• 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.

What's so special about a Noble preamp?

#106
Anybody have or tried one of these? https://www.supernovaeffects.com/product-page/nobelium-bass-pre-di
Supernova Effects Nobelium Bass Pre/DI which is pretty obviously modeled after the Noble. Has Lightning Boy Audio transformers inside.

21c604_3c89d59d6b5a40cfa950bf20fb4ab4a3~mv2.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Derek Williams and ScotJam Bassie
#107
Have not heard how the Nobelium sounds, but I have been following the discussions on the DIY pedal forum about it. Was thinking of building one myself.

The one thing that gives me pause is, it runs on 9 volt DC adapter, unlike the Noble. Not sure how that may affect the unit's performance.

Interested to hear reviews from others.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RichSnyder
#111
  • Like
Reactions: PWolverine
#112
ScotJam Bassie said:
I’m looking forward to hearing it A/Bd with a Noble. I’m still not convinced I need anything more than a Line 6 Pod Go or HX stomp in a mix!
Click to expand...

I know we are all used to hearing different sound clips with different gear from our computers. Myself included. I think this can work pretty well for most gear. However, when you get into sound clips of really high-end gear, some of the subtle characteristics of the sound get lost, and these are usually the characteristics that make the gear *special*.

I love the sound of the Noble into a transparent power amp coming out of a nice cab, but if I record the same sound and upload it to YouTube, TB, whatever, it sounds... meh.

Where I'm going with this is, you may very well hear a difference A/B testing Noble and Nobelium in person, but I suspect much/most/all of the differences would disappear when hearing it from an online source.

Stated differently, I suspect you wouldn't know from an internet clip if the Nobelium and Noble sound identical or just reasonably close. The internet clip would reveal if they sounded substantially different. But based on the early enthusiasm on the DIY pedal forum, I suspect they are close.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: albmad, villegastx and ScotJam Bassie
#113
T-boneParish said:
I know we are all used to hearing different sound clips with different gear from our computers. Myself included. I think this can work pretty well for most gear. However, when you get into sound clips of really high-end gear, some of the subtle characteristics of the sound get lost, and these are usually the characteristics that make the gear *special*.

As a Noble owner, I love the sound of the Noble into a transparent power amp coming out of a nice cab, but if I record the same sound and upload it to YouTube, TB, whatever, it sounds... meh.

Where I'm going with this is, you may very well hear a difference A/B testing Noble and Nobelium in person, but I suspect much/most/all of the differences would disappear when hearing it from an online source.

Stated differently, I suspect you wouldn't know from an internet clip if the Nobelium and Noble sound identical or just reasonably close. The internet clip would reveal if they sounded substantially different. But based on the early enthusiasm on the DIY pedal forum, I suspect they are close.
Click to expand...

I agree with this for most people listening online, and definitely when it comes to testing pres through one's favourite amp and speaker cab. When I am listening though, I listen in my studio through the same monitors and audio interface I use for recording and practicing through, which gets me pretty close to as if I were A/B ing them in my studio (assuming the demo is recorded properly, and streaming on Youtube is set to the highest resolution available!)
 
#114
ScotJam Bassie said:
I agree with this for most people listening online, and definitely when it comes to testing pres through one's favourite amp and speaker cab. When I am listening though, I listen in my studio through the same monitors and audio interface I use for recording and practicing through, which gets me pretty close to as if I were A/B ing them in my studio (assuming the demo is recorded properly, and streaming on Youtube is set to the highest resolution available!)
Click to expand...

Good stuff!
 
#115
  • Like
Reactions: ScotJam Bassie, LSM07, funkymagnusb and 1 other person
#118
MultiScaleMale said:
Did it sound like it got a little muffled as you turned up the bass? I have a Noble so I may just be hearing with my eyes / biased opinion.
Click to expand...

scubaduba said:
What do you think of the Nobelium?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Nobelium does not sound as transparent as the Noble, and as the bass goes up it overpowers the treble. I don't know if the bass boost on the Nobelium is a wider band than the Noble, and some mid scoop going on? It does sound muddier/more muffled than the Noble.

They both sound like a bass going through a couple of tubes, but the Noble wins for me. On the flat settings, the noble sounds a little more transparent, with the warm mids coming through clearer, it just sounds more even across the frequencies to me, which in a mix would probably sound better. Having said this, I don't know if the Nobelium could be made to more closely match the Noble by adjusting the bass and treble to different settings, rather than at the same settings. (Listening on KRK Rokit 8 G4s through an RME Fireface UCX II interface)

I think if someone tries to make something that is modelled on the Noble they should add some extra stuff (mids, bass boost at 40Hz), unless they can get it to sound the same as the Noble. Come on Line 6, I am waiting!

Have I been convinced that I need a Noble? No. Do I want one?...Yes.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: villegastx, Maxi Funkl and RichSnyder

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back