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two basses to one amp

marijn van gils

marijn van gils

Jan 23, 2002
405
75
Belgium
#1
I would like to know my options for keeping two basses plugged in my pedal board, so I can switch between them without unplugging.

So basically I need an ABY-box. But I have some specific requirements:

- The basses have a big difference in output, which I will need to bring to the same level. The minimum requirement is a cut on one channel, so I can cut the loudest bass. But I would prefer to be able to boost the quiter bass, or even better boost the quiter bass a little and cut the louder bass a little at the same time. So the ideal configuration would be a volume control on each channel that can cut and boost.

- No extra features (if they take extra space or add to the cost, otherwise why not!). I don't need a pre-amp pedal, as I'm already using the EBS Microbass II. Why I'm not using that one for this task? I like it as an always on tone-shaper for both basses, I like to be able to use both channels on one bass (one for fingerstyle, other for slap), and I prefer to have it at the end of the chain so I can use the DI as an emergency option. This said, I will certainly consider two-channel pre-amp or EQ pedals. But I'm affraid they will always bigger and/or more expensive than other options.

- As small as possible.

- No weird power requirements. I would like to hook it up to my Voodoolab pedalpower II.

- Preferably one switch to toggle between both channels, instead of separate mute switches for each channel. Not a deal breaker though.

So far, the Boss LS-2 seems interesting: inexpensive, not too big, adjustable volume, and I could use it for other tasks in the future. But since I cannot seem to find it's manual online, I'm not sure if:
- the volume controls are cut only, or also boost?
- I'm required to plug a dummy plug in the input while using the return inputs to plug my basses in?

Thanks for any suggestions!
 
#2
OK, I know you didn't ask this but it needs to be said. An ABY box and the volume knobs on your basses is by far the simplest solution. By far the second simplest solution would be a hotter pickup in the quiet bass.

That being said, a Morley Twin Mix would get it done too. :thumbsup:
 
#3
Thanks!

I really like the sound of that bass, and as it is a Jerzy Drozd with his own pickups, I won't be messing with that... :)
And since I could accidentally bump the volume knob on the louder bass when changing basses, I don't want to rely on that either. But for someone who is less of a control freak than me, that would be the simplest indeed!

The Morley Twin Mix is on my radar indeed. I only find it a bit big, and would prefer one switch to toggle between the two basses, instead of a separate mute for each. I also cannot find information whether the level knobs cut, boost or do both?

Thanks again!
 
#4
Lehle have a th 3 @ 1 which is designed for what you want but 3 instruments rather than 2. I it believe cuts volume on channel 2 and 3 so you can match it to channel 1. Top quality stuff (I have a 1@3 for bi amping and effects looping), check their site they might have a two channel option which may be smaller and cheaper
 
#5
Boss LS-2 manual: [This invalid link has been removed]
+20db boost on the level knobs.
It looks as though you can use the two 'return' jacks to receive the signal from each bass and then the 'output' jack to send it to the rest of your pedal board.
Hope this helps.
 
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#7
Thanks everyone!

The Lehle stuff looks top-notch indeed. A bit pricey though, and no boost only cut.

The Bigshot I/O looks very interesting too. The volume control looks not very flexible though, or am I mistaken?

Many thanks for the LS-2 manual! Complete cut/boost volume control on both channels is a big plus for me. Together with low price and small footprint, this pedal might be the one for me.
I'm only wondering about putting a dummy jack in it's input. Will a non-connected patchcord do the job, or should I use something specific?
 
#9
marijn van gils said:
I would like to know my options for keeping two basses plugged in my pedal board, so I can switch between them without unplugging.

So basically I need an ABY-box. But I have some specific requirements:

- The basses have a big difference in output, which I will need to bring to the same level. The minimum requirement is a cut on one channel, so I can cut the loudest bass. But I would prefer to be able to boost the quiter bass, or even better boost the quiter bass a little and cut the louder bass a little at the same time. So the ideal configuration would be a volume control on each channel that can cut and boost.

