Subway+ Bass DI-Preamp II

[agedhorse]

I even thought about buying it, but I saw that the In jack is on the top, but on the left side and the Out on the right. And my processor burned out when I tried to understand why you would do something the other way around.

It's all about left to right signal flow, the jacks all follow signal flow to reduce noise and crosstalk

@agedhorse Just picked one up earlier today and it sounds great - clean but not sterile. However I did notice in a quiet room that the mute allows some sound to bleed though. Is this intentional to prevent an annoying pop when muting at high volume levels?

The mute is set to operate between 40dB and 50dB down in the mute position, this is normal because of the specific architecture used.

I'm still working on all the options this pedal has to offer.
I'm speaking tonally.
The gain control pushed a bit adds, what to me sounds like quality compression.

Yes, there is some apparent compression feel, it's part of the tube gain stage emulation. It's pretty mild.

Yeah, mine does the same thing. Had it going to the aux in of my 800D and the pedal mute on and there was quite a bit of sound stepping through.

It's going to be audible at -40dB, it's because of how the universal power supply architecture works, and some safety mechanisms that protect the pedal under adverse conditions.

 

[zzub]

The mute is set to operate between 40dB and 50dB down in the mute position, this is normal because of the specific architecture used.

Good to know this is a feature and not a bug. Thanks for the quick reply and solid explanation.

 

[Pep]

Only 7 "O" RING KITS Left . . . . and that doesn't include the two orders awaiting payment.

 

[TonH]

Here an example of how I use my Subway Preamp/DI (the old version but the new one can do the same).

My band members like the sound of my MM Stingray4 3EQ, but ergonomically I prefer my Squier Rascal that sounds totally different.
In the practice space a bass amp (Markbass) and cabs are provided and I can't get the typically SR sound out of that amp.

Is there a (sub)way I can make the Rascal sound more like the SR?

The characteristics of the 3EQ of the SR are:

You can see there is a peak at 4 kHz and there is a HPF involved. No problem for the Subway
So after some tweaking, this is how I set the controls on the Subway Preamp/DI to get a sound that I like:

The output of the Subway goes directly in to the instrument input of the Markbass provided at the practice space (all EQ's neutral on that amp), so the master of the Subway is set at 9 o'clock to prevent the Markbass of clipping.

When we have a gig and I use my own rig (WD800), I can use these settings as well.

B.t.w. as you can see to prevent the knobs on the preamp and other effects that I use from moving during transport etc. I made a box out of wood. Works for me.

 

[Grooveline]

Just ordered mine. Planning on using it to bypass the pre on my GB Shuttle 9.0 to give me hpf and double para mid freq selector options (plus mesa tone). That would mean bass into amp, from tuner out into DI, from DI out into effect return right?

 

[crazycloud]

I think I'm gonna pony up for one of these soon as it seems like a good unit, it means I don't need to build another of my DIs and it has enough level/gain to drive my pro poweramps to full output (already have an 18V supply).

This and my TC tuner would do well enough I think for bass alone on a very small board.

 

[Hypocrite]

Thomann won't have them for several months... Boo.

 

[AObando2002]

My suggestion would be to return it and order one from another dealer who has a longer return window.
Were you running directly into your amp input or into the effects return? That can make a huge difference.

Ended up returning it. I don't use an amp at all. I don't own any amps. I run direct 100% of the time. Main rig is Quad Cortex to interface or FOH. Just for giggles I plugged in the Tone Hammer to see if there was a cable or pedal issue, like someone suggested and zero issues. Tried the Science Mother and no issues. It's just not for me.

 

[Al Kraft]

@agedhorse Hey man, I just sprung for this pedal on Sweetwater, which I can't wait to get. I have one question and I apologize if this was answered already. I was watching the pedal rundown by Doug from Mesa Boogie on Youtube, and he said to try and use an 18v adapter if possible. I mainly play with active basses and am not sure if that plays a role or not, but I want to use the right adapter for it. Right now, all I have are those 1Spot adapters, but they feel a little cheap. Thanks!

The 1Spot worked fine when I used it with my Warwicks and EBMM Sterling, it is a well engineering and built power supply IMO. Gus had good luck at 9 Volts with his super high end basses as well. I have a Fulltone 18 Volt power supply that I typically run it with but I think it's overkill just going from bass to box to amp.

 

[JJR58]

Yes, there is some apparent compression feel, it's part of the tube gain stage emulation. It's pretty mild.

