How about using the SA Aftershock as a preamp?

[StrivingOn]

Since it has extensive EQ, including hi pass and low pass, and a multitude of drive options, depending on which model you chose, it could be set up like a lot of other front end pedals to be the first in the chain, pre compression (Atlas, in my case). No DI but that’s not always imperative, lots of workarounds for that. Anyone tried this approach?

 

[InkCow]

Since it has extensive EQ, including hi pass and low pass, and a multitude of drive options, depending on which model you chose, it could be set up like a lot of other front end pedals to be the first in the chain, pre compression (Atlas, in my case). No DI but that’s not always imperative, lots of workarounds for that. Anyone tried this approach?

I don’t see why not: I used to use presets for “GK hitting the rails” and a port of Line 6’s “Regal DI” this way in certain situations.

Your biggest issue is you’re limited to 4 knobs: sure they’re configurable, but there are just 4.

 

[onda'bass]

I use an SA EQ2 as a pre amp.

 

[stubbsonic]

Your biggest issue is you’re limited to 4 knobs: sure they’re configurable, but there are just 4.

Only the lower two knobs are configurable. Also, there are only 13 parameters that can be assigned to the knobs; as opposed to the much longer list of parameters that can be controlled via MIDI CC (but that requires a proprietary SA MIDI adapter). Save six presets.

The "Dirty Trinity" (LA Lady, Aftershock, Kingmaker) are the same hardware, and each can be re-configured to "become" one of the others. With the EQ, various drive flavors (and you get two drive engines in series or parallel, etc), flexible routing, and great sound quality, I think it can do what many other pre-amps do, and do it very well. No XLR, so yea, you need a DI.

 

[bassbrad]

Certainly will work, IME most of SA offerings are wonderful multitaskers that can serve multiple choice functions in my mind adding to their value for those willing to dig in and discover. Likely one of the reasons that SA pedals appeal so much to me being a natural human multitasker and bass player.
YMMV.

Aftershock's multiple personality can profile preamps from pristine to ultra crunchy with 4 Band parametric control for taming & shaping and since there are 2 channels you can have one clean and the other as dirty as desired and mix as needed.

The more complex pedals offer even greater opportunity to multitask with units like Spectrum, C4, Ultrawave and Artifakt toolboxes for sonic mayhem.

 

[LowWay]

ultrawave can do everything an aftershock can do and more, including multiband compression. This could be a single pedal replacement for your comp and dirt and be your preamp.

 

[stubbsonic]

The ultrawave is very versatile (I don't have one, but I've seen it in action and looked at the editor). It is a very different animal from the Aftershock (dirty trinity). The UW's multi-band capabilities give more control over the spectrum and drive character. The list of available drive types in the UW are very different from what is offered in the Aftershock, et al.

I don't know if the Ultrawave can do everything the Aftershock can do, but it can do more and different.

 

[Mr. voodoobass]

I don’t see why not. I’ve used the ultrawave as a preamp before with great results. The only problem being to easily tweak on the fly, but once dialed in it’s a great clean or dirty preamp.

 

[StrivingOn]

OP here…I started thinking about using the Aftershock as a preamp/tone shaper After having owned a Darkglass Harmonic something or other and I really like the EQ options and the saturation it provided. Clearly those features are available on the Aftershock, plus it has low pass and high pass filters so I don’t have to buy another pedal for those functions.

 

[bassness]

I use mine for exactly that purpose and have for a while. It's the first pedal in the chain and is always on. It feeds a couple of dirt boxes and then my main preamp, which is a VTBass.

I never cared for the Aftershock as a drive pedal. I did find some low gain sounds that were decent but I could never get anything medium to high gain that I liked.

 

[InkCow]

Only the lower two knobs are configurable. Also, there are only 13 parameters that can be assigned to the knobs; as opposed to the much longer list of parameters that can be controlled via MIDI CC (but that requires a proprietary SA MIDI adapter). Save six presets.

The "Dirty Trinity" (LA Lady, Aftershock, Kingmaker) are the same hardware, and each can be re-configured to "become" one of the others. With the EQ, various drive flavors (and you get two drive engines in series or parallel, etc), flexible routing, and great sound quality, I think it can do what many other pre-amps do, and do it very well. No XLR, so yea, you need a DI.

My point was more that it doesn’t give a whole lot of options to dial in for a room, which is something I don’t really do all that often, but expect of my preamp (versus my drive pedal).

ultrawave can do everything an aftershock can do and more, including multiband compression. This could be a single pedal replacement for your comp and dirt and be your preamp.

Ultrawave’s extra features even more acutely highlight the limitations around the knobs.

Also, it can only do “everything an aftershock can do” with a lot of time and knowledge invested

 

[StrivingOn]

I use mine for exactly that purpose and have for a while. It's the first pedal in the chain and is always on. It feeds a couple of dirt boxes and then my main preamp, which is a VTBass.

I never cared for the Aftershock as a drive pedal. I did find some low gain sounds that were decent but I could never get anything medium to high gain that I liked.

So what are your settings? Are you using a compressor, if so, where in the chain? Low gain is my goal along with flexible EQ and high pass.

 

[bassness]

So what are your settings? Are you using a compressor, if so, where in the chain? Low gain is my goal along with flexible EQ and high pass.

I just published it through the Nero software. It's called Tubey Preamp. I do not use a compressor.