Bass Guitar Preamp

[Mikey]

I've been checking-out bass guitar preamps, and it seems like anything really useful is PRICEY. I got to looking at the B*******r DEQ2496 and wondered if it might do the trick (?). I've had some bad experiences with B*******r gear, but I don't recall anyone here bitching about this particular unit. I'm mainly interested in it's EQ, but it does have some other features which may be useful. For instance, it has a compressor. Is it any good, or would a RNC probably still be "needed"? Anyone have any advice or comments about the possibility of using a DEQ2496 for bass guitar?

[AntonZ]

I own a DEQ but never thought about using it for bass guitar. It is major overkill for my bass guitar needs. I don't want to dig into menu's when playing bass. Just a few hardware controls to tinker with is enough for me. Regular 3 to 5 band EQ plus one or two bands of parametric is more like my thing. Having some modest compression available can be a nice plus.

What I use is either a small powerfull head, or a Yamaha PB1 pre into power amp. For practice I play without compression. For gigs I sometimes bring an FMR RNC if I feel like I might need compression. I feel that always playing with compression does not make me develop proper dynamics control in the right hand fingers.

The PB1 is a classic. Bomb proof, good sound, 3 band EQ plus one band full parametric. The only weird thing for me is lack of separate gain and master volume controls.

[David Carter]

I've been using a Sansamp Para Driver DI pedal into the PA or a power amp until recently. I would love to stick with it because I like it a lot and it makes for a very simple setup, but I'm having to sell to fund another purchase. The also have a rackmount version which is called the Sansamp RPM. There is also the ubiquitous Sansamp Bass Driver DI and it's rackmount counterpart, the Sansamp RBI, but they don't offer a mid control whereas the Para Driver and RPM do.

[Ron K]

I've been checking-out bass guitar preamps, and it seems like anything really useful is PRICEY. I got to looking at the B*******r DEQ2496 and wondered if it might do the trick (?). I've had some bad experiences with B*******r gear, but I don't recall anyone here bitching about this particular unit. I'm mainly interested in it's EQ, but it does have some other features which may be useful. For instance, it has a compressor. Is it any good, or would a RNC probably still be "needed"? Anyone have any advice or comments about the possibility of using a DEQ2496 for bass guitar?

Better make sure your bass guitar output is at the correct voltage level or you'll be sadly disappointed or at least have some sort of preamp feeding that DEQ. It's at line level for PA work.

[WB]

Better make sure your bass guitar output is at the correct voltage level or you'll be sadly disappointed or at least have some sort of preamp feeding that DEQ. It's at line level for PA work.

That is correct, a proper preamp is still needed.

I've tried many preamps, and my favorite is the Summit Audio TD100.
Preamps all behave and sound different and it was an expensive and time consuming search for me. Not pushing this particular unit, because an individuals search doesn't work that way.
The nice thing with the DEQ's compressor is the visual feedback and infinite control of parameters. My preference is not to compress for electric bass, I can really notice the lack of dynamics when using it.

[Greg Plouvier]

I was looking at these Presonus pieces a while back for a 1 space pre: TubePre, EQ3B, and Comp16. All 3 fit in the 3UMR rack accessory. Could probably had for under $300 used. Anybody use any of these?

[WB]

... TubePre, EQ3B, and Comp16 ... Anybody use any of these?

I have the EQ3B, very nice parametric EQ.

[kynetx]

I use a Presonus Studio channel. It has a tube stage, 3-band parametric and a compressor in a 1RU box. I don't bother with any other effects.

One caveat though; it does like to be connected to an input with fairly high impedance. It outputs a fairly hot signal. I've had much better luck connecting it to a line mixer than straight into an amp, but it does work. You just have to use the 20dB pad.

[Mikey]

WOW! Lots of great input here! Thanks a LOT!

As many commented-on, I know I'd need a basic pre before the DEQ2496. I was looking at the ART pre's, but that Presonus TubePRE would probably be a bit better, for not much more money. I know that more expensive pres would undoubtedly be even better, but I've gotta keep a pretty tight rein on the budget.

I'd looked at the channel-strip type pres, too, but I prefer a full GEQ. What attracted me to the DEQ2496 is that there's a GEQ without the inherent issues of cheapo sliders on budget GEQs. I've never been satisfied with just a few EQ knobs to twist.

