Very interesting.
My mind would be totally blown if the first one was the phase-reversed one - if not then it's "only" a very useful tool for placing the instrument in the mix, as it should be.
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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
Very interesting.
My mind would be totally blown if the first one was the phase-reversed one - if not then it's "only" a very useful tool for placing the instrument in the mix, as it should be.
To me the first one, but I'm not sure there is much added-value to that answer, it's just personal preference as long as it's just one track 
I think the first one sounds bigger, the second one might sound tidier in a mix though.
I would say the first one is the normal phase because it sounds untouched, and the second one is the reversed phase because it sounds like what I would imagine a mirror image of the first one would sound like.
But maybe it's just a psycho-acoustical effect, my brain hears the first one and takes that as reference.
Or my brain expected this because you said it's a phase comparison, and maybe you didn't touch anything and use that as a test for those who think they have golden ears ..
It's honestly difficult to say, which is why I find it interesting
Also I don't mind at all if my prognostic is wrong of course, we're all here to learn.
I think the first one sounds bigger, the second one might sound tidier in a mix though.
I would say the first one is the normal phase because it sounds untouched, and the second one is the reversed phase because it sounds like what I would imagine a mirror image of the first one would sound like.
But maybe it's just a psycho-acoustical effect, my brain hears the first one and takes that as reference.
Or my brain expected this because you said it's a phase comparison, and maybe you didn't touch anything and use that as a test for those who think they have golden ears ..
It's honestly difficult to say, which is why I find it interesting
Also I don't mind at all if my prognostic is wrong of course, we're all here to learn.
jacoby75
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Fascinating. I would say the first one is rounder, fatter. The second one cleaner. It's subtle, but there. You can even see it in the graph of the clip. Or maybe that's an illusion.
That's a really good EQ. I'm not typically a big fan of Tech21 products, but the Q/Strip and the Bass Fly Rig are both great pieces of kit.I just ordered a QStrip.
The first clip is normal phase and the second is reversed. Signal path is Sadowsky into Effectrode LA-1a into Grace ALiX to Audio interface to Garage Band.
Here's the EQ setting for both clips. The only difference is the position of the phase switch.
You will not notice any difference between phase settings if nothing is in front of the ALiX but certainly interesting when there is.
Here's the EQ setting for both clips. The only difference is the position of the phase switch.
You will not notice any difference between phase settings if nothing is in front of the ALiX but certainly interesting when there is.
It's the magic pixie dust button.
jacoby75
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I wonder if that effect is anything like what a BBE sonic maximizer does, aligning phase? Never used one, but I've always been curious.
The only explanation is that something in their implementation of phase reversal is actually doing more than simply inverting the phase.
Here's a test... Reamp something with each phase switch setting. Invert one of the recorded signals. If there is still something different, then it's not just a pure phase inversion.
- John
jacoby75
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I'm not smart enough to adequately explain it. But I thought I read something years ago about how the sonic maximizer worked. It was something about putting frequency wavelengths in the correct order, or something line that. I could be totally wrong.
jacoby75
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From a Sweetwater article about what a BBE is and does:
- "They have a sort of dynamic equalizer circuit in them that does most of what you hear. When a midrange signal goes over a certain threshold it applies a boost to the high frequencies. This deceptively simple sounding process can really do wonders for the clarity and dynamics of your music. It will make some instruments come "alive" and jump out of the mix while it may make others a little strident or edgy sounding (more of those darned subjective audio terms there). It just depends on the nature of the source material and how heavily you apply the process.
- There is a bass compensation circuit to let you readjust the overall tonal balance. The aforementioned dynamic equalizer will tend to make the material sound a little bass light so this control allows you to put those low frequencies back into perspective. Of course most people use too much of both controls and end up with a very skewed tonal balance in the end. Basically it ends up sounding somewhat like the dreaded old "smiley-face" graphic equalizer curve. Sounds neat for a while, but really wears on you over time.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
For those of us who have not been fortunate enough to play through one ourselves, how would you characterize its sound?
What is it about this unit that makes you grin more than when using the others?
First time I listened to it I thought the second part sounded a tiny bit bassier but when I skipped back and forth I couldn't hear any difference at all. I tried to compare part by part and didn't notice anything. One thing though, I just used EarPods so I might have to step up in quality to hear some difference?
It's not related to preamps, but it is absolutely related to tone. I heard this song today and I haven't ever listened to it critically. HOLY CRAP! The bass in this song is everything I aspire to be as a player. The tone, the groove....WOW!!
Tone wise, take a look at Pat Vegas's crazy bass... Looks like a combo between an EB-3 and a 50's P bass...
But the rest of that tone, and that groove? All in the fingers
Tone wise, take a look at Pat Vegas's crazy bass... Looks like a combo between an EB-3 and a 50's P bass... View attachment 3813311
But the rest of that tone, and that groove? All in the fingers
Yep..I'm sitting here working on the song. I get closest to that tone, not using my P with flats, but a jazz with rounds and a leather pick. Crazy! But damn that's a sexy ass bass part. He just rips in parts of that song.
You gotta admit, StarLord's got very good taste in groovy music
been listening to the Guardians soundtrack and lots of great bass grooves and tones to be found there.
You gotta admit, StarLord's got very good taste in groovy music
Oh yeah...love that movie!
Not to hijack my own thread, but when I started this thread, the tone I was seeing was like the tone on the Redbone tune. My parents were older when I was born. Mom was 35 and dad was 40. They were in college in the 50's and having kids during the 60's. My oldest sister is 14 years older than me, so I got to listen to CCR, Grand Funk Railroad, Three Dog Night, Elvis, et. My brother is 12 years older than me and a banjo player, so I got to hear Roy Clark, Buck Owens, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, etc. My closest sister is 9 years older than me. So I got Captain and Tinnelle, John Denver, Carpenters, etc. My parents played The Diamonds, The Platters, The Crew Cuts, Big Bopper, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Tommy Dorsy, Nat King Cole, etc.
To me....that's music. Nothing against anything else. I developed my own tastes in the 70's and 80's. But really, after the 90's...it all sounded mostly like crap and I just held on the old stuff. I respect players like Jaco, Billy Sheehan, Less Claypool...but I am not a fan of their tone. They like it, and that's all that matters. They got their thing, I got my thing.
