1 has a compressor type smoothness that you can't get rid of; the Mjr sounds cleaner, but with the SBM I can get some nice hair/dirt out of this - nothing too fuzzy, but some nice console style clipping.
JHS Colourbox - Great all around pedal. Perhaps not fair as it's not made specifically for bass, but I find it limiting for bass - the HPF is useless for bass and it overdrives almost too easily in the lower settings and not easily enough in the higher settings. The OD gets harsh very quickly - too harsh for my tastes for the most part, but it's a nice clipping at lower levels. All of that said, it does sound great in certain situations - it adds a good amount of console tone "magic", and if I want clean with lots of really, really good EQ then it's the box to go to. I keep thinking of selling this, then keep thinking about how useful it is and how it sounds great in certain situations.
Grace Designs ALiX - the best of the best, IMO. Even flat, the tone is more dynamic and full - sounds incredible. The EQ is super responsive, and the DI is great. Add a boost switch and HPF and a ton of other options. This one is a winner, and it's no wonder that I have it paired with a Noble.
Origin DCX Bass - probably the most bass friendly of the bunch. The OD is up there with the Broadcast, but it's more flexible. The console tone is definitely there, and it's one of the most touch-sensitive OD boxes out there. Great box, killer tones.
Opinion on DCX Bass into the MJr, or the reverse?
Plan on trying those tonight
DCX into Sushi Box Finally v2 the jury's out.
The Messenger Jr is very transparent - it's a great preamp and I use it to tweak a "flavored" preamp - like the DCXOpinion on DCX Bass into the MJr, or the reverse?
Plan on trying those tonight
DCX into Sushi Box Finally v2 the jury's out.
It works great and sounds great! The DCX on it's own sounds wonderful, and the MJr allows further tweaking. It's a winning combo if you ask me.I have a finally, but I use it for a DI and to add warmth to a Line 6 Stomp XL. I don;t know how much it would do with the DCX - I was thinking that I either want console or tube, not both.
I've owned a ton of preamps on my time -https://www.talkbass.com/threads/my-preamp-journey.1504928/
DCX Bass into Messenger Jr. was very good, but competing rather than all complimentary. By that I mean that the Jr. is extremely clean and clear, while the DCX adds color through its Drive knob and Dark/Med switch. I felt after a short use ideally they're an either-or rather than a pair, but if they were all you had, you could do far worse 
.
The Mesenger Jr. into an LA-1A elevates clean to a new level for me. Adding the DCX Bass to the equation in EQ mode traded clarity for... loudness?
The DCX seems to shine with gain, and is great all on its own. I bet it would match really well with an RFE
.The Mesenger Jr. into an LA-1A elevates clean to a new level for me. Adding the DCX Bass to the equation in EQ mode traded clarity for... loudness?
The DCX seems to shine with gain, and is great all on its own. I bet it would match really well with an RFE
That's my plan adding an RFE to my board then reconsider the placement of the DCX BOOST.DCX Bass into Messenger Jr. was very good, but competing rather than all complimentary. By that I mean that the Jr. is extremely clean and clear, while the DCX adds color through its Drive knob and Dark/Med switch. I felt after a short use ideally they're an either-or rather than a pair, but if they were all you had, you could do far worse
The Mesenger Jr. into an LA-1A elevates clean to a new level for me. Adding the DCX Bass to the equation in EQ mode traded clarity for... loudness?
The DCX seems to shine with gain, and is great all on its own. I bet it would match really well with an RFE
Dude you get more out of pedalboard space than anyone I've ever seen!!!
The RFE will go where the Hagerman Value Boost is, This is my home board the benefits of the HVB is best suited towards live or recording. Which I do not use this board for.
the essentials, and it all fits in my Mono Tick!Dude you get more out of pedalboard space than anyone I've ever seen!!!
He knows!
Swap the Becos for an LA-1A and the Mutron+C4 for an HX One, and you have what I took for a spin last night.
You have very good taste my friend!He knows!
Swap the Becos for an LA-1A and the Mutron+C4 for an HX One, and you have what I took for a spin last night.