- No extra features (if they take extra space or add to the cost, otherwise why not!). I don't need a pre-amp pedal, as I'm already using the EBS Microbass II. Why I'm not using that one for this task? I like it as an always on tone-shaper for both basses, I like to be able to use both channels on one bass (one for fingerstyle, other for slap), and I prefer to have it at the end of the chain so I can use the DI as an emergency option. This said, I will certainly consider two-channel pre-amp or EQ pedals. But I'm affraid they will always bigger and/or more expensive than other options.

- As small as possible.

- No weird power requirements. I would like to hook it up to my Voodoolab pedalpower II.

- Preferably one switch to toggle between both channels, instead of separate mute switches for each channel. Not a deal breaker though.

So far, the Boss LS-2 seems interesting: inexpensive, not too big, adjustable volume, and I could use it for other tasks in the future. But since I cannot seem to find it's manual online, I'm not sure if:
- the volume controls are cut only, or also boost?
- I'm required to plug a dummy plug in the input while using the return inputs to plug my basses in?

Thanks for any suggestions!
Click to expand...
There's a few of pre/DI pedals that tackle the 2 basses situation. Deluxe vt bass, ebs microbass to name a few. with the deluxe VT you get separate settings for each bass to balance them out better. If I remember right the sans amp bass driver deluxe also has the two inputs and separate channels for each bass like the deluxe by does.
 
#11
mindwell said:
I bought a Radial Tonebone to meet exactly this same need of hooking in two basses with different outputs. And then I sold it because I didn't like the eq voicing on either channel, the circuit path and functionality weren't intuitive for me, and the unit proved to be tone sucking. YMMV and all that.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Good to know that I better stay away from that one… :)

Nephilymbass said:
There's a few of pre/DI pedals that tackle the 2 basses situation. Deluxe vt bass, ebs microbass to name a few. with the deluxe VT you get separate settings for each bass to balance them out better. If I remember right the sans amp bass driver deluxe also has the two inputs and separate channels for each bass like the deluxe by does.
Click to expand...

Thanks! But unless there is a really small and relatively cheap unit with two channels out there, I'm not interested in a preamp for this task. As I'm already using an EBS microbass (at the end of the chain!) for my basic clean tone and slap tone, and a regular VT for gritty Ampeg tones, their added functionality are no benefit to me, so they're not worth the extra money and real estate.

jwilson67 said:
One thing nobody ever mentions on here to achieve this is a small, two channel mixer like the Mackie 402VLZ4.
Click to expand...

Great idea! The EQ could be a nice extra over AB-boxes, even if it's not really voiced for bass. It is still rather large though, and not foot-switcheable (I want it on my pedalboard).

Thanks everyone!
 
#12
marijn van gils said:
Thanks! Good to know that I better stay away from that one… :)



Thanks! But unless there is a really small and relatively cheap unit with two channels out there, I'm not interested in a preamp for this task. As I'm already using an EBS microbass (at the end of the chain!) for my basic clean tone and slap tone, and a regular VT for gritty Ampeg tones, their added functionality are no benefit to me, so they're not worth the extra money and real estate.



Great idea! The EQ could be a nice extra over AB-boxes, even if it's not really voiced for bass. It is still rather large though, and not foot-switcheable (I want it on my pedalboard).

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
sorry I couldn't help more. I normally run one bass all night for shows now. Keeps the soundguys happy. I want to say my wireless the shure glxd can have separate gain settings for different basses but I'm not totally sure. I think I read it somewhere when looking at wirelesses but it's not a function I've ever needed as both the basses I've used since are very similar.
 
#13
marijn van gils said:
Thanks! Good to know that I better stay away from that one… :)



Thanks! But unless there is a really small and relatively cheap unit with two channels out there, I'm not interested in a preamp for this task. As I'm already using an EBS microbass (at the end of the chain!) for my basic clean tone and slap tone, and a regular VT for gritty Ampeg tones, their added functionality are no benefit to me, so they're not worth the extra money and real estate.



Great idea! The EQ could be a nice extra over AB-boxes, even if it's not really voiced for bass. It is still rather large though, and not foot-switcheable (I want it on my pedalboard).

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Actually, those Mackie mixers are tiny. EQ's on a mixer are very well voiced for all instruments - in fact when I've used a mixer I pretty much run it flat with maybe a bit of bass boost at 1:00. You can just use the volume control on the bass itself to shut it off without the need for an a/b box. Also, the Yamaha MG series mixers have balanced XLR out on them as well.
 
