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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#4,681
Huh. First I've heard of this one:

B42238A3-986C-468E-B633-A561609CA4A8.jpeg

There are some other versions out there, and there has been rampant speculation about Broughton making one eventually, but I've never seen an actual Acoustic one.
 
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#4,682
Sid the Kid said:
Some clever fellow should design a pedalboard with a 1 space rack under the board. Solve all the problems.
Click to expand...
I did that several years ago when I used an Agro rack-mounted pre-amp. It stowed and carried like a rack-width suitcase; effective, but heavy. If I were to do that now, torsion box construction would be at the top of my list: light, stiff,strong.
 
#4,684
Rocksolid said:
Looks like my Barber Linden EQ (Which I consider a Preamp!) has finally arrived today. I'm looking forward to trying it with my LA-1A. Not sure if it was this thread that someone commented they'd tried this combo and really liked it, but I am looking forward to it regardless!
Click to expand...

Yup, pretty sure that was me.

It's a winning combination....simple, effective and versatile...:thumbsup:
 
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#4,685
After bouncing around with tube preamp options (and other pedals), trying to simplify my pb life...realized these two boards take care of about anything I want to accomplish (ampless DI or w/amp)...

Both boards are dead quiet noise floor, with plenty of gain/output. Neither preamp has tubes...that's okay. :) I'll still keep a looper pedal on hand, for some creative fun...but continuing to purge.
0F8A355A-3945-4B3E-87CE-7CB886167774.jpeg
 
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#4,686
Rocksolid said:
Looks like my Barber Linden EQ (Which I consider a Preamp!) has finally arrived today. I'm looking forward to trying it with my LA-1A. Not sure if it was this thread that someone commented they'd tried this combo and really liked it, but I am looking forward to it regardless!
Click to expand...

The Linden makes absolutely everything better, I'm now convinced. When I win the lottery I'll get a LA-1A, but my compact board has a Linden into a Sushi Box Particle Accelerator, and I've been learning how to use them to get the best of both pedals together.
 
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#4,687
Real Soon said:
The Linden makes absolutely everything better, I'm now convinced. When I win the lottery I'll get a LA-1A, but my compact board has a Linden into a Sushi Box Particle Accelerator, and I've been learning how to use them to get the best of both pedals together.
Click to expand...
I have the Sushi Box PA also but hadn't really intended on using them together. Interesting
 
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#4,688
Rocksolid said:
I have the Sushi Box PA also but hadn't really intended on using them together. Interesting
Click to expand...

Since their control interactions and frequency points are different, one can get mighty weird with that pairing to good effect. For example, cutting some treble & bass on the Linden creates a mid boost, and then cutting mids a bit while boosting bass (& treble if one likes) on the PA gives the feel of a scooped sound while keeping some presence in that mid range, esp the lower mids.

For a more classic use, the Linden can push the PA's tube over the edge, and the PA likes it. It likes it a lot.


I saw some mention before of the two being competitors, but as far as I'm concerned, they're teammates!
 
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#4,690
Real Soon said:
Since their control interactions and frequency points are different, one can get mighty weird with that pairing to good effect. For example, cutting some treble & bass on the Linden creates a mid boost, and then cutting mids a bit while boosting bass (& treble if one likes) on the PA gives the feel of a scooped sound while keeping some presence in that mid range, esp the lower mids.

For a more classic use, the Linden can push the PA's tube over the edge, and the PA likes it. It likes it a lot.


I saw some mention before of the two being competitors, but as far as I'm concerned, they're teammates!
Click to expand...

Agree with this entirely....I run my Linden into a Silver Deluxe, which is very similar in character to the PA. I haven't seen a need to change anything for quite a while, which is refreshing since I tend to constantly experiment with my effects...
 
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#4,691
Thoughts on the Nordstrand Audio Rocket Surgeon Starlifter Bass Preamp:

There has been a fair amount of chatter about this preamp pedal and over the last year or so several people have asked my if I have tried it because they were interested in my review. I had avoided it because of Nordstrand's choice of power which requires a proprietary 12-15 volt AC wall wart. If it were DC instead of AC the Starlifter would be more universal for typical pedal board power supplies. Nordstrand probably has reasons why AC was selected.

Recently @chadhargis reached out and offered me his Starlifter to test. I appreciate that and took him up on the offer.

IMG_3653.jpg


So over the last week or so I enjoyed the Starlifter and gave it a go with several basses. Unfortunately, due to the COVID situation I was not able to use it in a live setting. That said, I have spent a lot of time with it.

