Recommendations Needed: Preamp/DI pedal for Live Use

[Bonecat]

After spending a couple days trying to sift through the mass of information here, I’m no closer to being able to make a choice than I was when I started. So, I thought I’d outline my use case, priorities, budget, etc., and see what my more experienced brethren might recommend. Here goes:

Use Case: I play in a busy 6 piece pop/rock cover band (35-50 shows per year) and a classic rock/r&b band that is gigging maybe 10 time a year. In both, we are all using IEMs and I run ampless direct to FOH.

Priorities: I want to build a small pedalboard with an "always on" preamp/DI that will let me send a high headroom, quality clean signal to FOH that sounds like my basses. Both of my instruments (passive Muckelroy, USA Sterling) have very flexible tone controls and let me get the sounds I need. I don't need complex tone shaping or drive or other effects. I would like some degree of level control and an adjustable HPF of some sort. The device I end up with needs to fit on a small (14" Pedaltrain Nano) board, with my Shure GLXD+ wireless and a Sweetfoot or similar power supply. Obviously, it needs to be able to stand up to a lot of use in a lot of different settings.

Budget: Not unlimited, but I'm willing to spend a fair bit for the right tool. Say $800-ish max... (No Noble, Khan, REDDI for me - Too $$ and too big)

Other Considerations: We're busy and as such, I'd prefer not to have to wait months to get the thing. But I have other options short term and can be patient if its worth the wait.

With all of that taken into consideration, what would you do if you were in my place?

Many Thanks!

Phil

 

[Geri O]

Yes, I can read. However…..

Khan VTDI - $600. Well under $800. And my choice of DI. I never leave home without it. Not much bigger than a Radial JDI.

Neve RNDI - $399.00
RNDI-M - $199.00 (small version)

All are great choices for your needs, if I understand you accurately.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

For what you describe, a Grace Designs ALiX could be pretty good, but it's just above your $800 price point. There's also the BiX, which has basic EQ, but no HPF, or the Moxi, which has everything x2. The BiX and ALiX have a boost function which could very easily be used to compensate for differences in the output between the 2 instruments if you're sharing a single input between the 2 instruments via the wireless. I personally use a Grace Felix for DB and can attest to it's "studio quality" clean, high-headroom signal path, but that's way overkill for you. The Grace pedals are built like a tank, too.

I know there are a few preamps from Broughton and others that include a variable HPF, but I'm not sure what's out there there doesn't have a lot more complex tone shaping. The Alix and Moxi referenced above have versatile EQ and other features you may not need.

This doesn't quite fit the bill of an all-in-one package, but really like the Sadowsky SBP-1 for level control and very basic boost-only EQ. The gotcha is that the DI output has a fixed HPF, so I don't recommend it as a DI unless that HPF works for you (I'd get a SBP-2 if I did it over again). I always take the 1/4" output of the Sadowsky to a Radial J48 or Manley Tube DI (which has a variable HPF). I've recently added a Broughton HPF to my arsenal, but so far only to use with DB. If you're not opposed to a separate HPF pedal, you might find more options open up.

You could also run HPF straight to a quality DI like @Geri O mentioned above.

 

[ahbass2500]

Compact DI, only controls required are HPF and level...

Broughton Studio One
Broughton Messenger Jr
Sushibox Finally (tube, make sure power supply has enough for it)

Broughtons have a touch more than the required controls, but pretty basic control set still.

 

[Wasnex]

I am confused by your request. You mention using a GLXD+ wireless. Usually the wireless goes straight to FOH. Where do you plan to plug in the preamp/DI?

I don't need an HPF as I would expect the mixing console to have one on each channel strip. I would generally dial in a basic sound with my bass's tone controls at the center detente. Then during the show I adjust the bass's controls to meet changing needs. So I would want a preamp with some decent tone controls.

The MXR M81 is cheap and has a decent reputation.
Tech 21 Q-Strip is a more premium option (recently discontinued).


I usually run straight into a DI. If this is an option consider the Empress bass ParaEQ...it's pretty much a full featured preamp...but output is instrument level and there is no DI.

If you really just want level and a variable HPF and can plug into a standard DI, consider an FDeck HPF.

 

[tidbits]

SushiBox Finally V3 gets you what you need and nothing more.

Clean tube roundness, with a touch of character. Variable HPF. Independent level controls for the XLR and 1/4.

I pair it with the Empress Bass ParaEQ and that goes to FOH and my power amp. But you can pair whatever you want with it (even the onboard controls on your bass) for your needs

 

[GTHintz]

Well the way I see it you have a few options. You can go ultra clean and get the Aguilar ag preamp or really simple yet good mxr m81. If you need a little more in terms of knobs and multiple outputs and even multiple input the radial tonebone is a great clean eq that can get it done for you. All these have di outs and regular in and outputs. No real gimmick cab sims or ir stuff. Just plug and play but all are great gear. I can’t not recommend the tone hammer preamp from Aguilar as well. It’s more colored than the ag or the other ones I mentioned but it’s a gem. A little bit of character but tons of great useable eq.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Compact DI, only controls required are HPF and level...

