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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
For me it seems like pretzel logic to spend $1800 to profile the rig I already have with half that much invested.
At some point, there will be a new device that blows my mind. I think what that would take at this point would be a small form factor interface that just contains the physical jacks. No screens or buttons. It would be controlled via a phone or tablet app. It would have wireless built in. It would have the option of running on a long life (12+ hours) rechargeable battery or external power.
The win for a device like this is that I'd take nothing to the gig other than my bass, the interface box, and my phone/tablet. The device could even have expandability for using things like Ultranet for IEM mixing. Wanna run a cab too? A separate class D power amp that connects using digital wireless allowing you to locate your cab anywhere on stage you would like.
Ah....I can always dream.
Well, I guess it would depend on whether you believe your current rig will likely never change (the end of the tone road). If that is the case, then yes, $1800 to replicate what you already have would be poor logic, I agree. I would assume that you would capture your current rig so you have that PLUS explore further all the other possibilities afforded to you with a QC and the Cloud community.
My current QC preset isn't a replication of my older Stomp/Khan set up. I have definitely changed from then. I was able to because of captures available to me within the QC community and excellent onboard bass amps and captures that come stock within the unit. Currently I am running a capture of a real 50th Heritage SVT amp in to a capture of a real Ashly BP41 bass preamp in to a capture of a real Acme Motown DI. (the latter two are combined in to one capture). Sounds incredible. Tomorrow I can dial up a REDDI or Khan or Noble or whatever if I want to explore more. That is a large variable you are paying for with the QC. The flexibility to explore pieces of gear without purchasing them and having the processing power to do virtually anything you want as far as combinations of effects (in regards to DSP). That, and like Steve mentioned, having the I/O and processing power to run multiple instruments at the same time if needed. I personally also play electric guitar. The QC is a much better platform for an all-in-one guitar preset than the Stomp. Of course, if a person doesnt need that flexibility, perhaps its the wrong unit for them. The Stomp and QC are not apples to apples.
"Need" is the subjective key like Steve mentioned. Some people don't "need" $1800+ basses. Some people are fine with $750 basses that accomplish the same thing. Yet here we are with somehow justified expensive basses discussing the "need" of items that are vastly different. To bring the analogy full circle, some people don't need a $700 Stomp, they are fine with a $300 Tone Hammer. Yet, to borrow something Steve mentioned, all three (QC, Stomp, TH) have very "usable sounds." What sold me initially on the QC was that I could sell my Stomp, Khan DI, and a few overdrive pedals, capture all of them, then move to the QC for little to no out of pocket cost for the transition.
But....you are right. If the Stomp/Khan is everything you need tone-wise (and it IS a really good sounding combo which I can personally attest), and you don't foresee yourself exploring further with the likes of a QC, then the $1800 is definitely not justified (though in reality it is more like $800 once you sold the other two for the QC, and even less than $800 if you have other overdrives/preamps you can capture and sell).
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A/B/C'd three Dis last night including the Demeter VTBP (w/ Jenson), Aguilar DB 900 and Effectrode LA-1A. I love them all, each had a distinct and different flavor. The Demeter was about as pure is it gets - what you give it is what it gives back. Only better. The Agi has the same high headroom, low noise floor and adds a light layer of something special compared to the Demeter. The Effectrode is a little fatter than the Agi and of course you have the limiter and compression to twiddle around with too. A modern day Retrospec Squeezebox of sorts?... For straight out fingerstyle, I love running the Effectrode with subtle compression settings directly into the Agi - that was some lovely stuff there! Dig them all by themselves though. Tools for the toolbox as it were.
Agree with your comments! The actual QC cost can greatly be offset, if one’s deep into TB-style pedal acquisition mode.
I currently have 3 options…QC~~Khan, etc pb~~and Berg preamp. I’m slowly but surely getting my QC setup (just been really distracted with home projects)... I fully intend to sell off most of my pedals (including the Khan) at some point. (I will never sell my Broughton S1 though.
)It’s still my objective to use the QC as a legit all-in-one. I’ve played with mine enough to know it’s possible, given my tone goals. Tuner is quite usable. The reverb, chorus, and delays are plenty good enough for my needs (and something the Berg preamp can’t do…) The QC I/O capability is also second-to-none!
Plus… it’s just been fun to ‘drag n drop’ experiment whenever!
