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Do I NEED a pre-amp pedal?

#82
Decent preamp pedal = backup bass rig. Is it needed? No most of the time. When you do need it, it is definitely needed. In the meantime it can make backline gigs easier and perhaps even be something you use with your regular rig routinely.
 
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#83
Like yourself, I have a pretty good amplifier. I only own 5 basses but each would need different eqing to bring them out from said amp. Not too cool when you are playing a gig! I found a pre-amp was a great equalizer - easy to switch basses and still have a great tone quickly. The added bonus is mine has a DI. If my amp went down during a gig, I could switch the XLR cable from the amp to the pre-amp and still maintain the sound I want. This works for me. If this is concern for yourself, then a pre-amp may be something you need.
 
#86
Do you NEED a preamp in many cases if your amp set up has a tone you are happy with then usually no. What a preamp pedal can do if offer you seasoning or alternative voices for you to access. For example your EDEN amp has a Retro-Modern tone that was and still is a classic from the 90's, a great tone for any style of music. But you might sometimes want a different vibe like big butt rocking SVT, or sweet old B15 or even a classic Fender Bassman, Orange, HiWatt or Marshall Bass sound. For those reasons I have a little collection of preamp pedals each with their own voice and vibe I can call on as needed. I am particularly fond of the tube preamps from @Sushi Box FX that offer a broad selection of voices as well as plenty of tube sweetness & mojo. MORE a simple tube gain pedal makes my GK MB500 so much more flavorful.
 
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#89
Kerem Koseoglu said:
If you don't have an amplifier playing live, you might like a signal chain that includes your compressor + preamp + a DI box. This can help shape and enhance your tone before sending it to the soundboard.

In my setup, I've found that the combination of a Cali76 compressor, a DCX Bass preamp, and a JDI DI box works well for me. I don't do any crazy settings on the preamp though; a slight bass and treble boost is enough to give some character a passive bass.

Additionally, I have a tuner and a noise gate in my setup, although they may not directly relate to the question at hand.
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Yes, same for me. At the church I play at it's Tuner (Digitech/Hardwire HT-2) --> Compressor (EHX Tone Corset) --> Preamp (RMI Classic Boost) --> Broughton High Pass Filter --> DI (The churches MXR DI+)
 
#90
With my active basses I only use a preamp pedal for in-ear gigs (where I have no amp and I want more control over my signal than what my on-board pre gives me). When playing my sole passive bass I will usually go through an Xotic Bass RC Booster. Nothing fancy, it just makes my bass come alive that bit more - and it sounds great.

By the way, I played in-ear/ampless gigs for more than ten years with no preamp pedal. It was fine but I definitely prefer having my preamp (a Genzler Magellan Pre) for those kinds of gigs.
 
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#92
What is a "pre-amp"?... I'd define it as a stand-alone externally-powered signal boost that may or may not shape tone/EQ. Piezo pickups are the only ones that really "benefit greatly" from gain prior to most amps' pre-amp stage, in most circumstances.

1) Piezo pre-amps are usually built in to the instrument and powered by a 9V battery. "Active" Basses have a pre-amp built in, even though they are wire coil/magnetic that wouldn't necessarily require a pre-amp.

2) Then there are the "external" pre-amps, and many are in pedal form.

3) And finally, there are pre-amp stages in most amplifiers.

You only really "need" one pre-amp stage - be it built into the instrument, a pedal, or in the Amp. You can always combine more than one, though - just mind your levels, and remember more complex = more possible failure points. ;)

I see a benefit and currently own two, quite different, pre-amp pedals. :D
 
#97
PhatBottomBass1 said:
I took ASL in college and went to a Deaf Community event. There were large balloons all over the dance floor for everyone to touch for vibrations.

It made me feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy music conventionally. :bassist:
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That is good! I learned a lot of sensory things from my dad that I see now in my life. I did not see it when I was young. We used to work on cars, he would put his hand on the fender while it was running, he could feel if it was running right. We used to be playing music & my dad would occasionally come. He would watch. I was always sad that he could not hear us.
Sorry to derail topic, I do want a 3 band EQ pedal for my fender P bass, consider something like that for starters.
 
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#99
Are you running with an amp or ampless? I virtually never have an amp and mostly record. I have a SushiBox Finally as a DI, an OE Super vintage as an amp sim and a Laney Digbeth using the DI output. I select whatever combo is needed for the track I am working on. That said, its not uncommon for me to plug into the instrument input on an ISA 2 and press record while creating parts and ending up with a final track
 
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#100
Preamp pedals allow easy access to different sonic flavours. There's no moral imperative to using or not using them. If you like the ice cream in your bowl on its' own, you don't "need" a topping, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't enjoy a spoon o' caramel or chocolate sauce .......or a cherry, a marshmallow or possibly a tsp of cognac on top.
 
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