Preamp/DI recommendation

[Agent P]

Minus the cab sim element tho... maybe check out the GK Plex Pre/DI?

 

[getBAK]

Those Nux units are POS. I had one, it would never connect to any computer. After attempting to deal with their garbage customer service for 2 weeks I sent it back.
Avoid
Yet another reminder that you get what you pay for

 

[Strung_Low]

Check out the omnicabsim

Link Removed

 

[GreyBeard]

I've been using a Mesa Subway Bass Preamp-DI for a while now. 1st thing I like about it is that it will give you a true flat setting. Voicing clear off, all the tones at 12:00 with the deep switch off. You can tailor things from there. It has 2 DI's so you can send a flat send to the FoH and a processed send to the monitors if your are working ampless. And, it is dead quiet.

 

[tylerwylie]

I have the Q\Strip and the DSM Bass Station, both are sweet units. The Q\Strip is amazing when you start to work the EQ controls with the filters, very nice tone especially when running something like a Darkglass AOU through it. The Bass Station has that parallel out flexibility and a variety of analog cab sim options to pick from, and an SVT voiced front end(no tubes though).

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Thanks for the heads up! I’ll have to check it out. I was under the impression the mid scoop was a Tech 21 thing, not just BDDI.

With the exception of the older version of the BDDI they all have a mid control you know...

You can boost (or scoop) the mids pretty much to your liking. I've never found scooped mids to be a problem at all with my BDDI V2 and I can't stand overly scooped mids. The BDDI V2 does NOT have a parametric mid eq though, it's only switchable 500/1000 Hz but I've found it to be adequate for most situations.

I didn't expect to like the BBDI V2 much based on reviews around here but I actually preferred it to some of the the more popular options (like the VT) and ended up buying it. It's less fiddly than the VT and much easier/faster to dial in a great sound, which was what I needed. I also happened to prefer the tone of the BDDI V2 (which is highly subjective of course).

It's great for doing quick recordings with almost no time for setup and (depending on the tone I need) the result is often 90% of what I'd get with a full setup of a tube amp + DI + LOTS of time tweaking the knobs of my expensive studio rack gear. I really just needed something for my studio when doing quick guide tracks and wanted something with a bit more mojo than just a clean DI but I've actually ended up keeping the BDDI track on many occasions.

I've never used the BDDI for live gigs. I'm sure it would be great if you're going direct only but I'd feel naked without an amp on stage so it's not something I would ever consider.

Mid scoop was a problem with the older BDDI but not with the current V2 (or any other Tech 21 products IMO). Whether you like how they sound is a different matter of course. They do have a very "baked in" tone. I'm very happy with my BDDI V2. It may not be the most versatile pre/DI and it may not always deliver the tone I need but it's pretty good for most stuff and also slightly more versatile than some give it credit for IMO. It's also extremely easy to use and super fast to dial in a good sound, which was the most important thing to me.

 

[Wolfhound32]

Been down this rabbit hole…

Came down to the Mesa DI & Tech21 Geddy Lee DI-2112.

Ged won mainly because it’s a bit more flexible than the Mesa, and it was in stock at Sweetwater

Don’t even miss a cab sim; just set & forget

That & a tuner is my pedalboard. Simple, straightforward sonic enjoyment~

 

[TonyP-]

My main problem with several DI/preamp pedals so to speak is that a lot of do NOT, have a Unaffected throughput.

In other words Sending unaffected signal to your back line amplifier.

That may or may not be important to you.
The Q-Strip does but I don’t think the Mesa does.

A basic DI has that function Im not sure why all of these Preamps don’t.

If that is a not a deal breaker and you could live with the out the Cab sim then the Nordstrand Starlifter is fantastic and does not have a built in OD.

I’m also not a fan of a cheap OD or distortion built in...I would rather have that separate.

 

[IvanBassist]

My main problem with several DI/preamp pedals so to speak is that a lot of do NOT, have a Unaffected throughput.

In other words Sending unaffected signal to your back line amplifier.

That may or may not be important to you.
The Q-Strip does but I don’t think the Mesa does.

A basic DI has that function Im not sure why all of these Preamps don’t.

If that is a not a deal breaker and you could live with the out the Cab sim then the Nordstrand Starlifter is fantastic and does not have a built in OD.

