New GK Plex Preamp

[GuiTuber]

I spent some time over the weekend working with the new Plex through my Rumble 200, so I thought I'd report on my findings.

Since my bass is passive, I'm using the Plex just like a traditional pre-amp, i.e. bass into the pre-amp then out to the amp.

First off, with very little gain, I get a lot of volume. On the amp, all EQ settings are flat. I had the gain at 9:00 and the volume barely on at about 8:00. On the Plex, the master was about 9:00-9:30. I'm just in my little office and I'm trying not to bother anybody, but geez, it's pretty impressive how loud it can be at such low levels.

I found that I still like voice #2 and the compression settings as when I was using headphones. The amp sounds way better of course, but the real difference is the thump. Without the Plex, I can get a nice warm tone with the "contour' button on the amp, but it's not quite the same as with the Plex. The Plex, with the settings I like, adds a certain "articulation" to the attack. You know when the note has been plucked.

A side effect of the Plex is that I can start to hear where I'm not keeping the other strings muted at certain times. I don't have the best hearing, but just playing through the amp (playing the same song), I don't hear other strings ringing through all the time. I've only been playing for 3 years so I know my technique is not top drawer, but it was interesting to notice how the Plex brought out some nuances that I wasn't hearing before. That same clarity also reminded me that I needed to trim the nails on my plucking hand. I could easily hear the nail scrap the string where it was not as pronounced just through the amp. I'm sure I could dial some of that back with the EQ on the amp or possibly even the tone knob on the bass (which I typically set at half-way), but I haven't tried to flavor anything with the amp just yet.

Having a lot of fun so far. Can't wait to use it with the band.

 

[BrentSimons]

Good thing they're replying to you, as they don't with me.

I usually call. In the past sending emails was hit or miss. i would either get an immediate response or none at all.
Brent

 

[BrentSimons]

I spent some time over the weekend working with the new Plex through my Rumble 200, so I thought I'd report on my findings.

Since my bass is passive, I'm using the Plex just like a traditional pre-amp, i.e. bass into the pre-amp then out to the amp.

First off, with very little gain, I get a lot of volume. On the amp, all EQ settings are flat. I had the gain at 9:00 and the volume barely on at about 8:00. On the Plex, the master was about 9:00-9:30. I'm just in my little office and I'm trying not to bother anybody, but geez, it's pretty impressive how loud it can be at such low levels.

I found that I still like voice #2 and the compression settings as when I was using headphones. The amp sounds way better of course, but the real difference is the thump. Without the Plex, I can get a nice warm tone with the "contour' button on the amp, but it's not quite the same as with the Plex. The Plex, with the settings I like, adds a certain "articulation" to the attack. You know when the note has been plucked.

A side effect of the Plex is that I can start to hear where I'm not keeping the other strings muted at certain times. I don't have the best hearing, but just playing through the amp (playing the same song), I don't hear other strings ringing through all the time. I've only been playing for 3 years so I know my technique is not top drawer, but it was interesting to notice how the Plex brought out some nuances that I wasn't hearing before. That same clarity also reminded me that I needed to trim the nails on my plucking hand. I could easily hear the nail scrap the string where it was not as pronounced just through the amp. I'm sure I could dial some of that back with the EQ on the amp or possibly even the tone knob on the bass (which I typically set at half-way), but I haven't tried to flavor anything with the amp just yet.

Having a lot of fun so far. Can't wait to use it with the band.

Have you tried going into the effects return of your Rumble? That will bypass the amps preamp. That's how I plan on using mine with my SWR 350x.
Brent

 

[GuiTuber]

Have you tried going into the effects return of your Rumble? That will bypass the amps preamp. That's how I plan on using mine with my SWR 350x.
Brent

I have not.

I don't have a lot of experience with effects and such, but if going straight into the amp basically gives me two pre-amps in the chain, would it stand to reason that going into the amp's effects return would produce a quieter signal? Or would the Plex boost the signal and give me the same level by the time it hits the speaker? And then what about the amp's EQ? Does that come before or after the effects loop?

