How useful is a DI/Preamp pedal?

[Odinbass]

My preamp DI is the centerpiece of my sound and I use it for everything.

-In ears only gigs? I got my tone in a box.
-Rented/borrowed amp? I got my tone.
-Going direct in the studio? Good to go!
-Even using my own amp, the tone is in the pedal mostly.

Right now I use the Darkglass B7k Ultra. Love it and will probably stick with it.

However I've also used the trusty old Sansamp, the Aguilar Tone Hammer, EBS Microbass II, and GK Plex.

Amps are great and fun but for me, I really like having my sound in a convienient little box. It can go anywhere and be plugged into any situation.

 

[Mili]

Most important application for me is tone shaping+having the color of X brand. The other important application is sending a decent signal to DAW or Mixer.... I love these two pedals.

 

[nilorius]

My preamp is active in my bass.

 

[Skullheadrac]

I think for the $$ it's a great investment. Can't go wrong with the sansamp bass driver. I've recorded the vast majority of my music using only that for bass. Most of the time, i take that to rehearsal instead of my amp head.
Also, i fly to most of the gigs i play, so it's a no brainer for that reason.

But if you don't NEED it, i would still consider it just for the sole fact of the price point vs buying another amp head.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

My 2-tube Noble preamp/DI plugged directly into a powered cab or PA is simple to use, and always sounds great! Even if I have a regular integrated amp, I just plug this into the FX Return for uniform, superb tone.

 

[patrickj]

I use a Behringer BDI21 as a DI into a Behringer MIC100 as a preamp into a Behringer inuke 3000 as a power amp.

My tone is always with me regardless of backline.

 

[wideload]

I had been using a Countryman 85 DI, and it worked fine. I changed to a VTDI so I could get a less sterile PA tone, and it seems to be helping. And my amp sounds better, too (using the poweramp in plug)!

 

[GwenOnBass]

It's the VT Bass Deluxe that goes in my gig bag. It means I know pretty well what I will hear respective of the backline, and the DI gets me right on the board. Means I can go ampless for many situations.

 

[Dbassmon]

Plus one on the tech 21 sans amp deluxe! Do you want to improve your Bass tone? This is a piece equipment your must own.

 

[seanm]

A preamp pedal, or a DI, is good insurance in case your amp dies at a gig. I always carry one even though, knock on wood, I have never needed to use it.

 

[TNCreature]

The SansAmp is the key to my sound

 

[TNCreature]

My 2-tube Noble preamp/DI plugged directly into a powered cab or PA is simple to use, and always sounds great! Even if I have a regular integrated amp, I just plug this into the FX Return for uniform, superb tone.

View attachment 3118643

How do you control your volume level?
I would love to try this, but doesn't this bypass your amp's volume knob?
I would love more control than just setting my SansAmp's (programmable) volume.
Any best practices for this?

 

[MDBass]

As silly as this question sounds, I have never felt a super compelling need to have one of these, but a lot of people seem to like them. Perhaps I am missing something. Post in thread, whats your favorite DI/Premap? What do you use it for?

Very.

It means I can play any gig, anywhere, with any backline, and still get the sounds I'm looking for and know exactly what is being sent to the FOH.

 

[MDBass]

How do you control your volume level?
I would love to try this, but doesn't this bypass your amp's volume knob?
I would love more control than just setting my SansAmp's (programmable) volume.
Any best practices for this?

Plugging into the FX return only bypasses the amp's pre-amp section, not the power section

 

[TNCreature]

Plugging into the FX return only bypasses the amp's pre-amp section, not the power section

Oh, what a relief. I read on another forum what the only thing that will work on the amp is the power button.
Which is potentially scary.
Thanks!

 

[Kro]

Oh, what a relief. I read on another forum what the only thing that will work on the amp is the power button.
Which is potentially scary.
Thanks!

Depends on the amp. More often than not, I'd expect that if the amp has a master volume on it, it'd still function.

For those that don't have a master volume, or those that might have an unusual design, that might not be the case.

 

[mark beem]

A DI / Preamp pedal is a must-have for me due to limited stage sizes where my band sometimes plays. Or if work prohibits me from getting to a venue early enough to use a full amp setup. My go to is my Aguilar Tone Hammer

 

[MyMusic]

I use my Mesa Subway Preamp/DI for tone management with my Carvin heads and also to go into a PA if necessary. I'm sure I'll find other uses for it as time goes by.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

How do you control your volume level?
I would love to try this, but doesn't this bypass your amp's volume knob?
I would love more control than just setting my SansAmp's (programmable) volume.
Any best practices for this?

There are several volume controls in the chain so you need to pay attention and balance them appropriately.

The active bass has volume control, which feeds into the preamp (that also has a volume control), which feeds into the powered cabinet (that also has a volume control).

If you are sending the preamp signal into an FX return, it bypasses the integrated amp's preamp but you still have use of the amp's main volume knob.

 

[ThisBass]

I use a Behringer BDI21 as a DI into a Behringer MIC100 as a preamp into a Behringer inuke 3000 as a power amp.

My tone is always with me regardless of backline.

View attachment 3118646

Sorry but, I can't recognize the SVT blueline
Just a little bit joking