Preamps (On stage)

[TonyP-]

A notable difference with the U5 is the Thru can be toggled to buffered, meaning it runs through the U5's active circuits. The Thru on most DIs is essentially a parallel connection to the input. Functionality it's the same as a Y cable.

Also the U5 has 30dB of gain and both mic level and line level outputs. This is why it can be used as a preamp.

6 Tone presets:
View attachment 7477015

Thanks for sharing this diagram, the U5 is a great DI or course, but it never completely resonated with me and always preferred something else. Now I can physically see why and didn’t like as much some of the settings.

 

[TomB]

Just to echo all the responses to this thread.
I don’t know one professional payer that does not have a separate DI in their perspective ‘setup’.

If I’m using a DI that requires ‘phantom power’ (which is most of the time but not always), it’s an RNDI. If don’t know the sound person or company, I will bring an additional passive DI like the JDI, just in case there the rare chance there is no phantom power available and I’m glad I did a couple of times.

It doesn’t have to be something as big as the U5 or REDDI, (love the REDDI, but it’s recording piece for me), my road based DIs / DI-pres (there is a difference) are not necessarily much bigger than a common effect pedals.

However…If you showed up to a show and mentioned where your ‘drop’ was to the sound person and pointed to REDDI or U5, …I would be willing to bet a burrito and coffee ️ that they would not complain in the slightest.

You’re probably right! I’m not sure how many young techs get a chance to mess around with a U5 any more, but it is a great piece in the studio - my second favorite to a Pultec. So they’d probably dig it. But Live? I dunno… . I’ve always let the engineer tweak it. These days there are plug-ins for either of those pieces and more, and if I bring them up the kids just click a few times on their DAW and there it is - the control panel! What a world!

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I have been inserting a sans amp in my bass chain on my wing, and quite like having the abilitly to use it to adjust the sound out of the DI.

 

[TonyP-]

You’re probably right! I’m not sure how many young techs get a chance to mess around with a U5 any more, but it is a great piece in the studio - my second favorite to a Pultec. So they’d probably dig it. But Live? I dunno… . I’ve always let the engineer tweak it. These days there are plug-ins for either of those pieces and more, and if I bring them up the kids just click a few times on their DAW and there it is - the control panel! What a world!

I have pulled away from a straight DI for my own band at times where its a 3 piece and I know my sound/tone is needed as part of the perfmance and the bass is more upfront. I will use a preamp pedeal DI and explain to the FOH that I have a pre EQ signal and to please keep it as close as possible, without stepping on their toes.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I'd like to think I have a pretty pro setup. Modulus Q5 and and Eden Wt-800 with xlt cabs. However I see a lot of guys in really big bands and they all use like an Avalon U5 or something in their rack. I understand what the Avalon U5 is/does I'm just wondering what benefits I might see from using one live? Is it just for the Soundboard recordings or does it get pumped out to FOH? I think the Eden Pre is already so top notch I'm just not sure I need it. We record our shows to a midas m32. Thanks for any info.

In your case, with your WT-800 (that happens to have IMO the best preamp devised by the mind of man) powering two Eden EXL cab, I’m not sure what you’re looking for that you don’t already have at your disposal.

Secondly , I believe your Modulus Q5 is active, which is in reality nothing more than an onboard pre-amp. My question here is do you really need a third? And that leads me to my last question, what’s missing? Or what am I missing here?

 

[4Mal]

I liked my U5's a lot tonally. Form factor is not convenient and after talking to Avalon about phantom power ( they couldn't say yes or no) I moved on. I like what I get from an Underground Accellerator driving a Finally.

 

[TomB]

The new little Mark II Subway DI / preamp from Mesa is a great new product at a very reasonable price point. I’m currently having lots of fun with it.

 

[Bonecat]

I have a Walrus Audio Mantle on my pedalboard that goes to FOH. We’re all in IEMs and I haven’t needed to use an amp in years. My bass (Muckelroy) has a really broad range of tones and I get whatever I need out of that…