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Double Bass Pre-amp input for Piezo URB

BrandonL

BrandonL

Sep 20, 2018
90
94
Boise, ID
#1
Howdy!

So, I’ve been looking, considering and wondering about pre-amps/DIs. What I would like to add to my set-up is Boost and Mute features. I use a URB with Realist copper piezo p/u. I don’t foresee going to a mic or mic/pick-up blend for amplified situations. I plan to stick with piezo p/u for the foreseeable future, possibly forever. 2 channel might be nice…someday, but probably not really. What I’d like to see is:
- HPF
- Boost
- Mute
- impedance appropriate for piezo
- able to run to amp and DI to FOH

With these criteria in mind, I find
1) Grace Alix
2) Radial PZ-DELUXE
3) Red-Eye Twin + Fdeck HPF (though I’d like to minimize the number of gadgets)

Any thoughts? Education on the topic that doesn’t involve too many wave forms/physics lessons?
 
#2
I recently tried out the ALiX. I don’t need the boost function but I was really impressed with the fully adjustable parametric mids as part of a very versatile and powerful eq section. In my case it was redundant to my existing AI amps.
 
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#3
After alot of experimenting, I'm very happy with the Mesa Subway + preamp. Mesa recently discontinued this box which I think is a shame, as it has the perfect feature set for both upright and electric. Has all the things you listed (mute, boost, DI) plus a really good eq and other useful {to me} features - tuner out, deep and bright switches. I f you look hard you might be able to find one new, otherwise they occasionally show up in TB classifieds for about $300.
 
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#4
Jeff Kissell said:
I recently tried out the ALiX. I don’t need the boost function but I was really impressed with the fully adjustable parametric mids as part of a very versatile and powerful eq section. In my case it was redundant to my existing AI amps.
Click to expand...
I've been thinking about trying the ALiX, but it is the same redundancy issue that is putting me off.
Do you find that the ALiX sounds that similar to the AI pre-amp section?
 
#5
Yes in the sense that they both have effective eq and plenty of flexibility. They’re a bit different but not enough that I feel the need to use the ALiX and the Clarus together. Since I mostly run an amp on stage and send a DI signal to FOH, the Clarus is the least complicated best option. If I were traveling a ton and not using an amp the ALiX would be the way to go. I have a few friends who do exactly that and swear by the Grace Designs preamps.
 
#6
Since I use powered speakers, the Grace Felix (the Alix’s bigger sibling) is ideal for me. I find that if I’m playing
in a quintet or larger ensemble and have solo, the boost function on the Grace is ideal for that. It’s something
you have to use judiciously or you get used to the higher signal output. I can definitively see that it would be redundant
when running the Grace into another amplifier The mute, impedance switches and signal routing are unmatched by any other
Pre I know of. You should also take a look at the Headway EDB-2 H.E.. It’s a great alternative to the Alix at about half the price.
Mind you, it’s missing some of the stellar features of the Grace.
 
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#7
Yeah, the Headway seems nice, except that it’s missing the boost, if I’m not mistaken - that seems nice for the occasional bass solo in a larger group as you say. I guess the boost shouldn’t be a $400-ish feature, but one box to cover everything is also attractive.
 
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#8
BrandonL said:
Yeah, the Headway seems nice, except that it’s missing the boost, if I’m not mistaken - that seems nice for the occasional bass solo in a larger group as you say. I guess the boost shouldn’t be a $400-ish feature, but one box to cover everything is also attractive.
Click to expand...

Since, I’ve owned the Grace Felix for nearly 7 years what I’ll say is that I only use the boost occasionally, it’s very effective but I don’t really use it that much.
Frankly, I often forget to use it. I use the mute a great deal.
 
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#9
bherman said:
After alot of experimenting, I'm very happy with the Mesa Subway + preamp. Mesa recently discontinued this box which I think is a shame, as it has the perfect feature set for both upright and electric. Has all the things you listed (mute, boost, DI) plus a really good eq and other useful {to me} features - tuner out, deep and bright switches. I f you look hard you might be able to find one new, otherwise they occasionally show up in TB classifieds for about $300.
Click to expand...
HPF, too.
 
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#10
bherman said:
After alot of experimenting, I'm very happy with the Mesa Subway + preamp. Mesa recently discontinued this box which I think is a shame, as it has the perfect feature set for both upright and electric….
Click to expand...

Regarding input impedance, all I can find in the owner’s manual is that it has an input level knob to adjust for the needs of passive or active inputs. I like the notion of seeing a number, even if I don’t always fully get the implications. Do you know what that range might be?
 
#12
BrandonL said:
Regarding input impedance, all I can find in the owner’s manual is that it has an input level knob to adjust for the needs of passive or active inputs. I like the notion of seeing a number, even if I don’t always fully get the implications. Do you know what that range might be?
Click to expand...
Input impedance is 1 M, which is just fine for piezo pickups. The input level knob is a gain control, not impedance. It is variable which allows you to set gain levels lower for passive vs active basses. I use the same setup with my bass guitars, one of which is a fretless with a very hot piezo pickup. I bring the input level down for this bass.
 
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#15
For my part, I appreciate the participation in this thread. I’ve thought hard about all this for a few days and just made the rash decision to order a Red-Eye Twin (Fire-Eye Development), based on:
- cost (decent deal on a used one)
- good reviews, albeit not many and not here.
- simplicity! There are hardly any knobs to get distracted by.
- I already have an fDeck that I’ll just attach to the tailpiece of my bass.
- I’m not sure my ears are sophisticated enough to hear the difference (if there is one) between this preamp and pricier options.

Carry-on y’all!
 

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