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Mesa Subway Bass DI-Preamp

#262
agedhorse said:
I should note that without a doubt the box would have to get a bit bigger to fit the added controls (and circuitry).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that will be as determinative as the price point. The mass appeal is there. or will be. It ought to have mass access. HPF's will start showing up on everything and that appeal will get taken out from underneath you.. You'll still have a tier one piece it'll just be small market in a small market.

and always keep in mind that I am the guy who once said, "Nobody in their right mind is going to want to walk around with a telephone stuck up their *** every where they go"
 
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#265
Ok, I'll bite.

Can you guys discuss which features you would consider most and least important IF there was to be a plus style DI?
 
#267
agedhorse said:
Ok, I'll bite.

Can you guys discuss which features you would consider most and least important IF there was to be a plus style DI?
Click to expand...

Variable HPF is really the only thing I would upgrade for. I don't really need variable mids, headphone jack, or aux in on the pedal. I'd rather have the small size. For me it's already big enough.

Tuner out..well last week I would have said heck yes to this because I like my tuner on all the time. But TC just came out with the Polytune 3 which has an always on function so it's not really needed for me, as I'll be getting that tuner.

Mute output jack for connecting a footswitch would be handy if it doesn't add to the size.
 
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#268
agedhorse said:
Ok, I'll bite.

Can you guys discuss which features you would consider most and least important IF there was to be a plus style DI?
Click to expand...
In order of priority for me (shooting for max functionality with minimal/reasonable size): Variable HPF, semi-parametric mids, mute button/switch, bright switch.

The HPF is pretty much a gotta have to get me interested at all. Perhaps the bright switch or some new "upper frequency enhancing circuit" could substitute for the semi-parametric mid EQ. I actually like the synergy of the EQ points you have now with the voicing control - I suspect it would be easy to upset that balance, so "be careful what you ask for" I guess. I'm a huge fan of mute controls as much for convenience as safety when things suddenly go wrong in a high volume sort of way.
 
#270
For me the variable hi pass is the big one as well. I think the sweepable mid controls are next. I don't see the headphone jack and aux in as important. I don't think I've ever used those on any amp that has them.

One thing thats not on the amp that would interest me is a switch to change the input impedance to something like 10Meg Ohm so that I could use it with really picky Upright Bass pickups.

And yes, if this were to happen in any form that includes the variable hi pass, I would be calling my sweetwater rep for a preorder immediately.
 
#271
A swiss army knife DI can be handy. But how would it sound?

Too many features in a product can be a problem. It isn't just about cost, there are technical issues to overcome. Simplicity in the signal path can be important if you don't want to corrupt the sound. Everything in the signal path has the potential of adding noise and this presents design challenges. There's never a free lunch.





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#272
The aux in and headphone jack may not be necessities, but it would make the DI a very convenient, compact practice tool. To be able to jam along with an mp3 player at 3am without bothering anyone is awesome. Plus it would make it more competitive with other Di's that have these features.
 
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#277
mikeGJ said:
Maybe you could add a robust, nominally 800 Watt, power amp to the output selections?
Click to expand...

And some extra LEDs and a fan and a set of Speakons and bring it all home under 6 pounds and $700. :)

Did I mention how well the original EQ/DI box cleans up a woolly bass or heightens a springy one as your round-wounds lose their zing? I guess I'd have to use an LPF to know why it's so desired. I play very loud or quiet but the bass is always clearly audible, whatever I'm going for. I suppose I'm trying to say that I like the current one just fine.
 
#278
agedhorse said:
Ok, I'll bite.

Can you guys discuss which features you would consider most and least important IF there was to be a plus style DI?
Click to expand...

That is super easy. The voicing , and here's why: When you are interacting with a stack of PA and a FOH send, that stack has soooo much more of everything than a bass cabinet does, things happen FAST relative to knob twisting. As you have pointed out, there is a LOT going on with that knob and with a PA, it's just too much, too fast. Even with my fearless cab the difference between zero and nine o'clock is the difference between nothing and, "Ok, that's way too much now". I had a marvelous time playing with it on top of my Berg 322 box. It was useful all the way to about three o'clock. You can pretty much get where the voicing will take you with out it, it's just slower. That's fine for a floor piece. The voicing is nice if it's on an amp where you'll turn around and grab a tweak on the fly. Plus, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a voicing knob. Yours is better than most but, I've had something along those lines on every front end I've had for a loooong time. The person looking at that as a purchase probably has as well.

You could lose the switches as well. Nobody is ever going to hit that bass boost if they are plugged into subs. Not more than once anyway. You won't need that high boost either
 
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#279
Steve said:
That is super easy. The voicing , and here's why: When you are interacting with a stack of PA and a FOH send, that stack has soooo much more of everything than a bass cabinet does, things happen FAST relative to knob twisting. As you have pointed out, there is a LOT going on with that knob and with a PA, it's just too much, too fast. Even with my fearless cab the difference between zero and nine o'clock is the difference between nothing and, "Ok, that's way too much now". I had a marvelous time playing with it on top of my Berg 322 box. It was useful all the way to about three o'clock...
Click to expand...
So, nothing a nice little 10-turn pot couldn't take care of..................... :D
 
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