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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#3,865
SteveC said:
I am kind of with you. I don't think this is a bad approach. I have a Nano with my TU-2, Rolls PM50s (for my wired IEM's) and my LA-1A compressor. A CIOKS DC-7 is mounted underneath for power. I don't really use effects so it's my basic DI/IEM board that covers 95% of my gigs. When I use an amp (Genzler MG350/MG12T) this of course works great in front of it.

I am looking for a preamp/DI that I can use that isn't going to be on my board. I guess it could if it were small (I won't go bigger than a Nano+) and could be powered by my DC-7. The thing is, like you mention, a top end tube DI/Pre uses their own power - the standard plug that I don't remember the name of, like your amp for example - So having it on your board isn't necessarily a plus as there's another cable to plug in anyway. Then again, if most of my gigs are DI/IEM having something on my board does make sense. The problem is finding a pre/DI that would fit (with my other items) on a Nano+ board. At this point, the NuX is about the only one that would fit as all the ins and outs are top and left, an DI could use my DC-7. Its not a tube unit, but I do have tubes in my compressor.

I'm not sure how many I would have (not made of money) but the ability to pick and choose is nice. I actually had this thought YEARS ago when using racked power amps and preamps. I though, why not have a power amp and then a bunch of preamp pedals and just swap for the need/gig. Never did it (I used a Demeter) but I still liked the idea.
Click to expand...
Happy to hear that you undestand my point.
The preamp I'm using the most at the moment is the Q\Strip because 1) it's very small and can be powered with a 9v battery 2) it's CLEAN and surgically precise in terms of EQing 3) it can save your a** in any scenario (boomy room, bad acoustics in general) 3) LPF/HPF allow you to go straight into FOH without sounding too harsh and/or boomy (this is even more useful when using distortion pedals) 4) it can mimic a lot of different tones, if you know what you're doing and 5) it just sounds great with everything (keys, vocals, guitar, bass etc.).
The SLO is a different beast. It's warmer, more organic and less hi-fi, it saturates beautifully when pushed, cleans are good, it has IRs, an FX loop and so many things to offer. It's the best overall preamp of the bunch imho, but not always the right tool for the job.
The Bass Butler is also completely different from the others. When it comes to heavy dirt, biamping would be my #1 choice so I grabbed this one. Plus, having a proper clean channel this one can be also used in many different scenarios, from classic to modern stuff.
I could live with just two of them, but having options is always better.
 
#3,866
SteveC said:
I am kind of with you. I don't think this is a bad approach. I have a Nano with my TU-2, Rolls PM50s (for my wired IEM's) and my LA-1A compressor. A CIOKS DC-7 is mounted underneath for power. I don't really use effects so it's my basic DI/IEM board that covers 95% of my gigs. When I use an amp (Genzler MG350/MG12T) this of course works great in front of it.

I am looking for a preamp/DI that I can use that isn't going to be on my board. I guess it could if it were small (I won't go bigger than a Nano+) and could be powered by my DC-7. The thing is, like you mention, a top end tube DI/Pre uses their own power - the standard plug that I don't remember the name of, like your amp for example - So having it on your board isn't necessarily a plus as there's another cable to plug in anyway. Then again, if most of my gigs are DI/IEM having something on my board does make sense. The problem is finding a pre/DI that would fit (with my other items) on a Nano+ board. At this point, the NuX is about the only one that would fit as all the ins and outs are top and left, an DI could use my DC-7. Its not a tube unit, but I do have tubes in my compressor.

I'm not sure how many I would have (not made of money) but the ability to pick and choose is nice. I actually had this thought YEARS ago when using racked power amps and preamps. I though, why not have a power amp and then a bunch of preamp pedals and just swap for the need/gig. Never did it (I used a Demeter) but I still liked the idea.
Click to expand...

You could check out the Atomic Bass Box. Not top mounted jacks but maybe it would work for you?
 
#3,867
Got these on the way... how'd I do?

C46739C9-9B22-4BE9-84A7-582AFB076EFA.jpeg


The most I have spent on a pedal

26946E60-445E-42EA-8ABC-784D6A790A4A.jpeg
 
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#3,870
alecvbass said:
Man I really gotta say while watching this thread the small pedalboard fever got me too - I'm thinking of downscaling my pedalboard from a Metro 16 to a Nano+

Here's a simulated preview:View attachment 3911603

Even though I am drooling over all the Noble I'm leaning towards the SLO to complete the pedalboard.
Anyone used the SLO for modern pop tones?
Click to expand...

SLO can work well for any genre. When I had mine I just ran it mostly flat with some bass boost and a touch of treble boost, mids all the way up. Gain just on the verge of breakup. Very nice.
 
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#3,872
WillyW said:
Got these on the way... how'd I do?

View attachment 3911548

The most I have spent on a pedal

View attachment 3911549
Click to expand...
Tube Works is good stuff. I had a 4001 Tube DI a long time ago and it was killer.
BK Butler Tube Works RT-4001 Active DI Direct Input Box | Curtis's Gear Emporium | Reverb

it's too big for my board, but for $100 it's tempting.

mor this on looks like it almost new..$still not bad at $300

Tube Works RT-4001 Real Tube Direct DI - vintage 1995 rare | Parsonsfield Surplus Shack | Reverb
 
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#3,877
remcult said:
View attachment 3911772 Sol Invictus from Hilbish finally arrived: dual-channel (each with 3-band active EQ) preamp and distortion. lots of IO options, with both channels having their own output, as well as DI

a lot of pedal in every sense
Click to expand...

It's gigantic, as I expected. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the sound (and I can't wait for mine to arrive).
 
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#3,878
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#3,879
SteveC said:
I think I'd like a P-15 to go after my amazing LA-1A, but since the are lime a unicorn, I'm seriously looking at a REDDI. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
The REDDI is awesome. If I didn't have a P-15, that'd be the one, as I don't prefer pedal board preamps. You never miss the lack of tone controls; any adjustments can be made elsewhere. I always leave my P-15 controls in the same position anyway.
 
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#3,880
SteveC said:
I am kind of with you. I don't think this is a bad approach. I have a Nano with my TU-2, Rolls PM50s (for my wired IEM's) and my LA-1A compressor. A CIOKS DC-7 is mounted underneath for power. I don't really use effects so it's my basic DI/IEM board that covers 95% of my gigs. When I use an amp (Genzler MG350/MG12T) this of course works great in front of it.

I am looking for a preamp/DI that I can use that isn't going to be on my board. I guess it could if it were small (I won't go bigger than a Nano+) and could be powered by my DC-7. The thing is, like you mention, a top end tube DI/Pre uses their own power - the standard plug that I don't remember the name of, like your amp for example - So having it on your board isn't necessarily a plus as there's another cable to plug in anyway. Then again, if most of my gigs are DI/IEM having something on my board does make sense. The problem is finding a pre/DI that would fit (with my other items) on a Nano+ board. At this point, the NuX is about the only one that would fit as all the ins and outs are top and left, an DI could use my DC-7. Its not a tube unit, but I do have tubes in my compressor.

I'm not sure how many I would have (not made of money) but the ability to pick and choose is nice. I actually had this thought YEARS ago when using racked power amps and preamps. I though, why not have a power amp and then a bunch of preamp pedals and just swap for the need/gig. Never did it (I used a Demeter) but I still liked the idea.
Click to expand...

Did you take a look at the Shift Line Olympic mkIIIs? It's a tube preamp that sounds really good. 9 millimetres wider than the NuX though...
 
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