- Sep 26, 2005
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Secret Preamp / Always On kinda pedals
- Thread starter Heroinsheep
- Start date
I'm running a Darkglass X7 with the drive about 50% and only on a tight band of high frequency, leaving the low & miss clean/mildly compressed.
A great mild driven sound that really cuts through the mix.
I then use an Alpha-Omega for the heavier stuff.
A great mild driven sound that really cuts through the mix.
I then use an Alpha-Omega for the heavier stuff.
I ran an Alesis Nanocompressor as an always on effect on the 90’s
probably still would if it hadn’t gotten separated from me during a several year lull in playing.
It was probably a crutch for imperfect technique, but it made everything sound great!
probably still would if it hadn’t gotten separated from me during a several year lull in playing.
It was probably a crutch for imperfect technique, but it made everything sound great!
SolidgoldFX Beta is a fantastic always-on pedal. Yes, it's an overdrive, not a preamp. But it's got a low gain germanium circuit. It will get plenty overdrivey when you turn the gain up. But with the gain at lower settings, it's fantastic as an always-on character adding pedal. It's got a nice vintage sound, adds warmth and girth. I may seriously get a second one so i can leave one always (or usually) on and use one for a traditional overdrive sound.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I could never bond with the Sansamp … the lack of a mid control totally put me off and the presence control had one purpose only … to make your tone suck more
I haven’t tried an EP style pedal for bass, but I have been pretty happy with a Supro boost in that always-on mode, set slightly above unity gain. I liked the SHO as well, but found it a little quirky with its “crackle ok” thing going on.
humbucker79
Commercial User
- Mar 4, 2020
- 24
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- Repair/restoration luthier @ Gryphon Stringed Instruments
I like the LR Baggs Stadium DI, it's my "always on" pedal. The compressor is clean and the low frequency growl adds a nice rock flavor to any amp. It lives on top of my amp.
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‘I’ve used an Eden WTDI for years, both as a preamp for power amps, and for use with Backline gear. It does have adjustable compression, and offers serviceable tonal control. As for adding grit, or dirt to my sound, being honest, there are better options for doing that.
This is definitely an underrated option for clean EQ, compression, and DI in one box. I got by on many gigs with just this, straight into the PA.
It’s always in my gig bag. My only complaint is the voltage requirement and the low quality of the power supply. Your typical 9v Idot will not work as WTDI that requires at least 14v, and it doesn’t operate on batteries.
Other than that, works like a champ. If I remember correctly, the price point is a good deal less than competing DIs such as sans amp and Mesa
Other than that, works like a champ. If I remember correctly, the price point is a good deal less than competing DIs such as sans amp and Mesa
I have a preproduction sp pedal that has 2 echoplex pres in 1 little box. It adds some character and and gobs of clean boost. I use it once in a while on guitar. I doubt it would make it all that useful on bass though. Why mess with a great sounding instrument...
I have the V2 and I must say it does the job but it leaves alot to be desired. It colors the sound alot and makes it far away sounding. although possible, it's quite challenging to get a nicely balanced and in your face tone unless you use alot of the imfamous "presence" (narrow high freq distortion) paramter which compensates for this far awayness. I like the feeling of playing straight in through a good preamp, and the Sansamp just dosen't give you that feeling. It's an almighty extremely versatile EQ+blended drive with flimsy knobs that move all the time and every milimiter they move change the sound. Everytime trying to dial in a good proportion between Mid Lows Drive and blend... sheesh... so much work... That's why I'm looking for a more simple and trustworthy alternative. If SansAmp I think the Classic (non bass) is cool because it's a bit more simple and it's weird ass mid controls lock into place.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
for recordings, the BDDI and VT Bass in parallel, but don’t tell anyone 
Good point - you started this thread looking for a simplified “always on” device, and I’d agree that the SansAmp doesn’t really fit those criteria.
My “always on” is a DOD MilkBox compressor that I use for a very subtle compression and thickening.
While I’d love to get a higher-quality “warm voiced” compressor, I don’t have budget for that right now.
Aside from compression, a low-gain/flat-frequency overdrive might work well for you - I built myself a bunch of pedals toward that goal, but I always loved/coveted the Wren & Cuff Suppa Phat Phuk for that kind of sound.
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