Impressions on the RMI Basswitch IQ DI

[gillento]

Hi,
I rarely post in the effects section on basschat, but I thought I had to share this.

I got a Basswitch IQ DI in May this year as I need to switch between basses and I am using different kind of effect pedals on all my gigs.

Well, first of, as I didn't find any posts about this great pedal around here, what is the Basswitch ID QI?

- a sturdy pedal preamp/switcher/blender/DI
with:
- 2 independent channels (1 channel with a 4 band eq, incl. 2 semi parametric mid bands)
- 2 effect loops, one of them fixed serial and one of them has blend and boost controls w. phase switch)
- tuner out
- Lehle trafo DI

The whole packaged is built by LEHLE.

I am using channel A wth my active Sadowsky and Channel B when I need to eq or level a passive bass like my Lakland DJ5 or JO5.
In the first effects loop (parallel) I have an Xotic BB drive pedal, the Akai Deep Impact and the MXR M288 octave pedal. So I can prepare any pedal combination and kick them in with a single switch.
The second effects loop (fixed) takes my VT Bass and the Maxon Comp.

The price may be a bit high, but this unit replaced an Xotic RC pedal (for level/eq), a Lehle Parallel L (parallel effects loop) and a Radial JDI.

After having owned the Radial BassBone, I think this one has a way better eq, more flexible effect loops and can be powered by 9 to 20 Volts


Perhaps the most visible endorser is Paul Turner of Jamiroquai ([url="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=195139767201216&set=pt.169961256385734&type=1&theater"]https://www.facebook...&type=1[/url])

Edited January 24, 2012 by gillento

[gillento]

Just found out, Marcus Miller is using the Basswitch on his Japan tour:

[RichF]

really nice set up (notice you put your thumpinator on the fixed loop, not pre-basswitch). This is classy piece of kit. I like the idea of having a sort of control unit around which my board is built. I use a Barge Concepts Custom dual loop dual blend unit, which I bought off Mark L on here a few months back but it doesn't have tuner out, eq etc.

Edited September 18, 2011 by RichF

[funky8884]

Hi Gillento, I was wondering if you noticed any difference in quality between the DI'd Bassbone and Basswitch ?

I had my heart set on the Bassbone but the Basswitch looks like a great alternative ?

[gillento]

I generally like the Basswitch sound better: it is more dynamic and open, the EQ points are better fot my taste (even the lows and highs).
With the BassBone I never liked the second channel as the lows were to boomy.
Wiring is MUCH easier with the Basswitch as well.
There isn't a single feature on the BassBone that I preferred over the Basswitch.

Edited January 15, 2012 by gillento

[gillento]

[quote name='RichF' timestamp='1316346047' post='1376710']
really nice set up (notice you put your thumpinator on the fixed loop, not pre-basswitch). This is classy piece of kit. I like the idea of having a sort of control unit around which my board is built. I use a Barge Concepts Custom dual loop dual blend unit, which I bought off Mark L on here a few months back but it doesn't have tuner out, eq etc.
[/quote]

In the meantime, I put the SFX as first component, before everything else.

[funky8884]

I like the idea of 2 Loops so I can run a Comp separately from effects.

Great review Gillento !

[gillento]

I have the Comp and the VT in the second loop (serial loop). My comp is always on, the VT is kind of a "pick / rock preset".
In the switchable loop I have my overdrive and synth, which need to be kicked in or out mid-song.

BTW: the Basswitch website is live!!! [url="http://www.rmi.lu/"]http://www.rmi.lu/[/url]

Edited September 18, 2011 by gillento

[gillento]

The venerable Darryl Jones has been confirmed as a Basswitch endorser as well.

[url="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=288496241198901&set=a.203706916344501.48886.169961256385734&type=1&ref=nf"]https://www.facebook...4&type=1&ref=nf[/url]

Paul Turner, Marcus Miller, .... (me )
Wow, what an impressive user list!

Edited January 15, 2012 by gillento

[gillento]

Ed Friedland has made a video review of the BAsswitch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAp9ygCAvw&hd=1