I'm at a crossroads: either I buy a Headway EDB2 VAP preamp again, which was stolen from me some time ago, and use it live with Realist Lifeline pickups and an Oktava MK012 microphone; or I switch to the Tonedexter and no longer carry a microphone on stage. Ideas? Suggestions?
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Double Bass Headway EDB-2 VAP or Tonedexter?
- Thread starter tito mangialajo
- Start date
I say go with the ToneDexter II. I’ve never used the EDB2 VAP, but i did own the EDB2 HE for a few years. It (the HE) is a fantastic preamp, and i have to not recommend it. Ultimately, the TD is just more full proof and easier to use on the gig, and it brings loads of added functionality to the show.
Thanks. Can you say to me what are the added functionality to the show? It's also eventually possible using the TDII without the wavemap but only as a simple preamp? (I.E. hiZ input, eq...)
The EDB-VAP is a EDB-2 H.E with a tube added for additional “warmth”. I am very familiar with the EDB-2 H.E. and it’s a great tone shaping all in one preamp.. I’m sure the Tone Dexter is a great box as well that said I prefer analog preamp’s. The RedEye Twin is the perfect combination with my bass, Ehrlund Pickup, and the GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic that we both own.
Thanks Ric. I'm looking for a preamplifier to take with me, when I can't bring my GR amplifier, to pair with an amplified speaker provided by the PA. So I'm trying to figure out whether to go back to a Headway or switch to the Tonedexter
Not sure how much of this applies to your situation, but here are the added features/ benefits:
1) Tuner/mute foot switch
2) Boost foot switch (can also be used to turn the reverb on/off).
3) Reverb effect.
4) Compressor effect — this has been executed excellently IMO and is probably comparable to some rather nice stand alone pedals in the $200-$300 range.
5)
To answer your question about the wave map, yes, you can use it with no wavemap. That’s what i do with my bass guitar memory slot—only the compressor and EQ (and maybe a little reverb if i feel like it). If you really want to, you can forego the wavemap and use it to blend a mic and pickup (or two pickups).
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"If you really want to, you can forego the wavemap and use it to blend a mic and pickup (or two pickups)." That's interesting...
…not to mention the looping function that allows you hear how your bass sounds through your amp out in the room! Once you make some wavemaps and figure out how to blend them with your pickup (in my case 50/50 with “saturation” control at 70-75%) you’ll never miss any standard preamp!
I like the Headway products, despite the cramped user interface. I happen to use electrostatic pickups that require 9 - 11v phantom power on the 1/4 jacks and I also use other contact mics for sound design work and they all require power. Yeah the Schertler Sta-B comes with a preamp to supply the power and gain but the one on the Headways seem to work better than what Schertler provides
The Headway also has phase control if you use a mic , It also has a notch filter. I love how the mixed channels sound and I have found the sweet spot for bowing and plucking. Dexter seem to use some tricks to make the piezo sound like a mic. Sometimes, I like the tone and response of a piezo though, even though it is not MBOL.
I also run effects with my bass (experimental band) and when I say effects, it is not just a compressor or slight reverb. Full on craziness (synth, envelope filters, drives, bit crusher). The Headway is great for this as it has FX loop and their op amps are robust. Full analog signal path
The Headway also has phase control if you use a mic , It also has a notch filter. I love how the mixed channels sound and I have found the sweet spot for bowing and plucking. Dexter seem to use some tricks to make the piezo sound like a mic. Sometimes, I like the tone and response of a piezo though, even though it is not MBOL.
I also run effects with my bass (experimental band) and when I say effects, it is not just a compressor or slight reverb. Full on craziness (synth, envelope filters, drives, bit crusher). The Headway is great for this as it has FX loop and their op amps are robust. Full analog signal path
The ToneDexter has 9v power available on the stereo aux inputs. It also has phase switching on the inputs as well as the output.
I never minded the small knobs on the EDB. I loved the size, weight, and battery life of the H.E. (not what OP asked about, the VAP is much bigger I know). I guess the big advantage of the Headway is all physical knobs, no menu or screen.
Here’s the TD on my pedalboard for doubling. I’ve got everything on rechargeable battery packs at the moment.
I never minded the small knobs on the EDB. I loved the size, weight, and battery life of the H.E. (not what OP asked about, the VAP is much bigger I know). I guess the big advantage of the Headway is all physical knobs, no menu or screen.
Here’s the TD on my pedalboard for doubling. I’ve got everything on rechargeable battery packs at the moment.
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Just noticed this typo. I meant to say “hate to not recommend it,” which is a different meaning. The iPhone auto(in)correct is truly terrible.
I’ve used the Headway EDB-2 H.E. with a QSC K 8 very successfully. Personally, the EDB-VAP isn’t something I need as I own a Grace Felix. I find the portability of the Headway EDB-2 H.E. Is its advantage. I haven’t needed or wanted to explore the Tone Dexter because the Remic D5400 and D5400LB or the Ehrlund EAP/RedEyeTwin combo will get me the sound into the GR AT Cube Acoustic or any other amp I chose to use.