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#14
Nephilymbass said:
sorry I couldn't help more. I normally run one bass all night for shows now. Keeps the soundguys happy. I want to say my wireless the shure glxd can have separate gain settings for different basses but I'm not totally sure. I think I read it somewhere when looking at wirelesses but it's not a function I've ever needed as both the basses I've used since are very similar.
Click to expand...

I also prefer to use only one bass, but if I want to use fretless on some songs I will have to switch...
I am actually interested in wireless, so if there is a reliable one with volume control, that might be the ticket indeed. I could of course use a simple clean boost pedal extra, but I prefer an all-in-one solution (otherwise I could also just use an extra clean boost next to an AB-box...).

jwilson67 said:
Actually, those Mackie mixers are tiny. EQ's on a mixer are very well voiced for all instruments - in fact when I've used a mixer I pretty much run it flat with maybe a bit of bass boost at 1:00. You can just use the volume control on the bass itself to shut it off without the need for an a/b box. Also, the Yamaha MG series mixers have balanced XLR out on them as well.
Click to expand...

I would probably also not need the EQ (both basses have onboard preamps anyway), so I'm not worried about that anyway.
Just using the volume knobs on the bass is a great idea, since I would be closing them probably anyway when switching to the other bass. So the lack of footswitch is a non-issue indeed. That makes me think that on any solution I end up picking, I can simply leave both channels on while only using the basses volume knobs. Also an AB-box, I can leave always on A+B without the need to hit the switch... Thanks for that idea!
I now checked the specs, and that mixer is smaller than I thought indeed. But still more than double the size of a boss pedal... :)
 
#15
marijn van gils said:
I would like to know my options for keeping two basses plugged in my pedal board, so I can switch between them without unplugging.

So basically I need an ABY-box. But I have some specific requirements:

- The basses have a big difference in output, which I will need to bring to the same level. The minimum requirement is a cut on one channel, so I can cut the loudest bass. But I would prefer to be able to boost the quiter bass, or even better boost the quiter bass a little and cut the louder bass a little at the same time. So the ideal configuration would be a volume control on each channel that can cut and boost.

- No extra features (if they take extra space or add to the cost, otherwise why not!). I don't need a pre-amp pedal, as I'm already using the EBS Microbass II. Why I'm not using that one for this task? I like it as an always on tone-shaper for both basses, I like to be able to use both channels on one bass (one for fingerstyle, other for slap), and I prefer to have it at the end of the chain so I can use the DI as an emergency option. This said, I will certainly consider two-channel pre-amp or EQ pedals. But I'm affraid they will always bigger and/or more expensive than other options.

- As small as possible.

- No weird power requirements. I would like to hook it up to my Voodoolab pedalpower II.

- Preferably one switch to toggle between both channels, instead of separate mute switches for each channel. Not a deal breaker though.

So far, the Boss LS-2 seems interesting: inexpensive, not too big, adjustable volume, and I could use it for other tasks in the future. But since I cannot seem to find it's manual online, I'm not sure if:
- the volume controls are cut only, or also boost?
- I'm required to plug a dummy plug in the input while using the return inputs to plug my basses in?

Thanks for any suggestions!
Click to expand...

Boss LS2 will do what you want. It is the best solution in my opinion
 
#18
For what you want the LS-2 is probably your best bet. I just like the flexibility of a dedicated mixer. When I was in a Genesis tribute band I ran bass guitar, bass synth pedals, and 12 string guitar ALL through a Yamaha MG102, then to my bass amp and used the DI on the amp to the FOH. So basically the amp was merely for monitoring purposes.
 
#20
At the risk of sounding like I am hawking something I have for sale...
The Raven Labs MDB-1 is what I consider the best solution for what you want to do - three channels, with gain on each channel and an absolutely transparent preamp section for each channel. You can switch each channel in/out and set the level so that each bass is putting the same level into your bass amp (or other electronics).

My current basses put out really similar levels, so I am good with what I have now and don't need the MDB-1.

Dan
 

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