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Switching between two Preamps A/B.

mattattack187

mattattack187

Bass Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Feb 2, 2012
2,470
2,434
Ellsworth, ME
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#1
I'm going to put my Darkglass B7K Ultra and Sansamp BDDI on a tray in my rack case. I'd like to come up with some kind of A/B setup so I can select one or the other. I don't go to an amp, just direct to the board. Any suggestions? I have been searching through and have found some options but not quite what I'm looking for.
 
#2

A bit complex, but: Bass to an A/B pedal, outputs to both pre-amps, pre-amp outputs to a small mixer that would combine the two inputs to a single output. The last component might work best as a pedal – a search for “guitar pedal mixer” turned up a few options. However, if your rack is the standard 19" set up, you could get a rack-mounted line level mixer. I know Ashly used to make them, I'm sure others did too.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45


 
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#3
WayneP said:
A bit complex, but: Bass to an A/B pedal, outputs to both pre-amps, pre-amp outputs to a small mixer that would combine the two inputs to a single output. The last component might work best as a pedal – a search for “guitar pedal mixer” turned up a few options. However, if your rack is the standard 19" set up, you could get a rack-mounted line level mixer. I know Ashly used to make them, I'm sure others did too.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Click to expand...

Thanks. It did pop into my mind that maybe I could just run an XLR from both to the mixer and just A/B to choose which one goes through.
 
#8
Here it is. Added a tray to my rack case and bonded some felt to it. Got a used MXR A/B switch for $45. Line A to the sansamp, Line B to the Darkglass. XLR out on both units to separate channels on my mixer. Works awesome.


image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
 
#13
i personally would look for something a step up fidelity wise. RANE makes a 1RU or make the gucci choice of an old Alembic F2B. I did that to combine, eq and gain balance my dry and wet signals. I ran the summed output into the front end of a gk 1001 rb II. ut was very cool. it was also total overkill for my gig at the time... I decided simpler was better...
 
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#14
4Mal said:
i personally would look for something a step up fidelity wise. RANE makes a 1RU or make the gucci choice of an old Alembic F2B. I did that to combine, eq and gain balance my dry and wet signals. I ran the summed output into the front end of a gk 1001 rb II. ut was very cool. it was also total overkill for my gig at the time... I decided simpler was better...
Click to expand...

I was having a quite a time explaining this setup to my Sweetwater guy when I was asking about mixers. Maybe it would be less painful to come up with a more simple setup yet still utilize the Darkglass. I prefer the Sansamp as a standalone preamp. I wonder how a B3K would sound before the Sansamp? I'll try the Ultra before it but I have a feeling extra eq from the B7K would just add more than I really need.
 
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#15
Would you want to just throw both preamps on your board, in that case? Pedals > B7K > BDDI > amp. Stomp the one you want to use. You could even still go BDDI > FOH via xlr if need be, picking up the post eq from whichever pedal was engaged.
 
#16
bmax said:
Would you want to just throw both preamps on your board, in that case? Pedals > B7K > BDDI > amp. Stomp the one you want to use. You could even still go BDDI > FOH via xlr if need be, picking up the post eq from whichever pedal was engaged.
Click to expand...

I like having them in the shelf but in all reality that is the best and easiest way to get the best of both world's. I could look into midi switching but it's not really worth spending the money right now.
 
#17
actually an sfx MicroMix could combine the signals if the impedances between the pedal outputs and the Micro Mix play nice... I use one of those to wire up 2 identical active basses. pop out of that to a good DI ... you might email those guys and see what they say. I still like the F2B approach though...
 
#18
4Mal said:
actually an sfx MicroMix could combine the signals if the impedances between the pedal outputs and the Micro Mix play nice... I use one of those to wire up 2 identical active basses. pop out of that to a good DI ... you might email those guys and see what they say. I still like the F2B approach though...
Click to expand...

Yeah but then I just get into spending more cash. I will probably just put them on the board as suggested above and focus on getting a poweramp and cab. I at least have money set aside for an amp/cab. These experiments with pedals and preamps are starting to get pricey!
 
#19
It can indeed. Working the GFS here helps. I don't mind spending on a good practical answer but - I gig a lot and prize a solid, reliable answer. For the most part my revenue goes right back into gearor gear insurance or teuck insurance or maintenance.. The list is long... Don't start a sound company ever....
 
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#20
4Mal said:
Don't start a sound company ever....
Click to expand...
I did.. part time.. I now have $30K worth of gear sitting idle, because I can't get more than $150 for a regular gig, can't compete (equipment wise) with the majors for festivals (any more) and can't sell the gear for more than $0.25 on the dollar.
To me, it's not worth selling a $2k 24-ch A&H console for $600 :rollno::banghead::eek:
 

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