For me it's just perfect.
And I figured it had to do with the tube emulation.
Pretty bad a$$ if you ask me.

Regarding the mute, mine is dead silent when engaged.
Go figure.

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm still working on all the options this pedal has to offer.
I'm speaking tonally.
The gain control pushed a bit adds, what to me sounds like quality compression.

That's the little bit of tube amp emulation behavior that Andy designed into the circuitry. My take on it is that it adds just a hint of TT and Bass 800D tube feel in with what we know as the D-800+ sound and feel.

To my ear it is very subtle but gets you all of the D-800+ clear, solid note focus with a little richer sound and a smoother edge to the notes. Note to note articulation is right there with D-800+, you just get a slightly fuller sounding note.

 

[JJR58]

That's the little bit of tube amp emulation behavior that Andy designed into the circuitry. My take on it is that it adds just a hint of TT and Bass 800D tube feel in with what we know as the D-800+ sound and feel.

To my ear it is very subtle but gets you all of the D-800+ clear, solid note focus with a little richer sound and a smoother edge to the notes. Note to note articulation is right there with D-800+, you just get a slightly fuller sounding note.

That's exactly what it's doing.
And does it extremely well.

 

[agedhorse]

Just ordered mine. Planning on using it to bypass the pre on my GB Shuttle 9.0 to give me hpf and double para mid freq selector options (plus mesa tone). That would mean bass into amp, from tuner out into DI, from DI out into effect return right?

Why not use the input on the pedal? Also, you will need to use the 1/4" preamp output into the effects return, not the DI output.

Thomann won't have them for several months... Boo.

The just received a bunch, are they sold out already?

For me it's just perfect.
And I figured it had to do with the tube emulation.
Pretty bad a$$ if you ask me.

Regarding the mute, mine is dead silent when engaged.
Go figure.

There is a variation between units, that's pretty normal. The specified minimum mute attenuation is 40dB, some will be better.

 

[Pep]

I'm holding to a few "O" Rings Kits as replacements for those that haven't been delivered by our "trusty and reliable" USPS.

So basically I'm out of "O" Ring Kits. I've shipped out replacement to two members. If you ordered within the last 7 days please give it a few more days before contacting me about replacements.
Those of you have noted that they weren't received, replacements have been sent.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this venture. It gave this retired guy something to do in his spare time.

Duke (aka Pep)

 

[Pep]

Ended up returning it. I don't use an amp at all. I don't own any amps. I run direct 100% of the time. Main rig is Quad Cortex to interface or FOH. Just for giggles I plugged in the Tone Hammer to see if there was a cable or pedal issue, like someone suggested and zero issues. Tried the Science Mother and no issues. It's just not for me.

 

[73_Blazer]

I just received mine from Sweetwater Las Vegas warehouse yesterday, I ordered it a few weeks ago. I'm using it with an 18 V power supply

 

[Dmitry Migal]

The just received a bunch, are they sold out already?

They sold out the same day they appeared on the shelf. I've been checking Thomann daily and ordered one as soon as it became available, they were gone by early afternoon.

Mine has shipped from Germany to the UK and should arrive on Monday. Can't wait to try it - it should be a nice extra flavour alongside my TT-800.

 

[agedhorse]

They sold out the same day they appeared on the shelf. I've been checking Thomann daily and ordered one as soon as it became available, they were gone by early afternoon.

Mine has shipped from Germany to the UK and should arrive on Monday. Can't wait to try it - it should be a nice extra flavour alongside my TT-800.

Interesting, my understanding is that there are more on their way (relatively) soon.

 

[Hypocrite]

Interesting, my understanding is that there are more on their way (relatively) soon.

That would be awesome, I can't believe the pricing of this pedal!

 

[DJ Bebop]

Just ordered mine. Planning on using it to bypass the pre on my GB Shuttle 9.0 to give me hpf and double para mid freq selector options (plus mesa tone). That would mean bass into amp, from tuner out into DI, from DI out into effect return right?

Yes! That would work, but you will only hear the DI.

Or another way would be Bass > DI > Effect Return if you wanted to just use the DI.

If you were interested in using both. In your original plan, if the amp has an Aux In, use that instead of the Effect Return you can use both. With the mute switches on the amp and DI you can go back and forth. Turn the mute on the amp and off on the DI to hear just the DI. Turn the mute off on the amp and on the DI to hear the amp. This is how mine is set up.

PS I see now agedhorse just suggested what I put first in my list of options