I get the redundancy argument, but you could apply the same logic with an active bass, couldn't you?

I ask to learn, not to be argumentative or condescending.

 

[keto]

Going through the FX loop will give you the Plex voicing without it being on top of the Rumble voicing, as it bypasses the amp's preamp section. Just another potential tone for you.

 

[BrentSimons]

I have not.

I don't have a lot of experience with effects and such, but if going straight into the amp basically gives me two pre-amps in the chain, would it stand to reason that going into the amp's effects return would produce a quieter signal? Or would the Plex boost the signal and give me the same level by the time it hits the speaker? And then what about the amp's EQ? Does that come before or after the effects loop?

I get the redundancy argument, but you could apply the same logic with an active bass, couldn't you?

I ask to learn, not to be argumentative or condescending.

No not at all That's what TB is here for!

Generally when I'm using a preamp different than my amps I usually bypass the amps front end and go into the effects return. Essentially turning the amp into just a power amp with no eq (your amps eq shouldnt work). I've found that stacking preamps creates some unwanted effects (no pun) too much bass, far too much treble, etc and it's easier to control with just one preamp. Even with an active bass it makes things easier. I generally center all the controls on my active basses and then just add a touch of eq here and there if needed from the bass.
I would think you will have a quieter signal since you wouldn't get conflicting frequencies from the amp and preamp?
You should have the same level if not more since the amp is now just a power amp.
Hope this helps,
Brent

 

[GuiTuber]

So, plug the bass into the amp, then go out the amp's effect send to the Plex's input, then out the Plex into the amp's effects return. Do I have that right?

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

So, plug the bass into the amp, then go out the amp's effect send to the Plex's input, then out the Plex into the amp's effects return. Do I have that right?

That sounds like what he was suggesting, but I'd gather that it'd just be the same issue all over again in a different order: bass pre/amp pre/Plex pre (instead of Bass pre/Plex pre/Amp pre). Maybe just plugging into the Plex, and connecting the output of the Plex to the FX return of the amp would truly bypass the amp's pre...?

 

[BrentSimons]

So, plug the bass into the amp, then go out the amp's effect send to the Plex's input, then out the Plex into the amp's effects return. Do I have that right?

No plug your bass into the Plex input and then plug the Plex's output into your Rumbles effects return. No fuss no muss.
Brent

 

[BrentSimons]

I hope I like it. I think I'm wondering if the Plex will be redundant with my current set up? I'm a little worried about the updates, etc. Are you guys still enjoying yours?
Thank you,
Brent

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Well I just got my Plex back from GK...Those guys are quick!!! Can't wait to get back home to try it out. I am a bit worried though, as I tried to test it here at work and borrowed the AC adapter from my Cafe Walter; unfortunately, it was AC not DC and the whole pedal lit up I quickly unplugged it, and I really hope I didn't cause any damage.

 

[BrentSimons]

Well I just got my Plex back from GK...Those guys are quick!!! Can't wait to get back home to try it out. I am a bit worried though, as I tried to test it here at work and borrowed the AC adapter from my Cafe Walter; unfortunately, it was AC not DC and the whole pedal lit up I quickly unplugged it, and I really hope I didn't cause any damage.

Yikes! I hope it's okay.
Brent

 

[keto]

Ohhhh, Ricky. Thas not good.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Ohhhh, Ricky. Thas not good.

Thanks @keto, your words are a warm blanket to my soul.

 

[pudgychef]

I spent some time over the weekend working with the new Plex through my Rumble 200, so I thought I'd report on my findings.

Since my bass is passive, I'm using the Plex just like a traditional pre-amp, i.e. bass into the pre-amp then out to the amp.

First off, with very little gain, I get a lot of volume. On the amp, all EQ settings are flat. I had the gain at 9:00 and the volume barely on at about 8:00. On the Plex, the master was about 9:00-9:30. I'm just in my little office and I'm trying not to bother anybody, but geez, it's pretty impressive how loud it can be at such low levels.

