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Is there a pedal equivalent to Avalons U5 preamp?

M

mattieb

Guest
Jun 17, 2014
7
2
35
#1
As above, I love the sound of the U5 on tone 2/3 into my LB30 but it's another bit of reasonably fragile kit to carry to gigs. Having something that sounded similar at the end of my pedalboard chain would be infinitely more convenient. What's out there?
 
#2
While I don't know a specific unit to recommend, You're basically looking for three things:
1) Extremely high headroom, probably not 9V powered.
2) The ability to scoop the mids centered around 1KHz either deeply (Avalon Tone 2) or shallowly (3).
3) Extremely clean tone, no amp sim, tube sim, or other voicing.
 
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#4
The newer Zoom series pedals all have a U5 preamp simulation that is close enough for live work....the ms60b and B3 do for sure, and I think even the B1on has it.

They all have the eq curve adjustments, etc. that the real Avalon U5 does...plus you can add other effects.
 
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#5
Interesting.. I would never have thought about the zoom option!

I was doing some research too and I think a JHS colour box may be in a similar vain of no tube simulation etc, it's quite pricy though... I'm wondering would a preamp like a Tonehammer pedal with a full EQ do the job? Or possibly a Broke Dick Peanut Gallery as I've heard great reports about them too, it may be to dirty though...
 
#6
mattieb said:
Interesting.. I would never have thought about the zoom option!

I was doing some research too and I think a JHS colour box may be in a similar vain of no tube simulation etc, it's quite pricy though... I'm wondering would a preamp like a Tonehammer pedal with a full EQ do the job? Or possibly a Broke Dick Peanut Gallery as I've heard great reports about them too, it may be to dirty though...
Click to expand...

It has recently come to my attention that the WayHuge Pork Loin's preamp circuit is the same as the front end circuit of a Neve 1073 unit. And, JohnK has started a thread about a mod to the pork loin that fixes the muddiness issue. Maybe that coupled with an eq would be easier to carry around.
 
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#7
mattieb said:
Interesting.. I would never have thought about the zoom option!

I was doing some research too and I think a JHS colour box may be in a similar vain of no tube simulation etc, it's quite pricy though... I'm wondering would a preamp like a Tonehammer pedal with a full EQ do the job? Or possibly a Broke Dick Peanut Gallery as I've heard great reports about them too, it may be to dirty though...
Click to expand...

The u5 sim in the Zoom sounds surprisingly nice. I use it (ms60b) to warm up my vt bass pedal a bit. It used to be my main tone until recently, when another member posted another setting that I like even better.
A B3 or ms60b would be a great option for your situation, in my opinion. Even if you didn't like the u5 sim, there are dozens of other preamps and amp sims, not to mention eq and other effects. You'll likely find something in there that suits you.
 
#9
bongomania said:
While I don't know a specific unit to recommend, You're basically looking for three things:
1) Extremely high headroom, probably not 9V powered.
2) The ability to scoop the mids centered around 1KHz either deeply (Avalon Tone 2) or shallowly (3).
3) Extremely clean tone, no amp sim, tube sim, or other voicing.
Click to expand...

3Leaf Enabler definitely nails two out of those three
 
#13
I've been toying with this idea recently. I currently have a Line 6 M5 and an MXR Analog Chorus pedal in my rig and the thought of replacing both with a B3, running it in the loop of my amp with the U5 model in there too - would this allow me to have the sound of my amps pre section, the U5 sim and all my pedals to be fed out to the desk by the DI on the B3?
 
#14
The Zoom MS-60B is a nice unit to have in any case. It can simulate the "studio environment" of a DBX 160+Avalon U5 for live use. Can be your "Fly Rig" (four simultaneous effects and sims) when baggage weight and size is a thing. Can be your amp simulation unit for "in-ear" systems that can be somewhat sterile for bass. And for the price, it can also be your "other pedal" instead of having a weird unit that you use for one song in the entire gig. It's not exactly U5 quality, but can be close enough where it matters.
 

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