Double Bass New BASSWITCH preamp-EQ-DI for double bass?

[Frits]

Very curious! The basswitch was presented at Namm and could perfectly be suited for both electric and double bass, or acoustic-electric and double bass (my case ) or - why not ? - just double bass in stand-alone mode.

Any suggestions or remarks? Anyone out there who has seen it at Namm? It has Lehle-technology built-in. It is said to be the next big pre-amp, DI and EQ all-in-one solution. A Swiss army knife for bass.

Could it replace a Headway or a Fishman Pro-EQ platinum bass preamp or what else?

 

[prd004]

They have done a great job at hyping anticipation for this thing, but so far I've heard nothing? Wasn't Namm like a month ago?

I'm still curious but this thing is starting to remind me of Geraldo opening Al Capones Vault!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bassphase]

Many new products introduced at NAMM are in fact "vaporware". You may have heard NAMM referred to as "Not April-Maybe May"


bob

 

[jmmcc]

I've google it and could not find it... do they (RMI) have a site?

 

[jmmcc]

answering to myself
Link Removed

 

[NickNardone]

What does the bassswitch do?

 

[shwashwa]

looked at the brochure. the features seem pretty much the same as the radial pz pre, which sounds great by the way...

 

[Feral Feline]

... It is said to be the next big pre-amp, DI and EQ all-in-one solution. A Swiss army knife for bass.

looked at the brochure. the features seem pretty much the same as the radial pz pre, which sounds great by the way...

+1 Shwashwa
It is a Radial PZed-Pre clone in a plain black wrapper. [EDIT: NOT a clone, though similar]

From the brochure: "It is the only product on the market that provides all these functions in a single compact unit." [cough]*BS!*[/cough] [EDIT: Apologies to all TBers for my snotty attitude, though I still contend the brochure is questionable on this point]

Uhm, no it is NOT the only one.
If the Basswitch is even in the shops, it is still a couple years behind Radial's Swiss Army knife for bass (the same feature set: preamp + para EQ, boost, looper, A/B input switcher, DI, tuner out). I support fair competition, but I can't stand such erroneous claims as the aforementioned brochure blooper.

I see nothing compelling about the Basswitch that would make me switch. Basswitch has Lehle "True Sound Technology", but Radial's A-class circuitry is known for good sound, too. In fact, after closely examining the Basswitch manual, I find the PZed-Pre has some distinct advantages. Though the Basswitch has a serial loop, the Radial has two DI outputs (one pre- other post-EQ) where the 'witch has but one (albeit with a pre/post button).

I see only one volume control on the 'witch, whereas the Radial has independent volumes for each instrument input. The Radial has a notch and lo-cut filter, great for fighting feedback. The 'witch operates at 18v, whereas Radial is 15v. They are similar in size and weight, the Radial being slightly lighter (by about 175 grams), must be all them thar guilded Lehle switches. How much will the Basswitch retail for?

I use my PZed-Pre solely with my doublebass, though I had to run a fiddle through it as well once when our fiddler forgot his DI. I've run guitars and cellos through it as well, though not at the same time as my bass.
After more than a year of regular gigging/rehearsals, my Radial has been bombproof and always sounds great.

 

[Jacques]

Hello All,

If you allow:

I am the guy who designed the basswitch IQ DI and it pretty much differs from anything on the market as of today.

It has :

• Lehle True Sound Technology
• A/B-Input switcher with piezo pick-up impedance switch
• studiograde preamp
• 4 band EQ with double semi-parametric mids
• switchable blend/mix FX Loop
• switchable FX LOOP can also be used as Solo Booster
• non-switchable serial effect loop
• studiograde D.I. Box featuring pad, pre/post and groundlift switching and a Lehle LTMZ transformer for optimal galvanic isolation
• accepts all power supplies from 9 to 20 Volt
• additional tuner out
• mute switch
• extremely robust construction with protected pots

To my knowledge no product out there offers all these features in a single unit, for more info please download the user manual on Link Removed or watch the video demos.

This being said:

1. I have nothing against radial products, these as well as the basswitch or other great products serve specific customer needs.

2. We have been overrun by demand in Europe but we hope to start shipping for the US end of april

Hope this helps

Best regards

Jacques

+1 Shwashwa
It is a Radial PZed-Pre clone in a plain black wrapper.