I found that I still like voice #2 and the compression settings as when I was using headphones. The amp sounds way better of course, but the real difference is the thump. Without the Plex, I can get a nice warm tone with the "contour' button on the amp, but it's not quite the same as with the Plex. The Plex, with the settings I like, adds a certain "articulation" to the attack. You know when the note has been plucked.

A side effect of the Plex is that I can start to hear where I'm not keeping the other strings muted at certain times. I don't have the best hearing, but just playing through the amp (playing the same song), I don't hear other strings ringing through all the time. I've only been playing for 3 years so I know my technique is not top drawer, but it was interesting to notice how the Plex brought out some nuances that I wasn't hearing before. That same clarity also reminded me that I needed to trim the nails on my plucking hand. I could easily hear the nail scrap the string where it was not as pronounced just through the amp. I'm sure I could dial some of that back with the EQ on the amp or possibly even the tone knob on the bass (which I typically set at half-way), but I haven't tried to flavor anything with the amp just yet.

Having a lot of fun so far. Can't wait to use it with the band.

The 'contour' is almost like an anti-punch button as it is a mid-scoop...the Plex at those settings must be reintroducing some mids...hence the punch. Contour, to me, is a band sound killer...sounds nice in the bedroom...hurries bass live.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Just tested it and it's working...Praise da Lort, Halleluyer! It still sounds great, and has a bit more headroom now. The only thing that feels/sounds a bit different is the compressor, for some reason. I have flats on my bass, now, which might be affecting my perception; but it seems that the comp clamps on the signal more noticeably even on light settings. It also seems to change the tone just a hair (attenuates highs). It didn't seem like this before--but I also had DA rounds rather than Chromes, when I had it last. Still loving the Plex though

 

[GuiTuber]

No plug your bass into the Plex input and then plug the Plex's output into your Rumbles effects return. No fuss no muss.
Brent

Ok, here's the deal going in to the effects return.

It's louder, but it negates all the tonal features of the amp. Contour, 'Vintage', brightness, EQ and overdrive. Nothing has an effect. I basically have a 15" cabinet. I understand why though. I'm just not sure of the advantages.

 

[petrus61]

Ok, here's the deal going in to the effects return.

It's louder, but it negates all the tonal features of the amp. Contour, 'Vintage', brightness, EQ and overdrive. Nothing has an effect. I basically have a 15" cabinet. I understand why though. I'm just not sure of the advantages.

That's the point. The Plex has all its own features and EQ already and essentially replaces the Rumbles preamp. With all those options, you should have arguably more flexibility with the Plex (assuming it lives up to the hype). It boils down to whether you prefer the Plex as the sole preamp powering the Rumbles power amp, or the Plex combined with the Rumble preamp. Bear in mind that when you're running one pre through another, the stacking of gains is going to add extra noise, hence the reason some prefer to go straight to the FX return with their outboard pres, among other reasons.

 

[GuiTuber]

I would certainly agree that between the two, the Plex has more options than the Rumble. My inexperience just never imagined that it was best to choose one over the other rather than combining the two.

I'm assuming then that all comparable products, e.g. SansAmp, are best used the same way, i.e. through the effects return. Would that be correct? If so, then what about when one has a collection of effects. Isn't that normally run to the input of the amp (engaging the amp's preamp) rather than the effects return?

Just curious, but don't you have the same problems when plugging in an active bass to an amplifier, i.e. stacking pres? Or is there a power difference between the preamp within a bass when compared to an external preamp like the Plex?

Thanks everyone for the education. Appreciate your patience and helpfulness.

 

[BrentSimons]

That's the point. The Plex has all its own features and EQ already and essentially replaces the Rumbles preamp. With all those options, you should have arguably more flexibility with the Plex (assuming it lives up to the hype). It boils down to whether you prefer the Plex as the sole preamp powering the Rumbles power amp, or the Plex combined with the Rumble preamp. Bear in mind that when you're running one pre through another, the stacking of gains is going to add extra noise, hence the reason some prefer to go straight to the FX return with their outboard pres, among other reasons.

Yes! Exactly.
Thank you,
Brent