Preamps are fun.
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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
Preamps are fun.
You sure didn't keep this one long as it's already for sale. What was your impressions of it?
I am intrigued by the Arkham Oracle, could it be run into my Starlifter for DI? Or is an output strong enough to drive a power amp not intended for the Starlifter input?
Actually the Oracle has (2) Lo-Z outputs, which means you could plug a Lo-Z 1/4" to XLR cable between the Oracle Lo-Z output and a power amp xlr input. Does the Oracle have enough juice to power your amp? Ask Micah at [email protected] what the Oracle is sending out the Lo-Z, and research the input power requirements for your specific power amp.
The Oracle website does state "Dual Lo-Z outputs, Out 1 for normal use (power amp, interface, etc.). Out 2 may be used additionally to feed a DI box."
I am not affiliated with Arkham
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I think it all boils down to -
Everyone has different tastes and tonal goals. Find a preamp that fits your tonal goals and other requirements and use that.
Having said that, there is a lot of information and reviews in this thread that can help narrow your search *if* you read through the thread and all the reviews.
Thanks to all who have made this thread what it is!
There will still be some trial and error involved in your search, but it is fun when you do find what you're looking for.
I've used and/or owned many of the pre's in this list and so far the mesa subway+ and my two current favorites the tech 21 qstrip and the Verellen meatsmoke are the ones I'd reccomend the most. The subway+ is awesome if you pair a boost with it. The tech 21 Qstrip and meatsmoke both are amazing paired together.
The Q/Strip is very good. If you want something without any bells and whistles that is a good EQ and DI....give the Q a try.
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It's another excellent device. I didn't buy it with the intention of keeping it. I bought it to test and contribute to this thread... but keep it if I really, really, really liked it.
I haven't had a chance to leave a formal review yet.
I will say this, it is highly flexible -- Probably one of the most versatile preamps I've ever used. It does sound fantastic. Having on board compression, exciter circuit, noise gate, OD, and a killer EQ section is quite unlike anything out there. And each circuit works very well.
Compared to my Trilobite, the BETA Bass is smaller and more pedal board friendly which is nice. The EQ section on the BETA Bass is more powerful meaning a twist of the knob provides more variation. The mid sweep of low and hi mids is more versatile than the Trilobite. Having individually selectable compression on/off, OD on/off, and Exciter on/off opens up a lot of opportunity. Like I said, it is highly versatile.
BUT, for ME, I prefer preamps that operate on DC so I don't have to have another power supply. The BETA runs on AC, the Trilobite runs on DC. And, for ME I like the mute switch on the Trilobite and the dual channels.
Thus, the reason for selling the BETA. It is an otherwise highly recommended preamp. I have it listed in the classifieds at a deal of a price.
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I forgot to talk about the outputs. The XLR out sounds really good. No issues.
If you have noisy pedals in your chain the Decimator circuit is super handy and works really well. Or if you have single coil pickups and like to pan the Decimator really helps with the hum.
If you have noisy pedals in your chain the Decimator circuit is super handy and works really well. Or if you have single coil pickups and like to pan the Decimator really helps with the hum.
I've really been happy with my Qstrip as well, and your point is exactly why I have it on my board. Just a great, easy to use mixing console EQ strip in pedal format. It does seem to impart a slight bit of warmth ("Character?") to your sound, but it's subtle in kind of an EP Booster sort of way, and also dependent on where you have your settings of course. Not overly noticeable, until you turn it off. Then it's like "wait... 'something' is missing." Plus it has some other little bells & whistles that are nice too, like the HPF/LPF.
I handle my overdrive elsewhere on my board, which is one reason I switched to the Q from the Tone Hammer. So the points made about using a Night Owl in combo with my Q are sticking in my head as an option I really should explore. I'm just looking to add some tube warmth/character to my board, so it's been making more and more sense in my head as I've thought about it.
Thanks again for the input, friends!
5sg.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,618
- 18,695
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
I haven't mounted to my board but I gigged a Firefly for a while and it was my favorite out of the Reddi, Noble, Khan, RNDI and other great DI boxes I've tried. They are really good.
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- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,618
- 18,695
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Nice...
I have the older JDV which I used touring years ago but I don’t trust the wall wort connection to the unit itself (it’s not the most stable).
So now I only use for when I re-amp in the studio.
I’m considering going high end DI and skipping the pre portion. For a secondary board.
Not USB, but analog audio 3.5mm mini to 1/4". Ideally stereo to mono, a la Hosa CMP-110 Interconnect Cable - 3.5mm TRS Male to 1/4" TS Male - 10' (or shorter as required). I haven't used this particular feature, but I've been using the MBII for many years as my studio DI and pre-amp. I love the fact that it can be powered by phantom power on the XLR out, so I can feed it off my audio interface without needing to worry about batteries or another wall wart. The EQ section on the newer MicroBass III is closer to that on my EBS amps, which is excellent, but they dropped the phantom power option, so I probably won't upgrade until the MBII dies. Which will probably be never - it's a very solid build.
My latest acquisition... a used GR Bass Pure Drive :
This was a complete impulse buy as I have no experience with GR Bass other than some YouTube videos by Andy Irvine and a few others. But they appear to make some quality gear and what's one more to add to the list of this pre-amp rabbit hole. Anyway, this thing sounds great. Simple and intuitive tuner with mute, good usable 4 band EQ (switchable mid freqs) and one of the smoothest drive sounds I have used for low gain. I have only had it for a couple of days but tried it live this morning at church and this may be the first pre that might actually be a keeper.
I have emailed GR Bass to try and get a manual (the website link does not work currently) and they don't seem to like to publish their eq frequency specs, so I may never know what they are, but they sound great and that's what counts.
If anyone gets a chance to try one check them out.
For reference, some of my past pre-amps have been: Mesa Subway Di, BDDI, DP3X, Q-Strip, LR Baggs Stadium, SpectraDrive, SLO MKIII (Not S), ISP Beta, Darkglass Harmonic Booster and I am sure a few other lesser known.
This was a complete impulse buy as I have no experience with GR Bass other than some YouTube videos by Andy Irvine and a few others. But they appear to make some quality gear and what's one more to add to the list of this pre-amp rabbit hole. Anyway, this thing sounds great. Simple and intuitive tuner with mute, good usable 4 band EQ (switchable mid freqs) and one of the smoothest drive sounds I have used for low gain. I have only had it for a couple of days but tried it live this morning at church and this may be the first pre that might actually be a keeper.
I have emailed GR Bass to try and get a manual (the website link does not work currently) and they don't seem to like to publish their eq frequency specs, so I may never know what they are, but they sound great and that's what counts.
If anyone gets a chance to try one check them out.
For reference, some of my past pre-amps have been: Mesa Subway Di, BDDI, DP3X, Q-Strip, LR Baggs Stadium, SpectraDrive, SLO MKIII (Not S), ISP Beta, Darkglass Harmonic Booster and I am sure a few other lesser known.
Could you please share your opinion on the LR Baggs Stadium ? I am interested in that piece of rig since I watched Premier Guitar's video on YT.
Thanks in advance
In my experience the LR Baggs was a nice well built pedal. It is somewhat of a jack of all trades and master of none for me. The comp and drive were good in lower settings and the tone was subtle and not enough eq for my needs. If you are pretty satisfied with your bass sound and don’t need much flavoring it is very good.