First off, it is built like a tank. It's very heavy and while pedalboard friendly in terms of dimensions it will likely weight more than your pedal supply.

IMG_3654.jpg


The top controls are fairly unassuming with 4 dials to manage the EQ and a 3-way toggle switch. Use of the EQ is straightforward with Bass, Mid, and Treble neutral at noon. The Mid Freq dial is there to sweep the EQ points of the Mid dial. I'm not going to get into the specifics of the spes of each dial because you can get those from the Nordstrand site/manual. The controls are all useful and provide a pleasing amount of usability. Treble is harsh at higher settings.

The Contour switch in center position is neutral meaning the pedal is supposedly not adding any color from the contour circuit. That seems to be correct. With all EQ dials at noon and the contour switch set off switching the pedal on and off seems to be transparent and quite like your unaffected bass source tone.

The volume dial is there to provide additional volume but only works via the 1/4 outputs, not the XLR out.

IMG_3656.jpg


On the top of the pedal you have the XLR out and an associated -20db pad as well as the ability to send pre EQ or post EQ signal. Nice. There is a ground/lift switch for noisy rooms. A tuner output is there for an always on tuner. The input jack includes a -10db pad button and 10M impedance switch. All very useful features.

Foot switches include an engage switch to activate the pedal and a mute switch to mute the pedal. When engaged green LED's illuminate around both sides of the enclosure. When the mute is engaged the LED's turn red. Frankly, the LED's are overkill. The pedal is lit up in a way that is not inconspicuous because the LED's wrap around the front, top and bottom. The audience will notice your pedal.

IMG_3658.jpg


IMG_3668.jpg


The Starlifter is feature rich and certainly high quality build, but how does it sound? It sounds great. Very useful EQ to tweak your tone and/or account for less than optimal room scenarios. BUT, at least IMHO it is inherently sterile sounding. It's like what you put in is what you get out only with EQ shifts depending on how you adjust the dials. Compared to the many tube preamps I have sitting here there is no energy in the tone. The Starlifter lacks the spacial "3D" effect. Even if tube amps/preamps are not your thing I find the Grace Alix to be far more pleasing than the Starlifter. There is weight and presence to what comes out of the Alix even though it too is designed to be a transparent type device. The Alix is much more spacious and complex sounding. I much prefer the IEC connection of the Alix to the AC connection the Starlifter requires. However, there is a $300 difference between the two so I realize a direct comparison to the Alix might not be fair.

IMG_3657.jpg


If you have an onboard preamp already I don't see the Nordstrand doing much for you in the tone department but would be useful in compensating for challenging room scenarios and delivering a quality DI. With a passive instrument though the Starlifter steps up to support the instrument albeit in a neutral way. But that might be exactly what you need and what you are looking for. To each their own and that's what is so fantastic about the plethora of choice we have with gear today.

So all in all, for me the Starlifter is great for what it is but I'm honestly not blown away.
 
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#4,692
scubaduba said:
Thoughts on the Nordstrand Audio Rocket Surgeon Starlifter Bass Preamp:

There has been a fair amount of chatter about this preamp pedal and over the last year or so several people have asked my if I have tried it because they were interested in my review. I had avoided it because of Nordstrand's choice of power which requires a proprietary 12-15 volt AC wall wart. If it were DC instead of AC the Starlifter would be more universal for typical pedal board power supplies. Nordstrand probably has reasons why AC was selected.

Recently @chadhargis reached out and offered me his Starlifter to test. I appreciate that and took him up on the offer.

View attachment 3984145

So over the last week or so I enjoyed the Starlifter and gave it a go with several basses. Unfortunately, due to the COVID situation I was not able to use it in a live setting. That said, I have spent a lot of time with it.

First off, it is built like a tank. It's very heavy and while pedalboard friendly in terms of dimensions it will likely weight more than your pedal supply.

View attachment 3984144

The top controls are fairly unassuming with 4 dials to manage the EQ and a 3-way toggle switch. Use of the EQ is straightforward with Bass, Mid, and Treble neutral at noon. The Mid Freq dial is there to sweep the EQ points of the Mid dial. I'm not going to get into the specifics of the spes of each dial because you can get those from the Nordstrand site/manual. The controls are all useful and provide a pleasing amount of usability. Treble is harsh at higher settings.

The Contour switch in center position is neutral meaning the pedal is supposedly not adding any color from the contour circuit. That seems to be correct. With all EQ dials at noon and the contour switch set off switching the pedal on and off seems to be transparent and quite like your unaffected bass source tone.

The volume dial is there to provide additional volume but only works via the 1/4 outputs, not the XLR out.

