Double Bass Red Eye Preamp

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I never noticed it lowering the low end response, but will play with that.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Not sure if I’m reading you correctly but it sounds like you want to know how to introduce the Red Eye into your signal chain and then into your amp. I have an Acoustic Image head as well, but this is how I use the Red Eye with whatever amp I’m using:

Bass (or 1/4” line from your pickup) into the input of the Red Eye labeled “instrument”, then another 1/4” cable out of the 1/4” output on the Red Eye labeled “effects loop out” (or it might be just a little arrow pointing out) and into the normal 1/4” instrument input of your amp.

I put the unit on top of the amp somewhere, either on the cabinet or the amp itself, so I have a short 20” or so 1/4” patch cable for hooking up the Red Eye to the amp that I keep with it.

If I misunderstood your inquiry then my apologies. Either way, enjoy your new Red Eye!

So what you’re saying is that the Balanced XLR out on the Red Eye would not be the way to go directly into my Clarus amp? I’m assuming that Balnced Out is just for FOH type stuff if say your running the Red Eye without an amp and directly into the PA—right?

 

[JBarz]

So what you’re saying is that the Balanced XLR out on the Red Eye would not be the way to go directly into my Clarus amp? I’m assuming that Balnced Out is just for FOH type stuff if say your running the Red Eye without an amp and directly into the PA—right?

No wrong answers here, Keith. I know, it's maddening.

FWIW, I liked it best though the XLR into the Clarus phantom powered, but YMMV blah blah blah.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

So what you’re saying is that the Balanced XLR out on the Red Eye would not be the way to go directly into my Clarus amp? I’m assuming that Balnced Out is just for FOH type stuff if say your running the Red Eye without an amp and directly into the PA—right?

The manufacturers intent, and the way most people use the routing features, is that the XLR out is for FOH and the 1/4” out is meant to go to the input of your amp. I don’t discount @zootsaxes experience, but this is the intended routing of the device AFAICT. As always, EEMMV.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

No wrong answers here, Keith. I know, it's maddening.

FWIW, I liked it best though the XLR into the Clarus phantom powered, but YMMV blah blah blah.

That’s how I would prefer to run it is on phantom power through the XLR output. I’m going to get one of these little beauties soon as I think I might have a buyer for my 70s SVT 810 cab (finally). I prefer to finance my musical purchases with sales of other other gear I don’t use anymore, but the 810 has been so tough to sell.

I’m wondering if I like the Red Eye as much as I think I’m going to like it on my carved bass, then how it might work with stereo pickups like the Vic’s Model C on my Kay. I wouldn’t want to cancel the RE’s magic by having to split the signal with my K&K Rockabilly Preamp first; so I would assume it would be Red Eye first, then into the K&K to split up the clicky from the bridge wing pickup for my two channel Clarus to take advantage of the impedance matching properties of the RE.

 

[Ric Vice]

That’s how I would prefer to run it is on phantom power through the XLR output. I’m going to get one of these little beauties soon as……….

I’m wondering if I like the Red Eye as much as I think I’m going to like it on my carved bass, then how it might work with stereo pickups like the Vic’s Model C on my Kay. I wouldn’t want to cancel the RE’s magic by having to split the signal with my K&K Rockabilly Preamp first; so I would assume it would be Red Eye first, then into the K&K to split up the clicky from the bridge wing pickup for my two channel Clarus to take advantage of the impedance matching properties of the RE.

Keith,
There is a dual channel model of the RedEye. I don’t know if that would solve you dual K&K pickup inputs as I’m not familiar with that devices setup. I have the single channel RedEye that has three options for powering it up since it has a “wall wart” connector in between the effects in and effects out. That said the RedEye is so efficient that I’ve not changed the 9v battery yet after nearly 2 years and I’ve checked it several times.

 

[bherman]

That’s how I would prefer to run it is on phantom power through the XLR output. I’m going to get one of these little beauties soon as I think I might have a buyer for my 70s SVT 810 cab (finally). I prefer to finance my musical purchases with sales of other other gear I don’t use anymore, but the 810 has been so tough to sell.

I’m wondering if I like the Red Eye as much as I think I’m going to like it on my carved bass, then how it might work with stereo pickups like the Vic’s Model C on my Kay. I wouldn’t want to cancel the RE’s magic by having to split the signal with my K&K Rockabilly Preamp first; so I would assume it would be Red Eye first, then into the K&K to split up the clicky from the bridge wing pickup for my two channel Clarus to take advantage of the impedance matching properties of the RE.