I’m also not a fan of a cheap OD or distortion built in...I would rather have that separate.

The Subway DI does have a through output, in addition to two XLRs and a 1/4" preamp out (wet signal).

For the OP: As other users have mentioned, the VT DI might be a great choice.
Another option would be to get a clean preamp and then add a separate cab sim later in the chain. I think there are more options/combinations when going with this route.

 

[danster]

MXR M80 works great for me.

 

[steelin4u]

Nordstrand Starlifter meets all of your criteria.

 

[spartan1620]

You guys are seriously amazing. I didn’t expect there’d be that many options. I guess my evening is going to be spent finding sound clips and perusing the ‘verb.

 

[bnt]

I have the tc SpectraDrive: it has a basic cab sim on the headphone out only, for practice. The logic (it seems to me) is that you wouldn’t want it on the amp out (natch), or on the DI, since that might be headed to a PA or a DAW. In the PA case, it’s for the FOH person, and when recording I might want to e.g. use a IR for the 8x10” cab that I will never own. The sounds are varied (separate TonePrint sections for Compression and Drive) and very good.

 

[Dragan]

Aguilar tone hammer or Ebs microbass

 

[BobDeRosa]

I'm with @jdabass and @hennessybass on the Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp/DI--a pretty amazing instrument. Take a look at some of the YouTube videos about it. I use it for both upright and bass guitar.

 

[MNAirHead]

I own a bunch of these gizmos.

Minus the cab sim element tho... maybe check out the GK Plex Pre/DI?

I use one weekly... adore it... I'm very into the hifi GK attack and sustain. PM me if you want to hear clips.... learning curve is a not twisting knobs... always sounds GK

has a good practice amp setup

Check out the omnicabsim

Link Removed

I own one for my upright board. It's cool... has some neat features. After using Simulators, I'm convinced they're just a different variety of EQ

has a good practice amp setup

MXR M80 works great for me.

A used M80 is always my inital reply... you can buy them used for $65.... sell them for $65... clean, intuitive, uses phantom, battery or wall power.


------------------

I have sound clips of the above.

 

[TonyP-]

The Subway DI does have a through output, in addition to two XLRs and a 1/4" preamp out (wet signal).

For the OP: As other users have mentioned, the VT DI might be a great choice.
Another option would be to get a clean preamp and then add a separate cab sim later in the chain. I think there are more options/combinations when going with this route.

That’s good to know about the Mesa...
That changes things a bit...

 

[MTN.bass72]

I’m hoping someone might be able to provide a recommendation for a preamp/DI. Here’s what I’m looking for:
- no tubes (don’t want the hassle of changing tubes or dealing with the power draw)
- has a cab sim
- has an EQ
- not Darkglass
- won’t scoop mids like a BDDI
- quiet

I read through the majority of the great preamp/di comparison thread, but it seemed like most options were falling short of at least one criteria. Leaning towards trying to scoop up a Messenger when they become available, but was hoping for any other recommendations that might fit the bill. Thank you in advance for any input.

Hassle for changing tubes??

Check out the Noble pre/di... no need to change the tubes. Plus it powers your pedals.
I've used one with bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and a mandolin... all sound amazing!!
If not, check out either of the Mesa Subway offerings, and for cabsim the DSM Noisemaker Omni Cab Sim Deluxe

 

[Raman]

Definitely looking for clean tone. Don’t get me wrong, the ability to also do grit would be great. But my primary goal is clean tone.

No cab sim, but for simplicity, clean tone and very good EQ, check out the MXR M81.

 

[Iristone]

My main problem with several DI/preamp pedals so to speak is that a lot of do NOT, have a Unaffected throughput.

In other words Sending unaffected signal to your back line amplifier.

That may or may not be important to you.
The Q-Strip does but I don’t think the Mesa does.

A basic DI has that function Im not sure why all of these Preamps don’t.

If that is a not a deal breaker and you could live with the out the Cab sim then the Nordstrand Starlifter is fantastic and does not have a built in OD.

I’m also not a fan of a cheap OD or distortion built in...I would rather have that separate.

The DSM Simplifier has that in spades! Even a clean DI and parallel effect loop (I sometimes plug in another amp sim there to get a Chris Squire style bi-amp routing). The cabsim there is kind of subtle though.