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Which preamp pedal should I buy?
- Thread starter MrAB4003
- Start date
Your choices are all fine but I voted other as there a lot of fish in the sea these days. Sushi Box FX and Master Effects are both well worth a look.
I just took mine out of the drawer in order to sell it as I haven't used it in a long time. I played throught it for a while and I think I will not sell it, it just sounds too good.
Yeah, I'm an Ampeg amp user but that WTDI sounds good, is sturdy and portable, good EQ, the compressor is unobtrusive; it stays in my gig bag for back-up.
But I even like the EHX Metaphors for cheap, altho' a lot dislike it.
The Sansamp stuff is very usable, as well (VTB pedal with analog speaker sim is good - I especially like the 3 button programable one).
But I even like the EHX Metaphors for cheap, altho' a lot dislike it.
The Sansamp stuff is very usable, as well (VTB pedal with analog speaker sim is good - I especially like the 3 button programable one).
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The small grab & go box I veer towards most often when going direct is the Dry Bell Unit 67. This is one of those “just sounds good” pedals that provides boost, a 2-band EQ, and compression in a single package.
Since you're talking only about recording, I clicked "Something Else". Using pedal pres and whatnot before your recording front end is certainly one way to go, but more typically in a recording studio scenario, one tracks a clean DI bass and then massages the sound with compression, EQ, etc etc in the mix (if you also tracked with an amp, then you have that separate track to mix in of course, which can be easily simulated these days by sending your bass track to an amp sim in your DAW). Tracking a sound that's already compressed, has dirt, etc ties your hands in the mix stage. So I would ask, what's your recording front end? Maybe put your $ there if it's currently "just OK". A quality mic pre before your interface (most consumer grade interfaces have consumer grade mic pres in them) will make a huge difference (and not just for bass--for anything else you want to record). Then you can sculpt your tone in the DAW with plug-ins, or re-amp(re-amp boxes are cheap) to an amp or pedals, etc etc, all with totally flexibility. Plus if you're working for others, you always want to send a great-sounding clean DI track without anything extra added so they're not stuck, then a separate version with any effects applied that you think works so they have the option.
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So I'm thinking about adding a preamp to my small, but growing pedal collection. I currently have an Aguilar Agro and an Aguilar TLC Compressor, but I feel like a preamp pedal is necessary to further sculpt my tone and to take on the role of a traditional amp when I'm recording with my DI.
After doing some research and listening to sound samples, I'm leaning towards the five options in the poll. I'm also open to further suggestions from you all. Here are my pros and cons about the five options:
1) Aguilar Tone Hammer:
Pros: Excellent build quality, sweepable mids, same brand as my other pedals, runs on batteries
Cons: AGS / Distortion features are redundant
2) Ampeg Classic Analog
Pros: Very simple layout, inexpensive, runs on batteries
Cons: I'm not a fan of the baked in Ampeg sound
3) Sansamp BDDI / Bass Driver
Pros: Excellent build quality, excellent sound, runs on batteries
Cons: Distortion features are redundant, very complex layout
4) Sansamp Steve Harris Signature
Pros: Built in tuner, intuitive layout, high and low mid controls, excellent build quality, I'm an Iron Maiden / Steve Harris fan
Cons: Large in size, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)
5) Sansamp Frank Bello Signature
Pros: Simple layout (thank you Frank for designing it that way!), excellent build quality, cool design, I'm an Anthrax / Frank Bello fan
Cons: No mid controls, distortion features are redundant, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)
Please let me know your thoughts.
I’ve no experience using any of these. However, SansAmp has been around forever and I have heard them in action, although not these two specific models.
Personally I have an Eden WTDI I bought 12 years ago which has served me well. It has sweepable mids treble and bass controls, a bass boost as well as adjustable input driven compression. It does record well.
As part of a pedal board however, it requires a minimum 14 volts which might be a deal breaker
A Darkglass Harmonic Booster might be what you're looking for. It's a clean boost pedal that gives a lot of tone sculpting options. You'll have to get your grit somewhere else though, but from your post it seems like that isn't really what you're looking for.
As others have stated, having a clearly defined goal when shopping for preamps will help you a lot. Like "I want the SVT sound, or "I want to add some grit and run an amp less rig". This will help others assist you as well.
As others have stated, having a clearly defined goal when shopping for preamps will help you a lot. Like "I want the SVT sound, or "I want to add some grit and run an amp less rig". This will help others assist you as well.
Now that was one pedal that was unusable to me. I was so happy to pawn that thing off on somebody else. For several years I tried.
If you go for Sansamp BDDI and get older V1, remember to start with Blend at 12' and Bass and Treble at 10', which gets you close to flat with cab sim (HPF and LPF on). Blend scoops sound brutaly when over 12'.
V2 is easier to dial, so it's better choice.
Nevertheless, my V1 serves me well.
V2 is easier to dial, so it's better choice.
Nevertheless, my V1 serves me well.
If you don't like the "Ampeg" sound, I would probably exclude the BDDI, then, too.
If you're looking for strictly a good pre with DI for recording, then go big, or go home. Noble pre/DI.
If you're looking for strictly a good pre with DI for recording, then go big, or go home. Noble pre/DI.
Genzler Magellan.
I have a Tone Hammer Pre and it's fantastic.
However, I can get Tone Hammer tones from the Genzler, but I can't get Genzler tones from the Tone Hammer.
The A/B profile switching on the Magellan gets me both of these and I use it every show.
I have a Tone Hammer Pre and it's fantastic.
However, I can get Tone Hammer tones from the Genzler, but I can't get Genzler tones from the Tone Hammer.
The A/B profile switching on the Magellan gets me both of these and I use it every show.
Radial Tonebone here, but I have odd instrument tone/level balancing to do amongst several instruments. Also, I have no interest in coloration, saturation, etc. The ToneBone OD has overdrive, if you wish, but my aim is the "true to the instrument" tone approach, which these excel at.
YMMV
YMMV
