I'm in the same boat as you right now...obsessively looking at preams/DI to build an all purpose pedal board. Some criteria I'm looking for are that it serves as a hub for the board, is DI, headphone, and maybe will add some extra "magic" to my tone, possibly with tubes. I am looking at some of the higher end options, as well as some more of the "retail" options. There are definitely a few good ones and I know I will bite the bullet one day (but probably a higher end one for studio use rather than a pedal board... two Nobels just sold in record time here lol). But what I found is this... Given that I only play small shows/rehearsal/studio (I'm primarily a studio/session player), my current set up is probably just fine without a pre amp.
1) The tone I currently have is actually very very good recorded. I truly don't know if additional enhancement/warmth is what I need or will make any substantial difference. I think I'm just "chasing tone" and have GAS. So no "need" for tonal enhancement.
2) For home/silent my amp (Mesa WD800) has both a quality DI and headphones out. So no need for DI/headphone
3) For quick pack traveling to the cottage etc. this is the only "need" box left unchecked... but I've got along fine this far without a preamp/headphone... maybe just a simple Vox headphone amp will do?
4) For rehearsal, I will never use a DI, an amp is provided at the rehearsal hall; my current tone stack/board sounds just fine and is flexible; I don't want to have to carry more than I need (or make it heavier) to rehearsal. So no need for a DI or tone enhancement.
5) For live shows, they're small and an amp is often provided so, I've had no need to go FOH/DI. If that changes or I bring my own amp, then the WD800 already has a DI, or I could always buy a quality DI at that time if need be. So again, no current need for a pre/DI.
6) Without the additional pedal/DI, it keeps my pedal board light and minimalist (looking to fit on a Pedaltrain Metro 20), and remains flexible/saves space to add a pre/di or other box later if/when I really need one. Also, most of the real tube pres/DI require higher voltage/current draw, (currently have a Strymon Ouija which are 500ma/9V) so with a higher voltage pre/di, I'd have to run a second cable. Really not big deal, but not as neat-and-tidy, pickup-and-go one chord fly rig.
So talking through this on TB is rather cathartic! Thank you. I'm sure I will pick something up in the near future, as we can't escape the GAS... but if I look at it on a practical basis, I don't think a preamp is really in the "needs" category for me.
Point of the story is... if you never have used a preamp before, do you really need one now? Maybe save the $ for a different tone enhancing pedal, different amp head, additional cab....retirement fund? Best of luck on your search.
1) The tone I currently have is actually very very good recorded. I truly don't know if additional enhancement/warmth is what I need or will make any substantial difference. I think I'm just "chasing tone" and have GAS. So no "need" for tonal enhancement.
2) For home/silent my amp (Mesa WD800) has both a quality DI and headphones out. So no need for DI/headphone
3) For quick pack traveling to the cottage etc. this is the only "need" box left unchecked... but I've got along fine this far without a preamp/headphone... maybe just a simple Vox headphone amp will do?
4) For rehearsal, I will never use a DI, an amp is provided at the rehearsal hall; my current tone stack/board sounds just fine and is flexible; I don't want to have to carry more than I need (or make it heavier) to rehearsal. So no need for a DI or tone enhancement.
5) For live shows, they're small and an amp is often provided so, I've had no need to go FOH/DI. If that changes or I bring my own amp, then the WD800 already has a DI, or I could always buy a quality DI at that time if need be. So again, no current need for a pre/DI.
6) Without the additional pedal/DI, it keeps my pedal board light and minimalist (looking to fit on a Pedaltrain Metro 20), and remains flexible/saves space to add a pre/di or other box later if/when I really need one. Also, most of the real tube pres/DI require higher voltage/current draw, (currently have a Strymon Ouija which are 500ma/9V) so with a higher voltage pre/di, I'd have to run a second cable. Really not big deal, but not as neat-and-tidy, pickup-and-go one chord fly rig.
So talking through this on TB is rather cathartic! Thank you. I'm sure I will pick something up in the near future, as we can't escape the GAS... but if I look at it on a practical basis, I don't think a preamp is really in the "needs" category for me.
Point of the story is... if you never have used a preamp before, do you really need one now? Maybe save the $ for a different tone enhancing pedal, different amp head, additional cab....retirement fund? Best of luck on your search.
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