Using a preamp pedal

[wohnjalker]

So this may be a dumb question, but how are you guys setting your amps when using a preamp pedal? My instinct tells me to set the eq on the actual bass head to flat, and then do all the eq’ing on the preamp pedal… is this right or wrong? I would love everyone’s comments/knowledge on this subject because I’m kind of a noob when it comes to bass gear lol

 

[gtirard]

don't think there's a right and a wrong answer

I do what you describe, but sometimes when the room have boomy acoustics, I compensate on the amp

 

[el murdoque]

It depends very much on the application. If you're using the preamp pedal as your source of tone shaping and the amp shall just make it loud, you can use the FX return to eliminate the amps preamp section entirely (except for Markbass).

If you're sending your pedalboards signal to FOH and use the amp as a stage monitor, you can use the amps controls to shape the signal for the room.

 

[Hundred proof]

Lots of variety in what and how a “preamp” pedal works. Mine doesn’t have tone shaping controls, used just to get my passive basses to the same level output as my EBMM. That way the downstream effects see roughly the same signal level. The pre is the HAO rust booster version one.

 

[wohnjalker]

Is there like an advantage or disadvantage to only using the preamp pedal into the fx loop vs running the pedal and amp together? Again, total noob here so I’m trying to get educated on the best way to do things

It depends very much on the application. If you're using the preamp pedal as your source of tone shaping and the amp shall just make it loud, you can use the FX return to eliminate the amps preamp section entirely (except for Markbass).

If you're sending your pedalboards signal to FOH and use the amp as a stage monitor, you can use the amps controls to shape the signal for the room.

It depends very much on the application. If you're using the preamp pedal as your source of tone shaping and the amp shall just make it loud, you can use the FX return to eliminate the amps preamp section entirely (except for Markbass).

If you're sending your pedalboards signal to FOH and use the amp as a stage monitor, you can use the amps controls to shape the signal for the room.

 

[el murdoque]

Stacking equalizers can have many different outcomes.

Case 1: Your preamp pedal AND your amp have a baked in midscoop. Both will take away mids in the same range. When you run your pedal into your amp, you might have a scoop that's way too hard and you're not really able to do anything against it.
In that case stacking EQs works against you.

Case 2: Your preamp EQ is super nice, but that one frequency annoys you but you can't get at it with the knobs on there, but the amp EQ can.
In that case, stacking EQs works for you.

The best way is to use the signal chain that yields the sound that makes you happy, so trying out the possibilities is the best (and only) way ...

 

[wohnjalker]

Awesome, I appreciate the info. So basically when you run the preamp pedal into the fx loop, it is canceling out the preamp built into the amp head, correct? I currently have a Sansamp bass driver V2 with the mids knob, so I’m wondering if plugging it in to the fx loop directly will yield better results… I’ve had an issue where when I turn things up too loud that I guess the amp head overheats or something? And it shuts off. I’m wondering if bypassing the amp’s preamp and just using the Sansamp will fix that issue.

 

[bassbrad]

Since I started using a preamp for 'my tone' my amp is primarily a loudspeaker or monitor so I run it as flat or neutral as possible. This is also because I don't always play thru my amp but backline amps, monitors or IEMs. I do occasionally use the amp EQ to compensate for stage or room differences.

 

[amper]

You don't have to run a preamp pedal into the FX loop return of your amp, if you don't want to.

 

[Zbysek]

I am using the preamp to shape my sound for FOH..and the amp to shape my sound on stage...

 

[ComeHomeShane]

My 2 cents...

I use a clean pre-amp pedal to boost my passive basses and also give them more tone control as if the preamp pedal was on the bass. From there I can do a few different things... A. send that signal to the amp and continue to tone shape at the amp (this what I normally do). B. Send that signal to the effects return on the amp so I can bypass the head's preamp section. Or C. Send that signal to the FOH / recording board.

There's not really a wrong or right way, it's just about what works for you, your rig, and the stage.

 

[Jackcrow]

If you plug direct into the FX return, you will bypass the amp’s preamp. Both ways work. Some (probably most) amps “flat” setting isn’t actually flat so there will probably be some baked in tone even with all the knobs at noon. As others have said that may work or may not, just have to try it. I have an old Randall head that I really don’t care for the preamp. I run into the FX return on that one with a Tech 21 YYZ and it sounds great.

