Looking for rack preamp/DI for studio.

[James Lugo]

Looking at getting a rack bass preamp/DI for the studio for mostly rock, pop, alt and country. Thoughts? I'm looking at the Geddy Lee Sans Amp. How does it compare to the new RBI? What are you using? For the studio it has to be a rack unit.

 

[DigitalMan]

Of the two, the Geddy IMO has the more useful and flexible tone. The RBI has a very bright and metallic sounding OD. Rush’s Vapor Trails album is the only one that featured the RBI.

Here is a pretty good representation of that tone



The Ged is essentially the RPM plus a second deep channel. Here’s an overdub I did using the 2112. IMO it has a warmer gritty sound

 

[LionOnBass]

I use an Warm Audio 73 clone with eq and very happy with it.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

I don't know your budget, but I'd look for a used Alembic F1-X or Demeter VTBP-201.

Or get a nice mic pre which also has an instrument input, maybe a Warm Audio WA73EQ. Then it can do double duty if you ever want to mic an amp.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Demeter VTBP-201 Tube Bass Preamp rare HTF made in USA | eBay

Alembic F-1X Tube Bass Pre-Amp preamp | eBay

 

[DirkP]

Although you seem to need a kind of overdrive sound, I agree with those, who proposed getting "real" 19" outboard gear like a mic-preamp/DI, a compressor and or an EQ.
I own the Warm Audio WA76 comp (love it), the Warm Audio Pultec Clone (not that impressed), a Klark Teknik LA2A clone (very good), and a Warm Audio Tonebeast as a preamp. The Klark Teknik stuff is incredible good for the money (they offer LA2A, 1176 and Pulteq clones).
Just own the Deluxe Bass DI from Sansamp and I like it, but wouldn't use it for recording like esp. the WA76.

A DI/mic preamp followed by an 1176 to tame some peaks and then into a LA2A is kind of THE classic recording chain for bass.

 

[QweziRider]

Don't know your budget, but I've been happy switching between the UA LA-610 and another combo of the Eden WTPre/Warm Audio WA-2A. Just whichever mood hits me on a given recording. Plus the 610 is great for other micing uses.

 

[And I]

I play(ed) through my guitarist's Alembic F-1X at rehearsals. Quite nice. Would recommend.