Double Bass EBS Stanley Clarke Acoustic Preamp

[Zbysek]

I then reconnected the pedal to the Input of the head, and there the signal level was more than adequate, quite satisfactory indeed.

I am not surprised that the pedal plugged into the amp's instrument input is louder than when plugged into the FX return: there is additional preamp section in the signal chain when plugged in the instrument input...

 

[Matthijs]

I haven't tried the Q strip, so cannot compare.

I've been using EDB-2 a lot last 5-6 years. I loved the notch filter there, very flexible. however, only applicable to one channel. the HPF was in my experience either off, too little or too much. I have to say, preamp sounded good enough to be used with a passive slab on second channel, while the first one was populated by the doghouse and used all the EQ available. however, the set EQ points cannot be a solution for every situation, and sometimes I would be solving hollow stages and loud drummers with EQ, leaving the sound eaten up, you know? I have to cut a lot with lo and hi mids because the problem was somewhere between those, and they would carve out too much of the body. also, you'd have to listen really close for clipping, since there is no visual.

one thing I noticed: when I needed more volume with my active speaker, on the back of it I would switch the speaker's input sensitivity from line level to mic level. while using EDB-2 this would introduce some hiss. with SC AP, there is no hiss.

it sounds really clean with the slab, cleaner than EBS heads. but not sterile to the point that it made it not fun to play. great sensitivity and dynamics, passive slab feels good, you don't have to fight for the sound. if you need some drive, you have fx loop. I'd say give it a go.

Your headway experience is very similar to mine. The attraction in the Q strip is in the relative simplicity. I hardly ever make real use of two channels. It’s almost always just piezo, just mic, or just slab. I’m mainly wondering if it sounds as transparent as the EBS.

 

[vedi]

I am not surprised that the pedal plugged into the amp's instrument input is louder than when plugged into the FX return: there is additional preamp section in the signal chain when plugged in the instrument input...

ok, let me try to explain differently: I expected an instrument plugged into SC AP into fx return of an amp to have approximately same level as the same instrument plugged directly into the same amp, amp's master volume being the same. I did not measure it, but it was much less. this leads me to believe that the OUTPUT connection of the preamp is not line level. to reiterate, this was with an instrument set just below clipping at preamp's input and its volume maxxed.

@Matthijs I don't know the price difference, but if you only ever use one channel, perhaps it could be an overkill for you. does size matter?

 

[Matthijs]

The price of the ebs and the q strip is close. And size matters in that small is beautifull It is always hard to pass on a lot more options for a little more money. But all those options can also get in the way on a gig.

sounds like I’ve made my mind up.

 

[Zbysek]

ok, let me try to explain differently: I expected an instrument plugged into SC AP into fx return of an amp to have approximately same level as the same instrument plugged directly into the same amp, amp's master volume being the same. I did not measure it, but it was much less. this leads me to believe that the OUTPUT connection of the preamp is not line level. to reiterate, this was with an instrument set just below clipping at preamp's input and its volume maxxed.

I see. Was is still useable or was it too low level?

I don't have personal experience with EBS SC AP...but I have been using EBS Microbass II pedal for number of years. When I plugg its output to FX return, it works fine.

 

[Ric Vice]

Just from my personal experience, the Headway EDB-2 has plenty of gain into the power amps that I've used it with. I've driven my Jule Monique M700 with the Headway EDB-2, and both all of my powered MAS Cabinets.

a 1/8 and the 4x5.5 no issues. So I guess it depends on how loud you need to be. I found that running the EDB-2 directly into the front end of a Walter Woods Electroacoustic Ultra (600 watts) was complete overkill for DB.

The gain staging that occurs between two different preamps wasn't complimentary at all. EB requires a different type of preamplifier, so for that I use a 3Leaf Audio Enabler if I'm playing electric bass. Just my take of course.

 

[vedi]

I see. Was is still useable or was it too low level?

I don't have personal experience with EBS SC AP...but I have been using EBS Microbass II pedal for number of years. When I plugg its output to FX return, it works fine.

usable? sure. the amp has plenty of power on tap. just seems strange that there would be such differences.

once more, that's the OUTPUT.

