New bass preamp DI pedal

[bongostealth]

My vote is for the EBS Microbass 3, if the OP has not tried it already. The distortion on it sounds really good!

 

[burgerdj]

I’ve used the PBDDI for years to good effect, but I’m going to agree with others here and recommend that you get a versatile and clean preamp and then add a separate distortion pedal (s) for your desired tone. As much as we all wish, one pedal often does not do it all - and taste vary.

 

[mcnach]

I never had any problems with using dirt with no cab sim.
I have a ebs valve drive di and gk plex.
But I do only use mild overdrive.

So right about that joyo American it does sound good.

One more option is dark glass vintage,the newer ones should have cab sim if needed

The higher the level of distortion, the more you benefit from a cab sim on your DI signal, but it's true that for low levels you can get away with it by EQing carefully. I had to do that for years, but these days we're lucky we can get reasonable cab sims for not much money. Very good call about the Vintage Microtubes having a cab sim too. I had the first version and it was pretty nice. It wasn't what I needed at the time and sold it, but I wish I had kept it... and if the newer ones have cab simulation too, awesome!

I've had an OmniCabSim for a few years now, and it's great at what it does, but it's quite frankly lost on me as I simply found a basic setting I like and left it there... then here comes the Joyo at nearly 1/10 of the cost and I prefer it (not a matched comparison as the OmniCabSim does a lot more [*] but the Joyo was better for my purposes as it allowed me to better adjust my sound and had the overdrive)

[*] in fact, OP, the OmniCabSim may be a good option for you too: it'll take care of the DI and cab sim functions very nicely, and it also has a headphone out. Just pair it with your tone-shaping (preamp?) unit of choice, and perhaps an overdrive. It will not be all one neat box, but being modular you can alter, mix and match units to get exactly the sounds you want.

 

[GroovyQ]

I used to have the mxr M80. Liked the sound without the color engage, but same issue you face it with the dist the color is automatically engage.
I switch to the Ampeg scr di and it was a real improvement. You have to like the Ampeg sound by the way, I know some love it and some don’t... the headphone and aux port is very usefull for bedroom practice... the scrambler section is ok espacially for a sub oberdrive to get some grit to your sound, but if you look for a big dirt overdrive/distorsion you better add a dist pedal.
I use a jazz bass, pbass and a ergodyne (active) and I can dial all easially. But like I said you have to love the Ampeg sound...

 

[Leonid Nidis]

The higher the level of distortion, the more you benefit from a cab sim on your DI signal, but it's true that for low levels you can get away with it by EQing carefully. I had to do that for years, but these days we're lucky we can get reasonable cab sims for not much money. Very good call about the Vintage Microtubes having a cab sim too. I had the first version and it was pretty nice. It wasn't what I needed at the time and sold it, but I wish I had kept it... and if the newer ones have cab simulation too, awesome!

I've had an OmniCabSim for a few years now, and it's great at what it does, but it's quite frankly lost on me as I simply found a basic setting I like and left it there... then here comes the Joyo at nearly 1/10 of the cost and I prefer it (not a matched comparison as the OmniCabSim does a lot more [*] but the Joyo was better for my purposes as it allowed me to better adjust my sound and had the overdrive)

[*] in fact, OP, the OmniCabSim may be a good option for you too: it'll take care of the DI and cab sim functions very nicely, and it also has a headphone out. Just pair it with your tone-shaping (preamp?) unit of choice, and perhaps an overdrive. It will not be all one neat box, but being modular you can alter, mix and match units to get exactly the sounds you want.

What is cab sim really,isn't it just a form of baked EQ?

 

[RickyT]

Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Ultra.

Not as harsh or pointy sounding as the B7K.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I vote getting a standalone overdrive and a killer DI box. The Shift Line Olympic gets a lot of love here as a DI, with a headphones out, line out, tube pre, eq and Cab sims. And as for overdrive, welll... there's a million options. Based on what you're saying something like a Pork & Pickle might do the trick. Best of luck

 

[Zooberwerx]

channel
It's a plus if I could connect it to headphones and play ampless at home, but not strictly necessary.

Problem is, I pretty much ruled out almost everything I know.
- Mxr M80: great but the distorted sound has the colour function (big scoop, sopay sound) always engaged. Sold it
- Darkglass B7k ultra: distortion too harsh, too pointy. Have it now, planning to sell
- Sansamp BBDI: mid scoop too big, even lowering bass and treble, and too fat. Sold it. (I guess other Tech 21 have te same taste)
- EHX Battalion: seems good but the distortion sound too fuzzy, remembers my Big Muff which I only use for fuzz
- Aguilar Tone Hammer DI: overdrive sounds unusable
- Ebs Microbass: I had a couple of Ebs pedals and didn't like it
- GK Plex: that would be my choice, on the clean channel it seems to have everything I want and I LOVE GK head sims, BUT the overdrive/distortion sound crappy from the vids I've seen

What other could you suggest?
Please no unknown artisanal brand. I know many of them are pretty good, but I often want to change and I need good chances of reselling.
Thanks guys

The BDDI is not for everyone but Tech 21 offers any number of pedals which are based on other platforms (VT, PSA, etc.). Strangely enough, the BFR solely is listed under "Fly Rigs" while the others are listed under "SansAmp" (below). The only pedal I would not recommend is the dUg as it is difficult to set any type of volume / character balance between the clean and OD channels. Check the spec's for headphone capability and other desired features. The only one I haven't trialed is the PSA 2.0 but I'll assume it's not a vast departure from the rackmount version.

