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SansAmp RBI vs RPM

#262
Hi first post !

Sorry to bump this but I'm deliberating this myself, what do people think about a warm deep tone? I notice most people talking about distortion which one do you think would lend it's self better for a clean dubby style warm bass?


I have to say the RPM seems like the more obvious choice because of the parametric control can anyone advise?
 
#263
I was wondering if anyone else took advantage of Amazon.com's Black Friday sale on the RBI? It was on sale new for $215. I picked one up and am now looking to get an RPM too. I think I'd really dig running both of these/mixing and matching their different tones in front of my M9 Carbine.
 
#265
Mr Bassie said:
Sorry to bump this but I'm deliberating this myself, what do people think about a warm deep tone? I notice most people talking about distortion which one do you think would lend it's self better for a clean dubby style warm bass?

I have to say the RPM seems like the more obvious choice because of the parametric control can anyone advise?
Click to expand...

The RPM sweep-mid starts at 170Hz, which is upper bass... that might help for dub tones, but in general the sweep mid will certainly be more useful for dub than the fixed mid and presence controls on the RBI.
 
#268
Mr Bassie said:
so in terms of "warmth" (I know) and depth you'd say they were fairly even?
Click to expand...

Some say that the RBI is brighter than the RPM. I own both, and I'm not sure that's true... not with Blend set no higher than 60%, anyway. The Presence (high treble) control on the RBI is boost-only, so my hunch is that some users set Presence to noon thinking that noon is flat, when in fact it's boosting highs quite a bit. :ninja:

All that aside: I think you'll get similar low end from each preamp, but with the sweep mid on the RPM you'll be able to boost as low as 170Hz, which I consider high bass rather than low midrange. So, if your focus is lows rather than highs, go with the RPM.

FWIW, I mostly play modern rock and like bright aggressive tones. I also use the Bergantino NV610 cab, which has no tweeter. So my focus is typically on highs rather than lows, and that's why, if given a choice, I'd take the RBI. However I use both the RBI and RPM at once, so I don't have to choose. :)
 
#269
Thanks for the advice Fuzz

I've gone for the RPM I'll post some feedback on my thoughts as I guess others might be looking for a similar tone

FYI I've bought this for an in studio solution for recording so I'll post up the results
 
#271
Rocksolid said:
Lots of good reading in this thread so I wanted to give it a bump.

I am thinking of putting one of these in my rack with my Eden WT800.

Anyone got any thoughts either way on whether I put it in line with my Rack tuner and X2 wireless or is it better in the fx loop?

Cheers all!
Click to expand...

Bump for your question.

Shouldn't hurt to experiment yourself. I'd probably run into the SansAmp first and then into the WT800, but I'm no expert. Maybe some others will chime in.
 
#273
My RBI is running through the FX loop. Indeed my presence is hanging around noon, Blend around 70%, Treble around noon, Bass and Mids boosted to varying degrees depending on the situation. Drive setting also depends on the song I'm playing.
 
#274
I just ordered a SansAmp RBI... chose the RBI over the RPM since I'll be using it as an effect rather than my sole pre-amp. The RPM has a sweepable parametric mid control, but I figure the parametric EQ on my Eden WT-400 can take care of that... meanwhile the RBI has a presence control to boost upper harmonics that the RPM lacks.

Will probably patch in the RBI through my Eden's fx loop, to add a little tube grittiness to the uber clean Eden tone, when necessary. I love the clear, warm Eden tone, but sometimes a little dirt is in order.
 
#275
I have an EBS TD 660, 2 EBS CL 410 and a US jazz bass with SD SJB-2. I was wondering about the Sansamp RPM, will it give me some extra warmth and grit to this rather clinical and cold EBS sound?
My only concern is that I use a lot of OD/Dist pedal (Taurus abigar, Darkglass B3K, Aguilar Agro, El grande bass fuzz, VT bass). How does the RPM work with distortion pedals, and do I really need it, will it give me something I can't get from the gear I have?
Because I was dreaming about the SVT-IIP pream, but can't get it here in Poland :(
Actually there aren't nearly any tube/tube like preamps around here, so I was wondering if the RPM'll do the trick?
 
#277
I ran into a screaming deal on a New Old Stock Tech 21 RBI for $150 a while back so I took a chance on it. I basically liked it, but felt it was somewhat one dimensional with its inherently mid scooped tone. I eventually traded it to get a Tech 21 RPM and am MUCH happier with it ... it's WAY more versatile than the RBI, IMHO. Both are good preamps because Tech 21 makes great stuff ... I wish they'd come out with a rack mountable VT Bass Pedal.
 
#278
Filip Burdon said:
I have an EBS TD 660, 2 EBS CL 410 and a US jazz bass with SD SJB-2. I was wondering about the Sansamp RPM, will it give me some extra warmth and grit to this rather clinical and cold EBS sound?
My only concern is that I use a lot of OD/Dist pedal (Taurus abigar, Darkglass B3K, Aguilar Agro, El grande bass fuzz, VT bass). How does the RPM work with distortion pedals, and do I really need it, will it give me something I can't get from the gear I have?
Because I was dreaming about the SVT-IIP pream, but can't get it here in Poland :(
Actually there aren't nearly any tube/tube like preamps around here, so I was wondering if the RPM'll do the trick?
Click to expand...

IMO, the SansAmp devices are plenty warm. They can be run clean, but are designed to be tube emulators.

You already have a bunch of overdrive effects pedals, but if you only use them as needed for heavier distortion effects then the RPM could still be useful. You could set the RPM for gentle overdrive, and dial it in to taste using the Blend control. That way you'd warm up the default sound of your EBS rig, and still be able to kick in various flavors of distortion from the pedals. The RPM is very close to flat, so you could add warmth without affecting tone.
 
#279
pbassnut said:
I ran into a screaming deal on a New Old Stock Tech 21 RBI for $150 a while back so I took a chance on it. I basically liked it, but felt it was somewhat one dimensional with its inherently mid scooped tone. I eventually traded it to get a Tech 21 RPM and am MUCH happier with it ... it's WAY more versatile than the RBI, IMHO. Both are good preamps because Tech 21 makes great stuff ... I wish they'd come out with a rack mountable VT Bass Pedal.
Click to expand...

Great snag on the RBI, too bad it didn't work out.

The mid scoop of the RBI can be largely (but not completely) mitigated by keeping Blend below 50% (noon), but overall I agree with everything you said.

The RBI works well for me because I use the sealed/tweeterless Bergantino NV610. The Presence control gives me great shimmer on top, and that cab is so punchy that a little bit of mid scoop doesn't hurt. That said, I liked RBI+RPM even better than just RBI.
 

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