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The transition to NO AMP

Tim Skaggs

Tim Skaggs

Sep 28, 2002
5,145
8,236
#1
Due to a personnel change in my band, we are going with an entirely new PA (you guessed it, the departing member owned the PA).

The new mixer is a Midas MR18, which is pretty much a Behringer XR18 with different preamps, (if you believe the marketing), JBL powered mains & subs. My plan is to go with IEM’s and some kind of preamp or DI to go to a channel in the mixer. I have the wireless transmitter & receiver for the IEMs.

I’m currently playing through a GK MB500 driving a Fender Rumble 115 cab and an Ampeg STV 210 AV with the speakers vertically aligned.

Now I’m looking for a preamp / tone shaping DI to get from bass to mixer channel. I don’t need anything too elaborate, but I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs. I envision the mixer channel will be set flat or near flat. I’m hoping to be able to get something around $250, but less is good:thumbsup:

I’ve read through a few threads about preamps, and it was a little like counting ants…. I guess the good thing is there’s a very good selection. I don’t really want a rack mount unit, but if the price and features are right, I’d go that route. My goal is to get a good FOH tone & volume with a reasonable monitor volume for the other band members since they are NOT going to IEMs or at least not yet. I’d also like something that could be used to enhance tone if I do use an amp in some circumstances.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.
 
#4
Tim Skaggs said:
Due to a personnel change in my band, we are going with an entirely new PA (you guessed it, the departing member owned the PA).

The new mixer is a Midas MR18, which is pretty much a Behringer XR18 with different preamps, (if you believe the marketing), JBL powered mains & subs. My plan is to go with IEM’s and some kind of preamp or DI to go to a channel in the mixer. I have the wireless transmitter & receiver for the IEMs.

I’m currently playing through a GK MB500 driving a Fender Rumble 115 cab and an Ampeg STV 210 AV with the speakers vertically aligned.

Now I’m looking for a preamp / tone shaping DI to get from bass to mixer channel. I don’t need anything too elaborate, but I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs. I envision the mixer channel will be set flat or near flat. I’m hoping to be able to get something around $250, but less is good:thumbsup:

I’ve read through a few threads about preamps, and it was a little like counting ants…. I guess the good thing is there’s a very good selection. I don’t really want a rack mount unit, but if the price and features are right, I’d go that route. My goal is to get a good FOH tone & volume with a reasonable monitor volume for the other band members since they are NOT going to IEMs or at least not yet. I’d also like something that could be used to enhance tone if I do use an amp in some circumstances.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.
Click to expand...
You can use the GK as your preamp. ;)
 
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#11
A BDDI v2 is what I carry as a backup since I’ve gone ampless. On the occasions I’ve used it in place of my regular setup I always leave gig wondering why I don’t just use it all the time. It sounds great with my ears and any sound tech has always been fine with taking the signal from it.

For about $150 or so used it’s a great tool.

Regarding your comment on the mixers. The marketing is correct. I own both an XR18 and MR18. The MR18 definitely has more headroom and less noise which I guess is due to the Midas pres. It also has actual Neutrik connectors.

I ran the XR about 4 years before relegating it to rehearsal/backup duties and buying the MR. I picked up the new MR for about $120 more than I paid for the XR when new. Easily worth the difference just for the upgraded connectors.

I think you made a good choice. The XR is still a great mixer too.
 
Last edited:
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#12
Tech 21 VT Bass.... plenty of variations on that theme out there these days from the original stompbox pedal with and without the speaker sim control, to the fancy new ones with DI out and blend. OR - an Aguilar Tone Hammer. My go-to setup for festival gigs and shows where I didn't want to haul an amp was one of those 2 and a Radial JDI or Countryman Type 85. Always sounded good out front or in monitors.
 
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#14
Tim Skaggs said:
...I’m looking for a preamp / tone shaping DI to get from bass to mixer channel. I don’t need anything too elaborate, but I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs.
Click to expand...
Tim Skaggs said:
...thought I’d get something with a little more tone shaping capability [...] dirt capability isn’t required.
Click to expand...
The Tech 21 Q\Strip would fit the bill:

tech21_q_strip.jpg
 
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#17
Tim Skaggs said:
I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs.
Click to expand...
If your PA mixer is anything like the Behringer, it will have far superior eq control than any preamp/DI box you’re thinking of buying.

Since going IEM and often ampless, I’ve been more than happy with the SansAmp Bass offerings; Bass Driver and BassVTDI. Pretty much set totally flat on both.
 
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#18
Tim Skaggs said:
Due to a personnel change in my band, we are going with an entirely new PA (you guessed it, the departing member owned the PA).

The new mixer is a Midas MR18, which is pretty much a Behringer XR18 with different preamps, (if you believe the marketing), JBL powered mains & subs. My plan is to go with IEM’s and some kind of preamp or DI to go to a channel in the mixer. I have the wireless transmitter & receiver for the IEMs.

I’m currently playing through a GK MB500 driving a Fender Rumble 115 cab and an Ampeg STV 210 AV with the speakers vertically aligned.

Now I’m looking for a preamp / tone shaping DI to get from bass to mixer channel. I don’t need anything too elaborate, but I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs. I envision the mixer channel will be set flat or near flat. I’m hoping to be able to get something around $250, but less is good:thumbsup:

I’ve read through a few threads about preamps, and it was a little like counting ants…. I guess the good thing is there’s a very good selection. I don’t really want a rack mount unit, but if the price and features are right, I’d go that route. My goal is to get a good FOH tone & volume with a reasonable monitor volume for the other band members since they are NOT going to IEMs or at least not yet. I’d also like something that could be used to enhance tone if I do use an amp in some circumstances.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.
Click to expand...

I'd recommend looking at the HX Stomp, though if you want fast access to hardware knobs for EQ controls maybe something like a Scrambler DI might suit you better. When I went from a Scrambler DI based pedalboard to a Helix for my ampless setup the overwhelming opinion was that it was a huge improvement. The HX Stomp is sufficient to cover the signal chain I was running on the full Helix at the time. I did lose quick at my feet EQ adjustment, but I rarely messed with that anyway as I used an active bass and could tweak on the bass.
 
#19
Tim Skaggs said:
Due to a personnel change in my band, we are going with an entirely new PA (you guessed it, the departing member owned the PA).

The new mixer is a Midas MR18, which is pretty much a Behringer XR18 with different preamps, (if you believe the marketing), JBL powered mains & subs. My plan is to go with IEM’s and some kind of preamp or DI to go to a channel in the mixer. I have the wireless transmitter & receiver for the IEMs.

I’m currently playing through a GK MB500 driving a Fender Rumble 115 cab and an Ampeg STV 210 AV with the speakers vertically aligned.

Now I’m looking for a preamp / tone shaping DI to get from bass to mixer channel. I don’t need anything too elaborate, but I need some ability to tone-adjust for the room as needed during gigs. I envision the mixer channel will be set flat or near flat. I’m hoping to be able to get something around $250, but less is good:thumbsup:

I’ve read through a few threads about preamps, and it was a little like counting ants…. I guess the good thing is there’s a very good selection. I don’t really want a rack mount unit, but if the price and features are right, I’d go that route. My goal is to get a good FOH tone & volume with a reasonable monitor volume for the other band members since they are NOT going to IEMs or at least not yet. I’d also like something that could be used to enhance tone if I do use an amp in some circumstances.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.
Click to expand...

This is what I use and have used it for years. It will do everything you would want it to do and not make you broke either, but SansAmp has a couple of other options you may find agreeable. https://images.reverb.com/image/upl...,t_large/v1646604540/gzrlmnk1gbthpi0hp89i.jpg
 

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