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Empress ParaEQ Bass!?
- Thread starter chiphaleonbass
- Start date
In a way, it does have a DI out. It can send out a balanced output which you could send to a mixing desk, PA, etc. The only caveat is that the balanced signal is not attenuated to mic level (~ -60 dBV). It remains at instrument level (~ -25 dBV). So if you are sending the output to a mic preamp with low headroom, it's possible you might clip that input gain stage. There is only so much we could cram into such a tiny box.
The output can be TS, TRS, and we sell a TRS to XLR adapter if needed.
@LakeEffect it’s hard to say for sure, without knowing exactly what you’re doing to reduce hiss/noise and other top end EQ adjustments, but aside from specific adjustments above 10k with the parametric highs I think you’re in the clear. The LPF and High Shelf can do everything the mkii deluxe can.
Thanks tidbits. You put into some words some things I was wondering. It seems like this Bass EQ has an incredible feature set that could DEFINITELY be worth the upgrade for the vast majority of players (it may still be based on the added functionality for me, too). But it's helpful to hear a few thoughts on whether one is better or worse for this very specific application. Thanks!
The TRS out is balanced like a DI, but I think he’s after the common DI level and impedance output characteristics which this does not have. The level can be adjusted but the impedance cannot. I’ve never had an impedance issue, but I assume some have.
The output impedance of most contemporary guitar pedals is low. The Bass ParaEq output impedance is 100Ω, and (for example) the Radial JDI output impedance is 150Ω.
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I think people took my message wrong.,, I understand what the pedal does and doesn't do. I understand what TRS TS cables etc. Just having an XLR out would've been ideal for me... I ordered my pedal before I posted, so I'm committed to it!
I find this approach interesting. No dirt at all? Just EQ, compression, and a clean DI? I’ve always been a compressor into sansamp bass driver/para driver kinda guy.
Yeah, I have never really liked/used a dirty tone. While the REDDI is a pretty clean DI, it had such a great sound I didn't really miss any drive or dirt.
Interesting. I’m no expert in this area but I’ve recently poked around for information out of curiosity about what separates a DI from Balanced Out from Line Out, and a few other terms that often get used interchangeably online. I often see specs stating a “DI” is close to 600 Ohms, which is what other Radial DI boxes are listed as on their website. I’m not trying to be argumentative, I’m just out of my depth and stating what I’ve read and hoping to add a wrinkle or two to my brain.
I never use dirt except as an occasional effect for a particular sound on a particular song. 98 times out of 100 I turn it off as quickly as I turned it on. It can be useful and certainly has a place, but usually not with me. Different strokes!
At that time I was using no effects at all. I went to a Stomp because the church I play at did, and it sounded OK, and I thought I wanted to lighten my rig a little, and I ended up with one as well. It sounds good. I did an A/B one night between sets with the Stomp and my analog rig and no one really commented at all. I thought why am I hauling that big, heavy REDDI around. Well, because that big, heavy REDDI sounded fantastic. I have a Khan and I use it after my Stomp sometimes, and it sounds good in my IEM's, but I don't know if there's a big difference in FOH.
I have been using the Pitch Shift for about 6 songs. I like not having to bring/change to an Eb bass. I just step on it and I'm good to go. Not sure if I want to give that up.
A dirty little truth that’s hard to reconcile sometimes.
Similarly, if you grew up playing piano you came to enjoy the near field sound and the vibration of the instrument as you played it… but today nearly all audiences enjoy (and cannot distinguish) a good modeled digital piano’s output.
The general rule is that the output impedance should be at least 10 times lower than the input impedance of what you're driving, so as long as what you're driving has a high input impedance, the difference between 100Ω and 600Ω will be negligible. Most non-mic preamps have anywhere between 10kΩ to 2MΩ input impedance. If you are running the output of the Bass ParaEq into a mic pre-amp (typically 1.5kΩ-3kΩ input impedance), you may run into some clipping issues, since they expect lower amplitude signals, though microphones also usually have around 150Ω output impedance, so it shouldn't cause an impedance issue. Of course, there are edge cases and exceptions to everything I just said, but suffice to say, you likely won't experience impedance issues!
I'm not opposed to effects (though I never use any at church, but that's another matter), and I have a bunch of stuff, including a Stomp. I just rarely use any kind of distortion as anything other than an effect. That said, sometimes it's the perfect thing when I'm tracking bass for someone. I fancy myself a "studio guy" and I'm always ready to do whatever makes the track pop.
I’m not sure how much of that will stick over time but thanks for explaining it. I think my general experience has been that I’ve never been concerned with impedance and never had an issue I could identify as impedance-related, so I’m sure you’re absolutely right that I won’t likely experience impedance issues with this (or anything currently in my arsenal).
This looks interesting.
I have the mkii para eq - originally bought it as a standalone solution for amplifying upright - but found it a little more useful on a mini pedal board for my electrics.
The new upright-friendly features plus the purple is excellent. I may have to dust off the Sweetwater card and see if they’re offering any tempting financing deals …
I have the mkii para eq - originally bought it as a standalone solution for amplifying upright - but found it a little more useful on a mini pedal board for my electrics.
The new upright-friendly features plus the purple is excellent. I may have to dust off the Sweetwater card and see if they’re offering any tempting financing deals …
