Mesa Subway Bass DI-Preamp

[bucephylus]

Is there a LPF on this unit and if so what frequency is it centered at?

Do you mean HPF?

The answer in either case is no.

But, I will say this regarding the need for HPF. I use Bergantino AE212 cabs; which the one knock against them is that they tend to be a little overbearing in the low end. I actually take that as a good thing, because there are various ways to cut that out as needed. I'd rather cut than have to add. But, that's me. Anyhow, with some amps, I do use an HPF. With this particular preamp, I am not finding the need to use an HPF, due to the flexibility in the voicing controls. FWIW. YMMV.

 

[Lowendtech]

HIGH PASS FILTER While not a visible switch or control, it is an important internal feature in maintaining control over the ex-
treme low end, especially under high drive conditions. This precision 4 pole filter has a turnover frequency that is set at approximately
30Hz with minimal ripple response.

This from the SDI's manual.

Similar to D800 preamp, yes?

 

[godblender]

I did mean Low Pass Filter. I was wondering if, like some other DI boxes, this had a roll off of highs to tame fizzy overdrive/distortion/fuzz for those of us running full-range speaker systems.

 

[Lowendtech]

I did mean Low Pass Filter. I was wondering if, like some other DI boxes, this had a roll off of highs to tame fizzy overdrive/distortion/fuzz for those of us running full-range speaker systems.

I've never read anything anywhere re: an LPF on the D series products.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I did mean Low Pass Filter. I was wondering if, like some other DI boxes, this had a roll off of highs to tame fizzy overdrive/distortion/fuzz for those of us running full-range speaker systems.

Isn't that what tone controls are for? Try rolling of the treble at your bass when using overdrive. Works a treat for me.

 

[Passinwind]

Isn't that what tone controls are for? Try rolling of the treble at your bass when using overdrive. Works a treat for me.

He's referring to something with a variable knee frequency, and often times a steeper slope than standard issue tone controls afford. I'm wondering how come Andy omitted sneeze proof wind vents though...

 

[agedhorse]

Is there a LPF on this unit and if so what frequency is it centered at?

No, there is no specific LPF, just a HPF per the specs.

The shelving treble eq used moderately to taste is close, the greater the rotation counter-clockwise, the lower the effective LPF frequency and the greater the attenuation of high frequencies. It works well for most players, its function is very different in intent than the HPF.

 

[Dee-man]

So does anyone know how this DI/preamp with a power amp (I have an Acoustic Image Focus SA) sounds compared to a Subway D800 head? Sometimes there's a synergy or secret sauce that the head gets that the separates might not, so I was curious before pulling the trigger. I really like the D800 head. Thanks, DM

 

[Green Lantern]

Thinking this might be a good alternative in the studio when I don't want my wonderful Tone Hammer 500 sound.

I assume the Mesa pedal has a clearer more neutral sound that sounds big? Any insight on its tone would be appreciated

 

[nostatic]

I just picked up one of these. In my case I had a very specific problem I was trying to solve. For some gigs I end up bringing my PA system (a mixer and a few QSC K10 cabs), leaving my bass rig at home and running bass direct so I have less to carry. My mixer has rudimentary eq at best (cheap Mackie), and running out of my pedal board, even with an active bass, still leaves something to be desired, especially if I need to deal with a crappy room.

I just did a qnd test with the preamp pedal. Works like a charm. I put it into the signal chain, then ran the 1/4" preamp out on the top to my mixer. I compared that with using the thru jack (which I don't believe eq compensates). Big difference. Without the preamp pedal my bass sounds good, but is a bit edgy and thin. Since I tend to favor that kind of tone it isn't the end of the world, but then running the preamp pedal makes it sound just like running through my D800 head.

I'm going to do some videos next week messing with all this new kit

 

[nostatic]

in the wild (along with quite a mess of pedals). I was running into my PA (mixer and a pair of K10s). I've done that previously and the bass sounded ok. Did it today running one channel from the Mesa preamp out, the other bypassing (using the thru). Was easy to A/B between the two, and the preamp does it's job. Pretty much sounded exactly like running through a D800 head.

 

[murphy]

Too mucha spaghett for a me

 

[Lowendtech]

in the wild (along with quite a mess of pedals). I was running into my PA (mixer and a pair of K10s). I've done that previously and the bass sounded ok. Did it today running one channel from the Mesa preamp out, the other bypassing (using the thru). Was easy to A/B between the two, and the preamp does it's job. Pretty much sounded exactly like running through a D800 head.

Is that a ...gasp....P Bass?

 

[nostatic]

Too mucha spaghett for a mee ah

Too much for me too. I was experimenting with some different stuff, and we were doing a trio hit and I was switching between bass and guitar (as was the guitarist). On a typical "go outside" gig I'd just have that pedal board, on a "pocket" gig I've got a micro board with tuner, delay (gotta have that) and env.

 

[nostatic]

Is that a ...gasp....P Bass?

That's the guitar player's

We swapped instruments throughout the day - I played about a third of the tunes on guitar and he played his bass.

 

[Lowendtech]

That's the guitar player's

Oh, ok. That makes sense.
I thought i was losing it there for a second.

Although, everyone needs a bass that they can strap to the back of their motorcycle, don't they.

 

[nostatic]

I may actually pick up a P-bass again (I've had them in the past). I have some gigs where I don't necessarily need 5-strings or 24-frets. And actually in LA, being able to carry a P-bass on my motorcycle would be a huge plus when I'm trying to get through grid-locked traffic to a rehearsal studio.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I may actually pick up a P-bass again (I've had them in the past). I have some gigs where I don't necessarily need 5-strings or 24-frets. And actually in LA, being able to carry a P-bass on my motorcycle would be a huge plus when I'm trying to get through grid-locked traffic to a rehearsal studio.

They're kinda bulky and not my favourite gig bag but the Mono M80 is the most comfortable bag on the bike that I've used. And yeah having a beater P for that is a lot less scary than riding with a Fodora or Sadowsky.

 

[nostatic]

I have an M80 dual that i've been using for years. I need to stitch up the interior on one of the sections but it has done 500+ gigs with no issues.

 

[Lowendtech]

M80 is the bomb on a bike.
I use mine on my mountain bike all the time as well. The chest strap helps a bunch.
Seriously considering picking up the SDI for real lightweight carry.