The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[Johno Dunn]

“Nobody at the bar will hear the difference between the backline and a tube preamp, especially when drinking is involved”

My argument to that has always been, but YOU will hear the difference, and YOU will play better. And the RHYTHM SECTION will groove better, and the BAND will sound better! THEY will notice that, through the drunken haze.

 

[Dbass35]

does anyone know what comes stock in Le Bass? Thinking a Gold Lion in there might be cool!

Some info on different tubes in the Le Bass here: Link Removed

Stock tube is a Ruby.

 

[uwrossl]

Hey @fivestringgecko (or anybody else that cares), here are a coupla clips of the Triode Beelzebub. Lakland 44-02 with Barts and well worn nickel rounds. EQ and Blend centered. No other EQ or compression.

The track I played along to is hard panned. These old R+B stereo recordings would sometimes have bass on one side and drums on the other. I panned to the drum side which also takes out some other instruments and vox, but you'll get an idea of how the bass sits in the mix. Other mixes? Not sure.

First verse is the Lakie with no Beelzebub. Second verse is the Beelzebub in Drone mode (full range). Third verse is the 'Bub in Queen mode which, to my ear, cuts some bottom and accentuates the upper mids. Fourth verse is back to Drone mode but sent to a Tone Hammer DI with the AGS engaged, Gain allllll the way down and all EQ at noon.

I tried my darndest to get the levels of all the verses to be the same. Took me quite a few attempts but I think this is pretty good. I also tried to get the bass to the level of the original recording in the first clip. The second clip is the same recording with the bass mixed a bit louder.

Hopefully the censors won't take this down right away? Enjoy!

That's the good stuff right there. Such a great track and even though I'm a fan of The Band her version is far funkier and superior. Nice job. I love playing along to the old mono recordings for the same reason. The Beelzebub sounds good. I could see myself picking one of those up for sure.

 

[Johno Dunn]

Some info on different tubes in the Le Bass here: Link Removed

Stock tube is a Ruby.

Thank you!

 

[fivestringgecko]

Hey @fivestringgecko (or anybody else that cares), here are a coupla clips of the Triode Beelzebub.

That's the good stuff right there. The Beelzebub sounds good. I could see myself picking one of those up for sure.

Agreed, thanks for the clips @The Diaper Geni, much appreciated! There's definitely a warmth to verse 2 that is subtle, but nice. Definitely makes your bass sound a little more "plump." Like @uwrossl says, I could definitely see snagging one of these as well.

Maybe sometime when you've got time again, would you be able to record a sample of the Beelzebub's gain range for us?

Audience probably won't know the difference but I do and having the tone dialed is what makes it easy to sit back and get into the performance.

“Nobody at the bar will hear the difference between the backline and a tube preamp, especially when drinking is involved”

My argument to that has always been, but YOU will hear the difference, and YOU will play better. And the RHYTHM SECTION will groove better, and the BAND will sound better! THEY will notice that, through the drunken haze.

+1 - I've thought this for a long time. When we're vibing with our gear, it's not a distraction. I'm sure I'm not the only one that's gotten the shiny new toy only to bring it to a gig and feel like I'm fighting it, which leads to having "an off night."

Some info on different tubes in the Le Bass here: Link Removed

Stock tube is a Ruby.

Thank you!

+1 again - thanks for the link @Dbass35!

5sg.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I love playing along to the old mono recordings for the same reason.

Playing Tommy Cogbill's and David Hood's bass lines is such a great learning experience. I'll pull out The Weight every now and again to work on string crossings and to work on subdividing the beat accurately and consistantly.

Agreed, thanks for the clips @The Diaper Geni, much appreciated! There's definitely a warmth to verse 2 that is subtle, but nice. Definitely makes your bass sound a little more "plump." Like @uwrossl says, I could definitely see snagging one of these as well.

Maybe sometime when you've got time again, would you be able to record a sample of the Beelzebub's gain range for us?

5sg.

Sure! Don't hold your breath, though. It only took me about a month to get this short clip.

What I think is cool is, to my old cement ears, the kick sounds "better/best" in the second verse. That's the verse with the 'Bub in Drone mode. Or maybe it's how the kick/bass blend with each other? Or is it just me? It is subtle, but I swear I can hear a difference.

 

[chadhargis]

Got this toy today:

Initial impressions is that this all sucker does have some tone magic in it. Seems to roll off the top and give a nice round bottom. No EQ or other adjustments other than level.

Seems to have a NOS tube in it. Wiring is flawless. Perfect!

