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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
Wasn't sure if I should post this in here so I made a new thread. Made some recordings
Kemper DI vs SLO/RNDI DI
Kemper DI vs SLO/RNDI DI
And yet another thing of beauty - can you take a top view photo?
Well I already had the SB-2. I got a passive DI at the time as I was running it after pedals so there was plenty of strong/buffered signal going to it. If I was running just a passive bass I'd have got the SB-1 I reckon. I have a Orchid Electronics Micro DI Box on it's way to me which is an active DI. I'll be interested to hear the difference (if any)
Yeah I just wanted to keep them tucked in and out of the way. 25mm adhesive hook velcro on the frame of the board, 25mm velcro tape over the top.
So I spent some time on the weekend running a few Preamps after the LA-1A into my Quilter BB800/Berg HG410, and also running the DI out into my Yamaha MG06 desk and listening to that also.
I used the Sushi Box Particle accelerator, NuX MLD, Aguilar THDI, and last but not least, my $40 Joyo American Sound.
I think most here know how solid the THDI is, and it certainly livens up when getting some extra gain from the LA-1A IMO, The PA was tubey goodness.
I liked the NuX but it really doesn't give me anything I don't get from my Tone Hammer. I didn't really play with the IRs as it is a loan demo model from a shop, but I need to have a look at the software and understand them. Turning the IR on that is preloaded into the pedal while listening thru my cans just makes it sound like it looses way to much lows, so I came away feeling like they aren't for me. THe drive section sounds nice but I was really hoping to be able to set it up as a drive I can turn on and off with the blend and drive, but like the THDI the volume jump was too much for it to be usable to me. Bit of a shame really.
The American Sound again impressed me. Crazy really. Like the THDI it loves being fed a bit of extra gain from the LA-1A. There is a little background noise, so it wouldn't be great for recording, but live I reckon I will use it! It is the same size and format as the old larger Barber Linden EQ, and also the Tech 21 YYZ, so I will be on the hunt for these to swap them out of this set up.
Pic of a $400USD pedal feeding a $40USD pedal! @SteveC will cringe, but I really liked how this sounded! I dragged my Warwick Rock board out of the shed, put taller feet on it and now it can take a Cioks 4.
I used the Sushi Box Particle accelerator, NuX MLD, Aguilar THDI, and last but not least, my $40 Joyo American Sound.
I think most here know how solid the THDI is, and it certainly livens up when getting some extra gain from the LA-1A IMO, The PA was tubey goodness.
I liked the NuX but it really doesn't give me anything I don't get from my Tone Hammer. I didn't really play with the IRs as it is a loan demo model from a shop, but I need to have a look at the software and understand them. Turning the IR on that is preloaded into the pedal while listening thru my cans just makes it sound like it looses way to much lows, so I came away feeling like they aren't for me. THe drive section sounds nice but I was really hoping to be able to set it up as a drive I can turn on and off with the blend and drive, but like the THDI the volume jump was too much for it to be usable to me. Bit of a shame really.
The American Sound again impressed me. Crazy really. Like the THDI it loves being fed a bit of extra gain from the LA-1A. There is a little background noise, so it wouldn't be great for recording, but live I reckon I will use it! It is the same size and format as the old larger Barber Linden EQ, and also the Tech 21 YYZ, so I will be on the hunt for these to swap them out of this set up.
Pic of a $400USD pedal feeding a $40USD pedal! @SteveC will cringe, but I really liked how this sounded! I dragged my Warwick Rock board out of the shed, put taller feet on it and now it can take a Cioks 4.
Judge all IRs based on one ye should not.
Yes, unfortunately in the latest firmware versions they upped the volume of the drive. In v1.2.7 it didn't cause a volume jump.
I figured that is the case with IRs. Thanks for clarifying. It's all new to me
I was really bummed about the drive volume jump. If it wasn't the case it was a definite purchase. To have boost on the LA-1A and a drive on the Nux with both on a Nano it would've been a great small set up for me.
So can I run it on back dated firmware or is there facility to normalise volume in the latest version, or does it have to run on the latest firmware and there is no way to make the volume the same?
Cheers.
+1. There are quite a few good IRs out there that don't drop low end.
@Rocksolid - The Cab Impulse Response Megathread might be of some interest!
5sg.
as I patiently wait for my oracle im starting to get the things I need to put this new board together
Still deciding on a board but after reading all the good things on this board I will likely go with the Cioks DC7.
current plan
Tuner>Spectrum C4>LA-1A>Source Audio Aftershock>Oracle>RNDI
Question for anyone with a similar setup. I have never really used an HPF but it seems to be a common thing on peoples boards ?
Do you find it a necessity when running a setup like this ? I see the oracle has a hpf switch
Still deciding on a board but after reading all the good things on this board I will likely go with the Cioks DC7.
current plan
Tuner>Spectrum C4>LA-1A>Source Audio Aftershock>Oracle>RNDI
Question for anyone with a similar setup. I have never really used an HPF but it seems to be a common thing on peoples boards ?
Do you find it a necessity when running a setup like this ? I see the oracle has a hpf switch
Your Source Audio Aftershock can have a high pass filter, no need to buy an additional one
Based on current description, I would say no.
Arkham Sound - the Oracle Amplifier
"Dual Lo-Z outputs, Out 1 for normal use (power amp, interface, etc.). Out 2 may be used additionally to feed a DI box"
Early fall...September'ish for DI versions. He's got a couple people on the waitlist for them already I believe. If you want the DI version just message Micah and he'll put you in the cue and be able to better pinpoint the time frame. 2-3 weeks ago when I talked to him he was 6 weeks out from having the transformers in to be able to start building. Definitely email him though. He's super quick with communication and very fun and easy to work with.
Ok. I just found a "used" LA-1A on Reverb. Guy says it's never been used. Still in the box.
Time to dig up my Ciocks parallel adapter I was using on the SLO.
Time to dig up my Ciocks parallel adapter I was using on the SLO.
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I do like the HPF on the Oracle. Haven't had a chance to use it at a gig yet but it's done well at our large and boomy lockout when I tested it. That said it doesn't/won't replace the Broughton HPF/LPF for me. The versatility of controlling specific frequencies is just to nice to give up and I like having it as a separate effect on the board. When it comes to gigging in clubs and bars in which the majority have less than stellar acoustics the Broughton HPF/LPF is my desert island pedal. Even over the Oracle. Haven't had a problematic room I couldn't reign in since adding it to my board. Added bonus is the noticeably improved efficiency of my amp.
I'm not sure how the HPF works on the Aftershock but I'm guessing it only works if you're running it as an always on effect which ties it to your drive and probably has to be a preset as well? I would imagine between the Oracle and Aftershock you'd be covered well enough and definitely worth trying them before you buy anything additional.
