EQ + Compressor = Preamp ?

[patallirosawada]

I've been playing bass for a few years but I did not really like using the pedals until now. I recently bought a graphic EQ and a compressor. Some of my friends told me to get a preamp but I do not know whether I need it or not since I think that the EQ pedal and the compressor together can do the job of a preamp. Is this right or wrong ? Should I use EQ,compressor and preamp together or should I have any other setup?
P/s : i am not a fan of effects so I go with the EQ,compressor and the preamp only.

I am currently using a Boss GEB 7 equalizer and a Digitech Bass Squeeze Dual Band Compressor. My bass is Fender Standard Jazz Bass MIM 2002.
I am thinking of buying a EDEN WTDI or a HARTKE BASS ATTACK but I still do not know whether I need them or not. All I want is to achieve a stable sound (which I think I can achieve with the compressor) and good tone ( so I use the EQ ).
I gig at different places, some places have good bass amp while in some other places, I have to plug the bass right into the mixer.... That is why I wonder if I need a DI/Preamp or not since I think the compressor and the EQ together can achieve what a DI/Preamp can do.

 

[fnordlyone]

There are many experts on TB that are happy to share information. But you need to provide more information: like what is your rig made of? What sound are you looking for? What Bass (active or passive); which amp head/combo/cabs; which EQ pedal, etc.

welcome to talkbass,
fnord!

 

[mmbongo]

Yeah it all depends on what you want. One thing a preamp like the MXR M81 can give you that you don't have is a direct out and a mid shift EQ. A Darkglass B7K will give you some dirt options along with more EQ options. Just depends on what you need.

 

[LowEndWooly]

I have a 3leaf audio enabler pre (has a nice DI) that I run into a power amp.. I have an Empress ParaEQ with it, which is nice because you can adjust frequencies on each band and set the Q. You likely already have a preamp that you're using, you just don't realize it.. if your using a standard amp head (or combo amp), there is a built in pre, and/or if you have an active bass, there is an onboard preamp, as well. You don't NEED to get one, but they add colour, or tone, or whatever other word you want to throw in. Buy used on here and if you don't like it, sell it back on here.. I've been doing that for a while and have loved experimenting with all the different gear that's available, especially the boutique stuff.

 

[patallirosawada]

Thank you all for the replies. I am currently using a Boss GEB 7 equalizer and a Digitech Bass Squeeze Dual Band Compressor. My bass is Fender Standard Jazz Bass MIM 2002
I am thinking of buying a EDEN WTDI or a HARTKE BASS ATTACK but I still do not know whether I need them or not. All I want is to achieve a stable sound (which I think I can achieve with the compressor) and good tone ( so I use the EQ ).
I gig at different places, some places have good bass amp while in some other places, I have to plug the bass right into the mixer.... That is why I wonder if I need a DI/Preamp or not since I think the compressor and the EQ together can achieve what a DI/Preamp can do.

 

[jking138]

A preamp is basically an amps tone shaping section, already achieved by the Boss EQ, but some have overdrive/distortion circuits as well, ie MXR DI+ and sansamp. But as some others have said, Preamps have a XLR DI out. With this you can run straight to the front of house with the DI and just use the amps as monitors. Meaning you will get a consistent sound live and you will be able to achieve what you want/make changes easily.

 

[Need Gigs]

I gig at different places, some places have good bass amp while in some other places, I have to plug the bass right into the mixer.... That is why I wonder if I need a DI/Preamp or not since I think the compressor and the EQ together can achieve what a DI/Preamp can do.

Well, if your bass amp has an output labeled "Line out" or "XLR" then you already have a DI built into your amp. If you're relying on supplied amps then a DI is a wonderful thing to have.

 

[GMC]

Some people like a pre-amp stopbox which is placed in the send / return loop of their amp. It's used to cleanly boost gain and offer tonal control, bass / treble / mids plus mid sweep. This is pretty much the same electronics available from most modern bass guitar electronics these days. So most G&L, Lakland, MTD or any Bartolini fitted bass tends to have these controls.
What the off board pre-amp offers is a range of control regardless of what bass you are using. So these days, I am moving away from axe equipped tone controls and using the one on my pedal board more. Every bass I play has different tone controls and different output levels. So I plug my bass into a pre amp and get what I'm looking for. As I'm tweeking my effects, I'll drive it from my pre-amp witht he gain / Bass /Mid /Treble options.

the Sansamp and MXR DI are more coloured with a pre-set tone built into them for a certain sound. Nice, coloured but not neutral.

My first stomper is a pre-amp and then a compressor.

 

[Big Benner]

I'm using my EB Music Man 5string with active 3band EQ preamp into a Boss LMB3 limiter (compressor) straight into the power amp in on an Ampeg 3Pro into a Traynor 2x10NEO and I've never sounded better.

I ad a touch of bass boost on the bass, a small amount of levelling out from the Boss LMB3 and use it's Level control to adjust volume (usually in the 11o'clock position).