Thoughts of this going in front of the NuX are running through my head. Wish my compressor would get here. Haven’t seen the tracking move on it since June 11th....over a month ago.

 

[mcshanc]

Those who have an RNDI, are the rubber feet removable?

 

[tedsalt]

Those who have an RNDI, are the rubber feet removable?

yes

 

[Jazzdogg]

Got this toy today:

View attachment 3903726

Initial impressions is that this all sucker does have some tone magic in it. Seems to roll off the top and give a nice round bottom. No EQ or other adjustments other than level.

Seems to have a NOS tube in it. Wiring is flawless. Perfect!

View attachment 3903727

Thoughts of this going in front of the NuX are running through my head. Wish my compressor would get here. Haven’t seen the tracking move on it since June 11th....over a month ago.

Please remind me: what is the name of this device?

 

[Lowendtech]

Please remind me: what is the name of this device?

That’s the Night Owl Edison. It’s pretty cool.

 

[ekfritz]

Please remind me: what is the name of this device?

https://www.nightowl.industries/edison-preamp

 

[Lowendtech]

Got this toy today:

View attachment 3903726

Initial impressions is that this all sucker does have some tone magic in it. Seems to roll off the top and give a nice round bottom. No EQ or other adjustments other than level.

Seems to have a NOS tube in it. Wiring is flawless. Perfect!

View attachment 3903727

Thoughts of this going in front of the NuX are running through my head. Wish my compressor would get here. Haven’t seen the tracking move on it since June 11th....over a month ago.

Did someone try to glue the window back on?

 

[kranahan]

Did someone try to glue the window back on?

Sure looks like it.

 

[Jazzdogg]

@Lowendtech and @ekfritz THANK YOU!

All I could remember is that it was named after an electrical genius and a bird!

Growing older ain't for sissies; the nouns are among the first to go.

 

[uwrossl]

First run through yesterday with the band and the Oracle. It really adds some heft and presence to everything not to mention the amazing warmth and roundness. Still getting used to adjusting the tone stack and how it interacts/reacts in a band setting but am extremely happy with it. I actually A/B'd it it with the Ampeg SVT-CL at the rehearsal space and it's pretty wild how close this preamp brings my solid state set up to the world of these massively heavy all tube options. Not a dead ringer but really really good and a much smaller and lighter package.

 

[Btbp]

Got this toy today:

View attachment 3903726

Initial impressions is that this all sucker does have some tone magic in it. Seems to roll off the top and give a nice round bottom. No EQ or other adjustments other than level.

Seems to have a NOS tube in it. Wiring is flawless. Perfect!

View attachment 3903727

Thoughts of this going in front of the NuX are running through my head. Wish my compressor would get here. Haven’t seen the tracking move on it since June 11th....over a month ago.

Question about tube rolling, as it is called - do you wear gloves when touching the tubes?

I'm one of those drivers whose headlights are always on, so I go though them every few months. The advice I was given at multiple auto stores was to wear rubber gloves when changing them because fingerprints can decrease their life. While they burn hotter than pedal tubes I have to wonder if it's not good advice for them as well.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

First run through yesterday with the band and the Oracle. It really adds some heft and presence to everything not to mention the amazing warmth and roundness. Still getting used to adjusting the tone stack and how it interacts/reacts in a band setting but am extremely happy with it. I actually A/B'd it it with the Ampeg SVT-CL at the rehearsal space and it's pretty wild how close this preamp brings my solid state set up to the world of these massively heavy all tube options. Not a dead ringer but really really good and a much smaller and lighter package.

I find the same with my meatsmoke pre while it is abit bigger and heavier then most pres it still is way easier to cart then a svt head.

 

[uwrossl]

I find the same with my meatsmoke pre while it is abit bigger and heavier then most pres it still is way easier to cart then a svt head.

Right...It's pretty amazing how close a 10lb rig(TH700+Oracle for me) can get to the sound and feel of the 80lber these days. Given the choice if it's existing backline or somebody else is schlepping it I'd probably take the SVT but that margin has been significantly narrowed.

 

[chadhargis]

Question about tube rolling, as it is called - do you wear gloves when touching the tubes?

I'm one of those drivers whose headlights are always on, so I go though them every few months. The advice I was given at multiple auto stores was to wear rubber gloves when changing them because fingerprints can decrease their life. While they burn hotter than pedal tubes I have to wonder if it's not good advice for them as well.

Tubes don’t get as hot as light bulbs. The oil from your finger can scorch and leave marks on the bulb that can decrease performance.

If you‘ve ever fired up an old tube amp or TV that has been sitting awhile then you’ll smell the dust burn off. A very distinct smell.