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The Preamp/OD/DI rabbit hole

E

Ed455

Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2017
408
1,185
Madisonville, LA
#1
So . . . I've looked at Darkglass B7K, B7K Ultra, Alpha Omega, MXR M80+, etc. but not PLAYED through any of them. The more I look, listen, read reviews, the more unsure I am.

There is not a music store in my area where I can try them out, so . . . I want to have DI and eliminate the stage amp, and I want WARM subtle OD that keeps my low end presence, especially with my B string. I have mostly MXR pedals and I generally like them, but the Fuzz Deluxe is just too much. I can use use it with the "fuzz" knob turned almost all the way down, but it still picks up too much string noise, etc (ok, that could be bad hand technique).

I'm not opposed to trial and error. I buy used on reverb, and can flip any pedal to try something different. But I'd like to at least go the right direction and the Fuzz Deluxe is NOT the right direction for me. The M89 Bass Overdrive I suspect may be an improvement, but since I want a DI as well, I'd like to kill two birds with one stone.

I play mostly Praise and Worship music and piddle around with some pop, rock and blues at home, so I don't need or want "rip your face off" distortion. The Darkglass stuff sounds like it may be more extreme than I would ever use/need, but the reviews are so good that I'm tempted to pick up a B7K. The MXR M80+ has mixed reviews, some saying they're awesome and some saying that the distortion is "not subtle." I know that the Tone hammer was once the pedal de jour, but seems to be yesterday's pedal now.

I know this is a HIGHLY subjective question, but based upon what I've described, can you steer me in the right direction, worship musicians especially. Thanks in advance.
 
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#2
I haven't owned any of the Darkglass stuff, but I would say if you're looking for warm the M80 isn't it. The EQ is very clean and sterile, and the distortion is a little too sputtery for what I would call warm.

FWIW I'm using a Catalinbread 5f6 as my preamp and a separate radial sb2 as my di. I do consider this combo to have a warm sound.

Hope that's useful.
 
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#3
Valve Direct Box DI-2There are sooooo many options… What's your budget? Do you also need IRs, or just Preamp, EQ, overdrive and DI?

You can start digging here:

Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...

The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

Broughton Audio Super Thread

I think these could match:
- HX Stomp or other full digital all in one competitors
- Many Tech 21 products
- Fender Downtown Express Bass station
- Jule Simone
- Arkham Oracle
- Light Stone Emperor
- Mozztronics Valve Direct Box DI-2
- Effectrode Blackbird

…lots of different approaches, features, and sounds

+ many others

Have fun!
 
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#4
gtirard said:
Valve Direct Box DI-2There are sooooo many options… What's your budget? Do you also need IRs, or just Preamp, EQ, overdrive and DI?

You can start digging here:

Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...

The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

Broughton Audio Super Thread

I think these could match:
- HX Stomp or other full digital all in one competitors
- Many Tech 21 products
- Fender Downtown Express Bass station
- Jule Simone
- Arkham Oracle
- Light Stone Emperor
- Mozztronics Valve Direct Box DI-2
- Effectrode Blackbird

…lots of different approaches, features, and sounds

+ many others

Have fun!
Click to expand...
I'd like to stay in the $300-350 (used) range. I feel like you're dragging me further down the rabbit hole. Lol.
OD/Preamp/DI is all I'm looking for
 
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#7
Personally? Having gone very deep down this rabbit hole, here is my recommendation: Get a nice OD/preamp, and a nice DI. You should be able to get one of each and still meet your budget. For example (just to name one of many excellent options) a TC Electronic Spark and a Radial Stagebug come in well under $200 total.

For me, trying to find a combo preamp/DI that "does it all" always ended up being a compromise. Better just to pair an amazing preamp with an amazing DI.

It's similar logic to choosing a head+cab instead of a combo amp. You have a lot more options, if you are willing to mix & match.
 
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#8
I don't think the B7K is what you are looking for. Regarding Darkglass in general...those pedals are known for aggressive, modern, metal tones, but I think that is because a) they are really good at it, and b) that's how almost every demo is done. They are flexible, though, and my B3K, B7K Ultra, AO Ultra, and AO Photon can all give some really nice low-drive sounds. I like the AO pedals better for the old-school stuff, and with my old Guild M-85 with flats, it definitely can venture outside of the modern and aggressive camp.

Out of all my gear though, the thing that will definitely do what you want is the HX Stomp. You have to spend a little time with it, and it isn't super quick to tweak settings on the fly (unless you bring a laptop), but it can sound like anything and it can sound really, really good.
 
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#9
If you are looking for Warm and Subtle, I'd skip the Darkglass offerings. They definitely tend more towards harsh and rip your face off, with a very baked in "Darkglass Sound."

