HX stomp + what bass DI?

[jakobrojs1]

Hi all,

This is my first time posting on here so I hope I'm not in the wrong place or asking a dumb question. Anyways... I am building a MINI pedalboard around the HX stomp. It really is meant to be just two pedals: the stomp and a preamp DI so I can go direct out and gig amp free.

My question is: What preamp/ DI pedal do you recommend for such a setup? I am planning on using the HX stomp for compression and any effects including drive while keeping the preamp/DI practically clean. Using it to amplify/saturate my signal (excuse me if my terminology is wrong) coming from the stomp and sometimes tweaking it based on the preset to give it a bit more punch/warmth/drive etc. BUT the goal is for the preamp/DI to stay relatively untouched (although still have room for tweaking), allowing me to seamlessly switch between tones/sounds (mid gig) just by scrolling through my presets on the HX stomp.
I think an obvious/most popular answer would be something like the JF capo, the bassrig supervintage or the Darkglass ultra. But those are all 500eur ballpark pedals and
1) I am not even sure if I need all of the features on those pedals
2) I wonder if there's any cheaper alternatives that do basically the same thing just as well (maybe something like the MXR bass DI+ ?)

I'd be happy if anyone could tell me, based on my description, what I actually need from a preamp/DI pedal and give me a recommendation based on that. It's fine if you just say stick to the capo or the supervintage, I'll save up for it eventually haha.

ALSO I've seen some people running HX setups with external compressors... Is that just a personal preference or does anyone find any really convincing benefit in that?

 

[Jack]

... the Stomp can put out a balanced line level signal, so you could just use a TRS to XLR cable without issue...

It's the 'without issue' part that causes the issue though.

I nearly always ran mine that way because you are right. Until you aren't. The stomp doesn't have a ground lift or any other way to isolate so that can be a problem. If we ever worked with an external soundman or pa system then I always used a separate DI anyway to protect my stomp from phantom power (and to not have to convince the sound person that the trs outputs really are balanced).

It was the LBP Inc. DI or the Radial stagebug for me when I had to. But 95% of the time I didn't have to.

 

[DJmtd]

It's the 'without issue' part that causes the issue though.

I nearly always ran mine that way because you are right. Until you aren't. The stomp doesn't have a ground lift or any other way to isolate so that can be a problem. If we ever worked with an external soundman or pa system then I always used a separate DI anyway to protect my stomp from phantom power (and to not have to convince the sound person that the trs outputs really are balanced).

It was the LBP Inc. DI or the Radial stagebug for me when I had to. But 95% of the time I didn't have to.

Yeah that's why I never went that route and just grabbed an ice cube when I wanted to try the most 'direct' possible. Just having a ground lift alone makes it worth the price of admission.

 

[pn_day]

I used to run my Stomp into a passive DI (with galvanic isolation) to stop the possibility of phantom power hitting the Stomp.
I recently moved to using a JHS Colour Box v2 as it sounds better (let the flaming commence!) and also gives quick & easy controls to tweak EQ on the fly.
Your mileage might vary.
You need to buy N+1 more pedals to know for sure...
Phil

 

[Dark Horse]

Acme Audio Motown DI

You’re welcome.