preamp for recording

[ogar]

Hi there, here is the story:
We are going to record in 2 weeks and though I really love the tone of my Markbass LMK in live context, I am not sure it will be "the THING" for recording, so I try to find something to do the work for me.

First to be said. I am situated in the midlle of the Europe, with limited reach of high-end stuff (which I don't have money for anyway...) and I play old Ibanez JB copy from late 70' (great instrument!), almost exclusively fingerstyle. Our style is mixture of blues, jazz and rock.

Second, I will record on my equipment, it will be kinda live album (but played in the improvised studio), and none of the expensive tube studio pre's will be available.

Third, I am after clean, articulate, but warm tone (early Dave Matthews Band recordings come to my mind right now, also JP on new Chick Corea Elektric Band recording... guess you've got the picture).

I've found SWR Grand Prix preamp for reasonable price within my reach, also Sadowsky Outboard Preamp/DI. Both pre's are comparable moneywise for me, have great reviews, but... from what I've read, right now I slightly prefer the Grand prix, as it seems to be more universal, studio oriented and Sadowsky seems to be rather the "gig-thing".
I will be grateful for your opinions/experiences. Should I buy SWR, Sadowsky, or just stick with Markbass and give it a try? Or can you recommend me other reasonable stuff I can get hold of?
Thanks.

 

[chadds]

From your description of the tone desired clear articulate and warm the Summit TD-100 is the item. Great DI! Try Jive Sound in VA. Invalid Link Removed
Or Sweetwater or Washington Professional Systems. Eric at Summit told me that they sell in Europe.

 

[anderbass]

I have a room full of cool amps/preamps/compressors and mics.
To me, the Sansamp RBI/BDDI is the most fool proof method, for getting
quality bass tracks. (clean-ish to overdriven sounds)

 

[chadds]

Basstasters with good computer speakers or good headphones. See if you can hear your baby.

 

[dunamis]

Another one that may be worth considering is the Phil Jones Bass Buddy. I use one as a preamp for live performance and (to my ear) it's just what you've described.

I have not tried it for recording yet but I have heard from others that it works very well for it.

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[uglycicles]

I recently recorded through an Avalon U5 and was impressed.

both a 76 Jazz bass and a Lakland Hollowbody.

Warm + articulate.

 

[uglycicles]

Re-reading your post, I own the Sadowsky outboard pre and really like it. Have not recorded with it yet, but have often used it in lieu of a rig and gone direct to the PA with just monitor feed to hear myself. It's a very nice sounding box.

 

[ogar]

Thanks guys, I went to Basstasters and from what I've heard, I like the Summit TD-100 best (the others were SWR, Sadowsky, Demeter), but I rather could not justify to buy it only for one session... I will see, how the deal on the items of interest will go. I also looked at the Bass Buddy and surprisingly found one for reasonable price in German music shop.
Can any of you share your experiences with Markbass LKM, SWR GP, Sadowsky Outboard and Phil Jones Bass Buddy as a recording tools?

 

[dunamis]

Thanks guys, I went to Basstasters and from what I've heard, I like the Summit TD-100 best (the others were SWR, Sadowsky, Demeter), but I rather could not justify to buy it only for one session... I will see, how the deal on the items of interest will go. I also looked at the Bass Buddy and surprisingly found one for reasonable price in German music shop.
Can any of you share your experiences with Markbass LKM, SWR GP, Sadowsky Outboard and Phil Jones Bass Buddy as a recording tools?

Again, no personal experience with using the BB for recording but Nathan East used it for the recording of two of his recent albums for Andrea Bocelli and Destiny's Child.

(Note: this information is from SMASH's review thread, found here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256206)

 

[ogar]

Well, of course, that is a good reference and plus point... seems like the PJBB is spreading its magic over me, I can smell some G.A.S here . Now seriously, I may give it a shot. It is reasonably priced even here in Europe, so far I've read mostly raving reviews and I can find the use of it even outside recording session as it can replace the EBS Microbass II I foolishly sold recently.
Thanks for your input!

 

[Pickebass]

Something you might want to consider for recording purposes is the bass pod XT or XT live. I have a few high end pres and access to others, but for a good recorded sound it's really easy to get a good sound on tape for little money and you still have some useful effects for other things