tobiewharton Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 I'm looking for a preamp DI to use as a basic fly-rig with an FRFR speaker. I'm most bothered about the eq, but decent (and switchable) comp and dirt are important too. Not fussed about use as a headphone amp and size isn't hugely important, as long as it'll fit in the pocket of a gig bag. I've got an Eden WTDI pedal on my main board and l love the EQ, but no dirt and the comp (which is perfectly useable) isn't switchable. Briefly owned an EHX Battalion a few years back, but never used it for this purpose, as always took a rig out then. Don't really want to spend more than £200. TC Spectradrive? Fender Downtown Express? Suggest away... Cheers, Tobie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 MXR M80, no comp, but some gnarly, blendable distortion. https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/07062712180828--mxr-bass-di-m80 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted October 14, 2019 Author Share Posted October 14, 2019 Just now, ezbass said: MXR M80, no comp, but some gnarly, blendable distortion. https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/07062712180828--mxr-bass-di-m80 Cheers, but definitely want a comp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) Also if going FRFR, you'll want something with a LPF or speaker sim, I think an M80 would sound a bit fizzy direct? You might have to compromise somewhere if you want it all in one unit. Fender Downtown - has all the FX you want, but I've not heard what the drive sounds like going direct. Tech21 Bass Fly Rig - great amp sim based on the VT Bass, the boost can be configured before the Sansamp section so can act like a 2nd level of dirt, and the comp is switchable, but noisy and not that great. Tech21 DP-3X - Comp is always on and the sound is a bit marmite (although I love it!) Zoom B3n - all the FX you want and then some, a good choice of bass amp models. Yes it's a multi FX with all the fiddly menus and whatnot, but it has 3 big stomps each with 4 knobs, so you get a good amount of hands-on control. I'd still opt to go separates on a custom sized mini board - pair a preamp DI with a Spectracomp, but that's just me! Edited October 14, 2019 by dannybuoy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 GK Plex has all three. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) I have the Specrtadrive and really like the EQ and comp, but never felt the dirt side was that great. As you cant edit the tone prints you are stuck with what TCE give you. The comp is only switchable with the EQ section, so you cant have Eq on and Comp off (unless you turn the comp all the way down). The comp of course is very nice. There is a patch called clean boost that i love, but its not really and OD as such. Edited October 17, 2019 by dave_bass5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) Eden WTDI? I use it & like it. Edited October 17, 2019 by Teebs 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) The m80 once set up well, doesn’t sound fizzy when used direct. The key is restraint. ( been using one in a di/ iem situation for over 10 years) Its best used as a gritty basic sound that you add to via another drive pedal. Edited October 17, 2019 by dudewheresmybass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 I have three, Downtown Express, Spectradrive and the Fly rig. Each has pros and cons ( I tent to use the Fender for ease of use) but the trouble I have found on all so far is that going direct in to a FRFR the signal isn't hot enough, even cranking the Speaker volume to max. The Helix wasn't a problem as there was bags of gain available but on these pedals there isn't. Not sure if anyone has a solution to this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Muppet said: I have three, Downtown Express, Spectradrive and the Fly rig. Each has pros and cons ( I tent to use the Fender for ease of use) but the trouble I have found on all so far is that going direct in to a FRFR the signal isn't hot enough, even cranking the Speaker volume to max. Which powered speaker is it? Which preamp output (the jack, or the XLR), and which powered speaker input (mic level, line level, or other)? I've used Zoom and EBS preamps (with the 1/4" amp output, not the XLR DI) into an RCF's mic-level input and no problems with volume Edited October 17, 2019 by jrixn1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Muppet said: I have three, Downtown Express, Spectradrive and the Fly rig. Each has pros and cons ( I tent to use the Fender for ease of use) but the trouble I have found on all so far is that going direct in to a FRFR the signal isn't hot enough, even cranking the Speaker volume to max. The Helix wasn't a problem as there was bags of gain available but on these pedals there isn't. Not sure if anyone has a solution to this. Check out the TC Spark Boost currently being sold for a discounted £39 at guitar guitar Provides up to 26dB of clean boost and is also popular with several other BC'ers (I don't have one, so I can't vouch) for warming up their tone / providing a valvey dirt. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 6 hours ago, jrixn1 said: Which powered speaker is it? Which preamp output (the jack, or the XLR), and which powered speaker input (mic level, line level, or other)? I've used Zoom and EBS preamps (with the 1/4" amp output, not the XLR DI) into an RCF's mic-level input and no problems with volume XLR out normally to XLR in of a Barefaced FR800. The cab has no external volume control! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 6 hours ago, Al Krow said: Check out the TC Spark Boost currently being sold for a discounted £39 at guitar guitar Provides up to 26dB of clean boost and is also popular with several other BC'ers (I don't have one, so I can't vouch) for warming up their tone / providing a valvey dirt. Ooh that sounds like a great idea, I'll check it out, cheers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 7 hours ago, Muppet said: Ooh that sounds like a great idea, I'll check it out, cheers! Yep, I got this when it was on sale a few months ago. It's probably my fav drive pedal. It's very transparent. It does a nice mild drive without covering it with a baked in tone like some of the big names do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 8 hours ago, Muppet said: XLR out normally to XLR in of a Barefaced FR800. The cab has no external volume control! They're a chew on like aren't they? How loud are you running the software volume control on the Barefaced? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Jack said: They're a chew on like aren't they? Sorry chap, I have no idea what that means! 1 hour ago, Jack said: How loud are you running the software volume control on the Barefaced? set it back to -5db i think, whic is the default. I did put it on max using the software but it got very hissy.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 (edited) 48 minutes ago, Muppet said: Sorry chap, I have no idea what that means! Excuse me good sir. Please allow me to apologise for my colloquialism. ☺️ I geet Northern marra, we talk on the wonk up here. 48 minutes ago, Muppet said: set it back to -5db i think, whic is the default. I did put it on max using the software but it got very hissy.. Yeah I have it higher for gigs. +10dB I think. That level is somewhat hissy at home but not even noticeable in a loud room during setup. Edited October 18, 2019 by Jack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford13 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 I know you said you don’t want to spend more than £200, but in all honesty for £300ish you could get a 2nd hand Helix Stomp, and it would do everything you want and more. It does have a bit of a learning curve, but it’s 100% worth it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 And £200-250 will easily get you an older, but still highly useful and great sounding HD500X, with better connectivity too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Could this be answer as it is in budget? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 On 17/10/2019 at 15:37, Teebs said: Eden WTDI? I use it & like it. I do have one of these and love it, but no dirt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 On 16/10/2019 at 20:18, Jack said: GK Plex has all three. Quite tempted by one of these - always liked GK gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 5 minutes ago, ezbass said: Could this be answer as it is in budget? I think probably a bit of overkill for what I'm after, but cheers anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 5 minutes ago, tobiewharton said: I think probably a bit of overkill for what I'm after, but cheers anyway! Oh I dunno, the chorus is handy, as is the tuner, the octafilter you can ignore and then you have comp and eq section. it's very small too!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 I did try a Downtown Express and was underwhelmed. It was pretty low gain too, as someone mentioned. I ended up getting a GK Plex, which is one hell of a unit. Absolutely perfect for what I need. Cheers for all the opinions and recommendations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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