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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#4,141
Alecu said:
I was also looking at the Orange Bass Butler because I really can't get along with the Darkglass pedals that I have.
Judging by the demos and reviews so far its IMO the best sounding all in one distortion preamp DI in its price range. I'm playing to have my (future) Noble/OC-2/Cali76 on a pedalboard and carry the OBB as a backup or in case I need distortion in that particular gig/session. I also have a metal band where I'll use it way more often.
Can't wait for the pandemic to end and start playing again!
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I'm not a fan of the Darkglass sound, it's not my thing.
Imho, the Bass Butler gives you the best bass distortion you can get in a pedal format. The clean channel works very well too, and if you want clean you can use the dirty channel to sculpt the tone a little bit more. Plus you have the optical compressor and the ability to control the gain with an expression pedal.
My suggestion would be to get the BB before the Noble and see how you like it. I think you can do everything you need with the BB.

Real Soon said:
Ladies and gentlemen, and also you lot, I've decided I'm in the market for a dedicated DI. My Vintage Ultra works well, but I'm evolving and have found myself using a Linden EQ and Particle Accelerator as my preferred tone control (pending getting some power routing sorted out).

I don't think I have Khan money, but might have RNDI money, esp if I put the Darkglass Vintage Ultra on the block.

My primary use would be at home for recording into a Black Lion B173 for direct, while using a mic of choice into Focusrite Clarett pre for cabinet. Many times I go direct only due to style of music. Having it available for live thru-signal is a great perk since my amp, a BB800, is line out and occasionally intimidates sound guys.

Think the RNDI is a good choice for a budget in that range? Anything a better fit in your opinion? I know there's some in-depth DI reviews a few pages back; I'll go dig in once my phone gets some charge time.
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I don't consider the RNDI as a "budget" option, but if you like it and you have the money... go for it. I never used one but it seems a high quality product with great reviews.
I also have a BB800 and the line out works well, but I bought a Radial SB-1 and I always keep it in my gig bag just in case.
For home recording I always use one of my preamp/DI pedals, plus the SB-1 if I want to have separate wet/dry tracks.
 
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#4,142
tedsalt said:
From what I've read of your comments, like you, I prefer clean tube tone. Maybe a little saturation.
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100% I like to be able to really push the tube for that pillowy round aspect and get it right up to and just over the edge. So the more headroom for me the better. With the regular gain Genalex I noticed that it was breaking up or saturated more and earlier on when messing with the gain and range settings. And didn't have as much oomph to drive the next stage. It's fine if I'm running effects after the Oracle but when going from the Oracle direct to my Amp doesn't have the same oomph. It seems normal gain would be desirable if you want a little more hair and or if you have effects after it that don't respond well to high output. I did get a good taste of the warmth from the Genalex though and liked it. But until I get the high gain version I swapped back to the JJ because it's working better. Will be interesting to see how they compare when both are high gain and it's more of an apples to apples comparison. Cause the JJ is really good. But if I can keep some of that JJ cleanliness with the warmth I noticed from the Genalex it'll be a winner.

I'll be curious how the normal gain works for you. Make sure I just didn't end up with a bad tube!
 
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#4,143
uwrossl said:
100% I like to be able to really push the tube for that pillowy round aspect and get it right up to and just over the edge. So the more headroom for me the better. With the regular gain Genalex I noticed that it was breaking up or saturated more and earlier on when messing with the gain and range settings. And didn't have as much oomph to drive the next stage. It's fine if I'm running effects after the Oracle but when going from the Oracle direct to my Amp doesn't have the same oomph. It seems normal gain would be desirable if you want a little more hair and or if you have effects after it that don't respond well to high output. I did get a good taste of the warmth from the Genalex though and liked it. But until I get the high gain version I swapped back to the JJ because it's working better. Will be interesting to see how they compare when both are high gain and it's more of an apples to apples comparison. Cause the JJ is really good. But if I can keep some of that JJ cleanliness with the warmth I noticed from the Genalex it'll be a winner.

I'll be curious how the normal gain works for you. Make sure I just didn't end up with a bad tube!
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I'm basically running p5bass > LA-1A > Oracle > RNDI > foh (church). I usually just find something I like and leave it, so I haven't really played with it much. But I do like the Genalex Gold Lion high gain over the JJ. I prefer warm clean tube tone. That's why I liked the Markbass Compressore as it seemed to add warmth and tubiness. The combination I'm using give me plenty of that.

It will be interesting to hear how the normal gain tube will compare. I don't play again until the end of the month though :(
 
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#4,144
Littlewing6283 said:
interesting. I may have my volume too high on the ano I was plugging into. When I pull the oracle out of the chain it's dead quiet at the same volume. When I put the oracle back in low humm.
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I did swap a Mullard in at one point and have a low hum (AC hum), however, with the stock JJ or the Genalex GL, no more hum.
 
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#4,145
MascisMan said:
I did swap a Mullard in at one point and have a low hum (AC hum), however, with the stock JJ or the Genalex GL, no more hum.
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I put a high gain Mullard in my Oracle and it's quite as a church mouse. I order them from Tube Depot and for a few bucks they will find a higher gain one and test it for microphonics. I just ordered Mullards for my LA-1A and got them to match the 12AU7 tubes so they are the same output.
 
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#4,146
chadhargis said:
I put a high gain Mullard in my Oracle and it's quite as a church mouse. I order them from Tube Depot and for a few bucks they will find a higher gain one and test it for microphonics. I just ordered Mullards for my LA-1A and got them to match the 12AU7 tubes so they are the same output.
Click to expand...

I also got my Mullard form TD and opted for the "low noise" option. Oh well.
 
#4,151
SteveC said:
I like that the "tubeness" goes through the 1/4" thru so I'd get that sound with my SS amp. That's not the case with the REDDI for example.
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I just had the opportunity to try the Khan 1/4" out to my GK 15" practice amp. Holy spamoni! In active mode, it warms up the GK amp beyond recognition and makes it sound like it's something about 5-6 times as expensive. It's fantastic. I'm gonna have to carry this little beast with me everywhere I go, methinks.
 
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#4,152
jacoby75 said:
I just had the opportunity to try the Khan 1/4" out to my GK 15" practice amp. Holy spamoni! In active mode, it warms up the GK amp beyond recognition and makes it sound like it's something about 5-6 times as expensive. It's fantastic. I'm gonna have to carry this little beast with me everywhere I go, methinks.
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As great as my Genzler is, I'm sure a little tube goodness from the LA-1A and the Khan would be glorious.
 
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#4,154
scubaduba said:
I miss my Khan.
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I can understand that. But don't you have like 235 other amazing preamps and compressors? I only have the one! But you've gotta start somewhere, I suppose. Lol.

I'm totally making this up, but I'll bet the Linden into the Khan is pretty similar to the P15. But I'd wager the P15 is still better.
 
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#4,156
Y'all forced me to buy the Doc Lloyd PDR, and now I have forced myself to buy this...

79A7C576-966E-4A6C-97E7-37BF96862FC8.jpeg
 
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