Broughton Studio One
Broughton Messenger Jr
Sushibox Finally (tube, make sure power supply has enough for it)

Broughtons have a touch more than the required controls, but pretty basic control set still.

Does the Finally do clean? I've never heard a clean demo of one and I don't like the character of the demos I've heard. I just don't know.

 

[ahbass2500]

Does the Finally do clean? I've never heard a clean demo of one and I don't like the character of the demos I've heard. I just don't know.

I had the first version of Finally (current ones are v3). It was clean if you did not push it. It has been a several years since I have owned anything Sushi Box. In general I did not like to push any of the Sushi pedals into overdrive (edge of breakup at most for me). I tube swapped them down to lower gain tubes to avoid overdrive. I have not tried the Finally V3, but it comes with a 12AU7. Based on the Sushi pedals and tube swapping I did years ago, my guess is the Finally V3 should run clean unless the gain is cranked up.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I had the first version of Finally (current ones are v3). It was clean if you did not push it. It has been a several years since I have owned anything Sushi Box. In general I did not like to push any of the Sushi pedals into overdrive (edge of breakup at most for me). I tube swapped them down to lower gain tubes to avoid overdrive. I have not tried the Finally V3, but it comes with a 12AU7. Based on the Sushi pedals and tube swapping I did years ago, my guess is the Finally V3 should run clean unless the gain is cranked up.

I need something that works for my G&Ls with MFDs. I also hate the compression that comes with low-headroom saturation and breakup, so my tastes tend toward clean and high-headroom like the OP mentioned.

 

[James Simonson]

Just get a Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver V2 with the mid control. Sound men will respect you. Regardless, many sound techs will put the digital version on your channel because its what works. Runs on phantom power. It’s a solid quiet circuit.

 

[slowjam98]

No HPF, but the MXR M81 is great.

 

[mikeynets]

Source Audio Zio Bass ticks your boxes.

 

[soul_rebel]

EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Preamp

It is clean, high quality, has two channels: switch between them or use together. I use it for parallel Compression,so i split the signal before the preamp and compress only one of the signals.

each channel has bass and treble shelf filters, paramteric mids and the choice between adjustable HPF or Nodge Filter.

Also good for rehearsal (headphones, aux in)

As it was built for use with double bass, it also has a mic input in one channel.
On top oft that the XLR out has a switchable cabsim

It sounds awesome to my ears!

If one day you'd like to use a cab and poweramp: as far as I tested it, you can also fuel a poweramp with it.

 

[Cliff_Lightyear]

Hey Phil,

From what you’ve described, I think the Orange Bass Butler could be a great fit. I’ve been using it as my main preamp/DI on a small pedalboard, running ampless and direct to FOH in both a 5-piece heavy metal band and a 6-piece blues band. It’s been rock solid in every setting.

The clean channel is clear, punchy, and has tons of headroom (runs at 18V), really letting your bass’s natural tone shine through. The 3-band EQ is simple but musical – great for quick adjustments without over-shaping your sound. The DI out works great with IEMs and FOH.

It fits easily on a compact board – I don’t use wireless, just the Butler, a couple of effects, and a small power supply.

I only use the dirt channel occasionally, but the clean side alone makes the pedal totally worth it.

And yeah – it’s built like a tank. No issues after regular gigging, it just works.

The only thing it’s missing is a built-in HPF. I personally haven’t needed one, but if that’s a must-have for you, you could always add a small external HPF.

Let me know if you’d like to see my setup or how I’ve got it dialed in.

Cheers,
Lukas

 

[Mastiff_5]

Source Audio Zio Bass ticks your boxes.

This is where I landed, and I am extremely happy. I love the Delano Sonar 3 + BasCulture pickups combo in my Maruszczyk Frog because the pre in it is so potent and versatile… at my fingertips. So I wanted an always-on that Presented my tone. The minimal but very effective tools on the ZIO are used to clean a bit of looseness from effect up-stream of it (I.e., the LPF), the DI is excellent, and the on-board diode is defeatable/adjustable, for a simple tubey warming - or a big growl switch.
Anyway, you can drop < = ~ $800 on any of the fantastic options above, but audition a ZIO first.

 

[prndltech]

I am confused by your request. You mention using a GLXD+ wireless. Usually the wireless goes straight to FOH. Where do you plan to plug in the preamp/DI?

Lots of folks run the GLXD+ as a tuner pedal in front of everything.

It’s the first thing on my pedal board, then out to the hx stomp and so on and so forth.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am using the Genzler Magellan Preamp/DI Pedal exactly as you describe. It's the head in a pedal with an added high pass filter and a great sounding DI.

 

[ahbass2500]

I am using the Genzler Magellan Preamp/DI Pedal exactly as you describe. It's the head in a pedal with an added high pass filter and a great sounding DI.

View attachment 7416452

I was going to suggest this, but felt it might be larger than what OP wanted. Given the recent recommendations have been on the larger side, seconding this one.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I have the Magellan Pre DI as well. Built extremely well and very flexible. Have taken it to jams where I just send to PA or mixer and I and good to go. Plenty or EQ from the unit or my bass.