The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[scubaduba]

Does anyone here use a separate non-DI preamp they run front of chain? I currently use the Ampeg classic and it's fine though pretty dark in tone and has a notable hiss with the Ultra-Hi engaged. I'm trying to get a clean preamp tone that I can EQ. Have looked at the MXR Thump but haven't liked the demos I saw. Xotic RC Booster and TC Spark have been on my radar.

I prefer to run preamp first so that the other effects receive that preamped tone, instead of the preamp processing the effects. Haven't gigged in a while, but I'd use a clean DI like a Radial Pro48 at end of chain.

Current chain is:
Tuner
Preamp
Octave
OD
Fuzz
Envelope filter
Compressor
Phaser
Delay

Thanks for your help!

Xotic RC Booster
Ictineo
Linden EQ

One of those three would get my vote.

 

[JustSomeDude]

I’ve got a JHS Colourbox V2 coming in the mail

 

[arepa_funk]

Anybody use the Orange Two Stroke as a front of chain preamp?

The Harmonic Booster sounded great, tho definitely has color to the tone to my ears. TC Spark leading the way so far!

 

[WhoopingHonky]

Anybody use the Orange Two Stroke as a front of chain preamp?

The Harmonic Booster sounded great, tho definitely has color to the tone to my ears. TC Spark leading the way so far!

I just started running the Harmonic Booster into the Spark, and it sounds great. Even if you aren't a fan of the DG color, the Spark gains a lot from the sweepable mid control, in my opinion. Really sweetens up the drive on the Spark.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I just started running the Harmonic Booster into the Spark, and it sounds great. Even if you aren't a fan of the DG color, the Spark gains a lot from the sweepable mid control, in my opinion. Really sweetens up the drive on the Spark.

I run an EWS BMC into my Spark, so the sweepable mid thang for me as well!

 

[fivestringgecko]

I just started running the Harmonic Booster into the Spark, and it sounds great. Even if you aren't a fan of the DG color, the Spark gains a lot from the sweepable mid control, in my opinion. Really sweetens up the drive on the Spark.

Curiosity:
Can you compare how much color the Harmonic Booster has compared to other Darkglass pedals? I've tried so far: B3K, B7K, Vintage Ultra and Alpha Omega Ultra, and decided that "The Darkglass Sound" in those pedals isn't something I want in my setup. Do you think the HB would be similar? I thought it sounded pretty good in the videos I previously mentioned... maybe not AS colored as DG's other preamps?

5sg.

 

[fokof]

Reaserched the thread and nobody mentioned the Summit audio TD-100.
I love it , small , portable.

Summit Audio - TD-100

 

[scubaduba]

The TD-100 is definitely one on my list to try sometime.

 

[WhoopingHonky]

Curiosity:
Can you compare how much color the Harmonic Booster has compared to other Darkglass pedals? I've tried so far: B3K, B7K, Vintage Ultra and Alpha Omega Ultra, and decided that "The Darkglass Sound" in those pedals isn't something I want in my setup. Do you think the HB would be similar? I thought it sounded pretty good in the videos I previously mentioned... maybe not AS colored as DG's other preamps?

5sg.

I can only compare it to the Alpha Omicron, haven't had the rest. A B3K is on my short list. I think the one question I have is it the EQ curve or the drive that you dislike? If it's the drive, the HB has none. If it's the EQ curve, it's slightly adjustable. The character knob is basically a blend between the input sound and the Darkglass sound. All the way down, it's pretty much just the input signal. All the way up, it's the full Darkglass EQ curve. You can tweak a bit with the mid control, but the curve is set. I have mine just about all the way up, and a low mid boost to add back in some of what the character cuts.

If you don't like the Darkglass EQ curve, this one isn't for you. Without that, it's just a 3-band EQ, and you'd get more flexibility out of something like the Source Audio Programmable EQ.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I can only compare it to the Alpha Omicron, haven't had the rest. A B3K is on my short list. I think the one question I have is it the EQ curve or the drive that you dislike? If it's the drive, the HB has none. If it's the EQ curve, it's slightly adjustable. The character knob is basically a blend between the input sound and the Darkglass sound. All the way down, it's pretty much just the input signal. All the way up, it's the full Darkglass EQ curve. You can tweak a bit with the mid control, but the curve is set. I have mine just about all the way up, and a low mid boost to add back in some of what the character cuts.

If you don't like the Darkglass EQ curve, this one isn't for you. Without that, it's just a 3-band EQ, and you'd get more flexibility out of something like the Source Audio Programmable EQ.

Some good info there, thanks.

With the Vintage Ultra in particular, I felt like I couldn't get it where I wanted in terms of low-end warmth, and I wonder if the difference in Bass knob frequency points (100Hz vs 80Hz on the others) is enough to make the difference that I never jived with. But I think with all the DG pedals I've tried, it was more about how aggressive the drive is, and I do prefer a smoother/warmer drive sound. I do like those demos, so I do find myself thinking the HB's character would be nice to have (or at least try) on my board at some point.

5sg.

 

[WhoopingHonky]

Some good info there, thanks.