I've used the RNC and I really like it, but if the compressor in the DEQ2496 has good "transparency" when used lightly, then maybe it'll be adequate and save me some scratch (?). I never get heavy-handed with compression, and I'd never use any of the "stomp box" units or the compressors included in multi-effect devices that I've tried.

For power, I'm looking-at the Crown Drivecore XLS1500, after it hits the shelves.

EWI LDB-101 active direct box.

Total: around $700-750 (without a RNC) ... multi-effects not included. Whaddaya think?

Anyone had any trouble with the DEQ2496?

[David Carter]

Anyone had any trouble with the DEQ2496?

Our fellow BFM-er Scott Brochu has. He talked about it here. However, I'm sure you'll also find that there are several other who have used it without issue (although usually for PA duty as opposed to bass rig).

[Mikey]

Anyone had any trouble with the DEQ2496?

Our fellow BFM-er Scott Brochu has. He talked about it here. However, I'm sure you'll also find that there are several other who have used it without issue (although usually for PA duty as opposed to bass rig).

Yeah, the DEQ2496 doesn't appear in threads right and left with plagues of problems, like some other B*******r gear.

I've had some gear last for decades without problems, but I consider that a bonus and not necessarily an expectation. Two things I learned early-on were to always let electronics cool before moving them, and avoid all bumping and jarring as much as humanly possible. Either that advice has worked-out very well for me or I've been insanely lucky with a lot of gear.

[wounded horse]

I use a Presonus Studio channel. It has a tube stage, 3-band parametric and a compressor in a 1RU box. I don't bother with any other effects.

One caveat though; it does like to be connected to an input with fairly high impedance. It outputs a fairly hot signal. I've had much better luck connecting it to a line mixer than straight into an amp, but it does work. You just have to use the 20dB pad.

I've been looking at this bit of kit as I want to go the preamp power amp route now that I've nearly finished my Omni 2X12. I want to tone shape using parametric eq. Will you expand a bit on thepart about input/high Z/20dB pad? I'm looking to drive a mono power amp. Any suggestions there? What are you using?

[EW]

I've own and used a Presonus Blue Max for awhile with an Ampeg SVT III pro, did the job & had user friendly presets for newbies like me. Mine is on ebay right now (shameless plug, sorry!)

[kynetx]

I use a Presonus Studio channel. It has a tube stage, 3-band parametric and a compressor in a 1RU box. I don't bother with any other effects.

One caveat though; it does like to be connected to an input with fairly high impedance. It outputs a fairly hot signal. I've had much better luck connecting it to a line mixer than straight into an amp, but it does work. You just have to use the 20dB pad.

I've been looking at this bit of kit as I want to go the preamp power amp route now that I've nearly finished my Omni 2X12. I want to tone shape using parametric eq. Will you expand a bit on thepart about input/high Z/20dB pad? I'm looking to drive a mono power amp. Any suggestions there? What are you using?

Take this with several large grains of salt as I am really just starting to learn about this stuff.
Ok... with my Squier Vintage Modified J I get a fairly hot signal (possibly due to low output impedance on the guitar, I'm still learning) coming into the preamp. I have to really turn down the gain to make the output knob even usable. In this situation, the "VU" meter or whatever it actually is isn't even moving so I think I'm overdriving the input stage. If I engage the 20dB pad (causes an increase in the impedance of the input stage and therefore a reduction of voltage) and turn down the gain I can start to finally use that output knob.
Now, this could all very well be caused by having the gain set too high on my amp. I still have some experimentation to do to really nail the problem I'm having, but I strongly doubt it's due to the preamp.
The bottom line is that I still really like this unit and with just the compressor and parametric EQ this thing is capable of making a lot of different sounds. Another cool feature that I'm going to start using is the 80Hz high-pass filter. With a bass guitar, there really isn't much going on below 100Hz, so why waste the power? The Jack starts rolling off around 80 Hz anyway. I've played with it a bit and didn't lose anything. If you find that you're missing that part of the spectrum you're better off building a T39 to put under it anyway.

Take a look at the manual. It's actually very well written:
http://www.presonus.com/media/manuals/S ... -1-web.pdf

I'll bump this thread as I learn more.

[miguelbassi]

ALEMBIC

which is a fender dual showman preamp. Very simple design (i think from RCA), passive eq, deep and real lows, smooth highs. Mids are scooped, so it s a good match for tha jacks