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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
That was me. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Like I said, I'll try a VT DI as soon as I go to one of my local shops who have it, but after reading some stuff and watched some clips my expectations are not too high to be honest. It's really different from my SLO (which isn't a bad thing per se) and I already have a Q\Strip who nails that (clean only) Ampeg tone pretty well, as well as many other tones. I'll report back when I try one but for now I'm enjoying what I have.
As far as I know it is a true "through" jack. You can set the input do allow for instrument level or amp level which allows you to send your power amp signal to the board.
The Q/Strip was one of my favorites. So flexible!
Honestly, the SLO punches WAY WAY WAY above it's weight. It's the best preamp for the money on the market (that I've tested). If you wanna stay sub $500...the SLO is right up there with the Oracle or Noble. What you're getting for your extra money is SLIGHTLY better tone. It's like comparing say....a nice Mexican Fender to an entry level American Fender. They will be VERY close, but the American one will be a little nicer. Worth double the money? No. Better? Yes...but will anyone notice in the mix?
Upon further reflection I realize this isn’t really necessary as my 2 active basses have a preamp and it’s realy just the P bass that needs a little eq help. It seemed to be missing a little low end at the last gig. I could have the sound guy eq my channel but then when I go to my other basses....
Neither have I. I've said elsewhere on TB that often some of my favorite sounds are Tech 21, like Marco Hietala, but I always bought the wrong products. In a way I feel like I'm just living one long reactionary arc to having bought the Bass Driver DI and continuing to see them every day. That's how much I dislike that thing.
You can get good sounds from them. It would be unfair to say otherwise. You have to go searching, though, and the result is always another variation of ...um, Bass Driver DI.
Me either. But the Q/Strip doesn't have that typical Tech21 artificial coloring in it.
The thru out is connected directly to the input—no Neve magic/influence in it. (I confirmed with mfg tech support awhile back...)
You aren’t the first person to suggest this.
Well, the MLD price shouldn’t be holding you back...the ability to adjust IR/DI tone, keeps it fresh and interesting down the road. You get back full LA-1A capability, too.
There’s no “perfect” preamp...seems there’s always some feature missing (or unnecessary), footprint issue, etc. But for the investment cost, tone flexibility, footprint (and you already have pristine tube tone in the chain)...tough to beat the MLD for your situation.
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For a live setup the NUX Melvin Lee Davis holds its own. Does something like the Noble or Oracle sound better.... Well, uhm that's debatable depending on your perspective and pocketbook. Probably, but maybe not...
The NUX sounds great and you sure can't beat the price.
The NUX sounds great and you sure can't beat the price.
Maybe it’s worth a try. I’d need a Nano+ again if I like it. My Nano is all full.
Been chatting with the folks at Becos. My comp is on the way but it’s taking a long time.
As soon as I get the baby board done, you’ll all get to hear the NuX vs the Oracle.
I run a Spark Booster early in my chain for my 71 P bass and other low output passive basses. Add a little more lows if needed etc. In saying that, while rebuilding my board with the arrival of my DC7 today (what a fantastically well made and thought out piece of kit btw) I realise that I could probably use the an unused line on my LS-2 as a boost as without anything in the loop it does seem to enhance the tone a little. Obviously the Boost on the LA-1A can be used also, but I want to keep that as an actual boost.
Further to your comments about the Bass Driver: I have never cared for the scooped out mids, glassy highs of that pedal either. However the RPM Rack Pre (Para Driver is the pedal equivilent) with it's sweepable mids and also the VT Bass with it's character knob to me have always had enough mids, and also the ability to boost if you want more. Sometimes we all have a phobia of not having all the controls at 12 oclock I think.
**EDIT** may have been someone else that expressed their intense dislike of the Bass Driver DI. Apologies.
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So this just came out:
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