View attachment 3984143

On the top of the pedal you have the XLR out and an associated -20db pad as well as the ability to send pre EQ or post EQ signal. Nice. There is a ground/lift switch for noisy rooms. A tuner output is there for an always on tuner. The input jack includes a -10db pad button and 10M impedance switch. All very useful features.

Foot switches include an engage switch to activate the pedal and a mute switch to mute the pedal. When engaged green LED's illuminate around both sides of the enclosure. When the mute is engaged the LED's turn red. Frankly, the LED's are overkill. The pedal is lit up in a way that is not inconspicuous because the LED's wrap around the front, top and bottom. The audience will notice your pedal.

View attachment 3984141

View attachment 3984139

The Starlifter is feature rich and certainly high quality build, but how does it sound? It sounds great. Very useful EQ to tweak your tone and/or account for less than optimal room scenarios. BUT, at least IMHO it is inherently sterile sounding. It's like what you put in is what you get out only with EQ shifts depending on how you adjust the dials. Compared to the many tube preamps I have sitting here there is no energy in the tone. The Starlifter lacks the spacial "3D" effect. Even if tube amps/preamps are not your thing I find the Grace Alix to be far more pleasing than the Starlifter. There is weight and presence to what comes out of the Alix even though it too is designed to be a transparent type device. The Alix is much more spacious and complex sounding. I much prefer the IEC connection of the Alix to the AC connection the Starlifter requires. However, there is a $300 difference between the two so I realize a direct comparison to the Alix might not be fair.

View attachment 3984142

If you have an onboard preamp already I don't see the Nordstrand doing much for you in the tone department but would be useful in compensating for challenging room scenarios and delivering a quality DI. With a passive instrument though the Starlifter steps up to support the instrument albeit in a neutral way. But that might be exactly what you need and what you are looking for. To each their own and that's what is so fantastic about the plethora of choice we have with gear today.

So all in all, for me the Starlifter is great for what it is but I'm honestly not blown away.
Click to expand...


One of the reasons I sent the pedal to @scubaduba is because we have had opportunities to review some of the same gear and he and I seem to have the same "ear" when it comes to tone. He is better at critical listening than I am and picks up more on the subtle things where I seem to be more of a "Whoa! This sounds good" but I can't tell you why.

Like Scuba, I'm torn on this pedal. If I'd have paid full price for it, I'd have really been disappointed. I don't believe it holds an edge over other solid state analog pedals such as the Tone Hammer. In fact, it's a little LESS versatile than something like a THDI as there are no "effects" built into the Starlifter. That said, some people prefer that. The Starlifter is really transparent. If you're recording and using plug-ins, the Starlifter may be what you need. It is quiet and the DI is fantastic. Sort of makes me suspect there is a transformer in there. It is a HIGH QUALITY pedal. It is solid and you can tell all the switches, knobs, and jacks are of the highest quality. It's quiet. It does what it's supposed to do. If you want a quality, no frills, transparent preamp/DI (or even a great DI), then the Starlifter is awesome.

Personally, I'd rather spend another $100 and get the Shift Line Olympic. Bang for the buck, it's my favorite preamp so far plus you get loadable cab sims, headphone out for silent practice, aux in for learning tunes, great tone, and standard 12v DC power. Oh...and a tube...you get a tube!

I really want to love the Starlifter because I love Carey Nordstrands stuff. He is one cool dude and puts his soul into whatever he does. And I'm not saying the Starlifter isn't good...it is VERY good. If you are the target customer for the Starlifter then you can't go wrong with it. Personally, I like a preamp to impart some character on my tone where others do not. It's similar to the many views on compression. Some say don't use it, some use it but prefer it to be transparent, and some (like me) like their compression pedal to impart some tone magic into their signal.

When it gets back to me, I'll spend some more time playing around with it, but right now I'm not planning on hanging on to it. In fact, the thought has crossed my mind to sell the Starlifter, Nux, and Edison and buy another SLO for my small board. Of course then I'd need a power supply that can provide 12v. UGH! This never ends.
 
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#4,694
chadhargis said:
...Of course then I'd need a power supply that can provide 12v. UGH! This never ends.
Click to expand...

Good excuse to get a Cioks DC7 or the Eventide version of it for a few bucks less :)

It never, ever ends. In fact, my experience wit my recent Hilbish preamp purchase was good enough that I decided to grab their Pessimiser distortion box. I've even been curious about their compressor, though the lack of controls/features for the price has me staying away for now. It's tough when you find a company with a philosophy you admire, but your bank account and/or floor space only allow you to own so much gear ;)
 
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