Staying in pedal format, and within your price range, as well as pretty simple without a bunch of bells and whistles, I'd say start by checking out one I've never tried myself, but got great reviews in multiple threads, and offers a ton of bang for a very cheap price.

Nux NBP-5 Melvin Lee Davis Signature Bass Preamp/DI.

Easily had for less than $200 new, and if it isn't warm enough, you've got enough left over $$ to grab something like a SushiBox Space Heater, or something similar with a tube to warm things up, or a good OD of some kind, like the previously mentioned TC Spark.

A Mesa Boogie Subway Bass Preamp/DI would also be a good way to go, but is pushing the top end of your budget if bought new. Andy/AgedHorse, Mesa Boogies Designer makes an incredible bass preamp.
 
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#10
Ed455 said:
I'd like to stay in the $300-350 (used) range. I feel like you're dragging me further down the rabbit hole. Lol.
OD/Preamp/DI is all I'm looking for
Click to expand...

Seems to me what you're looking for is a Sansamp programmable or deluxe. You'll have three or more levels of warmth at your toes.

Save the change so you can take me to lunch when I come to JetBlue Park for a Red Sox spring training game. ;)
 
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#11
I also own and love a number of MXR pedals; I also like a warm, subtle drive that works well even when going low on a 5-string; and I also wouldn’t recommend the MXR DI+ for that. For what we both seem to want, I highly recommend something from @tech21nyc; one of their SansAmp offerings will surely get you what you want, and you could come in under budget even with a new one. I went with the Para Driver for going direct because it works well for both bass and guitar, but they have a number of bass-specific options as well.
 
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#12
two fingers said:
Seems to me what you're looking for is a Sansamp programmable or deluxe. You'll have three or more levels of warmth at your toes.

Save the change so you can take me to lunch when I come to JetBlue Park for a Red Sox spring training game. ;)
Click to expand...
Beat me to it by less than a minute! :laugh: Has this happened before?
 
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#15
The SansAmp Bass Driver v2 (with midrange control) is my favorite from them.

But if you have the patience to tweak it, a Line 6 HX Stomp will do EVERYTHING you need…along with providing a great tuner, pitch shifting capabilities (really helpful for learning tunes) a headphone out/Aux in…and Line 6 regularly updates the firmware which adds even more features and sounds.

Used would be in your price range, and probably allow you to sell a couple other things.

I bought mine at Guitar Center (fully expecting to exploit the return policy) and it quickly became an essential piece of gear for me.
 
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#16
Ed455 said:
I really want it in the form of a pedal.
Click to expand...

I've grown fond of the all-in-ones from a practical standpoint...here are some of my favorites:

*Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig, v1 or v2...I still use this one

*Trace Elliot Transit B.

*EBS MicroBass 3.

Never trial'd the GK Plex (too expensive) nor the Fender Downtown Express (no onboard tuner?!?). Big question is: what features do you need? If you require every FX option known-to-man, the upper-tier programmable pedals may be exactly what you need. If you can squeeze by with basic OD, EQ, compression, tuner, mute, and DI, my suggestion above merit consideration. BTW, they all have ka-nobs!

Riis
 
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#17
I know what you feel right now, because I was already there, in the deep preamp rabbit hole.
My present choice is an EBS Valvedrive II DI which I modded with a replacement valve 12at7 instead of the over aggressive 12ax7. Before this mod, the distortion broke too early in my opinion, but now is just perfect, I have lots of overhead. My sound has never been as warm as is now. Also, in-line before that pedal, I am using the Aguilar DB925 to helps my passive basses to be more high-fidelity. That’s my present solution. These two preamps go into a TC Electronics D-class BH250 bass amp. The sound in all amazing for practice and little rooms.
Last but not least, many preamp builders claim that you can push a power amp with their DI, but I never found one that can do that and sound like a real amp, except for the Ampeg SVT IIP, which is an awesome old-school rack preamp which pushes the best of itself into a Crown XLS1502 poweramp. That’s my setup for concerts.
 
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#19
Another vote for the Sansamp Programmable.
Simple, super effective and three presets. Loved by FOH people because it simply works. It also has a baked in cabinet simulation and the DI out provides switchable levels (instrument/line).

Still, it might be worth checking out something with tubes, for real tube warmth.
With tubes, the problem is you need very high quality or you'll add more noise than magic.
Sushi Box FX does decent quality pedals at affordable prices.
 
#20
EHX Battalion is my choice. Has a separate OD and preamp channel, and a decent one knob compressor. Low gain overdrive is readily available, and I use it every week at church. I prefer a midrange oriented, sort of furry sound, rather like some of the Motown stuff. Also has a DI out.

I didn’t bond with an Ampeg SCR-DI that I had, nor did I do well with Sansamps that I’ve had. The Battalion has been pretty good for me.
 
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