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Tech 21 Rackmount Preamps

DrumsAndBass

DrumsAndBass

Apr 7, 2011
757
366
San Diego, CA
#1
I'm looking for a -rackmount- solid state preamp that is Solid State. Before I contact Tech 21, does anybody have any info on this new offering from Tech 21 ?
Invalid Link Removed

I'm also curious about the differences between this new one and the RPM. I'm pursuing a deep, clean, warm and round tone for Reggae.

Thank You.
 
#5
Thank you. And it's nice to support a great company like Tech 21.
Do you find that you can dial in enough low end on the RBI or RPM ? I see that the RPM has a mid sweep.

*I just want to get my questions in (and thanks for the feedback) before this thread is moved down the page because it's difficult to find threads and posts that show love for Solid State, Rackmount bass preamps.*
 
#6
Theres lots of love on here for Tech 21. If you have ever used any of the pedals the rack stuff is pretty much the same

RPM = ParaDriver
RBI = BDDI
VTRM = VT Bass

I wouldnt worry about there being problems with the VT rack when it comes out seeing the the pedal has been out for yeas. Same thing just in a rack.
 
#7
I've got a RBI and I love it. Very nice. I'm a little more used to the VT though, and when they bring that out i'll be selling the RBI. Keep me in mind. They have a suggested "reggae" setting in the manual.
 
#8
Hey I've got a question - I just got off the phone with Tech 21 -nice people. I asked why the bass knob on both the RPM and RBI is centered at 80 hz. He said that it's because the frequencies below that are not musical. He also said that both units are high passed to not let the sub low frequencies through etc. But won't we be missing out on some low notes ? - because a low E -for example- is around 40 hz. I claim ignorance on this one, it's kind of a head scratcher for me.
 
#10
Ray man said:
You would think so. Truth is those low fundamental frequencys would rattle your bones. You would need a hell of a bass amp to put out lows like that. Those frequencys are dampened to allow for the overtones to be heard, otherwise its all mud.
Click to expand...

Yes.

It's funny that a lot of bassists who move to 5 string (or otherwise have a low B) suddenly think they have to find a rig that can handle 30Hz (the low B note). Not true. Many bass rigs, including the renowned SVT, won't even produce 40Hz (low E), but you can still hear those lowest notes just fine because of harmonic overtones. Interestingly, the 2nd harmonic for low E occurs at 80Hz (60Hz for low B).

And the way psychoacoustics works, your ear will fill in that missing fundamental. That's not quite as much fun as having your pants flap from the actual fundamentals, but those lowest frequencies will gobble your headroom and also tend to muddy things up on stage, blurring with the kick drum and whatnot.
 
#13
DrumsAndBass said:
Hey I've got a question - I just got off the phone with Tech 21 -nice people. I asked why the bass knob on both the RPM and RBI is centered at 80 hz. He said that it's because the frequencies below that are not musical. He also said that both units are high passed to not let the sub low frequencies through etc. But won't we be missing out on some low notes ? - because a low E -for example- is around 40 hz. I claim ignorance on this one, it's kind of a head scratcher for me.
Click to expand...

This is a good point -- the RBI was my "go to" preamp when I played 4-string basses, but I was always fighting it when I got my Dingwalls.

I did an A/B comparison with a Trace Elliot V-Type pre and the Trace had a whole 'nother octave of low-end going on.

My vote; this HPF design feature should be defeatable via an internal switch. For me, at least, it was an absolute deal-breaker.
 
#14
groovaholic said:
This is a good point -- the RBI was my "go to" preamp when I played 4-string basses, but I was always fighting it when I got my Dingwalls.

I did an A/B comparison with a Trace Elliot V-Type pre and the Trace had a whole 'nother octave of low-end going on.

My vote; this HPF design feature should be defeatable via an internal switch. For me, at least, it was an absolute deal-breaker.
Click to expand...

Lack of a high pass filter is a speaker breaker for me.
 
#16
chienmort said:
Lack of a high pass filter is a speaker breaker for me.
Click to expand...
Me too!;)

Fuzzbass said:
Yes.

It's funny that a lot of bassists who move to 5 string (or otherwise have a low B) suddenly think they have to find a rig that can handle 30Hz (the low B note). Not true. Many bass rigs, including the renowned SVT, won't even produce 40Hz (low E), but you can still hear those lowest notes just fine because of harmonic overtones. Interestingly, the 2nd harmonic for low E occurs at 80Hz (60Hz for low B).

And the way psychoacoustics works, your ear will fill in that missing fundamental. That's not quite as much fun as having your pants flap from the actual fundamentals, but those lowest frequencies will gobble your headroom and also tend to muddy things up on stage, blurring with the kick drum and whatnot.
Click to expand...

Excelent point about the SVT, I couln't have said it better.

The VT is supposed to emulate the SVT, it only makes sence that the frequency curve would be similar.

For those reading this, the VT has a huge amount of lows, but its the right kind of lows.
 
#18
I was running my RBI through a Peavey Kosmos subharmonic generator and a QSC PLX 3102.

100 Hz and up went to a pair of 410 cabs, stacked vertically.
150 Hz and below went to a custom 215 cab loaded with Emince Kappa Pro 15LFs.

My 4-string basses sounded HUGE through that setup, but the low-A from my Dingwall just wasn't well-served.

Swapping to the Trace Elliot made the Kosmos unnecessary.

Don't get me wrong, I think the RBI is a great piece of gear, but I think it'd be better if they had a 4/5 string switch (like GK) that would re-voice the low end.
 

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