The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[remcult]

Bro-Ton P-15. Not a pedal.

Edited for accuracy

 

[JKos]

We completely mix the terms preamp and EQ in this thread, on TB, and in general. Some of the devices labeled as a preamp in this thread are no more a preamp than the Linden EQ (as an example) isn't.

 

[jacoby75]

We completely mix the terms preamp and EQ in this thread, on TB, and in general. Some of the devices labeled as a preamp in this thread are no more a preamp than the Linden EQ (used as an example).

I recently snagged one of your Fet2B preamps, which I love. Well done. So for the sake of my continuing education, what makes that a preamp? Can it drive a power amp? Or is it a pre because it mimics the front end of an amp? Inquiring minds want to know.

Also, can it be run at more than 9v? My inquiring mind wants to know. Thanks.

 

[kranahan]

Can the Linden drive a power amp? I never tried when I had one.

 

[jacoby75]

Can the Linden drive a power amp? I never tried when I had one.

 

[JKos]

I recently snagged one of your Fet2B preamps

I'm not @johnk_10 .

Can the Linden drive a power amp?

Absolutely.

All I'm saying is... Don't dismiss a device as "not a preamp" when there are things labeled as a "preamp" that are no more or less a preamp than that device.

I'll stop now. It's not important.

 

[jacoby75]

I'm not @johnk_10 .


Absolutely.

Oops. Wrong "J with a bass in their profile pic." Sorry.

 

[scubaduba]

In my estimation the Linden would make a fine pedalboard preamp with DI after it. I used it as a preamp in many gigs. Smart and excellent sounding device.

The Broughton P-15 is killer. Not pedalboard friendly though.

I am definitely looking forward a Sushi B-15 style pedal. The Particle Accelerator is impressive for sure. Punches well above its price.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I was impressed with the sound of the Particle Accelerator from Scubas clip thread. It had some tube heft to it. I can only imagine how sweet the B15 version might sound.

+1

5sg.

 

[Dark Horse]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

 

[Rocksolid]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

Pedal format only?

 

[Dark Horse]

Pedal format only?

Yep.... for live use.

 

[Rocksolid]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

Maybe my needs are simple, but I've been happy with my THDI, VT Bass Deluxe, and to MXR M81.

I'm sure the likes of the NuX MLD, Atomic Bass Box with IRs that can be routed to multiple outs would be ideal. Not to mention the trick fish minnow, or Grace Alix.
I'm looking forward to hearing the Sushi Box Particle Accelerator I've just acquired with a Radial DI. The new Tech 21 Geddy DI-2112 will essentially have 2 XLR outs and 2 1/4 outs for sending to multiple destinations if you sum the dirty and clean channels.
So many options these days.

 

[1983L2000]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

Just to give a different answer than what you will receive with the great preamps discussed here, just because you said "general usage" and "variety of live gigs", however un-sexy, despite no toobs, and perhaps unpopular - I will tell you to consider an HX Stomp.

 

[Rocksolid]

Just to give a different answer than what you will receive with the great preamps discussed here, just because you said "general usage" and "variety of live gigs", however un-sexy, despite no toobs, and perhaps unpopular - I will tell you to consider an HX Stomp.

Good point. I've thoroughly enjoyed the tones from the Ampeg Sim on the Zoom B3 via IEM also.

 

[Bassworship1]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

If I had $500 or less to spend on a Live Preamp-DI pedal I would go with the Nordstrand Starlifter. I've not played anything that will beat it for the money. Power is a problem for alt and I see that but for the money it sounds so good.

 

[keatz]

Incoming Two Notes Le Bass.
For a preamp pedal from a well respected company that runs a tube internally at 200v, not much talk on here. Why?

 

[SteveC]

So .... let’s say you had up to $500 to buy a preamp/di for “general usage” in a variety of live gigs ... sending signal to FOH and to your IEM rig. What one would YOU go with ?

I am struggling with this right now myself. $500 or less would be nice, pedal/portable format, XLR out would be great but I do have a cable that takes a TRS output to a male XLR so not a deal breaker. The HX Stomp is interesting, everything in a box, but I’m not the biggest fan of menus, and they always seem to not give us a lot of amp/cab options.

 

[Dark Horse]

I am struggling with this right now myself. $500 or less would be nice, pedal/portable format, XLR out would be great but I do have a cable that takes a TRS output to a male XLR so not a deal breaker. The HX Stomp is interesting, everything in a box, but I’m not the biggest fan of menus.

I’m with you on the menus. Also, it just seems like digital “all in one” type pedals, while convenient, could be a disaster if they were to go down for power issues or whatever. At least that’s my biased perception. Analog pedals “seem” more reliable, and are definitely more easily replaced in a signal chain. Something goes wrong, you replace ONE pedal..... instead of having to replace and reprogram everything in your chain.

like I say, That’s my biased perception, having designed and built pedals for a couple different companies in the past.

 

[jacoby75]

Incoming Two Notes Le Bass.
For a preamp pedal from a well respected company that runs a tube internally at 200v, not much talk on here. Why?

No personal experience with any of these myself. But I feel like the Two Notes was discussed waaaayyy back in the thread, and it was later out shined and out discussed by the SLO MkIII. Which was subsequently out shined by the Arkham Oracle or Noble. Not to mention the Broughton P15. I feel like someone else also recently mentioned the Two Notes, so now I'm curious about that one again as well.