From the brochure: "It is the only product on the market that provides all these functions in a single compact unit." [cough]*BS!*[/cough]

Uhm, no it is NOT the only one.
If the Basswitch is even in the shops, it is still a couple years behind Radial's Swiss Army knife for bass (the same feature set: preamp + para EQ, boost, looper, A/B input switcher, DI, tuner out). I support fair competition, but I can't stand such erroneous claims as the aforementioned brochure blooper.

I see nothing compelling about the Basswitch that would make me switch. Basswitch has Lehle "True Sound Technology", but Radial's A-class circuitry is known for good sound, too. In fact, after closely examining the Basswitch manual, I find the PZed-Pre has some distinct advantages. Though the Basswitch has a serial loop, the Radial has two DI outputs (one pre- other post-EQ) where the 'witch has but one (albeit with a pre/post button).

I see only one volume control on the 'witch, whereas the Radial has independent volumes for each instrument input. The Radial has a notch and lo-cut filter, great for fighting feedback. The 'witch operates at 18v, whereas Radial is 15v. They are similar in size and weight, the Radial being slightly lighter (by about 175 grams), must be all them thar guilded Lehle switches. How much will the Basswitch retail for?

I use my PZed-Pre solely with my doublebass, though I had to run a fiddle through it as well once when our fiddler forgot his DI. I've run guitars and cellos through it as well, though not at the same time as my bass.
After more than a year of regular gigging/rehearsals, my Radial has been bombproof and always sounds great.

 

[dukeorock]

I have a 2 piezo pickup system on my upright bass...can I use both channels simultaneously?

 

[Jacques]

Hello Dukeorock,

Yes you can use the basswitch as a line mixer taking channel A for one input and the return of the mix loop for the other input.

However only Input A will allow you to switch the impedance to the level needed by a piezo pickup.

The purpose of the basswitch IQ DI is not the same than the radial PZ-Pre which is a preamp specifically designed for acoustic instruments with piezo pickups. For more info on how and where to use the Basswitch IQ DI have a look at the demo videos on Link Removed.

Regards

Jacques

I have a 2 piezo pickup system on my upright bass...can I use both channels simultaneously?

 

[shwashwa]

the radial can be used as a blender with both inputs active simutanieously, and both inputs can be switched to 10meg ohm impedance for piezo pickups (or only one at a time, if that's what you need) . you dont need to have the high impedance aspects of the inputs engaged if you dont need it. i also use this with my electric basses and it sounds great

the pz pre, is a studio grade preamp, with 2 studio grade DI, pre and post eq (its radial after all) 3 band eq with sweepable mids, notch filter, high pass filter, effects loop, tuner out, mute switch, volume boost switch for solos, made from a nice heavy metal frame that feels super sturdy to me, and it can be switched to function as either a blender where both channels work at the same time, or as a channel switcher for 2 instruments.

plus it sounds great.

i love competition, but it seems that the basswitch is not the only thing on the market like this, in fact the basswitch is late to the market compared to the pz pre.

it seems the only thing that the basswitch has that the radial doesnt have is the "Lehle"
technology, whatever that is.

Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre Acoustic Instrument Preamp - introduction

 

[dukeorock]

Hello Dukeorock,

Yes you can use the basswitch as a line mixer taking channel A for one input and the return of the mix loop for the other input.

However only Input A will allow you to switch the impedance to the level needed by a piezo pickup.

The purpose of the basswitch IQ DI is not the same than the radial PZ-Pre which is a preamp specifically designed for acoustic instruments with piezo pickups. For more info on how and where to use the Basswitch IQ DI have a look at the demo videos on Link Removed.

Regards

Jacques

Thanks for getting back to me so quick!

 

[Jacques]

Hello Shwashwa,

Details on the Lehle True Sound Technology can be found in the Basswitch IQ DI user manual page 15 to 17.

You can download the user manual at Link Removed

You can also visit Lehle Gitarrentechnik PURE SOUND - NO NOISE - MORE TONE for more info or watch the Lehle Videos on you tube.

As I already said in another reply in this thread the Radial PZ-PRE and the Basswitch IQ DI are two completely different animals in two completely different application fields and price ranges.

The Radial PZ PRE is a unity-gain preamp and in that sense not really a preamplifier (it is not made to drive a power amp or to deliver a line signal to an audio console).

Both products also largely differ in construction and features.

Nothing bad about that, they are just made for different environments and applications.

For more details I suggest you consult the two user manuals and compare features and technical data.

