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My preamp journey

#181
Redid pedal board #1. My Bourbon Street board. The preamp is swappable.

I'm currently redoing my #2 and #3 pedal boards as well.
 

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#182
moon-bass said:
Redid pedal board #1. My Bourbon Street board. The preamp is swappable.

I'm currently redoing my #2 and #3 pedal boards as well.
Click to expand...

Nice! The thespian sounds fantastic in the ME video, hearing that tube! Mid switch is a great idea! Any thoughts on it? I hope to get one eventually, to also use in front of my solid state guitar rig. Is there a master vol control inside it or is it just NMV ?

Before that one though, I'm DEFINITELY getting that Super 400. Surprised there isnt more excitement over that one. I've always wanted a 400+ , but never been able to warrant the effort to own one.. I can't wait for some demos and feedback from you lot!
 
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#183
Ibanezer83 said:
Nice! The thespian sounds fantastic in the ME video, hearing that tube! Mid switch is a great idea! Any thoughts on it? I hope to get one eventually, to also use in front of my solid state guitar rig. Is there a master vol control inside it or is it just NMV ?

Before that one though, I'm DEFINITELY getting that Super 400. Surprised there isnt more excitement over that one. I've always wanted a 400+ , but never been able to warrant the effort to own one.. I can't wait for some demos and feedback from you lot!
Click to expand...
The mid boost switch addresses my number one issue with the Fender tone stack (the inherent mid scoop). I absolutely love it.

And I can't wait for the 400 either!!
 
#184
On deck: Sushibox Dr. Watson - coming in this batch.
Master Effects Super 400 - TBD

I can't believe that's it! After all this time, my preamp journey might have finally used up all it's GAS :-)

I ended up doing something similar with compressors and envelope filters. Not nearly as extensive, but took the same approach (bought a bunch and then kept what I really like). I'll post the results at some point ...
 
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#187
Baord #2 is pretty much done. I have an Empress on order that might take the place of the Cali76. After that, I have to cable it properly, but otherwise pretty much done.

I'm going to start on the big board this weekend. I'm gonna need to order a board as the one I ordered ended up being quite a bit too small. Also, need to figure out power for that one. I can power quite a few pedals from the Noble preamp, but it won't power everything that I have been planning.
 

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#195
Sushi Box FX said:
@Kendescending will be getting the first one as he let me borrow the original Meatsmoke to trace, I expect to have them open for sale to the public soon.

Thanks again Ken! :)
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Yes, thanks @Kendescending !! I am pretty excited about this one and Fluffy Kitty. Hoping I snag one of each from their first respective runs.
 
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#196
DirkP said:
I get it somehow that those of us, who are into metal and rock mostly, need some of these bass preamps or the overdrive and distortion they offer. Maybe.
But it surprises me that people, who have owned or tried 20+ different bass preamps never even considered using what most pros use in studios since decades: high quality mic-preamps and/or tradional gear that is used in studios like 1176 and LA2A like compressors.
For playing live, the first amps that really convinced me were Markbass amps and I never felt the need to replace them for playing live. I'm satisfied.

For recording I was never satisfied with using bass-amps and I can not recollect that I ever heard that a professional record was made using the DI-out of a bass amp or the output of a "bass-preamp" (micing is a different use-case).
For recording I'm simply that satisfied with using a UA LA610 or a Warm Audio TB12 followed by a WA76 that I never even considered trying a bass amp or bass preamp again. I kind of like the SansAmp VT Bass DI, but wouldn't use it for recording.
Besides the typical effects or a brilliant pedal like the H9 from Eventide, I despise most pedals - with the exception of the Cali76 comp pedals that at least are somehow close to 1176 rack compressors.
Maybe the API TranZformer pedal is good, but never had the chance to try one.
Click to expand...
Agree 100%, for recording I use studio gear. A few months ago I started down the 500 series rabbit hole. IMO the best thing ever for bass, but I may be the only person on TB that thinks so…
 
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#198
moon-bass said:
Every time I think mine comes to an end something else cool comes out!

The Noble is definitely worth it. The best way to describe it is that it makes my tone very full, clear, and 3d-ish. It's got the quality to it that I miss when I don't hear it, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Do you ever feel limited by the lack of mid control or do you use other gear for EQ shaping?
 
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#199
moon-bass said:
Perhaps a dumb question, but what's the 500 series?
Click to expand...
It refers to a specific size of rackmount unit used almost exclusively in studios. I've thought about making 500 style modules, but I never got into it due to the cost of starting a project like that. Maybe when pedal sales start to slow down :P
 
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#200
Jim C said:
Do you ever feel limited by the lack of mid control or do you use other gear for EQ shaping?
Click to expand...
I do, but it's not specific to the Noble. I like (need) to have a semi parametric EQ if I bring multiple basses, especially fretless. My boards all have some sort of semi parametric EQ to enhance fretless tone. But that's inherent to most preamps that I like. I'm not sure why, but all of the preamps that I have tried that have a semi parametric EQ built in have sounded sterile to me, but I like a good semi para, so I end up adding one to my set up. As you can tell by my initial list, I'm not the biggest fan of transparent preamps.

Otherwise, I don't miss it at all. The simplicity on the Noble is pretty nice. My two favtpreamps + the Oracle and the Noble - lack mid controls. I don't miss them.
 
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#200
Sushi Box FX said:
It refers to a specific size of rackmount unit used almost exclusively in studios. I've thought about making 500 style modules, but I never got into it due to the cost of starting a project like that. Maybe when pedal sales start to slow down :p
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks. I don't see me ever returning to rack gear, so y'all can have fun with that :)
 
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