DI, or BALANCED OUTPUT as it is marked, is great. on par with EDB-2. works with powered speakers, sound tech happy.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Well. I'm in Getting near time now to park the old microBass II, for a while — great friend, great foundation, my partner in crime over a number of years now. She won't be alone for long, I promise. — she's way too groovy

To the OP, and contributors, my thanks. To the EBS family, my love. And, to Mr. Clarke especially, my gratitude, and my admiration. Indebted, I am. May it all go smoothly and may it never end. I'll come back, when this one's no longer a mystery, and share some more enthusiasm. Again, many thanks
​

 

[Ric Vice]

Especially, since EBS has committed to releasing a preamp that, unlike the Micro Bass, is more of a niche product, aimed at Double Bassists. While it can be used for lots of other instruments, putting Stanley Clarke's name on it

focuses the marketing on bass players, when the preamp can be used for acoustic guitar and any other instrument. Hopefully, it will cross over to the guitar market as well. Granted there are many bassists out there, but neither

Headway, Acoustic Image, or Grace Designs did that. Just my take of course.

 

[Tom Bomb]

I won't be limiting myself to just the bottom end I'm thinking this might come in handy in all sorts of situations. One of these will certainly come in handy — ICY-30 Insert cable. I was hoping there would be provision in the box — there should be But that's cool.

One landed in my lap, this morning I wanted to AB this one with the MB2 before I broke the board down to start afresh but I couldn't, not without an ICY-30. Not that I'm in any hurry. I'm still auditioning a new bass so the old board serves a support role there — such a sweet Jazz. I'm in no hurry, on the contrary.

Just be sure to get an ICY-30 for the effects loop if you have designs on such mischief. Lesson learnt.
​

 

[John Le Guyader]

So how does the phantom power work for channel B of the new EBS Stanley? Always on when a mic is inserted into the XLR input and the switch is flipped to XLR? Is that an issue?

 

[vedi]

dear all, I owe you an apology for falsely reporting certain things, due to faulty equipment and/or user error. I shall be contacting the moderator about editing my quoted post below, but perhaps it is better to leave it for posterity? I just worry someone might read it and give up...

anyway. here it goes:

• the level of the OUTPUT is more than sufficient to drive an FX return of an amp. it must have been a faulty patch cable I used the first time. as the specifications on paper say that the OUTPUT should be even louder than the BALANCED OUTPUT (DI later in this text), I decided to measure that with my DAW interface. plugged in both outputs of the pedal, plugged a slab bass into the INPUT, adjusted the gain below clipping and then tried to match the VOLUME level of the OUTPUT with the level of DI. I succeeded when the VOLUME level was aprox. 3 o'clock? that means there is more on tap. with this in mind I returned to my Reidmar 750 and plugged it once more, this time with another cable. boom. loud and clear. more than enough!!!
• concerning the illumination of channels:
  • when both INPUT A and B are populated at the same time, and the channels are not added together, the illumination of the channel switches between A and B, along with the red light above the A/B channel switch. use for switching between two instruments.
    
  • when both INPUT A and B are populated at the same time, and the channels are added together (A+B switch between the inputs), both channels are illuminated, while the A/B switch is disabled. use for blending two sources (mic + piezo; or two instruments while teaching?)
  • when only INPUT A is populated, and the channels are not added together, the illumination of the channel switches between A and B, along with the red light above the A/B channel switch. use to have different EQ settings for one instrument.
  • when only INPUT A is populated, and the channels are added together:
    • if channel A is switched on, it is illuminated and you have EQ of channel A;
    • if channel B is switched on, it is illuminated, along with the red light above the A/B switch - and you have both EQs in series. you actually need to open the B gain as well.
• gain clipping appears as one LED, but lights up red for channel A and orange for channel B. you can tell both are clipping, no worries. post EQ clipping is red only. I actually watch that one more.
• AUX IN only works with headphone OUT.

again, my apologies for misinforming you in my previous posts. off to spank self con legno.

