Double Bass Just got the NEW EDB-2 VAP for testing and review

[rickwolff]

Just got home after driving all day in the motorhome, so I will start fresh tomorrow.

The first test I'm going to do is to set them both flat and compare the sound of my DB'1 Piezo through each of them to see if the new model eliminates 'Piezo Quack'

I'm going to record it both through the amp and speaker and also the DI from the amp. I will try both pizz and arco.

If you have any ideas of what you'd like me to test just let me know.

Thanks

 

[hensonbass]

Holy moly, that thing is huge.

 

[rickwolff]

EDB-2 VAP Recorded Sound Samples.

I used my DNA DB-1 bridge wing pickup and ran that to my A/B switch.

Channel One went directly to the Genzler Acoustic Pro Amp

Channel Two went to the EDB-2 VAP and from there to the Amp

Both channels on the amp were set the same - with just a little low-mid cut around 600hz.

The Pre-amp was set totally flat.

(It's only fair to say that without the pre-amp in the chain I would be making some drastic EQing on the amp to make the piezo sound richer and less strident).

It appears that the EDB-2 VAP is doing that just by virtue of it's Valve (tube) and whatever magic lives in the box.

There is a whole 'swiss army knife' of controls on the pre-amp, but I didn't need or use any of those for this test. I was really interested in hearing the Inherent Tone Quality coming from the pre-amp.

This is your starting point, now you can 'season to taste'.

PS For this recording I simply put my Zoom H6 recorder about a foot in front of the amp.

 

[Ben Rolston]

Interesting! I like the pizz sound more with the VAP, but the arco more with the Genzler (though I dislike the bridge wing pickup sound for acro in general).

 

[statsc]

Not even close! The preamp sound is fuller, warmer, much less nasally for both pizz and arco.

 

[rickwolff]

Not even close! The preamp sound is fuller, warmer, much less nasally for both pizz and arco.

+1

 

[rickwolff]

I'm going into the studio tomorrow to record a demo with a pianist friend of mine. I'm sure the engineer will have plenty of tracks so I'm planning on doing one with the piezo thru the new EDB-2 VAP, one with my Xlson mic, and perhaps one with whatever he chooses to put on the bass. Can't wait.

 

[SamuelHarris]

If I remember the edb2 is quite small, next to that the VAP does look huge but what do you think Rick? Could you maybe take a photo of it by something else to better compare size? Like a micro head or tablet?

 

[rickwolff]

Sound Samples of Epiphone El Capitan through EDB-2 VAP

 

[rickwolff]

If I remember the edb2 is quite small, next to that the VAP does look huge but what do you think Rick? Could you maybe take a photo of it by something else to better compare size? Like a micro head or tablet?

Here you are.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Is the Morley a simple switch for the input to output or does it use electronics an therefor have its own input impedance?

 

[rickwolff]

It's just a simple switch. 9 volt battery just powers the LEDs.

 

[rickwolff]

Took the EDB-2 VAP into the studio today.

I spent a couple of hours in the studio today recording a demo with a piano player friend of mine and a drummer.

We had three microphones and a DB-1 piezo on the bass. I ran the piezo and my Xlson mic through the new preamp. Both sounded great (much better than I would have expected for a piezo - that VAP Pre-amp really has some magic dust).

The engineers at the studio were impressed with the quality of the piezo sound as well (and also with the Xlson).

They also used a Neumann U47 about a foot away from the g side f hole and a beyer up by the fingerboard.

The mix I heard blended all four and it sounded great. I asked the engineer to send me files of all four bass tracks so I can compare them. I will post them if I do, in fact, get them.

When I was leaving the studio they said "You can leave that preamp with us". Well, I didn't. They'll just have to buy one.

 

[rickwolff]

Here is a tune we did today. This is all four sources blended. Hopefully I will get individual bass tracks so I can compare the mics and the piezo.

 

[BobKay]

Sounds great, Ric. Of course, with three mics and a pickup, you would be surprised if it didn't, right?

 

[rickwolff]

The new EDB-2 VAP is on its way to BDowd for testing and review. I look forward to seeing what he has to say.

 

[Michael Drost]

How does one get on the list to demo this unit? Thanks, Rick.

 

[rickwolff]

How does one get on the list to demo this unit? Thanks, Rick.

Pm me your:
Mailing address
Personal email
Cell phone number

Please include statement that you agree to ship it insured to the next tester after a couple weeks, (it will cost about $25) and

Post the results of your test on this thread.

All the best,

Rick

 

[bdowd]

Quoting my post/mini-review of the VAP from the other thread. In short, wow, very nice!!!

I have the demo version of the VAP right now, and wow, it sounds really really good! In comparison to my Headway HE with the VAP I get a smoother midrange (read less piezo honk) but a more thumpy presentation across the fingerboard, with almost the same settings as the HE. The low end seems cleaner somehow. I really like the fully variable hpf, much better than the switches. The layout of the controls is less cramped and more logical than the HE, which is really crowded and tough to figure out on a gig, imo.
Overall it is killer. I am thinking of flipping my HE, it seems like a worthwhile upgrade for me. What is the trade in program???
Here's a look at size comparison between HE and VAP.
View attachment 5218289

 

[bdowd]

I took the VAP out on a loud bar gig last night, performed nicely. Same room I have used the HE version, but I feel like I was able to coax a better tone more easily. Great sound. I'll be scrambling here soon to purchase one of these. Sending off to the next person on the list this week.