Preamp pedals that do line level?

[Aidenn7]

Master effects super 300 ampeg svt in a pedal..

 

[adube810]

boss bb-1x does it

 

[Vunz]

Grace Design BiX. Studio quality preamp.

 

[lucas303]

Line 6 HX Effects. Probably the Stomp, Floor, and Rack models of the Helix as well but I don't have first hand experience with those.

 

[jw23mind]

Tronographic Rusty Box. I would own one except it's hard to get a non-line level out of it!

 

[AgostoMortal]

BIX, yes, ALIX and FELIX too have a DI output (XLR) line / mic level switch

 

[monsterthompson]

Hilbish Sol Invictus
https://www.hilbishdesign.com/shop/sol-invictus

 

[yberwaffe]

Check out GS Audios preamps.

https://www.grbass.com/portfolio/dual-pre/

I read some good stuff about them but I can't remember where I read it.

 

[Mikey F]

API Tranzformer.

 

[chadds]

Jazzy, you got me wondering what line level actually is and I found right here on talkbass a link that helped explain it. It appears that there are several voltage levels of line level and it looks like a helpful article.
Preamps Explained

This is excellent! Cuts through the voodoo. When people say, "it'll work," it may make sound. It may sound good at home. When you crank it live and it's meh you'll be looking at the clock because you have three more sets to go. When it actually is a match in impedance (not speaker impedance) and volts the pre and amp should work like an integrated amp. You don't notice anything and it gets loud. Some pres or DI out of integrated heads say the right specs. Only one MB head did. Except that was measured with all tone controls, pre, and post cranked.

This is something that has to be done correctly. Wishing doesn't make it so. I was fortunate to end up having three manufacturers talk to on their own, because they wanted their stuff to work in the real world with each other's gear. Only made me respect them more. Eric Papp of Summit, Jim Bergantino and Jule Potter. Eric and Jim's collaboration made for a factory option on the Summit Td-100. Jim and Jule's offerings played well together day one. But they checked with each other. Wow! That's why I support the small business person.

 

[MAFbass1992]

Basswitch, Noble, Olympic... Lots of high-end preamps!

 

[Hasty]

I've been pretty happy with my Grace Felix. Probably the most versatile and useful accessory type thing I've ever bought.

 

[Snaxster]

What are some actual preamp pedals? By that I mean preamps in the form of pedals that can do line level?

There are the Mesa Subway pedals. The Trickfish preamps suggest being able to do line level, but it's not clear… what are some others?

Adding to those already mentioned, there are these, which I think all qualify:

Invalid Link Removed Sonic Spark, Clean Boost, and Classic Boost

sfx SP2 or custom bass preamplifier

Tech 21 Invalid Link Removed

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Snaxster]

Lehle RMI Basswitch Classic Boost Sonic Spark, Clean Boost, and Classic Boost

Wow. Here is an amazing deal for a Invalid Link Removed.

I have no affiliation with the seller. But I might buy one. Because I already have a NOS Sonic Spark and I absolutely do not need another preamp (or any other gear). But what a deal for a specialized preamp of this quality.

 

[j.albert]

There are the Mesa Subway pedals.

An excellent choice. Not sure if you've tried one and didn't care for it…?

 

[T-34]

My G&L 1000 is putting out 2 volts peak to peak in series mode - this is already over line specs, so if you have this bass too, you'll need an attenuator

 

[Patchman777]

It happens. I have the Barber Linden EQ pre (basically a B-15 tonestack in pedal form) that does great things for every bass I own except for one. And that's a Squier CV 60s JB. And that bass sounds great with everything else I own except for the Linden.

I have no explanation for why those two don't get along. I've tried a lot of different things in an attempt to fix it. But it was all to no avail. Sometimes it just is what it is.

I've been considering replacing my Sadowsky preamp (not the DI version) with the Barber Linden EQ. I usually play a JB too. I might rethink this purchase. I like the Sadowsky and they work well with a JB but I recently added a Diamond Jr. bass compressor and they aren't playing well together.

 

[40Hz]

I've been considering replacing my Sadowsky preamp (not the DI version) with the Barber Linden EQ. I usually play a JB too. I might rethink this purchase. I like the Sadowsky and they work well with a JB but I recently added a Diamond Jr. bass compressor and they aren't playing well together.

I found the Smoothie works really well with my JB. I think the clean blend and tilt EQ controls have a lot to do with it. I can really dial it in just so. I've wanted to like the Diamond. My initial impression was very positive. But the longer I. worked with it. the less I found myself liking it for some reason I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Another compressor I really liked with a JB is the Doc Lloyd Photon Death Ray. Got to babysit one for a friend and really came to like it a lot. It nicely fattens things up a bit (never a bad thing when it comes to a JB IMO) and adds a little color without stepping all over the JB's fundamental character we know and love. It's something like the Diamond in vibe. But (to me at least) it just sounds better.

The Death Ray has gotten a little hard to find. But it's worth hunting down if you can get one at a reasonable price. I've got it on my "must buy" list for next year.

 

[bherman]

Q Strip is an excellent choice, reasonably priced and packed full of preamp features in a small footprint.