The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[lightningboy]

@lightningboy do you have a frequent buyer punch card or do you accept a bunch of half filled Chipotle and pet store cards I found in the back of a drawer recently?

Not exactly, but from time to time I include a coupon with shipments of large orders. Usually that being some percentage off your next order. Like that time someone bought eight 2020's. That person then went on to buy four 2020S's, two DiVisions, and more. He got multiple coupons.

 

[PeterH]

eight 2020's, four 2020S's, two DiVisions, and

an LB transformer for free? (though about a patridge trans. too, works more for the rhyme, but you get the idea)

But seriously, super excited for my DiVision. Now that the DiVision project is out, do you have any ideas for a 2 channel/2 channel mic-in DI? I'd much rather take a two-in-one TIDI than the Neve/Telefunken/Radial offerings... or thoughts on a full-tube successor to the NuVision with a DI out to sate this thread's Preamp + DI?

 

[Zbysek]

For anybody looking for a more pedalboard friendly DI/preamp that reminds me of a cross between the Noble and REDDI is the WRA Goliath. Super versatile EQ and offers more pillow-like tone or strong fundamental. It can have grunt or be more smooth, but never really dirty (which is true of both the Noble and REDDI) — harmonically rich. Uses an ECC86. Mine came stocked with an old Telefunken.

I am interested in their Gnome tube DI...as I have EQ at other parts of my chain. What do you think abou that one?

 

[Turn Em Loose]

an LB transformer for free? (though about a patridge trans. too, works more for the rhyme, but you get the idea)

But seriously, super excited for my DiVision. Now that the DiVision project is out, do you have any ideas for a 2 channel/2 channel mic-in DI? I'd much rather take a two-in-one TIDI than the Neve/Telefunken/Radial offerings... or thoughts on a full-tube successor to the NuVision with a DI out to sate this thread's Preamp + DI?

I just got (for the second time) a Lightning Boy TI Box, or I prolly woulda hit the DiVision. I really like the TI Box. I've also had, and thoroughly enjoyed, the Telefunken passive DI.

That transformer thing isn't just snake oil, even to my old man concrete ears. BUT, I do hear more of a difference in the way the bass sits in the mix as opposed to how it sounds practicing by myself. Using one of the fancy DI boxes makes my bass tone sound more..."finished", for lack of a better word.

 

[scubaduba]

The TI Box is great too. Especially considering it is passive and requires no power.

 

[scubaduba]

I am interested in their Gnome tube DI...as I have EQ at other parts of my chain. What do you think abou that one?

Definitely looks interesting. If it is half as good as the Goliath I would be a fan. I'd definitely like to try the Gnome too.

 

[MovinTarget]

The great thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...


The scary thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...

 

[scubaduba]

The great thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...


The scary thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...

As the saying goes, there are two sides to every coin. Or is it more of a double edged sword.

 

[jacoby75]

The great thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...


The scary thing about getting looped into threads like this is finding out how much more there is out there to finishing your bass sound...

I had a lot more money in the bank before I discovered Scuba's threads and the Broughton thread. But I've never sounded better. So it's totally worth it. At least that's what I keep telling my wife.

 

[scubaduba]

Oh, it occurred to me that some people here might not have seen the coupon offer that Mike at Lightning Boy Audio is offering on the purchase of a DiVision and 2020s. Was posted in the Lightning Boy Audio thread. Here's the details: Lightning Boy Audio Thread

 

[R&B]

As the saying goes, there are two sides to every coin. Or is it more of a double edged sword.

A sword that slices up dollars. But hey, sometimes there might be coupons!

 

[MovinTarget]

A sword that slices up dollars. But hey, sometimes there might be coupons!

You how back in the day, in the corner of the coupon it would mention the cash value of the coupon itself is like $0.0001 or something like that?

Maybe if I can collect a million of them...

 

[fast slapper]

The form factor doesn't fit the thread....but I've tried the Grace Alix, have a Bix, had a Broughton Messenger v2, tried the latest Chameleon Labs pre and compressor, have a Cranborne Audio EC1, and tried a lot of bass stuff over the years.

I keep coming back to the Presonus RC500. I run a little compression with slow attack/fast release, adjust the gain for clean and fat or turned up for grind...but stll fat.

Just a great sounding piece of gear. For me at least. Never took off when it was on the market.

 

[mikeGJ]

Oh, it occurred to me that some people here might not have seen the coupon offer that Mike at Lightning Boy Audio is offering on the purchase of a DiVision and 2020s. Was posted in the Lightning Boy Audio thread. Here's the details: Lightning Boy Audio Thread

Just ordered!

 

[Jesuguru]

Definitely looks interesting. If it is half as good as the Goliath I would be a fan.

How would you compare the Goliath to the SLO? I could only justify keeping one pedalboard-friendly tube pre with eq, or so I sometimes tell myself.

 

[Fat bob]

Iam surprised to hear the Alix has such good results on electric bass, that is so cool. Was thinking of something like this or the Felix, also to use with upright bass.
Now Iam thinking I could sell the Noble and afford the Felix and use it with both, haven't really been using the Noble for upright gigs- which is 80% of what I do..

 

[emjazz]

Iam surprised to hear the Alix has such good results on electric bass, that is so cool. Was thinking of something like this or the Felix, also to use with upright bass.
Now Iam thinking I could sell the Noble and afford the Felix and use it with both, haven't really been using the Noble for upright gigs- which is 80% of what I do..

Here's a recent gig where I'm using an Alix into the power section of my Acoustic Image amp, with a semi acoustic electric bass. I can't say enough great things about these Grace preamps.

 

[PapaGInTheHouse]

Just added a Mozztronics DI to my Bergantino as a pre amp. Berg is a great amp, but the Mozz di adds a beautiful saturated valve tone that I couldn't get with the DSP. The Bergantino drives are really good, but I'll be using the slightly overdriven DI as my always on base tone.

 

[krfoss]

Hey @scubaduba , have you given the kingsley maiden a go? I'm very interested in trying it.

 

[Uncle Walt]

Can you / would you share those Kemper profiles?
Thanks.

Its been awhile since I have used it. A buddy had one a few years back and we made a couple of Kemper profiles using it. Never used it for bass in our typical application here but it was a quality piece the little amount of time I spent with it.

sounds like a good deal though