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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#2,541
scubaduba said:
This arrived. Atomic Amps Bass Box.

View attachment 3821946
Click to expand...
Really looking forward to your review of this. Everyone gushes over the NuX, and rightly so, and then nec minute you drop this bombshell! Different IRs for outputs, multiple OD choices and an inbuilt Comp. Looks like the Software works straight out of the blocks too! Potentially doing the job of 3 specialist pedals. 1.5 times the price of the NuX, but man, this has to be a possible front runner for this price point in the non tube/tube emullation category.

Bed time in Australia. I bet there will be lots to read when I wake up!
 
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#2,542
GlassToMouth said:
I much prefer an IR subdued top end through in-ears than a simple low-pass filter. I also gravitate towards a bit brighter, fresh round wound sound. I was leaning towards the Two Notes Torpedo Cab Sim, but I just pulled the trigger on the NUX after some research. The connectivity, price, and features seem too good to pass up.
Click to expand...
This is the exact conversation I was having with myself last night. I feel like I need a cab sim again. I was leaning towards the Shift Line CabZone for simplicity and price, and not really needing the extra bells and whistles. I also thought about a Two Notes Torpedo Cab M, but it's a bit pricey and more than I need, really. But it does have everything I want feature-wise and then some. Then along comes the Nux MLD. It has the cab sim and so much more, and would replace my headphone amp for practicing, and allow me to sell a thing or two to recoup the cost with all of the features that it has. The only downside is it's only one cab sim option at a time, and you can't change the cab sim on the fly without plugging into a computer. But then again, a cab sim is usually set and forget, and you can tweak the EQ of the Nux to adjust for any room dynamics. It's tempting.
 
#2,543
Rocksolid said:
Really looking forward to your review of this. Everyone gushes over the NuX, and rightly so, and then nec minute you drop this bombshell! Different IRs for outputs, multiple OD choices and an inbuilt Comp. Looks like the Software works straight out of the blocks too! Potentially doing the job of 3 specialist pedals. 1.5 times the price of the NuX, but man, this has to be a possible front runner for this price point in the non tube/tube emullation category.

Bed time in Australia. I bet there will be lots to read when I wake up!
Click to expand...

Definitely. I think it is, by design, to be used as a traditional knobs/switches pedal. Find settings you like and run with them. As you've alluded, the Bass Box could be used effectively as a dedicated box for: Boost/OD; comp/lim; EQ; IR loading w/output amp simulation. That flexibility is what sets it apart IMHO, especially given the quality, and that it is specifically targeting bass needs (though I'm certain it would sound great used with other instruments).
 
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#2,545
SteveC said:
Not in the same category, but what about the Radial Tone/Bsssbone products?
Click to expand...

The Bassbone OD is probably the best piece of gear I've bought in 10 years. I don't really use the OD (I don't use OD in general.) but the effects loop switching with the wet/dry knob is great. Dead silent DI. Input options for multiple Basses. Really great, flexible EQ with a HPF on each channel. Tuner out, etc, etc, etc.
I truly believe the only thing that keeps it from being perfect is if the mid control was a knob instead of a 3-way switch. Even with the switch it's great.
 
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#2,546
GrooveWarrior said:
The Bassbone OD is probably the best piece of gear I've bought in 10 years. I don't really use the OD (I don't use OD in general.) but the effects loop switching with the wet/dry knob is great. Dead silent DI. Input options for multiple Basses. Really great, flexible EQ with a HPF on each channel. Tuner out, etc, etc, etc.
I truly believe the only thing that keeps it from being perfect is if the mid control was a knob instead of a 3-way switch. Even with the switch it's great.
Click to expand...
I don't use drive or other effects much either. I'm guessing the built in drive is probably good enough for my needs. I like wet/dry with any effect.
 
#2,548
FCBE9251-1536-4D8C-8AC5-E381A821AAB1.jpeg


I know there is interest in hearing the Atomic Bass Box. Frankly, there are so many tones in this thing that it will take several recordings to get it all out. But for fun, here's one clip to get started.

Every clip in this file has EQ untouched. There is some compression enabled from one of the Bass Box's compression models (top switch position) which means the left Dyna Mode dial controls the compression amount and the right dial controls the ratio. Both are at noon which means moderate compression amount and ratio around 3:1 or 4:1. So fairly subtle but there.

First clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50%
Second clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in top switch position which is solid state amp simulation
Third clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in center position which is tube amp simulation
Fourth clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in downward position which I have configured as "DI" which Atomic says adds a little analogue type flavor
Fifth clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50% (for reference)

See the pic for EQ settings. I am using the upward EQ position which means Bass dial on the left, Low mid dial, then high mids dial, and Treble dial. As you can see, Bass is boosted slightly, low mids boosted a little more with high mids cut, and treble flat. For reference, the frequency points are 80Hz, 150Hz, 400Hz, 850Hz.


I am not routing any of the tone through a cab sim (which you can do with the Bass Box). For testing purposes I have routed the DI out BEFORE any cab sims.

Again, this is just a start. If you don't care for the sound of any of this... well, this just a taste of a slew of combinations. Think adding in cab sims, applying a totally different type of compression simulation, and applying a totally different EQ model. Oh, and adding in OD or fuzz. Or applying a SVT sim. Like I said, it will take may clips to convey the tonal variations.

Anyway, enjoy.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#2,549
scubaduba said:
View attachment 3823759

First clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50%
Second clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in top switch position which is solid state amp simulation
Third clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in center position which is tube amp simulation
Fourth clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in downward position which I have configured as "DI" which Atomic says adds a little analogue type flavor
Fifth clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50% (for reference)


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

The third clip sounds very intriguing.
 
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#2,550
scubaduba said:
View attachment 3823759

I know there is interest in hearing the Atomic Bass Box. Frankly, there are so many tones in this thing that it will take several recordings to get it all out. But for fun, here's one clip to get started.

Every clip in this file has EQ untouched. There is some compression enabled from one of the Bass Box's compression models (top switch position) which means the left Dyna Mode dial controls the compression amount and the right dial controls the ratio. Both are at noon which means moderate compression amount and ratio around 3:1 or 4:1. So fairly subtle but there.

First clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50%
Second clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in top switch position which is solid state amp simulation
Third clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in center position which is tube amp simulation
Fourth clip: Bass Box on with Preamp in downward position which I have configured as "DI" which Atomic says adds a little analogue type flavor
Fifth clip: Sadowsky bass flat, VTC at 50% (for reference)

See the pic for EQ settings. I am using the upward EQ position which means Bass dial on the left, Low mid dial, then high mids dial, and Treble dial. As you can see, Bass is boosted slightly, low mids boosted a little more with high mids cut, and treble flat. For reference, the frequency points are 80Hz, 150Hz, 400Hz, 850Hz.


I am not routing any of the tone through a cab sim (which you can do with the Bass Box). For testing purposes I have routed the DI out BEFORE any cab sims.

Again, this is just a start. If you don't care for the sound of any of this... well, this just a taste of a slew of combinations. Think adding in cab sims, applying a totally different type of compression simulation, and applying a totally different EQ model. Oh, and adding in OD or fuzz. Or applying a SVT sim. Like I said, it will take may clips to convey the tonal variations.

Anyway, enjoy.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
Are these clips done with the boost on? I'm assuming your Sadowsky is active. I have the bass box for a week now and so far have found that the sensitivity button set to low is better for active. I got sidetracked with a few things but I'll get back to experimentation.
 
#2,552
Agosix said:
Are these clips done with the boost on? I'm assuming your Sadowsky is active. I have the bass box for a week now and so far have found that the sensitivity button set to low is better for active. I got sidetracked with a few things but I'll get back to experimentation.
Click to expand...

Are you asking about the Boost/OD switch out sensitivity pad because you mention both. Boost switch was not activated and pad was not activated.
 
#2,553
scubaduba said:
Are you asking about the Boost/OD switch out sensitivity pad because you mention both. Boost switch was not activated and pad was not activated.
Click to expand...
Yes that is what I meant. In my situation when the pad is not activated and the boost switch is activated that sends you into overdrive. However if the pad is activated there is a nice low gain drive when the boost is activated. So far I am liking the solid state amp selection. But I need more time with it.
 

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