Dear all,

My EBS SC AP was delivered yesterday, got to use it at today’s lengthy soundcheck for tomorrow’s performance (streamed, no public allowed).

Short story: improvement over whatever I’ve owned or tried before. Still itching to try Felix.

Long story:
• Pro
o Separate (almost full) eq for each channel
o Continuous HPF (as opposed to switched presets)
o Pre and post eq peak LED
o Illumination
o Silent switching
o Good use of inputs and outputs (since it is made on the platform of MicroBass 3, they obviously reused the frame to save money)
o It actually is useful for the slab as well, it will really come in handy for doubling gigs
o Headphone output, aux input
o Speaker sim – not IR, just filter
o Fx loop
o It has a safety system built in against lesser power adapters: you connect anything that is not strong enough, it will blink all the lights and refuse to cooperate
o Power adapter with all possible plugs is in the package

• Con
o You have to choose between notch and HPF per channel, cannot have both.

 Summing channels A and B actually gives you double eq if you only use input A, but you also have to use gain B then and it just feels weird.​

o I cannot grab the device without pressing one of the buttons on the sides. Personally, I’d put them all on top, or ingressed...
o Illumination does switch between channels, but only lights channel B when summing A and B – no other visual than that.
o No pre eq on DI out (still on the fence whether I’d exchange speaker sim for that)
o Fx loop cannot be assigned to a channel or switched at the pedal
o Similarly, channels cannot be assigned to DI out – and there is only one.
o Only way to balance the two channels is by adjusting their gain, there is no mix knob

The output is instrument level and even with maxed volume cannot drive fx return on the bass amp. It is however more than sufficient to cleanly drive instrument input. DI level is only controlled by whatever you set the gain and eq to, it is not influenced by master volume.

Ease of use was really great in my case, but then I am very familiar with the EBS range. Compared to EDB-2 it replaced, I felt that I got the usable sound much easier, HPF and the rest of the eq section is just more effective for my needs. My pickup is MSP, and I use an active Yamaha DBR10 speaker. The base sound was already ok, I used HPF to cut what my speaker cannot reproduce anyway, used semi-parametric mids to dial out the honk, and viola... did not need to add the second channel’s eq to the equation this time. Almost 4 hours later, the adapter was warm and the pedal itself was not cold, if you catch my drift.

Will it stay? Hmmmmmm... well. A couple of “con” points are nitpicking tbh, and I could do without or find a workaround. On one hand it pains me that Felix became rather scarce round here since February when I decided to get one, and I could never try one. On the other hand, have I bought it, it would have gloriously gathered dust, and I hate buying anything that doesn’t earn its stay. Now, the EBS is much cheaper in comparison, and while some connection goodies compared to Felix are missing, I guess I will cope until I can get my hands on Felix. At the same time it is a much better match for me personally than EDB-2. I can also use it as a nifty little mixer for teaching purposes (two slabs and aux in) or silent practice.

Previous experience: owned EBS MicroBass 2 (sold almost immediately, not enough headroom, too compressed), Headway EDB-2 (eq choices limited to one or both channels, preset bands never really fit although I did many gigs with it, even doubling: very convenient when strapped to player’s body), still have fdeck 2 (how many times did it save me when the fridge appeared as backline). Extensively tested some AI stuff, as well as most Fishman preamps. Probably some other things as well, but their names escape me atm.

 

[vedi]

So how does the phantom power work for channel B of the new EBS Stanley? Always on when a mic is inserted into the XLR input and the switch is flipped to XLR? Is that an issue?

the manual does not specify, but I can measure that for you. allow a couple of hours until kids are asleep.

my guess is that the phantom turns on when you flip the XLR switch.

