The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[Rocksolid]

Another review of the Atomic Bass Box. The mid controls seem super powerful. This thing goes from ridiculously scooped to plenty of mids in this review.

 

[scubaduba]

Yep. There are three different EQ designs in the Bass Box. I love it.

 

[Rocksolid]

Yep. There are three different EQ designs in the Bass Box. I love it.

Run your LA-1A into this. I'm assuming you must have?!

 

[scubaduba]

Yes I have.

 

[SteveC]

[Yes I've become obsessed with the LA-1A...]

It's easy to do and no need to apologize. It's just that good a piece of gear.

 

[jacoby75]

Barber Linden in the classifieds. Not mine. Somebody go get it!

 

[Johno Dunn]

Barber Linden in the classifieds. Not mine. Somebody go get it!

Hopefully not anymore!

 

[Low Down Brown]

If you want to see how amp modeling is manifest in a product, Fractal Audio has your answer.

I'm no guru on this topic, but I will refer you to the Fractal Audio Systems AxeFxIII/FM3 "Audio Blocks Guide" so you can see how they go about modeling an amp, and what is provided for adjustable parameters. IMHO, this is real amp geek stuff, and if you're an amp builder, it's probably modeling nirvana.

https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/manuals/fas-guides/Fractal-Audio-Blocks-Guide.pdf

pages 9 through 18 cover their amp modeling, and it is further broken down into sections for the "basic" power amp modeling features, with additional "advanced" features for power amp component tweaking. There's a reason why Fractal Audio is highly regarded in the amp modeling world...and yes, it is worth the money.

I have to agree that they are amazing pieces of gear. The lead guitarist in our group plays one. He bought it before his Coronacation and has had plenty of time to learn all about it. Both of us have been playing through it at the past couple of practices. We spent about a half an hour setting up a rig based on the AD200B and SVT 8x10 cab and it sounds fantastic...plus, now all I really have to bring to practice is a bass

 

[Johno Dunn]

Soooo, Linden before or after La-1a, used as a boost/drive.

 

[Johno Dunn]

New configuration. Linden will replace the Spark Mini.

 

[Hypercaffium]

Simply said: no. EQ on VT DI is retricted/limited when compared to Q Strip...

Thanks. Since the VT is easy to find in local shops I'll try one myself to see how I like it, but for now I think I'll stick to SLO and Q\Strip.

Speaking of Q/Strip, has anyone here tried it together with the LA-1A?
[Yes I've become obsessed with the LA-1A...]

I don't, but I think it's one of the best EQ/Preamp/DI around and it's very underrated.

 

[TwototheValley]

Soooo, Linden before or after La-1a, used as a boost/drive.

I use mine after it, for tone-shaping (which it does so very well)...fair amount of boost in the LA-1A, and great headroom in the Linden.

 

[alecvbass]

I'm trying to figure out some more about the Cab M, but the info is a bit hit or miss online. Does it have a dry out? And/or can you bypass the whole thing easily or no? Thanks for your help.

Both the XLR out and the 1/4 out are affected and as far as I know there is no way to send an unaffected signal to either of them.

You could 'bypass' the CABM using a null IR preset and switching to that using the left knob. But as far as I can hear, you still get the small hiss and latency (around 1-2ms).

 

[Rocksolid]

Soooo, Linden before or after La-1a, used as a boost/drive.

Considering all the tone shaping you have, I agree with before the LA-1A. Depends a bit where you have the Empress EQ also though.
I'm looking at my Spark Booster which is currently not on a board and thinking a similar position.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

View attachment 3890000 New configuration. Linden will replace the Spark Mini.

Nice!
I'm kinda confused about your signal though . The Cab M goes to the Empress and Le Bass? I would have thought to place a cabsim at the end of the chain

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

Did anybody try this yet ?

Bass Player

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Hey @scubaduba, here's a question for you since you have a Particle Accelerator... How do you think the sound of the 6N21B that the Sushi Box uses compares to an actual 12AX7?



Any word on a tasty bass clip or two of that Beelzebub? That's one I'd definitely like to hear.

5sg.

Hey 5sg, I'm getting closer! In my defense I've been busy as heck and I tend to procrastinate. I have a decent recording but it needs to be downloaded. Maybe this weekend?

In general I notice a fattening and tightening up of the bottom end. Also an attenuation (thickening?) of the top end. And of course some compression. Sort of what you'd expect in a pedal like this. I had the pedal a few years ago and remember that the Queen setting was pretty much useless for bass, but on the unit I have now I really like using the Queen mode. It seems to cut bottom end and focus the tubey-ness in the upper mids/treble. I don't know if the pedal was redesigned, or if a different tube is being used or (most likely) my memory is wrong?

I am not a distortion guy. More of a thick-tube-tone guy. Maybe just a bit-o-hair on my notes when I dig in. This pedal does that at a very reasonable price.

Oh.....The LED behind the tube changes colors when the pedal is On. Looks soooooper dooooooper cool!

 

[Johno Dunn]

Nice!
I'm kinda confused about your signal though . The Cab M goes to the Empress and Le Bass? I would have thought to place a cabsim at the end of the chain

Signal chain is:
Spectrum>Spark (soon Linden)>La-1a>Le Bass>Empress>LBA 2020>C.A.B.>Yamaha DSR112 (or FOH for IEM's).

 

[jacoby75]

Soooo, Linden before or after La-1a, used as a boost/drive.

I don't think the Linden drives, unless I'm just not doing it right. I use mine after my compressor for tone shaping, basically like a preamp.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I don't think the Linden drives, unless I'm just not doing it right. I use mine after my compressor for tone shaping, basically like a preamp.

No, but I'm assuming it will push Le Bass a bit. The Spark doesn't Drive, but does create some Hair when pushing the La-1a and Le Base.