The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[DirtyDuke]

http://www.siegmundguitars.com/SimplexVintage.html

Discussing this preamp with Chris, but with some changes to the eq, more suited to bass

 

[Btbp]

Do you mean something like the (sadly out of production) Raven Labs PHA-1 headphone preamp? View attachment 3773022 View attachment 3773026

Nice. Even better if it has 3.5mm input and output jacks, but there are adapters for these.

Unrelated thing - As this product was mentioned here, a friend bumped into John Pattitucci who said that he raved about his Grade Felix.

 

[fast slapper]

I'm still very impressed by the Grace Bix. It sounds so solid and direct. Most "3D" sounding preamp I've heard... which is a weird way to describe a magnet pickup based instrument but there it is.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Nice. Even better if it has 3.5mm input and output jacks, but there are adapters for these.

Unrelated thing - As this product was mentioned here, a friend bumped into John Pattitucci who said that he raved about his Grade Felix.

I'm still very impressed by the Grace Bix. It sounds so solid and direct. Most "3D" sounding preamp I've heard... which is a weird way to describe a magnet pickup based instrument but there it is.

I have not tested every preamp out there, so take my 2 cents with a grain of salt, but I HAVE owned some nice ones: Noble, P-15 and Grace Felix (and prolly a one or two I can't recall before my full allotment of morning coffee) and the Grace was the most clear, defined and like @fast slapper said, most "3D" sounding.

Right now I own and use the lowly Aggy THDI. It gets the job done for me at the moment. I would like to eventually save up and get the Alix.

 

[scubaduba]

@The Diaper Geni The Grace is more "3D sounding" than the Noble and P-15? How would you compare the Felix to the Noble directly (compare and contrast)?

 

[Turn Em Loose]

@The Diaper Geni The Grace is more "3D sounding" than the Noble and P-15? How would you compare the Felix to the Noble directly (compare and contrast)?

“3D” is what I would call it. Maybe “detailed”? It’s something about the top end of the Grace. The top end has a quality to it....Welll, kinda 3D! Sorry I can’t be more specific. Hey....You should get your hands on an Alix or a Felix. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I had the Noble and Grace at the same time. IIRC, I had the Grace first then acquired the Noble. At first the Noble was winning. But after the honeymoon wore off I preferred the Grace. I definitely preferred the EQ section of the Felix.

It’s been awhile since I had the P-15. But I feel confident in declaring I’d prefer the Felix.

In order I’d take: 1) Grace Felix/Alix 2) P-15 3) Noble.

Hope that all helps?

Edit: The Grace products will not get you toob toan, though. There IS a mojo to the sound but it’s not toobey. IMO, IME, etc etc.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Hmmmmm now I need a Grace Design Alix

 

[fast slapper]

Makes for a great front end. Add your favorite amp in a box pedal for the best of both worlds.

Currently running it into a Hamstead Subspace for overdriven amp tones and direct for everything else.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Hmmmmm now I need a Grace Design Alix

I'm still kinda G.A.S.ing for the Edison. Once this whole COVID thing blows over and gigs start picking up back to normal, that's top of my list.

5sg.

 

[Bassist30]

This arrived

View attachment 3772431

Love his playing so much I may just buy it. He likes the same or similar frequencies I like.

 

[MascisMan]

Hmmmmm now I need a Grace Design Alix

Just realized the 9v jack on the Alix is a 9v out. It can power other pedals on your board (like a Noble) but requires the IEC in (or phantom power I believe).

 

[Bassworship1]

Just realized the 9v jack on the Alix is a 9v out. It can power other pedals on your board (like a Noble) but requires the IEC in (or phantom power I believe).

Have you ever seen any demo videos of this preamp using bass guitar? I can't find any anywhere.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Check this one out

نتيجة بحث Google عن الصور حول https://i.pinimg.com/originals/89/72/61/8972610054ec6b1a4431b70d972aba77.jpg

I'm still kinda G.A.S.ing for the Edison. Once this whole COVID thing blows over and gigs start picking up back to normal, that's top of my list.

5sg.

 

[scubaduba]

I'll tell you what, the little NUX Melvin Davis preamp is a real sleeper. That thing sounds really good. And a real nice feature set.

 

[JKos]

I'll tell you what, the little NUX Melvin Davis preamp is a real sleeper. That thing sounds really good. And a real nice feature set.

All that for $180!? The first result on Google (for me) is a shop a couple miles from me. Sent them an email.

- John

 

[davejnssn]

@fast slapper you are using the Bix? Have you ever directly compared it to an Alix/Felix?

 

[emjazz]

I'm still kinda G.A.S.ing for the Edison. Once this whole COVID thing blows over and gigs start picking up back to normal, that's top of my list.

5sg.

I haven't turned my Edison pre off when I play since I bought it. It just makes everything sound better to me. I run mine before my Tone Hammer DI for recording, or in the effects loop of my TH500 when I play through my amp. The sound of my effects have GREATLY improved. I really hadn't expected to love it as much as I do.

 

[jacoby75]

I'll tell you what, the little NUX Melvin Davis preamp is a real sleeper. That thing sounds really good. And a real nice feature set.

Gotta say, when I saw the video of it from NAMM, I was not impressed at all. But this video has really changed my mind. Especially from about 2:44 on, once you get past the muddled slapping with a drum machine and looper. Seems like an incredible value.

 

[fast slapper]

@fast slapper you are using the Bix? Have you ever directly compared it to an Alix/Felix?

I have the Bix. I've only compared them on paper. The noise floor is actually a little better than the Alix/Felix but probably not noticeable in practice.

According to Eben Grace, the intention of the Bix was to bring the same audio quality of the larger units at a lower price. All the audio specs are very similar if not identical.

With the larger units you're paying for a lot more options particularly suited for acoustic instruments as well as an onboard power supply.

I don't need much eq with my setup as I have plenty of amp dsp to correct any speaker frequency issues and my basses have plenty of options between pickup blend/tone/coil selection.

I will say that you'll get the best results with passive basses as no commercial onboard preamp can match what a good outboard can do.

 

[uwrossl]

Gotta say, when I saw the video of it from NAMM, I was not impressed at all. But this video has really changed my mind. Especially from about 2:44 on, once you get past the muddled slapping with a drum machine and looper. Seems like an incredible value.

That drive channel sounds surprisingly good on that pedal. I think that's why I'm just not down or don't get along with overdrive pedals like Darkglass Microtubes etc. Feel like they don't sound that great and you can get a better drive tone from a preamp that sounds more natural and comes with more versatility.