Sansamp – Tech 21 NYC

Riis

 

[sifrancis]

It's good advise but besides being expensive (and taking more space, which means I should buy another board because two more wouldn't fit, so more expense) I like the blend between clean and distortion

From your OP and further comments is it safe to surmise the following needs/requirements:

- Budget: around €300-350 (based on preamps currently tried/considered)
- Size: no larger than MXR M80 or Sansamp BDDI (double standard MXR/Boss pedal width)
- Nice clean preamp, GK tonal character characteristics if possible.
- Overdrive/distortion, that is neither too fuzzy, or as "sharp" as DG B7K. You like the ability to blend clean & distortion.
- Not boutique or hard to find builders. i.e. readily commercially available pedals only.

The NUX Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp is very much worth your consideration. I have no personal experience but it certainly offers everything you are looking, and has the possibility of being updated with further EQ and drives in the future on top of it's already capable and versatile feature set.

The TC Electronic Spectradrive is also worth exploring.

The Ampeg SCR-DI could possibly work for you as well.

There are decent demos for all three of the above pedals, to help you work out if any would work for you.

Beyond that, it could be worth considering the MXR M81 Bass Preamp - it is small and would cover your clean EQ needs as well as the XLR ouput. You should then have space to add in a separate small overdrive/distortion pedal to your taste, allowing you around €150 for this would bring things to a similar budget to the GK Plex.

 

[MNAirHead]

I own a ton of them... had zero issues with the M80

I own the plex... it's cool.. the programming is a long time to learn

The EBS bass is cool... I have had issues with the power section

OVERALL.
I don't trust youtube demos (they seem to over do distortion)

When in doubt, used M80... it has knobs and accepts all types of power

 

[Riccardo C]

- Budget: around €300-350 (based on preamps currently tried/considered)
- Size: no larger than MXR M80 or Sansamp BDDI (double standard MXR/Boss pedal width)
- Nice clean preamp, GK tonal character characteristics if possible.
- Overdrive/distortion, that is neither too fuzzy, or as "sharp" as DG B7K. You like the ability to blend clean & distortion.
- Not boutique or hard to find builders. i.e. readily commercially available pedals only.

Pretty much nailed it

 

[Benjamin Earl]

I agree with the others that suggest using a pre with a blend. I can get all the sounds I want by blending a good pre and a bass that has good tone.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Greetings from Italy.
I'm searching for a new preamp DI to keep in my pedalboard. I use it for a light eq and some distortion/overdrive (vaguely Tool sound) and in rare occasions of playing live directly in ths PA. So it must have clean and od/distorted channel
It's a plus if I could connect it to headphones and play ampless at home, but not strictly necessary.

Problem is, I pretty much ruled out almost everything I know.
- Mxr M80: great but the distorted sound has the colour function (big scoop, sopay sound) always engaged. Sold it
- Darkglass B7k ultra: distortion too harsh, too pointy. Have it now, planning to sell
- Sansamp BBDI: mid scoop too big, even lowering bass and treble, and too fat. Sold it. (I guess other Tech 21 have te same taste)
- EHX Battalion: seems good but the distortion sound too fuzzy, remembers my Big Muff which I only use for fuzz
- Aguilar Tone Hammer DI: overdrive sounds unusable
- Ebs Microbass: I had a couple of Ebs pedals and didn't like it
- GK Plex: that would be my choice, on the clean channel it seems to have everything I want and I LOVE GK head sims, BUT the overdrive/distortion sound crappy from the vids I've seen

What other could you suggest?
Please no unknown artisanal brand. I know many of them are pretty good, but I often want to change and I need good chances of reselling.
Thanks guys

SCR DI

SpectraDrive

 

[Kijuer]

I have found my nirvana with an old Darkglass Vintage Deluxe V1 (the one with the ERA knob). Fairly low drive AND blend settings (both around 10 o'clock), EQ flat, "era" voicing to taste. Really subtle, not invasive, definetly not harsh/clangy at all. Pretty sweet, musical.

Either this, or the Two Notes Le Bass. Another beauty.

 

[mcnach]

What is cab sim really,isn't it just a form of baked EQ?

Kind of, yes, but not just that, there's some other tricks involving phasing/delay if I understood it correctly.
You can use EQ to tame to fizzy top end if that's all you've got, but a proper cab sim will sound a lot more 'realistic'.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Acoustic Bass Preamp D.I. With Overdrive! Ticks all the boxes and is only $150 USD!
I got one, it’s awesome!
They have done zero advertising for it, so it took me by surprise when it was in the case at my local Guitarcenter, it does not disappoint!

 

[Chris Breese]

Get a Pod Go and be done with it.

 

[BioDriver]

Mesa Subway or Subway+ Bass DI-Preamp with a separate drive pedal. I get the allure of a one-stop-shop, but I've had better luck splitting them up.

 

[707GK]

It's good advise but besides being expensive (and taking more space, which means I should buy another board because two more wouldn't fit, so more expense) I like the blend between clean and distortion

An MXR M81 + dirt of your choice will take up the same space as the MXR M80, get you the same preamp tone, and maybe even be cheaper than some of the preamp pedals out there.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Like some others, I think you'll end up happier with a separate drive pedal rather than limiting yourself to what's available on a good DI/preamp. The number of great options is freakin' staggering these days.