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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#1,941
Here's a sound clip of the Grace Alix in several different configurations. This is just a sampling of sounds with EQ, Q, mid sweep, HPF, etc. in different positions. I finish out the clip with a segment of the Effectrode LA-1A (peak reduction at 10:00) in front of the Grace and one with the Cali76 CB (Ratio at 10:00) in front of the Grace.

All are played with a Sadowsky NYC Jazz with VTC about 50%. Pickups blend centered.

Segment one: Bass into Grace with EQ at noon
Segment two: Bass EQ at 2:00
Segment three: Mids bumped to 2:00 at 700khz
Segment four: Treble bumped to 2:00
Segment five: Mids swept to 250khz
Segment six: Mids swept back to 700khz but cut to 10:00
Segment seven: Mid Q at 5
Segment eight: Mid Q at .5 (notice how it becomes less focused)
Segment nine: HPF added at about 10:00
Segment ten: Bass boosted 100% and Treble cut to 9:00
Segment eleven: Bass boosted to 2:00, Mids cut to 9:00, Treble cut to 9:00
Segment twelve: Same EQ as segment 10 but Effectrode LA-1A added in front of the Grace
Segment thirteen: Same EQ as segment 10 but Cali76 CB added in front of Grace
Segment fourteen: Grace EQ at noon

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That's just a taste. If you'd like to hear a particular setting I didn't cover, let me know.
 
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#1,943
TXBassTone said:
So the NUX comes with 2 amp simulations (one is MLD and the other looks to be based off the Aguilar TH). There are also 8 slots for speaker cab IRs with 4 factory already defined as: AG DB810 / Ampeg SVT 810 / MarkBass 410 / Trace Elliot 410. There will be more amp sims available for loading later. My personal opinion is that for the cost this is one of the most versatile and good sounding pedals of this type released to date. Curious to see how it stacks up against the Atomic Bass Box...
Click to expand...

If not for holding out for the Bass Box, I'd likely have given the NUX a whirl. Definitely good bang-for-buck in that pedal.

Feel free to correct the following if I've got incorrect information below. The primary differences, without getting too deep into particulars, as far as I can tell:

- NUX can act as a USB audio interface, including Re-amping routing; Bass Box has no USB audio
- NUX has storage for 4 factory + 4 user IRs; Bass box has 8 factory IRs resident in firmware + up to 3 user IRs via amp/cab mode switches (however, user IRs are not resident in memory slots, and get blown out if the IR selection is changed)
- NUX has variable noise reduction; Bass Box has no noise reduction
- NUX has on board Drive/Blend controls; Bass Box has on board Boost (Drive) control (amount of gain) while Boost Level (via hardware boost switch) & Blend are only available via software editor
- NUX has level knob (via software editor) for IRs; Bass Box does not have IR level adjustment
- Bass Box has 3 Boost/Drive choices (OD/Tube Screamer, Tube, FET); NUX has one
- Bass Box has Compression/Limiting (3 mode choices); NUX has no compression/limiting
- Bass Box has (power) Amp Modeling (3 modes: Solid State, Tube, SVT); unclear if NUX has output amp modeling included as part of the preamp models
- Bass Box has 3 EQ modes (4 band fixed, 3 band para-mid, BBE Sonic Enhancer); NUX has 2 types of preamp (Melvin Lee & Aguilar) with future additions coming (assuming all based around 3 band para-mid tone controls)
- Bass Box has Input Pad for active/passive basses; NUX has no input selection/pad
- Bass Box has more selections for signal tap point (via software) for the 2 main outputs; NUX has pre/post IR and pre/post processing main output selections via switches
- Bass Box is more expensive (currently $299 USD; $399 - $100 introduction reserve); NUX is $179 USD

[For bassists who double on guitar: the Bass box actually sounds really good for guitar, too, and could work in a pinch pulling double duty, home demo recording, emergency backup, etc.]

There are definitely some other fine-point differences within the above listed, and IMO both are great choices for anyone looking for a small format all-in-one preamp/DI solution with IR loading. I prefer the Bass Box for, among other things, the flexibility in selection of Boost, Comp, EQ and amp type.
 
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#1,951
Jazzdogg said:
That makes me wonder if Mike Pope has designed one; his on-board pre-amps are well above average - good enough for Fodera ;)
Click to expand...

Then check out Trickfish Minnow/Trilobite or the Fodera 2000/2010/2011 if you can find one. The latter is basically a Pope in a box. The Trickfish products were made in partnership with Pope with modifications.
 
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#1,954
PeterH said:
@scubaduba How would you compare the tone enhancement of the RNDI and the Lightningboy 2020?
Click to expand...

We're talking subtleties here.

Segment one is Sadowsky flat with VTC at 50% or so with no DI (direct to board input).
Segment two is Sadowsky into Lightningboy 2020 to board.
Segment three is Sadowsky into RNDI to board.
Segment four is Sadowsky into 2020 into RNDI to board.
Segment five is Sadowsky to board (no RNDI or 2020).

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#1,956
scubaduba said:
We're talking subtleties here.

Segment one is Sadowsky flat with VTC at 50% or so with no DI (direct to board input).
Segment two is Sadowsky into Lightningboy 2020 to board.
Segment three is Sadowsky into RNDI to board.
Segment four is Sadowsky into 2020 into RNDI to board.
Segment five is Sadowsky to board (no RNDI or 2020).

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Click to expand...
I can't wait for my 2020's to show up. There's some sauce there.
 
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#1,959
scubaduba said:
We're talking subtleties here.

Segment one is Sadowsky flat with VTC at 50% or so with no DI (direct to board input).
Segment two is Sadowsky into Lightningboy 2020 to board.
Segment three is Sadowsky into RNDI to board.
Segment four is Sadowsky into 2020 into RNDI to board.
Segment five is Sadowsky to board (no RNDI or 2020).

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
It all just sounds like varying tastes of greatness. Not terribly different, if you ask me. But the Sadowsky sounds amazing on its own too, so you working with some pretty great raw material.
 
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