• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Passive to active bass with external gear

zelig.audio

zelig.audio

Apr 12, 2013
177
80
Paris, France
#1
I have been playing bass for 30 years, but never active basses. Now I’m finding I may need one for a certain gig because a more modern, super scooped active tone is what the genre/style requires. Could I pull this off by simply adding an external preamp to my signal chain?
For context, we’re thinking here of a Jazz Bass and the preamp is a JHS Colour Box (I know, not exactly a bass preamp, but that’s exactly why I’m asking).
 
  • Like
Reactions: HolmeBass
#4
Absolutely! The active system in a bass is nothing more than an onboard preamp. You should be able to achieve the same (or better) EQ functionality externally.

In fact, you're better off using external EQ because you're not stuck with one preamp. You have a very wide choice of such things as preamp pedals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM and SteveC
#5
I had a colourbox v2 with a jazz for a min and I could not dial it in. Go with something made for bass.

The Colourbox is an awesome preamp, just not for bass and takes to much fiddling to get close but no cigar.
 
#7
KenD said:
Absolutely! The active system in a bass is nothing more than an onboard preamp. You should be able to achieve the same (or better) EQ functionality externally.

In fact, you're better off using external EQ because you're not stuck with one preamp. You have a very wide choice of such things as preamp pedals.
Click to expand...
I actually thought about buying only passive basses and then having different eq options (programmable eq pedal like the Source Audio) or preamp pedals (Aguilar, Sadowsky, Nordstrand, etc) for different sounds.
 
#9
zelig.audio said:
I have been playing bass for 30 years, but never active basses. Now I’m finding I may need one for a certain gig because a more modern, super scooped active tone is what the genre/style requires. Could I pull this off by simply adding an external preamp to my signal chain?
For context, we’re thinking here of a Jazz Bass and the preamp is a JHS Colour Box (I know, not exactly a bass preamp, but that’s exactly why I’m asking).
Click to expand...
Have played both active and passive basses, including my main bass being a Sadowsky which has that modern active bass tone… I also own a colourbox v2 which I love…

But it’s not the gear I would use to do what you want, I love it but it’s my end of chain sweetener and is slightly warm sounding…
I would look for the Sadowsky preamp pedal or even something like a Aguilar tonehammer which will be quick and easy to dial in.
Bonus is Cheaper than a colourbox and if you Buy secondhand and it doesn’t work out you shouldn’t loose much :)
 
#10
SteveC said:
Sure. Basically the active preamp is just eq. The Sadowsky preamp/DI pedal for example, uses that as a selling point. Give your expensive 64 jazz bass and “active” sound without modifications thy would affect the value. There are a ton of options for you.
Click to expand...

KenD said:
Absolutely! The active system in a bass is nothing more than an onboard preamp. You should be able to achieve the same (or better) EQ functionality externally.

In fact, you're better off using external EQ because you're not stuck with one preamp. You have a very wide choice of such things as preamp pedals.
Click to expand...

Jefenator said:
When I'm going to be using that "active" sound a lot, I find I just like having the onboard preamp a little more.
But that's just me nitpicking.
I also find my passive J-bass with roundwound strings sounds more "modern" than many active basses.
Click to expand...

@Jefenator is on to something.

An on board preamp is going to put a different load on the pickups than a passive V/T circuit. The typical V/T is gonna bleed off more highs (all things considered - like high value pots) than an active circuit.

You'd be splitting hairs to really tell the difference, though - especially when you've got a 3 band EQ that you can compensate for any impedance bleed off anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RattleSnack
#11
The Sadowsky pre FTW if you want a more modern active sound out of a passive bass. The Colourbox is meant to replicate a Neve channel strip--entirely different beast there tone-wise. I had one and almost never used it on bass FWIW, not for want of trying--I could not a good clean sound out of it (I had the V1)--and I generally like Neve-y clones on bass. The best thing it did was replicate the driven mic pre sound of those classic recordings with DI'd guitar slamming the front end of the board - think "Revolution" by The Beatles. So in essence, it makes a very cool but expensive fuzz IMHO;)
Now, if you want a pre pedal that makes your passive bass bigger and bolder without sounding "active" then the Xotic Bass RC does exactly that.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Nebadon2000
#16
I have had good luck with Tech21 (Sansamp) products. They have a number of products for bass and allow you to add in drive, EQ, amp simulation and in many cases DI. Of course they are switchable as effects, but they also work great as “always on” pedals.

I personally use a VTBass (original non DI version) and a QStrip (DI, EQ, HPF/LPF).

Also beware that any EQ, whether onboard or outboard, can send out sub frequencies that your amp may not be able to reproduce (and could hurt itself trying) :)
 
#17
zelig.audio said:
I have been playing bass for 30 years, but never active basses. Now I’m finding I may need one for a certain gig because a more modern, super scooped active tone is what the genre/style requires. Could I pull this off by simply adding an external preamp to my signal chain?
For context, we’re thinking here of a Jazz Bass and the preamp is a JHS Colour Box (I know, not exactly a bass preamp, but that’s exactly why I’m asking).
Click to expand...

I tried that with the Sadowski outboard preamp but didn't find the sound I was looking for. But I put a set of EMG J-Set pickups in an AmPro jazz bass and find the tone killer. the pickups themselves were only about $170 but I did pay a guy $100 to route a battery box in the back for me.
 
#18
Since “active” basses generally mean ones with a preamp and not necessarily ones with active pickups, then an external preamp should get users into that active region. If the sound you want also involves active pickups then that’s an extra hurdle to consider.

There will likely be some differences in the circuitry for onboard vs pedals (though some companies have issues their onboard pre in a pedal format). There will also be some difference in sound based on the onboard wiring and pots and cable run to the preamp, but it’s probably hard to guess what that will be like as a general or universal statement. I’d also think the preamp pedal should be your first in the signal path if the active onboard pre sound is what you’re going for.

I have enjoyed the Nordy Starlifter. It has a Modern setting with a scoop, and a semi para EQ for the mid. This might be more pedal than you’re after.
 
#19
Not really the same, since having the preamp at the other end of the cable means the cable remains part of the passive circuit formed by the pickups and the pots, adding its capacitance, which means high frequency loss (the longer the cable the worst).
This also means that your tone is in part due to the cable you use, type, length, etc.
An onboard preamp will buffer your signal and prevent that from happening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ctmullins and monsterthompson
#20
There are basically four options :
1. passive pickups with passive electronics (like most fenders ).
2. Passive pickups with active electronics (Tobias , Ken smith etc ..)
3. Active pickups with active electronics (Spector , Warwick)
4. Active pickups with passive electronics (used by Steinberger in most of his early xl-2 basses ). Rare combo .

If you want a Super modern tone Option 3 is the way to go , but some people find it a bit cold and sterile sounding . Not me! Here if your battery dies in the middle of the gig you will have a problem!

A common and flexible solution is option TWO. Here you usually can bypass the preamp , and Also can continue playing if your battery dies. Not as modern as option 3 but a great compromise.

Using your passive bass with an external preamp or pedal is a good option but I don’t really like it (unless you have a vintage bass). I prefer on-board preamps because it’s easier to adjust your tone in the middle of the gig (or even in the middle of the song !).

From my experience Glockenklang 3 band preamps , Lusithand preamps and Demeter make the best electronics. Also the Mike Pope Flexcore . There are of course other great options like Bartolini preamps , Aguilar and dark glass for example .

I hope this helps . I have a huge of collection of basses and my recommendations are based on my experience! There are of course other valid opinions out there .
GOOD LUCK!
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back