...off topic: Ric, wich is best for live use: RemicD5400 or D5400LB? Differences?I’ve used the Headway EDB-2 H.E. with a QSC K 8 very successfully. Personally, the EDB-VAP isn’t something I need as I own a Grace Felix. I find the portability of the Headway EDB-2 H.E. Is its advantage. I haven’t needed or wanted to explore the Tone Dexter because the Remic D5400 and D5400LB or the Ehrlund EAP/RedEyeTwin combo will get me the sound into the GR AT Cube Acoustic or any other amp I chose to use.
The VAP needs to be plugged for the tubes to work, otherwise on batteries it will only use the analog op amps. You can of course get a battery pack and power it, but if it runs on the 9V batteries it will not turn on the tubes. The other main feature of the VAP is it will take 2 XLR in thus 2 48v Phantom power and now 2 XLR outs. In the past one XLR out with a mix or just one channel. Line out is still mix and mono. It has 2 FX loops for each channel. Channel 2 is a TRS.
Again on the tubes, it is post EQ, post gain stage, so it will not sound like a pre gain stage. It is nice to have but I am not crazy about it and honestly I was disappointed where it sits on the signal flow. The HE system can sound brittle and the tubes can soften that up, so I'll give them that. So what I am saying is that unless you need 2 XLR outs or 2 fx sends then I would get the EBD2 - HE
You do not want to use the Remic D5400 live. I cannot even use it with the studio monitors close by, you want to be on the other side of the glass or use headphones, it feedbacks like crazy but it is a really good mic and can solve placement problems and also you can move the bass around which you probably have to do to switch between arco and pizz or if you are reaching out towards high notes.
The LB (green) has a weird voicing, too thumpy and it's better to use other mics, My ATM-350 is even better. There are many options. Ask Rick Wolf and it looks like he is selling a few of his mics.
Again on the tubes, it is post EQ, post gain stage, so it will not sound like a pre gain stage. It is nice to have but I am not crazy about it and honestly I was disappointed where it sits on the signal flow. The HE system can sound brittle and the tubes can soften that up, so I'll give them that. So what I am saying is that unless you need 2 XLR outs or 2 fx sends then I would get the EBD2 - HE
You do not want to use the Remic D5400 live. I cannot even use it with the studio monitors close by, you want to be on the other side of the glass or use headphones, it feedbacks like crazy but it is a really good mic and can solve placement problems and also you can move the bass around which you probably have to do to switch between arco and pizz or if you are reaching out towards high notes.
The LB (green) has a weird voicing, too thumpy and it's better to use other mics, My ATM-350 is even better. There are many options. Ask Rick Wolf and it looks like he is selling a few of his mics.
I like to have 2 separate XLR outs, on for mic and the other for pick-up. For me it's better if the FOH man has two separate signals. I know that Grace Felix has, but is too much expensive. EDB-2 VAP has it too and I understand, after this post, that Donedexter has it too.
Earl
Supporting Member
EDIT it looks like you are talking about the second version, Apologies. Where is the phantom power applied ring / tip or is it switchable. How does it handle impedance, it it switchable -- if it is an aux in, it should be set to line level, does it switch that too when phantom is in. Seems like an accident waiting to happen if you forgot to turn it off.
You just need to make sure that the new version has the correct impedance and importantly know where the voltage is applied, tip or ring. StatB is at the tip.
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Okay sounds good, I did not know what the Tone Dexter has 2 XLRS even the newest version on their site shows only 1 XLR out. If there is FOH and they put a mic on me, 99% of the time, they will frown on me using a box to EQ their mic. Since I know how my clip-on behaves, I'd like to EQ that along with the piezo -- because there are some adjustments that I'd make, so I give them always a mix. I have both actually 3 versions of the EBD and the 2nd one sees a lot of gigs.
That’s a lot of questions. I suggest reading the user guide.
There is definitely only one XLR out on the ToneDexter II. There are lots of options for routing, both stereo and mono. There are also lots of options for what gets routed to the FX out, the aux/headphones out, and the main output.
The “stereo/aux in” is actually designed to work with piezo pickups as well as other sources. 1meg impedance, switchable 9v phantom power is applied to the ring.
There is definitely only one XLR out on the ToneDexter II. There are lots of options for routing, both stereo and mono. There are also lots of options for what gets routed to the FX out, the aux/headphones out, and the main output.
The “stereo/aux in” is actually designed to work with piezo pickups as well as other sources. 1meg impedance, switchable 9v phantom power is applied to the ring.
Not my experience at all, with my bass, a Remic D5400LB and, either the Headway EDB-2 H.E. , Grace Designs Felix, or the GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic. I've not had any thumpy sound at all through many different FOH Systems, larger outdoor festival, smaller clubs, the Sheldon Auditorium, ect. Probably a difference between basses, hard to say, but it's been exceptional for any system I choose to put it through. Years ago, I had the ATM 35 on my bass it just didn't sound that great. Just my take however. Different basses can yield drastically different results. For my money, on my Mirecourt Frence 5/8th's bass you cannot beat the Remic D5400LB unless I'm forced to go to a Pickups, because of volume concerns. Now that's a horse of a different color.
P.S. Remic had a D540 ( White) that didn't have a internal windscreen, it's been discontinued for a good while.
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