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small studio amp?

C

clegg

Oct 15, 2008
48
4
#1
Hi,

I'm setting up a home studio. I'd like to get a small decent amp to record bass and (possibly) keys. Is there anything you guys can recommend?

I was looking at line 6 studio 110, the one with some sound presets. Looks decent, and sounds pretty good (considering size).

Is there anything you guys would recommend near that size (and price ) that would do a decent job?
 
#3
I use a Line 6 LD15 for practice and a preamp for some gigs, and while I'm generally happy with it, I'm not always thrilled with the onboard controls, which seem to be the same for every model of bass amp. I think the preset "sounds" are a little lacking - that's just me, though.

I'm looking at an Orange Crush PiX CR50BXT - retail $249 as a GAS practice amp.
 
#4
You'd be much better off to get a small low wattage amp. Anything above 20-30W should be fine for studio bass. The Ampeg B-15 is the classic; the Traynor YBA series are amazing and cheap, Guild Thunderbass, some of the smaller old SUNN heads, anything like that. I'd recommend a single 15" cab like a older Mesa with an EVM15L or a TL606, or the B-15 Cab, or anything that sounds good to your ears.
 
#5
megadan said:
You'd be much better off to get a small low wattage amp. Anything above 20-30W should be fine for studio bass. The Ampeg B-15 is the classic; the Traynor YBA series are amazing and cheap, Guild Thunderbass, some of the smaller old SUNN heads, anything like that. I'd recommend a single 15" cab like a older Mesa with an EVM15L or a TL606, or the B-15 Cab, or anything that sounds good to your ears.
Click to expand...

+1 on the b15 if you can afford it.
 
#6
You could also consider something like the Invalid Link Removed. It's a bit more expensive but could be worth looking into. You'd be losing out on the Line 6 patches and effects, though.

I wouldn't be opposed to using the Line 6 since I have no experience with the amp (nor do I have experience with the MB10, for that matter). I'm just throwing out other options that you could consider.

Are you planning on putting a mic in front of the cab or simply running off of the DI?
 
#7
theory028 said:
You could also consider something like the Invalid Link Removed. It's a bit more expensive but could be worth looking into. You'd be losing out on the Line 6 patches and effects, though.

I wouldn't be opposed to using the Line 6 since I have no experience with the amp (nor do I have experience with the MB10, for that matter). I'm just throwing out other options that you could consider.

Are you planning on putting a mic in front of the cab or simply running off of the DI?
Click to expand...


I'm not sure yet. I've never tried DI so I don't know what to expect. I'll try both (if the amp I purchase has a DI line) and see what sounds good. Do you have any experience with using bass amps with direct input straight to the interface?

I'd love an Ampeg, but I really can't afford an "expensive" amp right now.. I can't justify purchasing one for a small personal home studio I'm trying to setup. I'd much rather save up and purchase an Ampeg with enough wattage to use on live sets when I play with the band.
 
#9
Ibanez Promethean 1x10 combo. Record using the DI from the head. Presumably, you'll be recording on a PC, so you can then use software to apply whatever "model" or sound effects you want.

If you want the source signal to already have "the tone", get a Sansamp BDDI and record from the DI on that. The sound you get out of that should sound pretty much just like you mic'ed an SVT w/cabinet and recorded it. Only cleaner (no ambient noise picked up when you're recording via DI).
 
#11
I'd go DI with that kind of budget. Plenty of top producers use DI exclusively for electric bass. (Just read 'Behind the Glass' by Howard Massey; it's amazing how few ever use a recorded bass amp.)

For around $200, you can get a killer DI. (Radial J48 comes to mind; same with the Countryman.)
 
#12
clegg said:
I'm not sure yet. I've never tried DI so I don't know what to expect. I'll try both (if the amp I purchase has a DI line) and see what sounds good. Do you have any experience with using bass amps with direct input straight to the interface?

I'd love an Ampeg, but I really can't afford an "expensive" amp right now.. I can't justify purchasing one for a small personal home studio I'm trying to setup. I'd much rather save up and purchase an Ampeg with enough wattage to use on live sets when I play with the band.
Click to expand...

I usually record with a DI. It seems like the standard method for recording bass. I was going to try doing a blend because then you have two tracks to experiment with. I sold all of my mics so now DI is my only option. I use my Carvin BX500's DI into my Presonus Audio Box. It works pretty well but I don't do very much recording these days. It sounds great when I use it to practice against songs, though. :D Running the DI track into Reaper with the Ampeg SVX is really fun. I had to leave my SVT back at my parents house since it's not very apartment-friendly. ;)

If you are interested in weighing the pros and cons of DI vs miking, the recording subforum is full of threads about the subject. It was really helpful when I was first getting into recording. You can achieve great quality without spending a lot these days. Have fun, man!
 
#13
The Carvin MB10 has the full direct XLR with pre/post + gnd/lift. It also has direct out level, adjustable compressor, DRIVE (love it), contour, and semi-parametric EQ which would come in handy for different instruments (keys). You can mic the speaker and use the XLR out, then mix down both signals for a stereo mix.
Oh yeah, add an 8 ohm extension speaker for 250w RMS, which is gig-able power. It has all the features of my old GK 700rbII in a compact, great sounding little combo. It even has protection circuitry and will shut itself down like the GK.
 
#14
My Line 6 Studio 110 has made it onto an album, a bunch of small rough jam tracks, and has even held it down with an acoustic group at coffee shops, or run right into the PA for slightly larger coffeehouses.

Killer little amp capable of some fantastic sounds.
 
#20
megadan said:
You'd be much better off to get a small low wattage amp. Anything above 20-30W should be fine for studio bass. The Ampeg B-15 is the classic; the Traynor YBA series are amazing and cheap, Guild Thunderbass, some of the smaller old SUNN heads, anything like that. I'd recommend a single 15" cab like a older Mesa with an EVM15L or a TL606, or the B-15 Cab, or anything that sounds good to your ears.
Click to expand...


Love the YBA. I have one in my studio. I've recorded bass, keys and g***ar through it and they all sound fantastic.
 

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