Do you like preamps and use them and if so what do you use?

[BartmanPDX]

I've been through a ton of preamps over the years.

Currently I use a Meatsmoke into my D-800 on my stage rig.

For recording or straight into FOH, I use a Broughton P-15.

I've done gigs without both boxes to simplify setup, and instantly regretted it.

 

[Sunset Shalom]

I have an EBS microbass II and an AMPEG SCRDI. While I like how both of them sound (particularly the SCRDI), I hate the amount of white noise (hiss) they introduce when using any of them in front of an amp. It happens either with AC adaptor or battery. And even with the preamps EQ controls set flat.
Is there any way of eliminating that extra hiss?

I find when running a pre into an amp it helps to keep the amp volume low initially, and crank the pre volume as loud as you can while still getting minimal noise from it. Then raise the amp volume to a reasonable level.

Something about running a pre into a combo amp with another pre raises the volume and noise floor a lot. But IME by playing with the volume levels you can get a loud signal with minimal noise.

I run my pre into a boss ME-50 to split the signal into a mixer or amp, and when going into an amp it can be very noisy unless I keep the ME-50/amps's volume very low (like 20-30%) and crank the preamp volume. But going into a mixer is fine, probably because I use a passive mixer so the signal isn't going through a second preamp + a power amp. With a mixer I can keep the ME-50's volume around 50-75% without it getting too noisy.

Amps with preamp in/out jacks could help, that way you could run any preamp instead of the built in one. That would likely fix any noise issues caused by running 2 pre amps.

 

[Anhg77]

I find when running a pre into an amp it helps to keep the amp volume low initially, and crank the pre volume as loud as you can while still getting minimal noise from it. Then raise the amp volume to a reasonable level.

Something about running a pre into a combo amp with another pre raises the volume and noise floor a lot. But IME by playing with the volume levels you can get a loud signal with minimal noise.

I run my pre into a boss ME-50 to split the signal into a mixer or amp, and when going into an amp it can be very noisy unless I keep the ME-50/amps's volume very low (like 20-30%) and crank the preamp volume. But going into a mixer is fine, probably because I use a passive mixer so the signal isn't going through a second preamp + a power amp. With a mixer I can keep the ME-50's volume around 50-75% without it getting too noisy.

Amps with preamp in/out jacks could help, that way you could run any preamp instead of the built in one. That would likely fix any noise issues caused by running 2 pre amps.

Im going to try that! thanks a lot.

 

[milesdavisblue]

Sansamp.

 

[Frodolicious]

Pike Vulcan gets me where I need to go. I'm planning on getting a Fairfield Accountant or Barbershop too as well just for something a bit different. Most times though I use my amp

 

[Jason Hollar]

I usually use a Boss EQ with my upright & Fender since it has a 1MOhm input and very clean boost.

Been thinking about a Vintage Microtubes to warm things up a bit.

 

[Sunset Shalom]

Im going to try that! thanks a lot.

No problem, hope it helps

 

[Steffen Thrana]

View attachment 3079332

Love this set up Is this the Nano+ pedalboard?

 

[Axstar]

I use this badboy as my set-and-forget preamp. It is also good for de-crapifying practice and rehearsal room amps. I don't use it as an Ampeg emulator as such, and I've forgotten all the suggested settings from Tech21. I use the 'Character' knob as a combined dirt and upper-mid boost, and dial it back if I want a cleaner tone. The drive gets a bit too '9 volt pedal' in its upper reaches, so I keep it at about 1:00. The speaker sim saves my bacon fairly often as well.

 

[ExaltBass]

Love this set up Is this the Nano+ pedalboard?

Thank you! It is the Pedaltrain Metro 20

 

[TREYontheBASS]

Presently using Noble DI, Mesa Subway DI, Sadowsky DI and Shift Line ( en route )

I also have an F1-X but that’s racked and stays home.

Using the above pre amps with powered speaker cabinets.. I can really change things up when switching between these tools.
Really looking forward to hearing the Shift Line..

Plllease let us know how that Olympic is, I'm really curious how it stacks up to the Noble. I want one desperately but damn, 1100 bucks.. If the SLO3 can stand up to it I may go that route to save some moolah. Thanks!