The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[MascisMan]

Sooo it's the same size as my THDI, the drive set up works like the AGS should have, it can sound like my THDI, and many other preamps in time...
Sort of feel like it's a losing argument keeping the THDI...

Don't forget the NuX also has cab IR's built in, Aux In/Headphone Out for silent practicing, and a Noise Gate as well. And it is smaller.

Now, having said that, AGS has much more drive on tap than the NuX Drive. So if you want heavy gain, the TH wins. The TH can also drive a power amp I think. Not sure the NuX can. Also, the TH can run on batteries in a pinch, the NuX is power supply only.

So there are pros and cons to both. There is also the question of emulator (NuX) vs real thing (TH). My opinion is, the emulator doesn't have to mirror the real thing, it just has to sound good generally speaking. However, if you are looking to drive a power amp and get true, authentic, Aguilar Tone Hammer sound out of your cabinets, the TH may be better. Though in a mix not sure how different they would be.

I've owned and used the Tone Hammer DI. It is a fantastic preamp/DI. For $175 I would rather have the NuX personally. I use external boxes for heavier gain, prefer the IR capability, don't need to drive a power amp, and would use the headphone practice amp often. YMMV

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I've seen this. Certainly an affordable option. I'd love to hear some sound clips of what it sounds like on bass.

There is/was a sound clip of guitar. But honestly, I think it sucks/sucked.

I just may have to grab one again.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I think the Sadowsky is also 4k.

 

[DirtyDuke]

There is/was a sound clip of guitar. But honestly, I think it sucks/sucked.

I just may have to grab one again.

The builder is a bass player, it sounds great on bass

 

[chadhargis]

Is the track 15 seconds long?

Yep. Just a quick clip.

And if you set the NuX to the Tone hammer emulation it sounds pretty close but the gain is much better.

 

[jacoby75]

The builder is a bass player, it sounds great on bass

Tell him to put his sound clips where your mouth is, in a manner of speaking.

 

[MascisMan]

Yep. Just a quick clip.

And if you set the NuX to the Tone hammer emulation it sounds pretty close but the gain is much better.

I only ask because....I couldn't tell a difference....

 

[scubaduba]

Yep. Just a quick clip.

And if you set the NuX to the Tone hammer emulation it sounds pretty close but the gain is much better.

Longer clips would be helpful. Also with no background.

 

[MascisMan]

Longer clips would be helpful. Also with no background.

Though maybe the background proves the point about little to no difference in the mix...

 

[scubaduba]

Good point. If the idea is to prove how nobody will notice the nuances we talk about then this is success.

 

[jacoby75]

The Nux is the first bass part you hear, then if you listen closely you can here where the splice in the track is and that's the Oracle.

. . . In my opinion, the Oracle sounds warmer and rounder, and to be fair, the Nux has the "drive" engaged and slightly blended in to give it some "tube" sound. Remember folks...the Nux is under $200 brand spankin new.

Dropbox - Oracle v Nux Demo - Oh Girl - 5:22:20, 7.51 PM.wav - Simplify your life

I only ask because....I couldn't tell a difference....

I could definitely tell the difference, and agree with the OP's assessment. There's a certain heft, warmth and roundness to the Oracle that is absent with the Nux. But purely in terms of EQ and "tubiness," they sound so close. Would anyone notice in a mix? Maybe not. Live with compression and a decent PA? Probably not. In a studio? Probably. I think the best preamp you can afford is totally worth the investment.

 

[chadhargis]

Good point. If the idea is to prove how nobody will notice the nuances we talk about then this is success.

Yep. The purpose of the clip is to hear it in a mix. Without a mix in the clip it's like looking at a bra laying on a table. Nice, but much better to look at when being filled by some plump round goodness.

The end result of all my testing is that pretty much anything will work in a live situation. Especially after the sound guy does his thing.

 

[scubaduba]

Here's another fun one. Both played with Sadowsky set flat with VTC at 50%.

