Need help/advise on pre-amp set up for live gigs

[El Super Guapo]

After 12 years of reading and reading tons of advice from you guys, I finally joined and posting! Good to be here! Lots of local gigging in Dallas and my rig died after many years of wear and tear. I replaced it with a crown power amp and running my old Bp8 as a pre-amp this week. (Out of fast desperation). It sounded ok, actually has great compression and eq. Problem: It doesn't have a direct out which I need for 90% of my gigs. Had to mic my cab. Also, forgot how hard it was setting up patches for it and forget about finding any good patches from others. I know, it's old and really outdated. But the pre amps/compression/eq are still great!

Is there anything out there in the pre-amp multi-effects world with the versatility to play Funk/Jazz/Rock/Country live that I should consider over my old digitech Bp8? Or maybe add to my Bp8. I apologize for being so far behind in the technical world of new gear. Genre versatility is the key for my work. So, I'm more concerned with having a variety of Pre-amps/compression and eq. No real concern about distortion/crazy effects etc.

Current Configuration: Carruthers 5 string-Bp8-Crown amp-Genz neo 2x12 cab.

Thanks for reading this post,

Cheers,

Guapo

 

[Doner Designs]

Lots of great options out there for $200-ish on up to $1000-ish if you want boutique with tubes.

The ones I have used and liked and which are popular with others include:

- Ampeg SCR DI
- Sansamp (multiple configurations available)
- Noble tube preamp/DI

The first two are $200-ish and the Noble is $1000-ish.

I have heard good things about the MXR but have not used it.

The newer Darkglass pedals which have dual foot switches (similar to the Ampeg) - one for the effect and one for the EQ - is a popular good choice too. Those are $400-ish.

 

[fourtet102]

I have Mesa/Boogie Subway Bass DI-Preamp and couldn't be happier.

 

[Doner Designs]

The cost difference between a great preamp and an entire head with power section is not that great. Might want to consider a Class D head and then only bring the Crown when you need mega watts.

 

[Jonny_Orange]

I have the MXR M80 and love it, never tried running it in to a power amp. I agree with Doner Designs there are some great small amps out there. I have a TC BH250 which was pretty cheap and pretty good, it has di out. The other choice is to get a di box and run that straight out the amp.

 

[40Hz]

I own and use an Ampeg SCR-DI on occasion. I found it to be a nice solution for live playing in conjunction with a power amp and/or FOH system - although most sound guys you run into will prefer you to use their DI boxes so the built-in DI is usually moot outside your own band and sound crew.

I've tried the MXR M80, and it's another nice alternative if that Ampeg sound the SCR-DI delivers isn't your cup of tea. I'd also have to say the MX80 is probably more versatile as far as range of tones goes.

However, for the record, I couldn't get the exact preamp sound I wanted... so I finally caved and had one built to spec for me by Broughton Audio. It's a straightforward yet great sounding unit that does exactly what I want it to. No more, no less. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg either. So now I'm completely happy with my pre and am currently in search of the ideal power amp to pair it with. (It just never ends does it?)

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

There are a ton of excellent options out there the question is do you want to use a pedal format or a rack? I highly reccomend the eden wtdi or gk plex for pedals both have grit and compression available but sound excellent with headphones for jamming at home too. The gk plex is abit pricier around $300 range. Compared to the eden wtdi around $130 new but has a ton of features if you just need a good bass tone the eden will be more then enough imho.

 

[CaseyJ]

Zoom B3. Preamp, DI with pre and post EQ switch, ground lift, effects, Amp and cab sims, stereo outs, tuner. $199 new.

 

[El Super Guapo]

First off, I REALLY appreciate the thoughts and opinions of my fellow pros. You guys are awesome and I'm humbled/honored to be among some of you guys. It means a lot to me that you took the time to help me out.

Therefore, I took the time and listened to every one of your recommendations. Spent most of my day researching them. The Noble, Mesa, MX 80 and GK plex really stood out. And I'm probably going to have to chose one for my rig. And from there, just add more pedals to make different tones.

Take the GK for example, it had 3-4 tones I really liked in addition to a good compressor. In a live cover gig, let's say I just finished playing an 80's rock tune and then have to play a funk tune. I'd have to walk over to it and "dial in" the tone I want between songs.

I guess what I'm looking for (in my perfect world which maybe it doesn't exist or I don't understand?) is for me to have these different tones already programmed and I just need to step on a pedal on one unit?

What's spoiled me about my old Mp8 is that I can just step on a pre programmed pedal and boom, it's there. It has a bunch of different pre-amps, compressor settings and eq settings which are programmable.

Does such a unit exist or am I going to have to just start building my Frankenstein monster from different units?

Again, thanks for responding and helping out a cover band guy trying to makes his life easier in mimicking a variety of tones.

Cheers,

David (aka Guapo)

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

The sansamp vt deluxe is a pretty decent option granted you would need a separate compressor.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

The other options (tho much more expensive) would be going with a axe fx ax8, line 6 helix, or kemper profiler. All are considerably more complex but sound great.

 

[MrLenny1]

Class D heads have me spoiled.
TC RH450 great DI.
GK MB 500, good DI.
FOH never complains.

 

[BadExample]

Welcome Guapo man!

 

[rtslinger]

Welcome to TB. maybe this

 

[waveman]

Zoom B3 is a great option. Not sure how well it will drive a power amp. I would suggest a nice class D amp for about the same money.

 

[Nev375]

Apologies for what's probably not a very helpful post, but I'll take any excuse to post a pic of my rig which fits your description of extreme versatility.

the dbx 163x compressor is not too expensive or hard to find.
the SWR amplite is kinda rare these days and one of the few mono class D power amps.
the Kern IP-777 preamp is virtual unobtanium and probably the easiest and most versatile EQ i've ever used.
The tonal balance knob is amazing and shifts the whole voicing of the amp from warm vintage to bright modern.

I love it!

If you want a currently made boutique tube pre that is likely on par with the Kern I'd look into a Jules Monique. But there's plenty of other options out there. As for the dbx I fully admit my motivation for buying it was to fill out the half-space hole remaining from the SWR amplite. But it was a happy accident as it turned out to be the best overall sounding and easiest-to-use compressor I ever played.

 

[Janforth]

Aguilar Tone Hammer for the preamp DI.

 

[SirMoak]

Two-Notes Le Bass?

 

[jsolberg]

My Boss ME-20B does just this. Have used it for many years without a failure. You can program 30 unique patches. Be aware the add-on FS-6 switch is best for switching banks quickly live. ME-50B is a step up in price and features.

 

[Fair Warning]

I found that plugging into a Tech 21 VT Bass > Any Amp provides all the juiciness that I ever needed. My tone search ended, and everything else is "spin"....