The newly designed QC SKB case is awesome protection…I’m working on a custom frame to mount the QC with my Cioks SOL underneath, yet still fit in the case. Stay tuned…
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So I’m currently on the look out for a preamp that I can use as part of the dirty/synth side of my set up. Ideally something that has a headphone out built in for solo practice.
Currently using the Darkglass Adam. Considering the Aguilar Tone Hammer or the Origin Effects Bassman.
Clean Signal:
Empress Bass Compressor -> EQ
Dirty Signal:
Empress Bass Compressor -> EQ -> Octavbre -> C4 -> MBD-2
Clean signal goes to the origin super vintage. I wind up just using the Adam for subtle eq and the headphone amp. But like I said, if anyone has a suggestion as to a replacement I can make that would be awesome. I’m just playing at church and want something that’s overdriven/distorted but not over the top.
Currently using the Darkglass Adam. Considering the Aguilar Tone Hammer or the Origin Effects Bassman.
Clean Signal:
Empress Bass Compressor -> EQ
Dirty Signal:
Empress Bass Compressor -> EQ -> Octavbre -> C4 -> MBD-2
Clean signal goes to the origin super vintage. I wind up just using the Adam for subtle eq and the headphone amp. But like I said, if anyone has a suggestion as to a replacement I can make that would be awesome. I’m just playing at church and want something that’s overdriven/distorted but not over the top.
Hey! Curious about that one. Haven't tried it myself. Look forward to your samples and thoughts.
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Good Lort. The bass DI market sure has become saturated.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I seem to have stopped gassing completely for new preamps. Yes, no-one is more astounded than myself. I seem to be more fixated on getting the best out of what I have.
The best IEM tone I've had currently is LA-1A into THDI. The tone hammer seems to come alive when you push the front end a little harder with the output of the LA-1A. Probably old news, but wanted to share.
The best IEM tone I've had currently is LA-1A into THDI. The tone hammer seems to come alive when you push the front end a little harder with the output of the LA-1A. Probably old news, but wanted to share.
I've done the rounds the last few years with preamp pedals. Bought and sold a THDI a few times, initially because I just really don't like the AGS drive and effect, another time because I had it in my head that I wanted a preamp with 2 mid controls.
I've bought one again a few months ago and have just decided that I really like this as a clean preamp, pushed first with my overdrive pedal and compressor (an EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe).
PBass with both rounds and flats into EBS comp, mild overdrive into the THDI with some low low mid push (maybe around 200hz). Just sound wonderfully fat, not muddy but the overdrive give just enough mid push to stand out.
Like Rocksolid I'm really happy with it. If they ever re-issued the THDI with separate Gain and Drive knobs (like the heads) I would probably get one but until then it wins for me against most of the popular ones commonly available (Darkglass, MXR, EBS, Xotic, Tech 21), and even a few custom built jobs.
I've bought one again a few months ago and have just decided that I really like this as a clean preamp, pushed first with my overdrive pedal and compressor (an EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe).
PBass with both rounds and flats into EBS comp, mild overdrive into the THDI with some low low mid push (maybe around 200hz). Just sound wonderfully fat, not muddy but the overdrive give just enough mid push to stand out.
Like Rocksolid I'm really happy with it. If they ever re-issued the THDI with separate Gain and Drive knobs (like the heads) I would probably get one but until then it wins for me against most of the popular ones commonly available (Darkglass, MXR, EBS, Xotic, Tech 21), and even a few custom built jobs.
I push a THDI with a night owl Edison and it sounds great.
Its none of those things unless you have access to them to do a capture or spend more money on captures others have done. Its also a purpose built computer that will expire or become outdated in a lot less time than the originals its capturing. The Modelling stuff is great. I am in no way saying its not. It is not however a panacea by any stretch.
To be fair, neither are the devices it models, or any musical device for that matter
Been lurking a bit, but nothing to contribute really. Interesting to watch the transition to digital emulation taking over though. This thread was so driven (pardon the pun) by tube preamps for so long, so watching people's opinions and tastes change as tech improves is eye opening!
I posted thoughts about the Motor City Big Block in its own thread here: Motor City Big Block DI
Summary: I think this thing is very cool and the lows are remarkable.
Summary: I think this thing is very cool and the lows are remarkable.
