Double Bass Preamp

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

Clearly it isn't bass specific, but I've had an ART "TubeMP", the Studio V3 version, for a couple of years now and it is a handy bit of gear and inexpensive too. Works well in most any setup for warming up the sound and getting levels right - plus it has phantom power and 1/4" and XLR in/outs which comes in handy. Thing is built like a tank too. Might be worth a look.

edit - I originally got it for my Rhodes stage piano, but have used it just as much for mics, bass/guitar and as a DI.

I know the ART stuff, Thomas - I seem to remember reviewing it for Recording Magazine a few years ago.

I'll most likely end up buying another Fishman, though since mine passed away, I've just been plugging my bass directly into the amp (with the sound guy taking a DI from the back of the amp). I'm not thrilled with the resulting sound, since the 3 band EQ on the amp doesn't really seem to fit my needs - but it's certainly workable for the run of this show, and for the live gigs we've been doing on the show's dark night each week.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

I know the ART stuff, Thomas - I seem to remember reviewing it for Recording Magazine a few years ago.

I'll most likely end up buying another Fishman, though since mine passed away, I've just been plugging my bass directly into the amp (with the sound guy taking a DI from the back of the amp). I'm not thrilled with the resulting sound, since the 3 band EQ on the amp doesn't really seem to fit my needs - but it's certainly workable for the run of this show, and for the live gigs we've been doing on the show's dark night each week.

As I posted on deaf ears above, the P.A.P.A. has switchable frequencies for each of the 3 bands inside the unit, 4 positions for each!

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

As I posted on deaf ears above, the P.A.P.A. has switchable frequencies for each of the 3 bands inside the unit, 4 positions for each!

No, it didn't fall on deaf ears, Ken - and it looks quite interesting. But when I looked at your link, the PAPA seems to be an EQ and pre, but not a DI - that is, it seems to lack an XLR output. This would either necessitate another box on the floor so that a balanced signal can go to the house or (worse, at least from my perspective) the need to use the built in XLR output on my amp, which seems to be post gain/post EQ. I would also rather have an onboard PS, but that's a minor quibble).

I tend to use fairly mild EQ settings (I figure if I need dramatic equalization to get a usable tone, there are other issues which need to be addressed) and don't use any sort of compression on live gigs, so I have little doubt that the PAPA EQ would work great. But I would also prefer that the preamp be usable for PA purposes without the need for a separate DI.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

No, it didn't fall on deaf ears, Ken - and it looks quite interesting. But when I looked at your link, the PAPA seems to be an EQ and pre, but not a DI - that is, it seems to lack an XLR output. This would either necessitate another box on the floor so that a balanced signal can go to the house or (worse, at least from my perspective) the need to use the built in XLR output on my amp, which seems to be post gain/post EQ. I would also rather have an onboard PS, but that's a minor quibble).

I tend to use fairly mild EQ settings (I figure if I need dramatic equalization to get a usable tone, there are other issues which need to be addressed) and don't use any sort of compression on live gigs, so I have little doubt that the PAPA EQ would work great. But I would also prefer that the preamp be usable for PA purposes without the need for a separate DI.

We opted for no direct box as it would make the box bigger and more expensive. If we did, it would be a bigger, upgraded more expensive unit. Everything we did was top notch so it's not cheap. Most people that want a preamp do not need the direct out. I can usually do that from the Amp as it takes the signal you feed it.

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

We opted for no direct box as it would make the box bigger and more expensive. If we did, it would be a bigger, upgraded more expensive unit. Everything we did was top notch so it's not cheap. Most people that want a preamp do not need the direct out. I can usually do that from the Amp as it takes the signal you feed it.

I agree that adding a DI would make it bigger and more expensive, though I'm not opposed to paying well for the perfect tool for a given task (the reason I have those old Neumann and RCA microphones in the studio...). Is this a preamp that you sell direct, or would a KSB dealer stock such an item?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

I agree that adding a DI would make it bigger and more expensive, though I'm not opposed to paying well for the perfect tool for a given task (the reason I have those old Neumann and RCA microphones in the studio...). Is this a preamp that you sell direct, or would a KSB dealer stock such an item?

We can sell it direct and if a dealer has them, he can sell it as well. The Price is set and published. We have only sold them to a few dealers. We are not pushing this that hard to the dealer market. If it gets that way in time, so be it.

[Dave Whitla]

I know this is an old post, but it's an interesting topic- preamps for bass. Mostly I just use the line out of my Acoustic Image Coda amp, which is a very clean signal for any sound man I've had to deal with (following the K.I.S.S. rule).

If I'm blending with a mic, I use the blender box that came with my SD Systems mic. That doesn't have a DI, though, so it's still through my amp.

Occasionally I use an EBS Microbass, particularly if I have to play electric as well (rarely!). http://www.bass.se/2009/microbassII.htm
Works pretty well, although I haven't used it enough to really know it. I've noticed a lower volume level through my amp when using it, but maybe I just need to crank the volume on the box all the way up.

Did you end up going back to the Fishman, Dave?