Sorry everyone, long post is long
I was reading this with interest and was about to pull the trigger on a ReVolt until I read about the potentially low volume headphone output. Sufficient volume and control of it are a must. There's nothing in the manual about volume control, so I guess that means each of the channel volumes would need to be changed to balance this out, or lower the volume of the instrument, which would affect the pedal's responsiveness and gain?
I was already 50-50 about the fixed Ampeg-style cab sim. Some demos sounded great, others were so-so. Overall the tones of the ReVolt were really great so I thought maybe I could work with it. I was about to buy a Le Bass NOS or second-hand until I noticed it doesn't have AUX input.
For context, I have used an MXR M-80 Bass DI+ for 20+ years. The only cons to that beast being the significantly different clean vs distorted tones (thanks to that pesky colour pre-shape) and a lack of comprehensive features. I give it a leave-pass for that, it still rocks, but not for what I need now.
I recently picked up a Darkglass Microtubes Infinity, with which I have now run two church events. Several issues with the Infinity bug me:
1. Unable to get the right clean/tube channel blend, because the truly clean part of the signal is quashed by an adjustable low-pass filter that maxes out at 500Hz. This means everything above the point I set this is lost. The only way those frequencies can reach the end is through the preamp emulator, which colours them quite severely and they aren't as nice and clear as the natural bass tone.
2. No FX loop and according to DG, hardware limitations prevent this from ever being a reality. Shame because chorus/delay/reverb and many other effects often need to be after any distortions and tone shaping devices BUT should be before any cab sims. On my board, chorus and delay/reverb are muddy.
3. Some very 'interesting' harmonic distortions. The more I use this thing the more I hear some very strange things happening to my tone. Some of the distortions are unusable, note fundamentals are lost in dissonance. The compressor is a bit odd in this respect as well. I just don't know if I am that happy with how it is processing the note envelope and spectrum.
What does the Infinity do right? Overall it succeeds in delivering some good tones, the cab sims are excellent as far as I can tell. I have worked all the EQs hard to retain my natural tone and try to emulate a nice clear 4x10 style cab, hard to say if I am fighting that against the inherent EQs... My traditional rig is a GK 700RB-II with an SWR Henry 8x8 so I am aiming for a similar clear, punchy but still warm sound. The Infinity has a Bluetooth audio connection, great for practicing along with songs, metronome etc - it also has AUX input. The headphone output has a dedicated volume control.
In recent years I have done what many of us have done, buy, try, not happy, sell at a loss, rinse and repeat. Right now I am simply seeking to avoid poor choices.
All that said, I applaud so many of these manufacturers. After all, I am not producing this stuff, you are, and you do a fine fine job. We love ya! However, it really seems that in this DI space everyone is 'nearly there but not quite'. Yes I am fussy, but why shouldn't I be?
Two Notes, if five things were different about the ReVolt Bass, you would have me. The first two are deal-breakers. The other three are niceties which would definitely bump the price up, but when the Infinity was AUD$300 more than the ReVolt, what does this matter? You would then have something approaching near perfection, in my opinion. Maybe you could sell this thing as ReVolt Deluxe or something... and phase out the ReVolt eventually.
1. Selection of cab sims. How about a three-way switch? Give us an 8x10 fridge, a modern 4x10 with a flatter maybe slightly mid-focused tone, and either a 4x12 for those who love bass through guitar cabs or a 2x15. That ought to cover it, no? We don't need a digital IR on this thing, just a little choice and not being forced into an Ampeg box. I don't have money or space for a Torpedo, sorry. I just want something that helps give FOH a quality source.
2. Headphone volume control.
3. NICETY: A mid frequency control on the clean channel. If you're not prepared to add more cab sims, we need some control here and not in the SansAmp way of "oh just turn the bass and treble down and the gain/volume up". One extra knob, unless you want to implement parametric, this way you have 6 smaller knobs in that space, symmetrical
4. NICETY/ESSENTIAL: Separate tone controls for each of the dirt and drive channels. In my ideal use, I would be looking for a nice warm bitey rock dirt sound. On the drive channel, I would be seeking a more wooly sound, sort of like a tighter Big Muff. At least something with more gain and fatness. It wouldn't take much imagination to see that these two tone profiles are quite different, so if I think about whether this pedal will suit my need, I am concerned I will be battling a compromised shared EQ. I was prepared to try/buy and learn that *maybe* this isn't a problem, but I don't know. While we are at it, just add a blend to the dirt channel also. Four more knobs total.
5. NICETY: Maybe multi-voltage capability? If it runs at 12V, can it potentially run at 18V? Reason being, some pedal board power supplies have 12V outlets, others have 18V. You would open up opportunities here, specifically not having to use an additional power supply just for your unit. I understand the challenges of powering a valve
Maybe this makes sense, maybe it doesn't. Just putting it out there! What I seek feels a little Unicorn-ish:
1. DI with the usual ground-lift trimmings, bypass/parallel output
2. Cab sim (however basic but not limiting), cab sim should not apply to bypassed modes or bypass output
3. Clean channel with independent tone controls
4. At least one dirt channel with independent tone controls and some blend capability
5. AUX in (Bluetooth is awesome but not crucial), headphone out 1/8" etc with dedicated volume control
6. FX loop - post EQ/dirt and pre-cab sim of course
7. Compressor - take it or leave it, I run one at the start of the chain
8. Tuner - take it or leave it, I run one at start of chain
9. Other FX - nope, none needed, I'd like to have the purest DI functions (plus dirt) done right rather than being compromised by compromised chorus or filter etc
10. Realistic and straightforward controls. For example, compressor shouldn't be on a footswitch. Who in their right mind turns this on and off during a gig?
11. GOES TO 11! No... a sensible patch layout. DI and bypass output on left, inputs and FX loop send and return on right. Exception being everything on top, but remember these are usually thrown at the end of a board, so the XLR needs to stick out there. XLR on top means you can't place pedals above it on a board.
12. Recording interface - nope, this is supposed to be a road-going tool, you're never going to add a decent recording interface to rival competitors dedicated to this cause for a decent price. If anyone is recording on the road, they will choose a dedicated tool
I'd like to find something that fits the bill. I hope one day to find it!