With the Vintage Ultra in particular, I felt like I couldn't get it where I wanted in terms of low-end warmth, and I wonder if the difference in Bass knob frequency points (100Hz vs 80Hz on the others) is enough to make the difference that I never jived with. But I think with all the DG pedals I've tried, it was more about how aggressive the drive is, and I do prefer a smoother/warmer drive sound. I do like those demos, so I do find myself thinking the HB's character would be nice to have (or at least try) on my board at some point.

5sg.

The Spark Booster nails a light warm drive, so the HB having the sweepable mids and the lower bass frequency does add a lot to the character of it. If you like the DG sound but not the drive, the HB should be able to scratch that itch for you.

 

[smeet]

I love preamps! And eq. Love me some eq.

I’m happy without fx too, but my current chain is:
Cali76 CB -> Rusty Box -> MBD-1 -> Harmonic Booster -> Starlifter

Each imparts its own color (I rarely have all on at the same time). The HB is nice, but I actually don’t use the character knob much, I mostly boost the sweepable mids a bit. But it’s nice to know that I could get all Darkglassy if I needed to.

 

[Bassworship1]

I finally was able to purchase a Broughton Messenger Preamp pedal that I'm going to use tonight and this weekend with the band in front of my Khan Tube DI to see how I like it. Been wanting to try one for a couple years but everyone knows you have to be quick to get one lol.

Edit: If it doesn't beat out the Starlifter I will be selling so hit me up if your interested in possibly getting one.

Chain right now is
Shure GLX Wireless--Cali76CB--SFX Thumpinator---Either the Nordstrand Starlifter or Broughton Messenger--Khan Tube DI Box

 

[smeet]

I finally was able to purchase a Broughton Messenger Preamp pedal that I'm going to use tonight and this weekend with the band in front of my Khan Tube DI to see how I like it. Been wanting to try one for a couple years but everyone knows you have to be quick to get one lol.

Edit: If it doesn't beat out the Starlifter I will be selling so hit me up if your interested in possibly getting one.

Chain right now is
Shure GLX Wireless--Cali76CB--SFX Thumpinator---Either the Nordstrand Starlifter or Broughton Messenger--Khan Tube DI Box

Nordstrand Starlifter and Broughton Messenger are pretty different. The Starlifter is clean, but in a fat/warm/big sounding way. The Messenger is clean, with no coloration that I could detect. But, it is SUPER versatile. So it depends what you’re looking for.

 

[Bassworship1]

Nordstrand Starlifter and Broughton Messenger are pretty different. The Starlifter is clean, but in a fat/warm/big sounding way. The Messenger is clean, with no coloration that I could detect. But, it is SUPER versatile. So it depends what you’re looking for.

Yeah I wanted to try the Messenger with the Khan because of the neutrality and ability to really shape the tone. I know the Starlifter is really good with it.

 

[scubaduba]

I have reluctantly put my Zod in the classifieds. To my ear, it tops the REDDI by a little bit.

 

[Real Soon]

It hadn't really occurred to me to test this, but it makes sense. The RNDI's "Thru" path does not need the box to be powered to work. I'm known to take it with me when going DI in virtual/live recording settings, but knowing that now, I can justify leaving it set up and plugged into the home rig the rest of the time.

(That Zod ID DI sounds like a phenomenal piece of equipment though, @scubaduba ; I can't decide if I'm glad or sad I didn't know about before)

 

[SteveC]

They’re all good. While I enjoyed reading and listening and debating, I’m glad I just picked the one I liked the sound of the best and went with it. Yeah, the “thru” isn’t effected. Oh well. I don’t need a DI when I’m using an amp. Do I sound a little different? Yeah, I suppose I do. But those are different types of gigs as well so no big deal - at least for me. The REDDI was a great purchase.

 

[MAFbass1992]

For those interested, I did a comparison between the Telefunken DI (passive) and the Noble. I added a Demeter BEQ pedal (bass boosted a bit) in front of the Telefunken to add some volume and push it a little. In the video, I'm using a Flea Roadworn Jazz Bass with Elixir rounds with the neck pickup only. I also added some fade ins / fade outs through the song to show how the DI reacts to different mixes. Both sound really good but for the song, I prefer the Telefunken. I'm pretty sure that if I raised the bass even more on the Noble I would almost get the same sound as the Telefunken.

I currently have the Noble, the Oracle, the Telefunken and the basswitch IQ DI. I'm planning to post some reviews soon !

 

[scubaduba]

For those interested, I did a comparison between the Telefunken DI (passive) and the Noble. I added a Demeter BEQ pedal (bass boosted a bit) in front of the Telefunken to add some volume and push it a little. In the video, I'm using a Flea Roadworn Jazz Bass with Elixir rounds with the neck pickup only. I also added some fade ins / fade outs through the song to show how the DI reacts to different mixes. Both sound really good but for the song, I prefer the Telefunken. I'm pretty sure that if I raised the bass even more on the Noble I would almost get the same sound as the Telefunken.

I currently have the Noble, the Oracle, the Telefunken and the basswitch IQ DI. I'm planning to post some reviews soon !

Nice. I prefer the Telefunken/Demeter combo.