 

[Zbysek]

dear all, I owe you an apology for falsely reporting certain things, due to faulty equipment and/or user error. I shall be contacting the moderator about editing my quoted post below, but perhaps it is better to leave it for posterity? I just worry someone might read it and give up...

anyway. here it goes:

• the level of the OUTPUT is more than sufficient to drive an FX return of an amp. it must have been a faulty patch cable I used the first time. as the specifications on paper say that the OUTPUT should be even louder than the BALANCED OUTPUT (DI later in this text), I decided to measure that with my DAW interface. plugged in both outputs of the pedal, plugged a slab bass into the INPUT, adjusted the gain below clipping and then tried to match the VOLUME level of the OUTPUT with the level of DI. I succeeded when the VOLUME level was aprox. 3 o'clock? that means there is more on tap. with this in mind I returned to my Reidmar 750 and plugged it once more, this time with another cable. boom. loud and clear. more than enough!!!
• concerning the illumination of channels:
  • when both INPUT A and B are populated at the same time, and the channels are not added together, the illumination of the channel switches between A and B, along with the red light above the A/B channel switch. use for switching between two instruments.
    
  • when both INPUT A and B are populated at the same time, and the channels are added together (A+B switch between the inputs), both channels are illuminated, while the A/B switch is disabled. use for blending two sources (mic + piezo; or two instruments while teaching?)
  • when only INPUT A is populated, and the channels are not added together, the illumination of the channel switches between A and B, along with the red light above the A/B channel switch. use to have different EQ settings for one instrument.
  • when only INPUT A is populated, and the channels are added together:
    • if channel A is switched on, it is illuminated and you have EQ of channel A;
    • if channel B is switched on, it is illuminated, along with the red light above the A/B switch - and you have both EQs in series. you actually need to open the B gain as well.
• gain clipping appears as one LED, but lights up red for channel A and orange for channel B. you can tell both are clipping, no worries. post EQ clipping is red only. I actually watch that one more.
• AUX IN only works with headphone OUT.

again, my apologies for misinforming you in my previous posts. off to spank self con legno.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[vedi]

So how does the phantom power work for channel B of the new EBS Stanley? Always on when a mic is inserted into the XLR input and the switch is flipped to XLR? Is that an issue?

the preamp powered on, nothing else connected. channel A is chosen, XLR is disabled. it appears phantom power is always on. I measured 48.1V on MIC INPUT.

I made a photo, but cannot upload from a mobile device?

 

[ScotJam Bassie]

This looks like a great all round pre. Anyone tried it with a Godin fretless (I have the A5 ultra) or any other fretless acoustic / semi acoustic bass guitar?
How does the sound of the pre compare with say, a Mesa Subway DI, or Aguilar Tone Hammer, or is it less coloured? I'm thinking this may work for my 4 and 5 string fretted bass guitars as well, if the sound of the pre is to my liking.
Also curious if the headphone level is loud enough to make it double as a serious headphone practice amp on the road?

 

[vedi]

This looks like a great all round pre. Anyone tried it with a Godin fretless (I have the A5 ultra) or any other fretless acoustic / semi acoustic bass guitar?
How does the sound of the pre compare with say, a Mesa Subway DI, or Aguilar Tone Hammer, or is it less coloured? I'm thinking this may work for my 4 and 5 string fretted bass guitars as well, if the sound of the pre is to my liking.
Also curious if the headphone level is loud enough to make it double as a serious headphone practice amp on the road?

sorry, don't have the instrument you mentioned, did not compare with the preamps you mentioned. however, speaking from memory, I would say it's way cleaner than Aguilar TH. there isn't a dedicated drive pot, nor does it sound nice when pushed into strong clipping. I think it is almost exactly as other EBS preamps (or preamp sections), maybe even cleaner. I love how it works with my slabs, and have zero concerns about doubling - or even taking it as a sole piece of equipment when amps are not possible for whatever reason.

headphone level, yes. you have to control the aux level at the device though, i.e. plug in your phone, play iRB, adjust phone volume and match the bass volume with the volume control of the preamp.

 

[D Garr]

Do we really need another 15 button preamp for upright? NO!! Just more of the same

 

[ScotJam Bassie]

Do we really need another 15 button preamp for upright? NO!! Just more of the same

But we likes all the buttons, switches and knobs! We wants more!

 

[Zbysek]

Do we really need another 15 button preamp for upright?

I don't use the word "need" in connection with music equipment. I use the word "want" instead...