Best regards

Jacques

the radial can be used as a blender with both inputs active simutanieously, and both inputs can be switched to 10meg ohm impedance for piezo pickups (or only one at a time, if that's what you need) . you dont need to have the high impedance aspects of the inputs engaged if you dont need it. i also use this with my electric basses and it sounds great

the pz pre, is a studio grade preamp, with 2 studio grade DI, pre and post eq (its radial after all) 3 band eq with sweepable mids, notch filter, high pass filter, effects loop, tuner out, mute switch, volume boost switch for solos, made from a nice heavy metal frame that feels super sturdy to me, and it can be switched to function as either a blender where both channels work at the same time, or as a channel switcher for 2 instruments.

plus it sounds great.

i love competition, but it seems that the basswitch is not the only thing on the market like this, in fact the basswitch is late to the market compared to the pz pre.

it seems the only thing that the basswitch has that the radial doesnt have is the "Lehle"
technology, whatever that is.

Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre Acoustic Instrument Preamp - introduction

 

[Feral Feline]

...
the pz pre, is a studio grade preamp...

...
The Radial PZ PRE is a unity-gain preamp and in that sense not really a preamplifier (it is not made to drive a power amp or to deliver a line signal to an audio console).

It's a preamp according to Radial. I'm not an electrical engineer, but Radial's diagram on its website shows the PZed-Pre running a signal to a mixer. You can run three signals out of a PZed-Pre: a buffered signal to a conventional amplifier (ie one with a pre-amp meant to drive the power amp), and run two DI signals (*one pre- one post-EQ). Could I not run a PZed-Pre into, say for example, the SWR Amplight? Does the Basswitch act as a preamp able to drive a poweramp?

...it seems the only thing that the basswitch has that the radial doesnt have is the "Lehle"
technology, whatever that is.

Shwashwa, Don't forget the extra loop on the Basswitch, the serial loop, which the Radial doesn't have.

I am the guy who designed the basswitch IQ DI and it pretty much differs from anything on the market as of today.

...

... As I already said in another reply in this thread the Radial PZ-PRE and the Basswitch IQ DI are two completely different animals in two completely different application fields and price ranges... Both products also largely differ in construction and features.

Nothing bad about that, they are just made for different environments and applications.

"Two completely different animals in two completely different application fields..."?
If you look at a shopping-list inventory of features from either unit they are basically the same. Please elaborate on the application field intended for the Basswitch, and the different environments? What is the price range of the Basswitch? Can you direct TB members to shops that have it available?

...
For more details I suggest you consult the two user manuals and compare features and technical data.

I have done so. I DL'ed the Basswitch Brochure and Manual, and I compared the Basswitch to Radial's PZed-Pre.

Let's look at that shopping list of features. Blue for your Basswitch, green for Radial's PZed-Pre:

• Lehle True Sound Technology
• Radial's proprietary 100% discreet class-A piezo boost circuitry

• A/B-Input switcher with piezo pick-up impedance switch – only one volume control, input B non-switchable impedence
• A/B-Input switcher with piezo pick-up impedance switches for each input; mix or use independently with separate volume control

• Studio-grade preamp
• Studio-grade preamp

• 4 band EQ with double semi-parametric mids
• 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid

• Switchable FX Loop with blend/mix
• Switchable FX Loop (no blend/mix) can be used with or without a clean boost (adjustable up to 8db)

• Switchable FX Loop can also be used as Solo Booster
• Switchable FX Loop can also be used with or without solo booster or just booster on its own (up to 8db as noted previously)

• Non-switchable serial effect loop
X Nope

• Studio-grade D.I. with pad, pre/post and groundlift switching and a Lehle LTMZ transformer for optimal galvanic isolation
• Studio-grade DI X 2 (two – both active balanced), one pre-EQ and one post-EQ, with groundlift switching

• Accepts all power supplies from 9 to 20 Volt
• Proprietary power supply of 15 Volt

• Additional tuner out
• Additional tuner out, buffered

• Mute switch
• Mute switch

• Extremely robust construction with protected pots
• Extremely robust construction (14 gauge steel with baked enamel finish) with robust, but unprotected, pots

But wait, there's more!


• Phase inverter for the two FX loops
• Phase inverter, 180-degrees on instrument output

X Nope
• Notch filter

X Nope
• High-pass filter

So Jacques, – very similar units indeed.

I've no idea what "optimal galvanic isolation" means, but Radial's unit doesn't have the "Lehle LTMZ transformer" to get it.

The power advantage goes to the Basswitch.
The feedback-fighting advantage goes to Radial.

If you want to split hairs over the serial FX loop and the Lehle touches (though Radial has its own touches anyway), then yes it is unique to the market. If your comparison is based on the overall feature sets and intended uses, then there are several other options on the market with the closest rival likely being Radial's PZed-pre. I'm sure bass players will use whatever suits there needs within the confines of their budgets and of course ultimately base choices on what they hear.

