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Why do I need a pedal preamp?
- Thread starter StrivingOn
- Start date
I am building this to be the next version of my main bass pedalboard. In signal chain order: the BodyRez is for my piezo pickups, the SpectraComp is for compression, the BDDI is the main tone shaper, the Spark mini is a volume boost, the HOF mini is for filling in sparse passages, the Ditto+ is for practicing and songwriting (not for performance), and the Q\Strip is there to provide corrective EQ and be the DI and feed my stage amp/monitor.
I have an Acoustic Image amp and like you, it has all I need on board. No Reason for a preamp. I have A/B tested it against adding preamps and found that just plugging into the head, works better.
I have a pedalboard with a preamp as we have switched to in-ear monitors but it has the same features as my amp.
I have a pedalboard with a preamp as we have switched to in-ear monitors but it has the same features as my amp.
I’ve had a darkglass vintage ultra for around 4 years. 90% of the time it’s used as a simple overdrive pedal, but there have been plenty of times where it’s come in handy getting a sound I like using backlined rigs, having to go direct, or even just a little boost or eq. If none of those scenarios apply, then you probably don’t need one.
Coming in late to the thread, but giving my perspective: Buying any new gear should be to solve a problem. So what problems does a preamp pedal solve?
I always say that if you need a preamp to make your current amp sound the way you want it to, you have the wrong amp. For example if you need the Ampeg sound, buy an Ampeg. If you need a tube sound, get a tube or hybrid amp.
Here’s the three problem solving applications of a preamp in my opinion:
1. Ampless performance
All you need to DI into a PA is a direct box. Many venues will have their own that you can use. You can buy a good DI for less than a good preamp. With a DI you are limited to the volume and tone controls on your bass...here’s where the EQ on an active bass can come in handy...and there is no amp emulation.
The only reason to add a preamp for this use is because you need the coloration it provides, be it overdrive, EQ, amp and speaker emulations, etc.
2. Pro Recording
In a pro studio, going ampless typically means using their choice of DI. The reasons to use a preamp would be the same as for live performance but it’s possible that the studio may own an even better preamp, such as a vintage tube mike preamp.
3. Home recording
Here you don’t even need a DI because almost all audio interfaces already have high impedance inputs for DIing electric guitars. Most DAWs have plugins to do what you would use a preamp for, but you might prefer the coloration of a particular preamp (or even a particular DI box) over the coloration of the plugins. I’d suggest you at least try the plugins first before you spend a lot of money on a preamp.
I always say that if you need a preamp to make your current amp sound the way you want it to, you have the wrong amp. For example if you need the Ampeg sound, buy an Ampeg. If you need a tube sound, get a tube or hybrid amp.
Here’s the three problem solving applications of a preamp in my opinion:
1. Ampless performance
All you need to DI into a PA is a direct box. Many venues will have their own that you can use. You can buy a good DI for less than a good preamp. With a DI you are limited to the volume and tone controls on your bass...here’s where the EQ on an active bass can come in handy...and there is no amp emulation.
The only reason to add a preamp for this use is because you need the coloration it provides, be it overdrive, EQ, amp and speaker emulations, etc.
2. Pro Recording
In a pro studio, going ampless typically means using their choice of DI. The reasons to use a preamp would be the same as for live performance but it’s possible that the studio may own an even better preamp, such as a vintage tube mike preamp.
3. Home recording
Here you don’t even need a DI because almost all audio interfaces already have high impedance inputs for DIing electric guitars. Most DAWs have plugins to do what you would use a preamp for, but you might prefer the coloration of a particular preamp (or even a particular DI box) over the coloration of the plugins. I’d suggest you at least try the plugins first before you spend a lot of money on a preamp.
I like the amp heads I have and use. Mesa WD800 and 800+ and a JFA Sisma. They all sound great to me. I buy many other companies pre's and use them for recording and live into the input of the amp. My reason is hear/try different builders thoughts on tone, tone stacking etc. I enjoy it.
Funny, I've been a bassgear-oholic, playing out for decades but I don't really "get" this recent proliferation of bass pedal pre's.
I guess if I were doing more amp-less / IEM stages, it would make sense. (The one job like that I've done was so lame, it made me want to cling on to my actual amps for as long as possible...)
I guess if I were doing more amp-less / IEM stages, it would make sense. (The one job like that I've done was so lame, it made me want to cling on to my actual amps for as long as possible...)
The only thing you truly need is Soylent, a nutritionally complete meal substitute. Everything else is superfluous.
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I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: Being the one who needs a preamp pedal is just like being in love. No one can tell you you're in love, you just know it. Through and through.
As mentioned a few times by others, everyone should have at least a DI in their bag just in case their rig fails. Plus, gear acquisition.
This depends on who is paying for the recording. Typically, if I am in a recording studio, I'm the one paying, not the one being paid, so I will use whatever the heck I darn well please.
And that's exactly it. More and more gigs where silent stages are the norm is why preamp/DIs are proliferating beyond the venerable SansAmp and a few other old timers.
Since you're happy with your sound, you don't need one for use with your rig. But if you ever want/need to go ampless, it's good to have a preamp that allows you to replicate your tone without an amp.
Personally, I run a series of pedals as a preamp (including the SGT-DI) so I can get "my sound" through any clean amp or FOH situation. In my case, I find the my amp's DI has pretty soft output and nothing I can do to adjust it, but with the DI pedal, I can provide varying degrees of output separate from my amp.
At this point, I barely consider anyone not playing through a Noble a true bassist.
Oh please. Preamps are so 2023. This summer, it's all about the postamps. All the big name players are running postamps now. Get onboard.
Don't forget that although you *can* play a direct-to-PA gig with just a stage box type DI—as a bassist and sound engineer, I always bring my Countryman Type 85, and am perfectly comfortable playing a gig using just that, or making you sound great with just that, if need be—but if you regularly play gigs with venue or rented backline, using a preamp or preamp/DI as your primary tone shaper and setting the provided amp flat will give you consistency and peace of mind.
Sometimes, you never know what you are going to find at the venue. Sometimes, the equipment you specified to be hired isn't what actually shows up, or just isn't available, but The Show Must Go On.
And yes, sometimes amps break. Sometimes, a fuse or a tube blows, and even though you were *sure* you packed extras for the gig, it turns out that no, no, in fact you did not.
Building your tone around a preamp doesn't necessarily mean you own the wrong amp. It *can* mean you don't need to worry about what amp you own.
Sometimes, you never know what you are going to find at the venue. Sometimes, the equipment you specified to be hired isn't what actually shows up, or just isn't available, but The Show Must Go On.
And yes, sometimes amps break. Sometimes, a fuse or a tube blows, and even though you were *sure* you packed extras for the gig, it turns out that no, no, in fact you did not.
Building your tone around a preamp doesn't necessarily mean you own the wrong amp. It *can* mean you don't need to worry about what amp you own.
Killing floor said "month", he meant week, and it's already Thursday, so hopefully you've been keeping an eye out.
