Bass Preamp/DI

[ericmeyer4]

I am getting a bass for recording and I need some type of preamp so I can have some tone shaping abilities. I'm not really looking for a specific sound (I know that doesn't help much). I really just want something that sounds good. The stuff I record is mostly rock based and atmospheric.

Some favorite tones (kind of general and I'm not trying to copy them)

Melissa Auf der Maur (Smashing Pumpkins: Machina tour/Auf der Maur: Self titled)
Steve Harris (Iron Maiden: All)
Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters: The Colour And The Shape)
Duff Mckagan (Velvet Revolver: Contraband)

Most of the tones I enjoy off of these albums have been done with a P bass which is the kind of bass I will be buying. Simple and great tone. I also plan on getting a Quarter LB for it too.

Now I need a Preamp/DI of sorts.

MXR M-80: I like the switchable distortion. I have heard nothing about it.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXR-M80-Bass-Direct-Box-with-Distortion?sku=151110

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI: I have heard good things about it. I don't like the lack of a mid control or distortion switching.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tech-21-SansAmp-Bass-Driver-DI?sku=480206

Tech 21 Sansamp RBI Rackmount: Same as the Bass Drive, but in rackmount form and with a mid control. Don't like the lack of distortion switching. Don't like the price.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...I-Rackmount-Bass-Tube-Amp-Emulator?sku=480223

Or I can get the 3 band tone circut Seymour offers and run it into my whirlwind DI I have. Maybe throw a USA Big Muff of Fuzz Face in there for dirt?

What other should I be looking at?

I am keeping myself on a tight budget as I have several things I would like to purchase. I know I can save for more, but I do not want to spend a lot of money on gear that is rarely going to be used. At the moment I am leaning at the MXR.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[thucydides]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

I've used the Tech 21 pedal, and I like it, but I'm not normally a bass player. However, the bass player in a past band of mine is now in NYC, playing quite a bit. He plays a lot in NYC, and has toured Europe a couple of times. Most of the time he uses a house rig, and the quality of those house rigs can vary quite a bit. For him, the Tech 21 unit can be a real lifesaver. If I understand correctly, there are a couple different bass models, or maybe one of those is the old model which is still being sold until they run out, I'm not sure. At any rate, his is the more expensive model.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

I used to have a Hartke VXL Bass Attack that was very nice, but I sold it because I didn't really like the 'Harmonics' function (which is basically a tube simulation circuit). It's very hard to dial in the right amount of drive, it's either just a tiny edge of grit or over the top fuzz, there's nothing inbetween. The blend-knob helps a lot (you can set it up for a lot of grit and then mix in just a little bit of it with your clean signal) but it didn't cut it for me.

I now use the EBS MicroBass II, which is very, very nice. It shines on bright clean tones, as all EBS' do, but the second channel is what really makes it great in my opinion. It pushes a lot more, there are more low mids and a slight growl when needed. There's no real distortion though, it just sounds slightly fatter and edgier than the clean channel. If you want some grit, you can mix the two channels together. You have to be really careful with the volume, drive and boost controls in the mixed mode though, or the MicroBass II will start clipping. It's very sensitive, even with the -10dB cut engaged. Connectability is second to none, there are balanced and unbalanced outputs, a parallel output (which is untouched by the EBS's signal processing, it's just your clean bass signal, to be connected to the input of an additional amp), an FX loop, cabinet simulation and the works.

For real dirt though, I use a separate overdrive nowadays, a Fulltone Bassdrive, that I absolutely LOVE. It can do those big fat swampy vintage tones, it can do the Ampeg SVT thing, but it also does the slightly overdriven Tool sound with a nice bright edge. No matter how bright you set the tone control, it retains BALLS. There's always plenty bottom end left. Great pedal!


As far as Tech 21 is concerned, I'd rather recommend this unit:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...hannel-Programmable-Bass-Driver-DI?sku=151780
It's much more versatile as it gives you three programmable, footswitchable tones, and has greater ease of use too. It's a great unit.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

sfx-06 maybe?

 

[these_go211]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

i'm a HUGE fan of the sansamp bddi. it sounds gigantic and there are lots of tonal options. the distorion on it is very cool. i use the non-programmable one but it sounds like the one jeroen recommended would be the best for your situation.

 

[Aaron Cheney]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

I've owned the MXR M-80 for years and used it on lots of recordings. It's a great little box. I very rarely use the distortion, but it's nice to have when I want it. It's got a great EQ and the little "color" button is like a fat switch that really juices everything up.

A

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Bass Preamp/DI

sfx-06 maybe?

Don't those come out this spring?

Its the same thing as the tone circuits right? Just in a stomp box form if I read it correct.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Has anyone had good results running a bass with an internal preamp straight in... no external preamp, pedals, etc?

This will just be for recording.