So after reading this thread I want to purchase a preamp. I have a P15 already and need one that will fit on my board and go into amp as my main preamp. I am torn between the SLO MKIIIS and Oracle now. Who has both and can give advice?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
The only one I know that has both is @scubaduba.
I think that's about all he's said about it up to this point.
I believe the Oracle has a low impedance balanced output per Arkham's website, so you could probably get a 1/4 balanced to xlr cable? The SLO has XLR out.
Last edited:
Well I started experimenting with the AGS and found that keeping gain low opens up the tone a little and it’s quite usable.
This thing is adorable. Didn't realize how tiny these things are having never seen one in person. It's about the size of a floaty key chain you'd put on boat keys. LOL. Going to play around with it tomorrow and gig it on Thursday.
Ditto. The AGS mode isn’t really intuitive. This primer helped me understand how to make it work:
sansamp para driver vs. aguilar tone hammer
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,609
- 18,665
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
So what are you thoughts on the RNDI?
I have another one coming for my other board.
It is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I’ll put it through its paces and post some clips.
One thing it will allow me to do is explore preamps that don’t have an XLR out.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I'm looking forward to hearing more thoughts on this. I like the handful of videos on Youtube quite a bit. And it's cheap, which is always a plus.
The AGS is also an unbelievable distortion if you turn it up high. Obviously have to use it in conjunction with the eq, but if you ever find yourself needing an overdrive or distortion, the TH with the AGS up high is incredible.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,609
- 18,665
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Well it just so happens to be @emjazz anniversary around the Sun today...
Thanks, brother! Hang soon please!!Well it just so happens to be @emjazz anniversary around the Sun today...
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,609
- 18,665
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Anytime...My door is open and the French Press is ready, plus my girls think you are awesome.
So far I am really digging it. I've experimented with it at the front of my chain and it is great. Does what it should. Gives the bass a strong, clean tone with nice tone shaping abilities with a little something extra to it.
Oddly the place I'm liking it most on my board is right after my Amptweaker Tight Fuzz pedal to reintroduce some of the mids that can get ever so slightly scooped from blending in the dry lows on that pedal. I run a little compression in front of the Tight Fuzz and both are pretty much always on pedals for me as it does a great job of hitting that B15 style break up when keeping the fuzz below 12 o'clock. With the Thump after it and rounding out and maintaining that full punchy tone it's pushing very close now to V4B territory.
I could also see using it as a clean boost in front of the Amptweaker to hit that pedal harder for more break up on songs or parts that I wanted it.
The bass boost is great and can go to extreme. Could be really useful for a dub tone etc. The treble control is fine but I never do anything with Treble other than cut it. Between these two controls probably super useful for guys that slap for a killer scooped sound.
The best thing overall about it for me regardless where I place it in the chain is that between the pedal and the TH700 amp I now have 2 sweepable mid controls which I love. I like a slight bump around 300hz and a slight cut in the high mids and now that's a snap to dial up. I think it'll help a lot when dialing in a live sound and will find out tomorrow night.
Is it a life changing pedal?....for most probably not but it is really good and really versatile. Price point and form factor along with that versatility make it something that's going to stay on my board for the foreseeable future.
I think you have an amazing family....and that they also love my dog, Lucky! Hahaha!
I've always had good expectations for the Thump. Imagine having that, plus an Omnicab mini at the end of the signal chain or a very good (maybe tube?) DI.
Yes, this is how I like to use my Tone Hammer (thanks again in part to Eublet's post that has been linked to already). It seems like the fact that the AGS is switched using a standard footswitch button rather than a small toggle lever has caused it be misunderstood. I see it as a way to dial in a slightly pushed tube amp sort of sound rather than overdrive, never mind distortion. I've never really liked it at higher gain, just sounds farty to me, but at low gain it adds some nice warmth, which is really useful for an IEM setup.
Of course I'm sure that a real tube will do that job far better, but for the price and form factor the Tone Hammer suits me just fine.
I love that this thread started with the Tone Hammer. Nearly 70 pages deep, it’s still a viable option.
I have been following this discussion for my own education. The preamp rabbit hole is as deep as you care to make it. I have a GAS list of others to try but the TH is so flexible and always sounds good on the gig.
I have been following this discussion for my own education. The preamp rabbit hole is as deep as you care to make it. I have a GAS list of others to try but the TH is so flexible and always sounds good on the gig.
When I started this thread I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just my way of sharing my opinions on preamps. I really did enjoy the Tone Hammer. If you have one, it's really a nice piece of kit. I'm just the type who enjoys tinkering with things.
I've run the gamut of uber complicated MIDI controlled boards to very simple. I have found that I prefer very simple with fewer options over something that I tweak for hours and hours on end and never find the "perfect tone".
Exactly why I've never been able to part with my Tone Hammer. It's made the cut through quite a few pedal sales... It's never even been on the chopping block.
5sg.
