One thing is for sure, you don't need one. The mids this preamp cops out is beyond belief. The lows and the highs are for when you need a hint of those enhanced. I usually have mine flat (0 for both), and boy, do I love what I'm hearing.
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Noble Amps Preamp
- Thread starter IanMartinAllison
- Start date
I share that opinion. You don't need a mid knob with the Noble. The Noble Preamp brings out just enough low-mid tone for cutting in the mix. The bass and treble knob seem to interact with each other and you can dial in a bit more high-mid or low-mid depending on how you set those two up. I really like how they are also able to scoop the mid tone by boosting both whether you want a slight scoop or a hifi Marcus Miller slap tone.
So does anyone use the Noble and just run it into a power amp the cab? Thoughts?
I run mine into the return of my amp, bypasses the pre and just use amp power. Sounds nice to my ears.
I just received mine yesterday, and I'm going to try it that way this weekend (too).
Yeah, so my gig life is basically what the Jack's info page suggests makes the DI ideal. On the "high" end of my touring right now, I'm flying or taking a bus into dates in ~1500 seat theatres with a female artist who is opening for a legacy country act. We play as an acoustic band, and the bass rig (which I could share if I want) is anywhere from 15-30 feet behind where I need to set up. So I plug into to Noble and that's my whole rig, then back through a wedge for me. Other times, I'm playing on fly dates subbing for a couple of artists who order backline gear. Usually it's Ampeg, sometimes it's Aguilar (which I use anyway). I'll definitely do the Noble into the effects return on that. Then, when I play local gigs in Nashville, I usually decide whether or not it's worth it on a room-by-room basis to bring the DI out. At a couple of larger clubs, we have to keep stage noise to a minimum and IEM's are required. In that case, it's all Noble to FOH. In others, I'm pushing the DI into a GK return (the "standard" amp for bars in town). Then in a couple, I just know it won't make a difference. Every time I use it, no matter what the situation, the engineers are ecstatic, and that's about all I could ask for. A couple of weeks ago I did an odd wedding gig, and when we came back from eating after soundcheck, the 3 guys from the sound company were over by my amp, looking to see what it was I had my direct line coming from.
If you're on the fence about getting into one of these DI's, get off of it and grab one.
So, I've had some time with my Noble now... all good 
This is an amazing hi-end sounding piece of gear! In the 70s & 80s I chased the audiophile dream, until it became a financial fairy tale to me, but made my ear intolerant of crappy sound. Going to the Noble tube pre really hit me like when I went from a good transistor preamp (Crown IC150A) to a higher end tube preamp (Conrad-Johnson). Just a blacker black, and so much more transparent... RICH! Running the unit flat, and then adding in various eq settings was FUN! Right now I'm not messing with too many basses, just sticking with my '59 P-Bass and an active PJ. The '59 sounds awesome through the amp and through the PA. I've ended up with a slightly boosted bass and a bit more treble for the P, and haven't totally figured out the PJ - only because all settings - and either passive or active sounds great. Adding the 9V (with optional 1 channel of 12V) was a bonus.
Gorgeous sounding tube preamp with well thought out simple tone controls + Jensen transformer DI + power distribution. I consolidated 3 pedals and added a lot of tone and class I'm a very happy guy 
This is an amazing hi-end sounding piece of gear! In the 70s & 80s I chased the audiophile dream, until it became a financial fairy tale to me, but made my ear intolerant of crappy sound. Going to the Noble tube pre really hit me like when I went from a good transistor preamp (Crown IC150A) to a higher end tube preamp (Conrad-Johnson). Just a blacker black, and so much more transparent... RICH! Running the unit flat, and then adding in various eq settings was FUN! Right now I'm not messing with too many basses, just sticking with my '59 P-Bass and an active PJ. The '59 sounds awesome through the amp and through the PA. I've ended up with a slightly boosted bass and a bit more treble for the P, and haven't totally figured out the PJ - only because all settings - and either passive or active sounds great. Adding the 9V (with optional 1 channel of 12V) was a bonus.Gorgeous sounding tube preamp with well thought out simple tone controls + Jensen transformer DI + power distribution. I consolidated 3 pedals and added a lot of tone and class
I'm a very happy guy
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Hey Matt thank you for your post. I'm off the fence hahaha I have one on the way. I'm really excited about it to. Your post was the nail in the coffin haha. Thanks again!
Hey mike X The first time I saw your vid clip posted it wouldn't load for me. In going back and reviewing this thread I just gave it a listen. Tone, excellent, playing excellent, in all it sounded like I personally like my bass to sound. Very fat and round and punchy. Your playing even reminds me of my playing somewhat, only better haha. Really dug it and would still love to get one of these if I ever get back to steady work. The fact it fits on a board is a plus.
So, I've had some time with my Noble now... all good
Gorgeous sounding tube preamp with well thought out simple tone controls + Jensen transformer DI + power distribution. I consolidated 3 pedals and added a lot of tone and class
Awesome write-up! Can't wait to hear my new bass through that thing.
Lonnybass
Jack Roan
Commercial User
Hi @Dave Hill - It's a modified Fender tone stack, which is flat when the knobs are all the way down.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
What does that mean for the people who all appear to 'center' their controls at noon, assuming it works similarly to the FTS?
Hi!
I have an Aguilar DB751 which also has a Jensen transformer balanced DI. I'm wondering that would the Noble give something "more" compared to the sound of the Aguilar, which is the best bass amp I have ever played during the 15 years I have played bass.
I have an Aguilar DB751 which also has a Jensen transformer balanced DI. I'm wondering that would the Noble give something "more" compared to the sound of the Aguilar, which is the best bass amp I have ever played during the 15 years I have played bass.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Ordered mine today. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Planning to use it as a DI (and to add color to my Markbass LMIII stage rig) on my church gig and for recording demo clips.
It was an easy choice vs the REDDI for me even though the REDDI could be had last week for $600 new from Musicians Friend (it was not excluded from the 20% off sale).
The size and effected through jack sold it for me and the power outlets are a great bonus - eliminates the need for a fancy Voodoo power box.
It was an easy choice vs the REDDI for me even though the REDDI could be had last week for $600 new from Musicians Friend (it was not excluded from the 20% off sale).
The size and effected through jack sold it for me and the power outlets are a great bonus - eliminates the need for a fancy Voodoo power box.
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