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Fatboy

#21
That clarification helps as I was having trouble understanding how the rear panel's "Wobble" jack would support live preamp usage. Especially since that jack is supposed to disappear in future versions of this device. Some of us seek a single box that simultaneously supports preamp and DI functions (even better, also adding amplification!). It's one thing to carry a bunch of boxes to the studio. It's a pain in the butt to schlep them to gigs. That's why I personally prefer more integration.
 
#22
That's true, but I think the Fatboy is aimed at the pro studio market where higher quality discreet components are favored over 'all-in-one' solutions. That's not to say that the Fatboy isn't at home onstage, but that when a session player wants a di - they want a di. Usually because there are already far superior preamps and eq's at the studio.

I think that designing a front-end for a bass amplification system is a different thought process and has many different design goals. Of course, it's often rewarding to "repurpose" a tool! There's always room for that, too!
 
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#24
For more clarification, the old "Wobble" jack was just a buffered unbalanced output before the output transformer. The final shipping unit has separate Line and Mic Level Balanced outputs on the rear and the Thru is now what the "Wobble" used to be. Normally this is set to instrument level but it can be customized to line level at the customer's request.
 
#29
I have been looking at a competing product, glad I just heard about Fatboy. Still researching as I would like to use it as a live pre and di. Can someone post video of the unit driving a power amp. I hate to ask Mike A. As he already has a million things going on.
 
#30
OK----

I have too much amp gear these days. And money is tight because I'm putting a lot back into the speaker business. So I can't keep everything. So it was between the Sonic Farm and the Fatboy. The SF is a bit more versatile---not as much weight as the Fatboy but still nice.So I was going to send the Fatboy back. I felt that I had to have some outboard eq to use it on gigs. As a live preamp I needed to dial the B string back a bit. I talked to Brett and he suggested that I go inside and remove the pad from the 1/4" thru jack. I did. As a live preamp it has improved a lot. Unbalanced 1/4 to 1/4".It actually has a bit more transparency and the B string tightened up.

I have to keep it. It is one end of the sonic spectrum---but does that better than anything. It is HUGE but never gets muddy. If you're into the biggest, fattest sound---but still incredibly articulate--nothing does better. Not wooly---just huge. If you want a Geddy type sound---that's not what it does. But if you're like me and want the weight of the best R&B and funk sounds but studio fidelity---it kicks butt. I'll just have to figure out finances---I have to keep the Sonic Farm and the Fatboy!
 
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#35
ahc said:
If anyone's using the Fatboy as a preamp with a passive (P or J maybe?) bass I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Just got one second hand from another TBer. Connected the Thru unbalanced line out to the Effects Return of my Eden WT-550 into a pair of Aguilar DB112NTs. Wow.

P bass (Tokai TPB-64, Fender American Standard, G&L LB-100) sounds very fat and punchy; a little less colored and less chorusy than the Eden preamp. Not muddy at all. Slight wool in the higher registers when you dig in. Jazz bass (Fender A series MIJ, Bluesman Vintage with D. Allen pups) is monstrous. Giant low end. A few weird overtones on the treble side if you feed the input too hot, run the gain up, and forget to be polite with your playing. Rolling off tone tames it quite a bit. It just sounds extremely large.

I have yet to record anything because I'm having so much fun playing through the Fatboy in the practice studio. Great sounding and commendably compact piece of gear so far. I like big bass and I cannot lie! :D

image.jpg
 
#37
R&B said:
Just got one second hand from another TBer. Connected the Thru unbalanced line out to the Effects Return of my Eden WT-550 into a pair of Aguilar DB112NTs. Wow.

P bass (Tokai TPB-64, Fender American Standard, G&L LB-100) sounds very fat and punchy; a little less colored and less chorusy than the Eden preamp. Not muddy at all. Slight wool in the higher registers when you dig in. Jazz bass (Fender A series MIJ, Bluesman Vintage with D. Allen pups) is monstrous. Giant low end. A few weird overtones on the treble side if you feed the input too hot, run the gain up, and forget to be polite with your playing. Rolling off tone tames it quite a bit. It just sounds extremely large.

I have yet to record anything because I'm having so much fun playing through the Fatboy in the practice studio. Great sounding and commendably compact piece of gear so far. I like big bass and I cannot lie! :D

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You might try making a 2 conductor shielded cable with a female XLR on one end with pins1/3 tied and a TS with with the hot (pin 2) connected to tip and the neg. (pin 3) connected to the shield but do not connect the shield at the 1/4" TS and take your output from the Fatboy Mic Level output to see if the gain structure and tone is different, especially on the upper registers.
 
#38
Just purchased a Fatboy today. I usually track with two DI’s one for articulation and one for low end. I use both the REDDI and Avalon U5. The REDDI sounds nice and phat and more amp like the U5 is cleaner and more clinical but has great low-end. I am extremely curious how the Fatboy will sound in comparison. This is a new track we are working on. Not professionally mixed or mastered yet but if you can see past this you can hear the REDDI and Avalon on this track.
 

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