• 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.

Thoughts on the Audere Preamp?

Kwesi

Kwesi

Sep 19, 2007
8,150
161
35
USA; Mitchellville, Maryland
#1
Thinkin about getting an Audere for my Squier. Didn't want to at first because I'd heard it sounds "boring" but I'm starting to think that having the bass routed for a modular preamp just wouldn't be worth the cost. My other options are John East (heard that it imposes a bit of a mid-scoop which I absolutely do not want, also expensive) and Bass Mods (mid freq center is set at 1kHz, bit too high for my tastes).

So yeah, Audere, what do I need to know? Also does it have and output gain trim?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#8
Another very happy Audere user. JZ-5 replaced the original preamp in a 2001 Fender American Deluxe Jazz. I also changed the pickups to Dimarzio Area J's. I would agree with the comment that it is very neutral sounding in the center position. A great upgrade IMO. :)
 
#9
The Audere preamps are flat out incredible! I've transformed several of my Pedullas (Thunderbolts and Thunderbasses) using these preamps, and the results have been nothing short of stellar. With everything set flat, they are damn close to being transparent (using the bypass switch you can toggle back and forth between bypassing and comparing that to the preamp with everything flat).

The frequencies are very musical and the boost/cut is not so extreme that you need to be careful without adding or subtracting too much with a slight twist - you have a lot of control over your EQ: lows, low-mids, high-mids, and treble, and the boost/cut allows you to get very precise with how much you want to add or subtract.

The only pre I can currently compare it to is an Aggie OP-3. The aggie is very nice, but I hate the bass boost/cut - WAY too sensitive, and the mids on the aggie seem to be too subtle - don't get me wrong, I do like the aggie in my Rapture (using it with Delano pickups: 3-pickup config: 2 JMVC5 FE and a single SBC5 HE/S between them).

I think Audere has a 10-day trial period, but double-check to be sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: daddymactx
#10
I like the Audere preamp, although I'm not a fan of the z-mode stuff...I just never use it.

I really disliked lows and the highs of the retro. Maybe it was my bass though. With deep bartolinis in a jazz bass, it was waaaaay too smooth and thick.
 
#11
I tried one for a while, and I found the sound to be pleasant, but compared to the Bart preamps I use now, it sounded less punchy and more 'polite', if that makes sense. Maybe it's less midrange? It's so hard to describe these sounds accurately. Also I found the output level to be very low, even running it at 18 volts. Certainly not a bad product, just not at the top of my list.
 
  • Like
Reactions: timplog
#12
I have a four-band Pro Z installed in my new custom fretless 5string.

The two midrange EQ points seem to work quite well, at least for fretless - adding the lower mid brings out a nice full growl, while adding the upper mid gets you easily into the Jaco/Pino territory. The bass control seems to be more subtle than those on my Bart, Sadowsky and Aggie pre's.

Related to that, the Audere preamp is probably the most subtle overall of those listed above (on the Pro Z, "bypass" is equivalent to everything set in flat position and the Z switch set to mid).

The Z switch adds a bit of extra personality to the tone of the preamp - with the switch set to "Low" (third position) the bottom end becomes absolutely massive without actually boosting the bass control. I'd describe it as adding lots of low end fundamental, all the way down the curve, vs. simply boosting a fixed bass frequency. Some nifty tonal options for sure.

So I'd say it's worked out great for my fretless application. But, with so much interest in "neutral" sounding equipment these days I do think it's important to make sure the "flava" is coming from somewhere, so if you're using uncolored amplication this might not give you the most flexibility.

Lonnybass
 
  • Like
Reactions: ImprecisionBass and Markb
#14
Jim Nazium said:
I tried one for a while, and I found the sound to be pleasant, but compared to the Bart preamps I use now, it sounded less punchy and more 'polite', if that makes sense. Maybe it's less midrange? It's so hard to describe these sounds accurately. Also I found the output level to be very low, even running it at 18 volts. Certainly not a bad product, just not at the top of my list.
Click to expand...

DWBass said:
I've had several Audere's in jazz basses. I didn't find them out to be very low output at all. In any case, just adjust the gain on your amp. I am planning to replace the Bart in my Lakland for an Audere Classic 3 band. True, I will miss the gain adjust feature but I've never had one on any other preamp so it's not a deal breaker.
Click to expand...

+1 to DW, I've found that my Jazz has a much hotter output than any of my other basses. I suspect that also has to do with pickups though... I know the Quarter Pounders are pretty hot. Combined with the high output of my B7K, I've played gigs where I've had to switch to the DI on the back of my amp because my signal was too hot for the board.

As far as preamp personality, I have a Bart NTMB 5.4 (with Aero pickups) in my Stambaugh and it seems quite tame when compared to my Jazz setup. The Stambaugh is much more polite and the Jazz has a ton more attitude, growl and punch. I still think that has a lot to do with the pickups though...

5sg.
 
#15
Kwesi said:
Damn, and coming from you, that carries a lot of weight.

Anyone got some suggestions for preamps that would easily fit into a passive jazz cavity without additional routing while still leaving room for the battery?
Click to expand...

if youre careful and the pre you want to use is a small module, you can often cram everything in there. you might consider widening the cavity with a dremel. theres a lot more room that can be made and still be covered by the plate. combine that with mini pots, something like some bourns stack pots, tight wiring, you can fit a lot in there. in my old squier affinity 5, i was able to fit the board of a stingray 2 band preamp, stack volume, and the bass and treble controls on a standard plate with the top mount jack and fit the battery in the cavity as well. that cavity was a little bigger than standard, but still covered by a normal jazz plate.
 
#16
Davo-London said:
The Audere is my fav preamp. It is quite neutral in the central indent setting but has a really useable range for the EQ. Plus you can have different capacitors wired in so all in all it's an excellent pre.

Davo
Click to expand...

Have a Classic with capacitors wired for EMGs. Like the pre a lot. But not quite it for me. Maybe too versatile. But good preamp indeed. Probably will sell it once I find the right sound for me. Plan and simple.
 
#17
I've got a variable Z jazz plate in my Warmoth build working with Lindy Fralin pickups and a variable z module in an Ibanez SR700 with U.S. Bart's in it. In both cases the Audere preamp is beautifully transparent and versatile. I leave the impedance switch at low Z and have never had call to move it. Very highly recommended!
 
  • Like
Reactions: thefunkgorilla
#20
I installed the Audre' "Classic" in my Deluxe P-Bass ( Vol.,Blend, Treb/bass, Mid ) along with a bill Lawrence P-Bass pick-up .... dead quiet, like the range of tone/color adjustment I can get, the only thing one needs to know, the kit doesn't have enough copper foil to do this particular bass
18322309430_7e6132c293_k.jpg
20150605_185701 by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr
20762871412_b212f6fa8b_k.jpg
20150821_185056 by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: andronik, eff-clef, falbergo and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back