Jacques, thanks for your input in this thread. Your Basswitch is a handsome-looking unit and I sincerely wish you the utmost success, but is it "the only product on the market that provides all these functions in a single compact unit" or the one that "differs from anything on the market as of today"?

Hardly!


Best regards,
FF

 

[Brent Nussey]

Wow, what a couple of fanboys you guys are. I read the first page of the Basswitch manual, and could immediately see the difference in intent and implementation between these 2 units. The Basswitch is really designed to be a doubling rig's central control unit. Only one channel has a preamp and eq, etc. The other channel (B) is unaffected by that stuff. So a doubler would use the Channel A to plug in and treat his acoustic bass, using the EQ, etc. Channel B would be used for electric bass, and is unaffected by these controls, so you could use it as if you were plugging directly into the amp or, using the effect loops, as if you were plugging into your pedalboard. You match the volume of channel A to channel B using the volume control of the channel a preamp.

The Radial applies the EQ to both inputs and is meant to be used as a preamp for acoustic instruments. It's a fine unit, I'm sure, but surely isn't intended as the control center of a doubling rig the way the Basswitch is, and doesn't seem like it would do the job in anything close to the same manner.

For me, the basswitch seems a lot closer to something like the EBS Microbass pedal, which has a similar purpose and separate, different sounding channels for each type of bass. But the EBS is a very coloured sounding pedal, so I'm sure that this Basswitch has a unique place in the market right now.

To be clear, I don't know Jacques, and have never used either pedal (though I have the EBS one), I just get irritated by fanboys who don't try to understand things before they rant. I figured this out from the explanation on the FIRST PAGE of the manual. Really guys....

 

[Brent Nussey]

Hi. Guess I was a little cranky this morning...

I should really thank you guys and your impassioned defense of your favorite little pickup gizmo. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered checking this little box out. A lot of doublers in this town have cobbled together various combinations of a piezo preamp, pedalboard and the Boss Line Selector. I think this new box would be a really good step up over that, and it's good to know about.

Sorry for calling you fanboys

 

[Jason Sypher]

I'm not sure why any assessments were made without HEARING it?

 

[shwashwa]

just an fyi, even though its called PZ PRE, its not only useful for piezo pickups. it is a central control unit for people who double as well. it can be configured as a blender where both channels work at the same time, or as a channel switcher, and, you dont need to have the 10meg ohm input impedance engaged for either of the inputs if you dont want. they are independantly selectable (i forget exactly what the other input impedance is that you can select), so you can use it with any instrument you want
you should try to understand things before you rant. (i read your apology, this was a joke)

Wow, what a couple of fanboys you guys are. I read the first page of the Basswitch manual, and could immediately see the difference in intent and implementation between these 2 units. The Basswitch is really designed to be a doubling rig's central control unit. Only one channel has a preamp and eq, etc. The other channel (B) is unaffected by that stuff. So a doubler would use the Channel A to plug in and treat his acoustic bass, using the EQ, etc. Channel B would be used for electric bass, and is unaffected by these controls, so you could use it as if you were plugging directly into the amp or, using the effect loops, as if you were plugging into your pedalboard. You match the volume of channel A to channel B using the volume control of the channel a preamp.

The Radial applies the EQ to both inputs and is meant to be used as a preamp for acoustic instruments. It's a fine unit, I'm sure, but surely isn't intended as the control center of a doubling rig the way the Basswitch is, and doesn't seem like it would do the job in anything close to the same manner.

For me, the basswitch seems a lot closer to something like the EBS Microbass pedal, which has a similar purpose and separate, different sounding channels for each type of bass. But the EBS is a very coloured sounding pedal, so I'm sure that this Basswitch has a unique place in the market right now.

To be clear, I don't know Jacques, and have never used either pedal (though I have the EBS one), I just get irritated by fanboys who don't try to understand things before they rant. I figured this out from the explanation on the FIRST PAGE of the manual. Really guys....

 

[shwashwa]

actually no one made any assesments of the basswitch. all we are pointing out is that its not the only device on the market with such features as the designer of the unit claims which is essentially not accurate advertising. i dont like misinformation posted on this board. this board is a valuable resource for many people when making gear decisions, so if someone were to read that post (which in and of itself is probably a violation of the commercial users policy) then they would have been misinformed.

I'm not sure why any assessments were made without HEARING it?