You can't go wrong with a SansAmp BDDI. Learning to set the blend knob correctly is very important.
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Which preamp pedal should I buy?
- Thread starter MrAB4003
- Start date
I use a Sansamp VT Bass DI, but I voted no preamp. I bought that Sansamp when I needed a DI box and a cab simulator. The tone shaping is also nice, but if you're just looking for tone shaping, I would probably just get an EQ. Maybe something like the Empress Effects ParaEQ. Definitely more tone shaping options there!
I'm assuming you are recording on your computer. If it's the case:
- I wouldn't use you pedal compressor as I would use a compressor plugin when I'm mixing
- I would use a plugin for you EQ
- I would use a plugin for amp simulation
- I would invest in a good analog pre with Instrument input
- I would invest in a better audio interface
The Ampeg Classic has an Ampeg sound but it's not as bake-in as my Ampeg SCR-DI.
The AGS circuit in the Tonehammer should be used as always on, part of the sound and not a distortion you kick on and off.
Since you are only recording, Line 6 Pod Express gives you 7 bass amps + usb-c recording.
Boss Katana Go gives you 3 bass amps + many effects + usb-c recording.
Those two can be used for live or for headphone practice also.
IK Multimedia as nice audio interfaces for recording guitars and basses. I have the Axe I/O One and really like the input circuit. Comes with Amplitubes 5.
Finally, never let a "Cannot run on 9v battery" stops you. I'm using this adaptor when I have to:
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'll second the DI+ recommendation, but nobody who has one wants to part with it.
For $110, I'd suggest you try a Zoom B1FourX, even if you end up with something else. It doesn't have EQ knobs, but EQ is one of the patches/effects. For headphone use, just plug in to the output. Very versatile.
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!
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.
To be honest I voted for the Bello pre as a fan.
I’ve had & sold almost ALL of the preamps on your list.
So I’ll recommend one that isn’t on your list:
The Line 6 HX Stomp excels in SO many areas that nothing else comes close, IMO.
So I’ll recommend one that isn’t on your list:
The Line 6 HX Stomp excels in SO many areas that nothing else comes close, IMO.
I’ve played most of them and all of them on your list. I voted BDDI because it’s kinda the staple and is very flexible. The tone hammer is awesome also but not as flexible. I think the MXR
m80 is one of the most overlooked pedals out there though. Distortion channel is more distortion than you will ever need so I barely dial in grit on it but the rest is rad.
m80 is one of the most overlooked pedals out there though. Distortion channel is more distortion than you will ever need so I barely dial in grit on it but the rest is rad.
You can buy and sell used preamp pedals all day long. Ask me how I know. I still have the MXR M80. All the others, an embarrassing number, have come and gone. Pedals, rack units, all sold back into the TB ecosystem.
I’m a big fan of the Zoom and Line 6 multi fx units. Almost all your preamp choices are modeled in these things. My used Zoom B3n was $125.
But if you don’t need the thing to be portable, and just work in your DAW, why not look into a digital solution? IK media Amplitube is frequently on sale for under $100. No power supply or batteries needed. No cables and cords. Hundreds of amp models, cab sims, effects. All on your screen.
I’m a big fan of the Zoom and Line 6 multi fx units. Almost all your preamp choices are modeled in these things. My used Zoom B3n was $125.
But if you don’t need the thing to be portable, and just work in your DAW, why not look into a digital solution? IK media Amplitube is frequently on sale for under $100. No power supply or batteries needed. No cables and cords. Hundreds of amp models, cab sims, effects. All on your screen.
My favorite preamp for passive basses is Origin DCX Bass (in clean mode). Definitely worth checking. Sadowsky floor preamp is a close second - especially if it will be the first pedal on the board.
With active basses, I prefer a quality DI over a preamp because I already have a preamp on my bass. Radial J48 works well for me.
With active basses, I prefer a quality DI over a preamp because I already have a preamp on my bass. Radial J48 works well for me.
I'll second the DI+ recommendation, but nobody who has one wants to part with it.
For $110, I'd suggest you try a Zoom B1FourX, even if you end up with something else. It doesn't have EQ knobs, but EQ is one of the patches/effects. For headphone use, just plug in to the output. Very versatile.
The amp and preamp simulations have EQ knobs, plus there is a simple global EQ.
Thanks for the suggestions! I do record on my computer and I've been using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 to do so since Day 1. It's simple, reliable, and it works well for me, so I won't switch brands. However, I plan on retiring my current older 2i2 in favor of a newer model in the near future.I'm assuming you are recording on your computer. If it's the case:
That said, BDDI sounds more like a Fender Bassman, nothing like my Ampeg preamps.
- I wouldn't use you pedal compressor as I would use a compressor plugin when I'm mixing
- I would use a plugin for you EQ
- I would use a plugin for amp simulation
- I would invest in a good analog pre with Instrument input
- I would invest in a better audio interface
The Ampeg Classic has an Ampeg sound but it's not as bake-in as my Ampeg SCR-DI.
The AGS circuit in the Tonehammer should be used as always on, part of the sound and not a distortion you kick on and off.
Since you are only recording, Line 6 Pod Express gives you 7 bass amps + usb-c recording.
Boss Katana Go gives you 3 bass amps + many effects + usb-c recording.
Those two can be used for live or for headphone practice also.
IK Multimedia as nice audio interfaces for recording guitars and basses. I have the Axe I/O One and really like the input circuit. Comes with Amplitubes 5.
Finally, never let a "Cannot run on 9v battery" stops you. I'm using this adaptor when I have to:
I use Audacity as my audio interface. It works well for me and my 2i2, so I have no plans to change. I also use it for my side gig producing audiobooks, so I would rather use the same program for multiple purposes. Now I do have plugins available through Audacity, but the sound on a lot of them is nowhere near the same quality as that from my Aguilar pedals. The Audacity distortion plugin is a prime example. I tried applying the distortion onto a bass track when recording and it sounded terrible! That's what got me into the pedal world in the first place a few years ago.
As I was typing my response, I got inspired to experiment with the EQ in Audacity and create a few presets for myself in lieu of buying a new pedal. I'm going to see how that works and go from there. If it works, I might use the money I would spend for a new preamp on a different type of pedal or a new Scarlett 2i2.