One clip is Noble, one clip is a mystery device.

Go!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jacoby75]

Here's another fun one. Both played with Sadowsky set flat with VTC at 50%.

One clip is Noble, one clip is a mystery device.

Go!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Clip two is the Noble. Clip one? No idea. RNDI?

 

[Rocksolid]

https://www.sushiboxfx.com/product-page/particle-accelerator-preamp

I have one. This may not be an alembic. But it is an amazing alembic style pedal. With a mini tube. It sounds every bit as good as pedals I've paid $400 and this one is $120.

Seriously. Do yourself a favor. If you are looking for an amazing alembic style pedal and pedal board space is tight and money is even tighter you could do a lot worse than this one.

I am suppppppeeeerrrrr impressed with this pedal. And the builder. Amazing guy. I've picked up 3 pedals from him now.

Disclaimer. I don't know the builder personally and have no stake in this company in any way shape or form.

It's a great pedal everyone should know about.

Had a look on their site. The Ambassador v2 looks pretty interesting also. I see the Particle Accelerator is out of stock. Do they struggle to keep up with demand?

 

[Rocksolid]

Don't forget the NuX also has cab IR's built in, Aux In/Headphone Out for silent practicing, and a Noise Gate as well. And it is smaller.

Now, having said that, AGS has much more drive on tap than the NuX Drive. So if you want heavy gain, the TH wins. The TH can also drive a power amp I think. Not sure the NuX can. Also, the TH can run on batteries in a pinch, the NuX is power supply only.

So there are pros and cons to both. There is also the question of emulator (NuX) vs real thing (TH). My opinion is, the emulator doesn't have to mirror the real thing, it just has to sound good generally speaking. However, if you are looking to drive a power amp and get true, authentic, Aguilar Tone Hammer sound out of your cabinets, the TH may be better. Though in a mix not sure how different they would be.

I've owned and used the Tone Hammer DI. It is a fantastic preamp/DI. For $175 I would rather have the NuX personally. I use external boxes for heavier gain, prefer the IR capability, don't need to drive a power amp, and would use the headphone practice amp often. YMMV

Certainly driving a Powered Speaker/Power Amp/Powered Cabinet is something I like to have in certain applications. I have a love/hate relationship with the AGS tbh. I've never had IR's so it might be something explore.

 

[scubaduba]

The Atomic Bass Box is definitely one to explore in the world of IR's.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Tell him to put his sound clips where your mouth is, in a manner of speaking.

I'll shoot him a message. Haven't spoken to him except when I was ordered the pedal. But I'll ask

 

[DirtyDuke]

Had a look on their site. The Ambassador v2 looks pretty interesting also. I see the Particle Accelerator is out of stock. Do they struggle to keep up with demand?

I've been talking to him a bit the last couple of days. He is just getting back up to speed after covid 19.

I warned him about talkbass lol.

It is a great pedal

 

[fivestringgecko]

I bought the Darkglass Harmonic Booster a few months back and I really love the subtle, clean special sauce it provides. I bought it with the intent of using it purely as a clean boost for the occasional solo passages, but it quickly turned into an "always on" pedal.

Interesting. I never had a chance to check out the original Harmonic Booster and always wanted to check one out. The new version recently hit my Youtube feed (again), so it's now a curiosity (again)... I'm digging it in the video below, and would be interested to hear your further thoughts on this one. Can you expand further on "special sauce?" Also, the manual's description of the Character knob is pretty vague. Can you describe that knob a little further?

It's probably just the settings in the video, but it does kind of seem like it pushes the mids the same way other Darkglass pedals do, which kind of pushed me away from "the Darkglass sound." (I always felt like I was trying to force them into my sound, and never really vibed with them - B3K, B7K, Vintage Ultra, AO Ultra).

Looking forward to hearing any further thoughts, thanks in advance!

5sg.