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New cheap Harley Benton Bass Preamp!
- Thread starter NoiseNinja
- Start date
Aye.
@kodiakblair: does diming the gain sound grittingly good, or is one of the two components (either grit or good) lacking?
This is a crazy amount of features for such a low price. And it can run on Phantom power from an XLR?? Dang! I doubt it would knock my B7KU off my board but I'd be really interested to hear a demo of this.
OK. What's there to report so far. Well I've just spent the last 3 1/3 with the HB unit. My Patriot is having neck bow issues so I'm tuned DCGF, a new thing for me. Grabbed a pick,been a very long time. Stuck phones on and thrashed the Peavey to old punk tunes.
Something must be right cause I ain't had that much fun in ages
@HaphAsSard
Yes turning the gain up does get things gritty. I had to turn it down as I was digging in really hard. Didn't use the compressor much. Especially liked the level of control you get. When things got crunchy adding or reducing top & bottom matter but it's nice to sweeten using the mids.
@BassikLee
No A/B using Millennium yet sorry. I got side tracked by your Valeton review and nearly bought one
Did buy a Moen Buffalo Bass DI, at £32 inc delivery I felt compelled
Something must be right cause I ain't had that much fun in ages
@HaphAsSard
Yes turning the gain up does get things gritty. I had to turn it down as I was digging in really hard. Didn't use the compressor much. Especially liked the level of control you get. When things got crunchy adding or reducing top & bottom matter but it's nice to sweeten using the mids.
@BassikLee
No A/B using Millennium yet sorry. I got side tracked by your Valeton review and nearly bought one
Did buy a Moen Buffalo Bass DI, at £32 inc delivery I felt compelled 
Thank you. I may finally be able to retire my BDI21 - or rather, to use a preamp pedal at all in those specific situations where I've determined no amount of knob twisting can find me a usable sound with the Behringer.
I like the Behringer, it works best for subtle changes though. It's also so crazy affordable it'd be nuts not to have one 
OK. What's there to report so far. Well I've just spent the last 3 1/3 with the HB unit. My Patriot is having neck bow issues so I'm tuned DCGF, a new thing for me. Grabbed a pick,been a very long time. Stuck phones on and thrashed the Peavey to old punk tunes.
Something must be right cause I ain't had that much fun in ages
@HaphAsSard
Yes turning the gain up does get things gritty. I had to turn it down as I was digging in really hard. Didn't use the compressor much. Especially liked the level of control you get. When things got crunchy adding or reducing top & bottom matter but it's nice to sweeten using the mids.
@BassikLee
No A/B using Millennium yet sorry. I got side tracked by your Valeton review and nearly bought one
Still haven't got one, but still plan to.
Like what you describe there, seems like something I might like.
So does it sound like there is any form of cab emulation involved in the circuit?
Oh, I do love it in some contexts; just wish I could use it in others. Not gonna let it go anyway.I like the Behringer, it works best for subtle changes though. It's also so crazy affordable it'd be nuts not to have one
No the headphone out just feeds the headphones. When headphones are plugged in DI & Amp out still work normally.
No idea, the manual doesn't say, but the mids are sweepable.
Here's a link to the manual for more information: Invalid Link Removed
Does it also have simulated cab-out for going direct? If it doesn't have one, does that matter (ie do you need a seperate cab sim pedal or does it sound fine without one)?
If i play into an amp and have this on my board, does it sound fine going into an amp if i use it as part of my tone?
If i play into an amp and have this on my board, does it sound fine going into an amp if i use it as part of my tone?
It's a preamp pure and simple,no "cab sim" . There's a whole host of multi effects boxes offering cab sims,that's not the purpose of the Bass Expander.It's job is to tweak your tone.
Np idea what amp you're using nor what tone you're looking for so can't comment on your last question.
Np idea what amp you're using nor what tone you're looking for so can't comment on your last question.
It's not a compressor pedal !! It's a preamp pedal with some compression to even out volume. Sounds like you want a dedicated compressor pedal. The Boss BC-1X gets good reviews.It's kinda pricey so maybe the Nux mini core SE compressor would do.
Well maybe you're right, but its description starts with: "active bass preamp/DI pedal with compressor", and posts in this thread state:
- "It features a switchable compressor"
- "Reminds me of the 3leaf Enabler ; similar feature set with an added compressor."
- "the Harley Benton has a build in compressor"
- "points docked for bumping the effects loop & blend feature in favor of a two-knob compressor"
- "even if I don't personally is in need of another compressor"
However please don't get me wrong, I value your reply very much, maybe you're helping me avoid a waste of money. I only feel like I need some more evidence to prove your point, otherwise I have to choose between the world saying this is a compressor (too) and you alone saying it's not.
Isn't evening out volume the whole point of compression and sustain?
Anyhow, what I really need is sustain and headphone amp in a single pedal, compact enough to fit in my bass case, and this one would fit just fine. If you are aware of anything else better than this, I'm willing to pay for it any reasonable amount (up to $400). For example I'd be happy to buy the Invalid Link Removed over this, but it's too big and it would not fit in my case.
I've also considered building one on my own, if there were such a kit out there.
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@Lucio
My take on this is it's a preamp first and foremost,if you notice "with compressor" is tacked on at the end of it's description. It's been my experience that primary function always comes first. The title of this thread is "cheap Harley Benton bass preamp". If you notice the quotes you used point to the compressor as a secondary thing.
All that aside I prefer my bass with flats and a foam mute so sustain is not a priority.
You're right my intention was to help you avoid buying the wrong thing. I'd suggest the PJB Bass Buddy but I'm afraid it's too big for your purpose.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My take on this is it's a preamp first and foremost,if you notice "with compressor" is tacked on at the end of it's description. It's been my experience that primary function always comes first. The title of this thread is "cheap Harley Benton bass preamp". If you notice the quotes you used point to the compressor as a secondary thing.
All that aside I prefer my bass with flats and a foam mute so sustain is not a priority.
You're right my intention was to help you avoid buying the wrong thing. I'd suggest the PJB Bass Buddy but I'm afraid it's too big for your purpose.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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