Can you provide a link to the Chinese website? It isn't turning up in search results.
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MuddyWater bass preamp (noble clone)
- Thread starter smeet
- Start date
I believe it's this XVOICE 音响 / The Brickska DI which gives me a lot of a Radial J48 vibes. They run about $150-$160 USD but you'll probably have to use a proxy service to get one in the states as it seems they're only available on Taobao, etc.
The "magic" is the marketing. I’ve tested the Noble extensively and compared it with other units. It’s a very good device, but in my opinion, it’s ridiculously overpriced. Sushi Box and others prove that pedals of identical quality can be significantly cheaper.
Although I have yet to play through a Noble (due to cost), I do own several Demeter preamps and amps, and have gigged those extensively. I have also done a LOT of listening to the Noble and the various relateds, like the Nobellium etc.I moved around a bunch. I have a few items depending on my mood.
Demeter VTBP M 800 D was my head around the time I tried it, and the amp was plenty good with more controls, and was a full amp. I sold the head but occasionally miss it and think of the preamp as an option, but the rack format is a speed bump.
VTBP-M-800D | Demeter Amplification
demeteramps.com
I also found the v1 Night Owl Edison was great at adding tube character with more "character" though fewer features. I have it but don't use it and consider flipping it.
Starlifter is great for a clean DI and the two voice settings and the semi para Mids give it a ton of range.
StarLifter Bass Preamp/DI
Explore galaxies of tone with the new StarLifter bass preamp/DI pedal. Top notch sound quality with an accessible feature set with easy to use controls.nordstrandaudio.com
I'm currently running a SansAmp BDDI V2. The non-blended EQ-only sound of it is fine but not particularly magical. I mostly want it for the signature sound with the cab-sim filter and a touch of drive and presence. I've been trying VST amps and cabs from Two Notes (Genome) so the BDDI occasionally gets bypassed or only used for a monitoring signal while the dry signal gets recorded.
Bass Driver DI – Tech 21 NYC
OWNER’S MANUAL BASS DRIVER DI Much more than just a direct box, the SansAmp Bass Driver DI is capable of dialing up big vintage tube tones, bright modern slap sounds, gnarly distortions, and all in between. Three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers, or simply...www.tech21nyc.com
First, the Noble reminds a lot of my Demeter VTBP-201. Further, I find the diff between the Noble and Nobellium etc to be very similar to the difference between the Demeter amps containing the tube driven ouput and those with the solid state output; the former being a bit meatier, and the latter being a bit quicker. That distinction tends to be apparent when cork sniffing in the practice room, solo YT, or studio; but becomes much less in a live setting.
I’m still pretty interested in the Noble; but, have certain reservations, such as price and some of the power management aspects.
Meanwhile, for the clean tones I prefer, I have had VERY good luck with three other preamps: 1) Currently gigging the Shift Line Olympic MkIIIs, which sits somewhere between the Demeter and Alembic F1X, and includes an excellent cabsim built in; 2) Running a SushiBox More into the V1 Tech21 BDDI; and 3) The SushiBox Venus Z, which has more of a GK palette, but similar tube feel.
So many good options.
Have you tried the Vttb 180 Toolbox? Three band EQ and a power amp section in a small form factor. It’s kinda tempting from a few angles but definitely more want than need for what I’m doing.
The Noble and Nobelium (the C2C version being essentially the same as the Sushi Box far as audio-path) have a nearly-identical audio-path, but with some caveats- the Noble has a custom audio transformer at the DI made for them while the Nobelium kit is spec’d for use with a choice of a few different high-end transformers that are likely different specs, and the Noble has a custom power transformer to convert AC wall voltage to the necessary internal voltages for the circuit/tubes while the Nobelium uses an SMPS circuit to boost 9-12V DC to the necessary high voltage for the tube (and the Nobelium circuit also feeds the tube heaters a relatively low voltage direct from the power supply, 9V vs an optimal 12.6V- which apparently is common in Sushi Box pedals from my understanding). Both of these differences will affect the feel/performance to some degree, though I don’t think anyone has measured it (it would be fairly complex to do so) since it is probably less of a tonal than dynamic difference. You can certainly hear some difference in direct comparisons, but preference is subjective and one is MUCH cheaper.
The tonestack of the Noble is a modified Fender-type passive stack, just with a fixed internal Mid. In that sense it should be similar to some of the older Demeters that used the Fender stack (along with preamps like the Alembic F2B) when you have the Mid turned up all the way. The HPF addition of the Noble is a cool addition though.
I’ve looked hard at that one. The ONLY issue for me is that I prefer a Vol control on the DI Send. Yes, I know it shouldn’t be needed. But I do use one from time to time with diff sound engineers. Prob just my eccentricity.
If you’re saying the magic doesn’t exist when you can’t hear it then I agree completely.
It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play.
- Davis
It's not the tone you hear, it's the tone you don't hear.
- Noble