 

[BAG]

I use a preamp pedal to boost the signal of my fretless, which is considerably quieter than all my other basses, and use the eq on it to get the sound I like without having to change the amp settings. In this case I am definitely stacking EQ's for this one bass but the amp is set almost flat anyway.

 

[Killing Floor]

Varies by pedal and amp but for the most part I set my set my bass amps pretty flat unless a room dictates otherwise. I use a preamp for EQ. But even then it's nothing dramatic. Just a little tone shaping and tubey goodness.

Edit to say I generally buy basses and amps because I like the tone I can get. I don't worry about multiple EQs, every pedal and amp and bass has some tone changing and even cables can affect your tone. Bottom line for me, if I like the sound I am getting then the EQ is proper.

 

[allintime]

Amp for clean tone, pre-amp for additional EQ and separate drive section. I also run an active bass, so I guess I have 3 EQ's stacked. I use my basses EQ to make tone adjustments during a set, depending on the song we're covering (cover band).

 

[pbass2]

I am using the preamp to shape my sound for FOH..and the amp to shape my sound on stage...

Same here. My setup is simply an Xotic RC or BB, to a JDI which goes to FOH, and then to the onstage amp. I know exactly what I'm sending to FOH this way. The amp, whether my own or backline, I usually end up leaving flat, unless something's really lacking then I'll twiddle some knobs, but it's usually just a matter of adjusting the volume.

 

[6-3-2]

I'm also a SansAmp user, although the old V1, but I use it as a distortion pedal or as a tone preset. I find it's useful to get a more active sound out of my passive bass, so that's my usual tone preset mode. For that I'll turn the blend up and maybe dial in a bit of presence past 12 o'clock. I also have the SansAmp first in my line of effects, since all the SansAmp stuff has a buffer, meaning you won't lose any tone through cables if you have a passive bass (losing tone through cables is a non-issue on active instruments, since they have built-in pre-amps). So, it's more or less used an effects pedals and run into the main input of my amp.

My amp is then EQ'd for my main tone: slight bump in bass and a bump in mids if my strings are a bit old. The rest of my tone adjustment comes from the knobs on my bass and technique.

I'll second what el murdoque said, you really have to have fun and experiment to find YOUR tone. Along the way you'll also learn more about your gear, so it's a win-win.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I typically set my amp how I want it and then use my preamps to get different flavors. I use a Big Game Cvlt deluxe as a really cool alternative to whatever amp I’m using, it’s modeled after a Peavey Super Festival 800B which I also own and can attest that it sounds just like it, set the eq to where it’s different enough but not intrusive to the settings I run on my amplifiers. After that last pedal in my chain before my little noise killer pedal is a sadowsky preamp. This one I use as always on, this pedal is more of a bass preamp but it has 2 very nice little tricks when used last in the chain. I can use it to beef up a passive bass with its 2 band eq or more importantly, it’s perfect for adding some bass back into effects that have some low end loss. I typically use it with just enough oomph to notice when it isn’t there

 

[DeadheadSteve]

Gday! Something I can contribute to!

I base my entire tone around what I can record DI'd from my Sansamp. I've spent countless hours switching between headphones and studio monitors to know accurately the sound that I'm sending to the amp!

I used to run my sansamp into the EFX loop on my old amp head because the pre-amp was terrible, however due to my amp design it would bypass the onboard EQ and I would be stuck only using the master volume switch. Couple years ago I got myself a Peavy Minimega head, and thanks to its super transparent nature I can just throw the output of my DI straight into the in of my amp and I get an insanely close replication of what the board produces, however now I can use the EQ on the amp itself to dial in my cabs based on room acoustics or cab sound. Too woofy? Roll the bass on the amp down. Not enough cut? Boost some mids on the amp.

I usually start with the EQ on the amp set all to 12 then dial in the sound to taste, trying to get as close to my "tone" as possible, within reason.

 

[Speakz]

I use the active bass w/ soap bars>Tone hammer which gives me greater sweep of midrange control and vintage tones> Gk with controls set flat minus a cut in treble to 9 o'clock. I then mostly adjust the with onboard preamp for level and make adjustment in mid frequency on TH pedal if needed. This I find gives me the most flexibility.