Double Bass Rupert Neve Designs 5017/517?

[lowfreqgeek]

I'm curious if anyone is using either form factor of the RND 517/5017 mic pre/DI box for DB? I found a few old threads where it was mentioned, but not many.

The features fall short in some areas for live stage use (depending on what level of on-stage control you need), but it could excel as a studio tool. I think it would be a fantastic electric bass DI for studio use, as well. I know that one of Nashville's top session bassists, Mark Hill, has the 517 in a 500-series lunchbox as the front end of his bass DI.

I'm not looking (at the moment) to do anything different from my Grace Felix, but the concept of this RNP preamp caught my attention, so I'm curious.

 

[Ric Vice]

Based on my limited experience the Grace Felix is a better fit for live Double Bass sound. I’ve used Neve preamps in the studio and Grace preamps
as well. The Felix is essentially a pair of M101’s with all the additional bells and whistles required for live performance that the Neve doesn’t have. JUST MY TAKE OF,COURSE.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Based on my limited experience the Grace Felix is a better fit for live Double Bass sound. I’ve used Neve preamps in the studio and Grace preamps
as well. The Felix is essentially a pair of M101’s with all the additional bells and whistles required for live performance that the Neve doesn’t have. JUST MY TAKE OF,COURSE.

The Felix is way ahead for live performance. It's far more capable than the 5017 of almost everything except the variable phase (at least the 1st gen Felix). I'm primarily curious about the sonic fidelity of the 5017 on DB, mostly for studio use. One thing I wish the Felix could do is bypass the EQ/HPF and function more like a straight up 2Ch preamp in the studio. However, it's not really intended to be a studio preamp and the feature set isn't geared toward that.

 

[Ric Vice]

Well in that case I can tell you that my experience with one of the original Neve channel strips. The sound of the bass opened up in a way I’ve never heard before. The character of the instrument, its subtleties, timbre, and nuances. Now, I know that those are all superlatives so let’s just say that it greatly improved where the dynamic range.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Well in that case I can tell you that my experience with one of the original Neve channel strips. The sound of the bass opened up in a way I’ve never heard before. The character of the instrument, its subtleties, timbre, and nuances. Now, I know that those are all superlatives so let’s just say that it greatly improved where the dynamic range.

Nice! I know the Portico series isn't quite like the original Neve, but I can't imagine it would be anything less than Really Good.

 

[LaFaro01]

If you like the "Neve"-Sound, I would check out also the BAE 73, which for my ears works even better with Double Bass...
Invalid Link Removed
If you are going more in the "API"-direction, check out the Electrodyne..

Electrodyne 501 500 series preamp

a two stage discrete transistor, transformer coupled preamp with active DI, using classic early '70s design technology built for 500 series racks

www.transaudiogroup.com

But the "clearest", natural sounding preamp for my ears is the Roger Schult Preamp, which I like most....

Roger Schult - V2359j amp4ribbon microphone preamp with three integrated filters, impedance matching and +48 V phantom power

Roger Schult - V2359j amp4ribbon microphone preamp with three integrated filters, reduction of disturbing and accentuation of desired frequencies, impedance matching from 150 Ohm to 22 kOhm, bypass switch and +48 V phantom power, high pass, equalizer, api® 500

www.rogerschult.com

 

[LaFaro01]

If you like the "Neve"-Sound, I would check out also the BAE 73, which for my ears works even better with Double Bass...
Invalid Link Removed
If you are going more in the "API"-direction, check out the Electrodyne..

Electrodyne 501 500 series preamp

a two stage discrete transistor, transformer coupled preamp with active DI, using classic early '70s design technology built for 500 series racks

www.transaudiogroup.com

But the "clearest", natural sounding preamp for my ears is the Roger Schult Preamp, which I like most....

Roger Schult - V2359j amp4ribbon microphone preamp with three integrated filters, impedance matching and +48 V phantom power

Roger Schult - V2359j amp4ribbon microphone preamp with three integrated filters, reduction of disturbing and accentuation of desired frequencies, impedance matching from 150 Ohm to 22 kOhm, bypass switch and +48 V phantom power, high pass, equalizer, api® 500

www.rogerschult.com

I forgot to mention... the best thing is to be spoilt for choice...

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I forgot to mention... the best thing is to be spoilt for choice...
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I agree! But... baby steps!

I'm working toward a rig that I can haul to the various studios I work in or use at home in my own, and have both DB and EB covered. Some of the studios I've been in are happy to use what I bring, whereas others are more stuck to their preferred chain.