Keith - my suggestion to you is to get in touch with Daren @ Fireye and communicate with him directly about your intended setup and signal routing. I had some questions when first considering the Twin, and he was helpful and immediately responsive. Sorry, no advice from me on selling your Fridge cab though

 

[Ben Rolston]

I've used the trial Red-Eye twin on a few gigs this week. For me I ended up liking my Felix more. There is something nice and squishy and acoustic about the envelope of the Red-eye, but it felt a bit dark, and even muddy in certain registers. Felix has more options, and on my sonically crowded gig last night had a clearer sound. This was with Spiros and a Realist Lifeline.

Who's next on the trial list?

 

[Ryan in PDX]

If the trial team is taking applications, I would love to be added to the list.

 

[Hasty]

[edit] Scratch that... kkenda11 reached out and is ready to go, if there's no objections to him jumping the line a couple spots I'll send it out early this week.

list from page 28:

* bdowd
* Chris Fitzgerald
* crd
basically_eli
* statsc
* vanselus
Ben Rolston
kkenda11
Hasty


This looks like the last iteration of the list that I found on page 28. Maybe me if Kenda11 has already had a go with it.

we might also need to update the list to make sure we’re current.

 

[kkenda11]

list from page 28:

* bdowd
* Chris Fitzgerald
* crd
basically_eli
* statsc
* vanselus
Ben Rolston
kkenda11
Hasty


This looks like the last iteration of the list that I found on page 28. Maybe me if Kenda11 has already had a go with it.

we might also need to update the list to make sure we’re current.

I’ve had my turn already.. Looks like you’re next Hasty…

 

[Hasty]

I’ve had my turn already.. Looks like you’re next Hasty…

Woot!

 

[Ric Vice]

………. For me I ended up liking my Felix more. There is something nice and squishy and acoustic about the envelope of the Red-eye, but it felt a bit dark, and even muddy in certain registers. Felix has more options, and on my sonically crowded gig last night had a clearer sound. This was with Spiros and a Realist Lifeline………..

I have a similar take, but with Evah Parazzi Weichs and my powered smaller MAS 1/8 the RedEye into the Grace has a very nice effect. Whether or not it’s really necessary to use both is probably debatable. What I like about the combo is the boost control can be with you on the floor while the Grace sits atop the amp. That’s a very convenient setup. Just my take. Fortunately the MAS cabinets are anything but muddy. Just my take of course.

P.S. I realize that most folks are likely running the Grace Felix into an amplifier so
adding the RedEye to that signal chain it a lot of “icing on the cake”

 

[Jason Hollar]

Any chance I could get on the trial list?

 

[Hasty]

Any chance I could get on the trial list?

Sure thing! Here's an updated list from around page 28 onward. If I'm missing anyone let me know. It's headed my way and I'll pass it along after my dance with it.


Updated Redeye Trial List as of 07/31/2023
1. @Keith Rawlings
2. @Ryan in PDX
2. @Jason Hollar
3. ???

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Sure thing! Here's an updated list from around page 28 onward. If I'm missing anyone let me know. It's headed my way and I'll pass it along after my dance with it.


Updated Redeye Trial List as of 07/31/2023
1. @Keith Rawlings
2. @Ryan in PDX
2. @Jason Hollar
3. ???

Awesome! I wondered where I was in the mix. I can’t wait to try it!

 

[Shoes4Industry]

All,

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the detailed information and insight into the Red-Eye(s). I have been doing more doubling lately and the Twin seemed like a good solution without replacing my amp.

I have yet to really evaluate this thing with the electric but I've done a few jobs on my double bass and so far I'm liking the sound I'm getting. I'm using a Lifeline, AI Clarus SL, and Genzler 10" array cab. The immediate thing I noticed is that the Twin evened out the response I was getting from the Lifeline; it had some "hot spots" in the lower-mid/D string range. Also, I can definitely hear myself easier in the upper registers. I had to change the EQ on the amp but once I got that dialed in (more flat than without the Twin), it's very good.

Also appreciated was the fast email response I got from the company when I had questions.

 

[dylanjohnson]

I seem to have lost my Red Eye. Bummed! I must have left it at a gig. It's the first pedal I've lost in 30 years of working.

I found mine and am so glad to have it back. Saved me on a difficult high volume gig yesterday.

 

[flatback]

Had a bunch of duo gigs this week and brought just the REtwin velcro'd to the MAS16p. Tiny footprint, in and out in one, frickin killin sound.

 

[bdowd]

I'm in love with the red eye treble knob, just so easy to dial in some sweetening as needed. I can't easily get that same flavoring from my headway or q strip. Going with what's easy..