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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#4,841
MascisMan said:
I see the box on my desk, packaged, ready to go, and have to keep myself from pulling the Oracle back out and letting it change my mind.
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I recently purchased a Lightening Boy TI Box because 1) I could always use a great passive DI. 2) My ultimate-endgame-pie-in-the-sky goal was trying an Oracle into the TI Box.

But I was a baaaaaad little Geni this week and my Oracle plans are shot.
 
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#4,842
So after being through Demeter, Warm Audio, Mesa, Orange, Tonehammer (still have), Wayne Jones (still have) and Nux (on the board, and running into a Khan), I am looking for a more modern sound to go with a Fender Flea Active Jazz. I will probably still try to use the Khan with whatever comes next.

Ideas?

Here is the board.

20201103_181256.jpg




Thanks
 
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#4,843
I picked up a LBA T.I. Box last week. Had a chance to try it out this weekend at a gig and practice.

Signal was bass > LA-1A > HX Stomp > Broughton HPF > T.I. Box running to Quilter BB800 and FOH.

The T.I. Box has some sweet mojo going on...definitely has a little warmth and magic to it. It really brought the amp models and IR's to life in the FOH. I (and the band) was extremely happy with the overall sound. That little passive beauty is a keeper.
 
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#4,844
SteveC said:
I'm glad I finally made a decision and pulled the trigger on a REDDI. One less thing for me to think about. as far as my G.A.S...I'm almost there. Basses are set...3 Roscoes including a fretless. DI/IEM rig is set...LA-1A/REDDI. Talking with a guy about making me a custom "snake" for my bass and synth DI's and my wired IEM cables. My amp is (for the foreseeable future) is set with my Genzler MG350/112 combo. Just need to decide on a synth. I am getting close. I think I'll try a Moog Sub 25. I think all that gear can cover about any gig I could imaging having.
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Don’t try a Sadowsky. Lol
 
#4,847
Call me crazy but the Tech 21 VTDI is the preamp I liked the most. I tried a lot of them (BDDI, TH, MXR, Ampeg, SLO, Bass Butler and many others) and it's the best for my needs. My second favourite is the Q\Strip. I guess I have a thing for Tech 21. It's strange because their pedals never intrigued me that much, I tried them just because I've had the chance. I've kept both and they're my favourite. Go figure...
 
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#4,849
Has anyone seen this builder’s videos/know anything about this builder? Interesting builds, at least as alternatives to the ampeggy high end tube preamp stuff



In another video he commented the price (between a broughton and a noble, the price of a REDDI basically) and that to get one you would need to contact him. No affiliation at all, just thought the preamps sounded promising.
 
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#4,850
PeterH said:
Has anyone seen this builder’s videos/know anything about this builder? Interesting builds, at least as alternatives to the ampeggy high end tube preamp stuff



In another video he commented the price (between a broughton and a noble, the price of a REDDI basically) and that to get one you would need to contact him. No affiliation at all, just thought the preamps sounded promising.
Click to expand...

I've posted at least one of his videos on here before. I really like some of the tones he's getting.
 
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#4,851
PeterH said:
Has anyone seen this builder’s videos/know anything about this builder? Interesting builds, at least as alternatives to the ampeggy high end tube preamp stuff



In another video he commented the price (between a broughton and a noble, the price of a REDDI basically) and that to get one you would need to contact him. No affiliation at all, just thought the preamps sounded promising.
Click to expand...


I've always loved the Demeter sound. Would love to have that in a pedal size preamp / di.
 
#4,854
Rev. Cornelius said:
So after being through Demeter, Warm Audio, Mesa, Orange, Tonehammer (still have), Wayne Jones (still have) and Nux (on the board, and running into a Khan), I am looking for a more modern sound to go with a Fender Flea Active Jazz. I will probably still try to use the Khan with whatever comes next.

Ideas?

Thanks
Click to expand...

IMHO the Broughton Messenger is very punchy and modern,
 
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#4,855
MascisMan said:
Sounds really good and that song grooves. Nice.

The Element did beef things up a bit. What are your overall impressions on this unit? With the cabsim off is the sound transparent or is there still some inherent flavor added in?
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The element is really excellent with headphones for recording , practicing or live monitoring. No interest to cabsim off , the sound is really poor VS cabsim on .
 
#4,856
jmbjandfam said:
I've always loved the Demeter sound. Would love to have that in a pedal size preamp / di.
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Have inquired about that. Seems the smallest they'll do is the size of the 400 amp in a cage. I also spoke with Micah at Arkham about shrinking an old Demeter pre. He can do it, but it's expensive because of the parts that would need to be changed/rearranged and labor. Still a dream to have it done for sure.
 
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#4,857
Working Bass said:
Recently gone back to using my Dave Hall Amps (DHA) VT1 EQ DI. Far more organic/analog sounding than a lot of the big name stuff I've tried. Very sensitive to playing dynamics too. I don't use it as a stomp box, preferring to sit it on top of the amp. This way I can flick on the colour and boost switches for the songs that require that style of drive. I have seen someone add a foot switch as a mod for this and its something I would have asked Dave Hall himself about had he not left us so suddenly. Got to love the lo-fi look of the DHA stuff too!!!
Click to expand...
Oh wow...I didn't know Dave had passed. Sorry to hear that.
 
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#4,858
Those of you using the Cioks 4 to power an LA-1A and also a Preamp that has fairly high current draw I have a question for you. How hot does it get? I power mine with a 24v 1.5 A power supply, which supplies 36 Watts, which is enough to cover the max output of the Cioks 4. I am powering the LA-1A, sushi box PA, and a d Addario tuner. It wouldn't be running at 100%, I'm guessing 75% or so?
Mine got warm enough yesterday for the adhesive on the Velcro to let go. I picked up my board to pack up and the Cioks stayed on the floor and was fairly warm. I have now removed the Velcro, put the feet back on and it's now being held in place by a more mechanical solution rather than the Velcro.
 

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