Has anyone tried this preamp? The idea is similar to Tonedexter. You can train this preamp with you upright bass. Could it be cheaper solution? Looking to use it with my MK EUB
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Double Bass Optima air NUX
- Thread starter Kentos
- Start date
I had the NUX, it was quite OK as a preamp. As a Linux user it was messy using the editor to adjust the HPF and load in IRs.
Note that 1024 sample IRs have a fairly coarse frequency resolution at the low end where you may need it most - think of it like a graphic EQ where the bands get closer and closer together as you get to higher frequencies.
Starting out 43Hz, 86Hz, 129Hz, ... later 430, 473, 516.... later still 4300, 4343, 4386
Unfortunately it is hard to notch out say 110 Hz because of this. That was my impression.
I tried training it for my SLB200 using recordings which I Eq'd on the computer - the results were not too bad. In the end it was easier to use my Presonus Eureka parametric EQ.
Trying to match the SLB200 to my URB proved too tricky/fiddly.
I think the Tonedexter has a lot more resolution (samples). One advantage of the NUX is that you can load IRs without the training process.
Hoping that is helpful, your MK may not need as much 'correction' as the Yamaha...
Note that 1024 sample IRs have a fairly coarse frequency resolution at the low end where you may need it most - think of it like a graphic EQ where the bands get closer and closer together as you get to higher frequencies.
Starting out 43Hz, 86Hz, 129Hz, ... later 430, 473, 516.... later still 4300, 4343, 4386
Unfortunately it is hard to notch out say 110 Hz because of this. That was my impression.
I tried training it for my SLB200 using recordings which I Eq'd on the computer - the results were not too bad. In the end it was easier to use my Presonus Eureka parametric EQ.
Trying to match the SLB200 to my URB proved too tricky/fiddly.
I think the Tonedexter has a lot more resolution (samples). One advantage of the NUX is that you can load IRs without the training process.
Hoping that is helpful, your MK may not need as much 'correction' as the Yamaha...
the video looks like a Yamaha SLB200 rather than the MK. I notice the NUX bass control is turned down (at 0:29), and no way to know what the Yamaha pre tone settings are. With tone controls at midday, I find the yamaha is overly bassy. Maybe my Evah strings emphasise the bass. There is a nicer balance between bass and mids in this video.
Sorry for confusion. The guy playing on the video is not me. I don’t have the Optima Air. The guy seems playing YAMAHA slb200.
Can you get decent benefit without PC? I don’t have PC. With PC, you can load someone’s IR, correcting EQ.
What I like about Optima Air is, it looks small, easy to use, and cheap.
Can you get decent benefit without PC? I don’t have PC. With PC, you can load someone’s IR, correcting EQ.
What I like about Optima Air is, it looks small, easy to use, and cheap.
How do you like the Optima air as a bass preamp? I’m looking for a good preamp for my MK. The bass sounds nice but looking for bit more clarity.
hi Kento, It was fine, band members liked the sounds I got. I was using it with a Schertler Dyn B and created an IR to EQ out the Dyn B 'resonance'. I think I got the details from an old post by TB'er Monte and created the IR on my PC. Since then I have sourced a Schertler Pre A III and the NUX has moved on.
I think you would be happy with the NUX as a preamp (with EQ, effect loop and reverb), but maybe the IR feature is not something you will need or use if you don't have a PC. If you want to use the headphones out / aux in for practising that may be a useful feature with your MK EUB, which you may not find with other preamps in this price range.
BTW, I had no trouble selling the NUX once I got the Pre-A.
I think you would be happy with the NUX as a preamp (with EQ, effect loop and reverb), but maybe the IR feature is not something you will need or use if you don't have a PC. If you want to use the headphones out / aux in for practising that may be a useful feature with your MK EUB, which you may not find with other preamps in this price range.
BTW, I had no trouble selling the NUX once I got the Pre-A.
