Favorite mic preamp for DI bass?

[fokof]

I used either the UA LA610 or Bryston BMP2 for either "Tubey" or Mega clean tone.

I also love the UA Apollo with the Unison pre feature , works really well.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I've just received the Classic DI from Orchid Electronics. It's a cheap alternative to the Radial, and I really like the bass sound.

 

[mistermark311]

Looking to impart a little something extra on the signal, then the UA Solo 610... Want to keep it clean and tidy then the Avalon U5 is a great choice.

-Mark

 

[Deleted member 389437]

Love the SSL AWS 948 pres, aswell as the Neve 1073

 

[KCLRbass]

I posted this (below) earlier in the week in another thread. @NKBassman you definitely won't be sorry if you do a bit of experimentation. You mentioned the Chandler germanium - I love *every* Chandler product I've tried. The Chandler Microphone Cassette is my favourite channel strip other than the Retro in my post below. I use the 6176 on bass from time to time and it's great, too! Oh, and I strongly recommend the 500 series rabbit hole. Tons of amazing options in small packages! Drop me a line if I can be helpful.

I've been obsessed with Retro Instruments over the past few years. The Powerstrip is my go-to for DI bass, vox (VO or singing). I also have 2 channels of the 500PRE into Great River EQs and compressors, which I use all the time. I feel like mic pres are kinda like instruments: different pres for different sounds/applications. Retro just happens to have a super musical, gooey, warm...thing, that really works for me.

I frequently use the RME Fireface 802 as an interface when I'm doing more complex recordings (like this, e.g.) and *completely* understand the value of using super transparent pres. But still, there's a lot of magic in finding the pre that just, I dunno, adds some magic to a track. Even on that recording, the bass, vox, overheads, guitar were all going through preamps with some (or a lot of) color, which ultimately made it easier to get a mix with some interesting life in it.View attachment 5013978

 

[NKBassman]

I posted this (below) earlier in the week in another thread. @NKBassman you definitely won't be sorry if you do a bit of experimentation. You mentioned the Chandler germanium - I love *every* Chandler product I've tried. The Chandler Microphone Cassette is my favourite channel strip other than the Retro in my post below. I use the 6176 on bass from time to time and it's great, too! Oh, and I strongly recommend the 500 series rabbit hole. Tons of amazing options in small packages! Drop me a line if I can be helpful.

Thanks! Bit of a zombie thread that I started 8 years ago, but all good information. Wish I had the money to play in this sandbox these days, but with travelling, a house addition, vet bills, and some extensive covid-related "retail therapy" on bass guitar gear, not much has happened with my home studio in the last 8 years. Still rocking the UA M610 and a Chamelion Labs 7602 MkII, but both are a bit glitchy at the moment and need going over by a good tech. Further, since I updated my MacOS my UA Apollo Twin interface doesn't work anymore either, and I just haven't had the time or the energy to dig into it.

 

[KCLRbass]

Thanks! Bit of a zombie thread that I started 8 years ago

Haha should've paid attention to the date!

 

[NKBassman]

Haha should've paid attention to the date!

heh no worries. I actually had no idea that this was my own thread when I came to check the notification. lol

 

[tylerwylie]

Been loving the Phoenix Audio stuff lately, the DI is very nice on this. Also my Heritage Audio 1073 clone with the EQ.

Went with the Heritage because it's got a higher impedance DI input compared to some of the other 1073 clones. Neve EQ on bass is magic too. Sometimes I'll experiment with multiple channels recorded via DI, with different EQ settings or no EQ at all. Wish I had known how good mic pres sounded for DI over stompboxes and outboard bass preamps.

 

[paskisti]

I tested Sansamp BDDI in dry DI mode with phantom power on against Focusrite 2i2 high Z mode for my passive jazz and did not hear any difference except hint of more low end with Sansamp. Any ideas which should offer more quality recording for audio signal? I don't need colouring as plugin will take care of that.

 

[tylerwylie]

I tested Sansamp BDDI in dry DI mode with phantom power on against Focusrite 2i2 high Z mode for my passive jazz and did not hear any difference except hint of more low end with Sansamp. Any ideas which should offer more quality recording for audio signal? I don't need colouring as plugin will take care of that.

Which gen 2i2? The newer ones have a pretty good hi-Z input from what I hear. I'd probably still go with the Sansamp myself and use the shortest possible instrument cable depending on noise.

 

[paskisti]

Which gen 2i2? The newer ones have a pretty good hi-Z input from what I hear. I'd probably still go with the Sansamp myself and use the shortest possible instrument cable depending on noise.

I was thinking to add that information but forgot, anyway my Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 is gen 3 - the latest one. I also liked using Sansamp but tempted not to use for simplicity. Nothing beats the bass -> cable -> audio interface in terms of set up time and amount of equipment on table.

 

[pbass2]

For crazy good bang for buck, I'd look at Black Lion Audio. In my home studio I currently go JDI>Black Lion Auteur MKII and get excellent results. I recently had to replace bass on some tracks originally recorded with an API, and nobody batted an eye at what I delivered - sounded great in the final mixes. Black Lion also make a Neve and an API clone, one of which I plan to get next. Black Lion Audio – Sound Better. Better Sound.

 

[spantini]

I've had my eye on a FMR RNLA7239 Amp, ain't got it yet but it's on my list. They also have a RNP880 Pre Amp you might be interested in. Lots of connectivity.

FMR Audio - Support

 

[Lovep]

The Black Lion B173 (Neve 1073 clone) has two great DIs.

 

[Deleted member 394512]

My favorites are Real Neve 1073, Quad Eight CA127 amps made into mic pre and DI, Avalon U5, even a Craig Anderton Bass DI project from the 90's.

I tend to favor the use of transformers in my audio chain.

 

[Krisfield]

The BAE 1073 Desktop. Don’t own it but it was recommended to me. Warm Audio do a 1073 clone which is far cheaper.

 

[Danny C]

I'm using the 610 and sometimes Chandler Germanium. Both really good.

 

[midfieldgeneral]

Been loving the Phoenix Audio stuff lately, the DI is very nice on this. Also my Heritage Audio 1073 clone with the EQ.

Went with the Heritage because it's got a higher impedance DI input compared to some of the other 1073 clones. Neve EQ on bass is magic too. Sometimes I'll experiment with multiple channels recorded via DI, with different EQ settings or no EQ at all. Wish I had known how good mic pres sounded for DI over stompboxes and outboard bass preamps.

I'm seeing a couple of ha73 versions. Is the one?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HA73EQ--heritage-audio-ha73eq-elite-mic-preamp-with-eq

 

[tylerwylie]

That's the one. Sounds amazing.