I want a fat bottom bass preamp

Recycled_Brains · Post by **Recycled_Brains** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:27 am

If I were going to spend big money on a DI, I'd seriously consider the TAB V71 tube DI.

On the cheap, I'd maybe check out a Sansamp.

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:46 am

toaster3000 wrote:a good bass has a lot of low end....

True...I'm finding it easier to subtract a lot of 5k and up on bass DI, and then adjusting the volume, versus a big boost on the low end. Much easier to take away stuff you don't want, I think.

Morgan R. Koren · Post by **Morgan R. Koren** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:59 am

red cross wrote:UA 610. Killer for bass DI.

+1

... and killer for everything except maybe close-micing drums

calaverasgrandes · Post by **calaverasgrandes** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:10 am

Ryan Silva wrote:
red cross wrote:UA 610. Killer for bass DI.
....unless your player is doing fast popping and snapping (may god help you), I find the m610 to be a little slow in response for percussive bass playing, but I LOVE it for every other style of bass.

good point, this is why I always find it odd when people claim that this or that peice of gear is 'good on bass'. What sounds good on a motown style bass will often sound ass on a fast legato bass line. think Tony Levin's tone vs James Jamerson.

Or god help you if the bassist runs a fuzz or OD on his bass. These are usually intended for guitar so you end up fighting the bass tone (and the bassist)in the mix. I have had so many guys and girls get mad at me for putting a DI on their bass before the fuzz. I then explain to them that I am DI'ing the bass for the bottom end and micing it for the midrange and top end.

I keep meaning to build an impedance box, like the radial 'drag', for bass di applications. I had one a while ago and it makes a lot of difference with certain basses! Seriously, it will go from farty and indistinct to taut and stringy with a simple twist.

terryb · Post by **terryb** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:09 am

I use and love the RedDI. It's pricey though.

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:41 pm

On the low budget side, I tend to use a dbx163X, a VTB1, or a combo thereof, depending on the part and style played.

I like the dbx sound a lot, but the compressor is slow, and I get better results on fast pop-n-slap going through the VTB1 with the starved tube near full-on, and then a limiter.

Everything linked below is through one of those chains (unless it's live - then it's just the Zoom H2), and the "noize"-linked song pages all have recording notes ...

trodden · Post by **trodden** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:50 pm

junomat · Post by **junomat** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:57 pm

+1 on the 610

I've also been using the A Designs' REDDI. It's tube. it's wonderful.

jgimbel · Post by **jgimbel** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:11 pm

+1 on VTB-1 with compression/limiting. That's what I've been doing for bass for the past few months, and if anything I find myself cutting out some low end. It may be a starved tube and therefore scoffed at, but you can go from a very sweet clean-but-not-sterile sound to a nice beefy dirtyish sound if you crank the input/turn up the "tube blend". It's always considered a low budget option but it's far from my most expensive piece of gear and it's on that makes it into almost every recording somewhere, usually on bass if not other places too.

pootkao · Post by **pootkao** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:15 am

The 610 is good, and is what I own.

But the Sebatron VMP is better. Every chance I get to use my friend's, I do it. A bit quicker/punchier.

hopeless_opus · Post by **hopeless_opus** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:12 am

www.hamptone.com

I have the JFET pre and it's a fantastic bass di/preamp. I'm sure the tube model would be as well.

joninc · Post by **joninc** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:06 am

pootkao wrote:The 610 is good, and is what I own.

But the Sebatron VMP is better. Every chance I get to use my friend's, I do it. A bit quicker/punchier.

really? i have a sebatron but hadn't tried out the DIs for bass - i'll have to give that a whirl.

Snarl 12/8 · Post by **Snarl 12/8** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:39 am

I don't know what your budget is like, but plus one for the Ashly BP41. It's got good fatness, but it's not really hyped in any way. It can do modern, punchiness or vintagey mellowness. Very versatile ins and outs. I modded mine a little bit. For the $50 or so I paid on sleazeBay, I couldn't be happier.

Recycled_Brains · Post by **Recycled_Brains** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:45 am

hopeless_opus wrote:www.hamptone.com

I have the JFET pre and it's a fantastic bass di/preamp. I'm sure the tube model would be as well.

The tube model is also fantastic.

mwerden · Post by **mwerden** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:18 pm

Chandler Germanium. Thick button.

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I want a fat bottom bass preamp

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