PA support

[niceguyhomer]

My band's moving more and more towards DIing at every gig, which is great news now that I've just spent £309 on a second cab I probably don't need. Anyway, what's the best thing to do DI wise? I have a Tapco DI box I paid £30 for - bought for emergencies and at the moment I DI directly from my GK1001RBII. My tutor suggested getting a preamp/DI thing - probably a Sadowsky or EBS Microbass but is it going to be better than what I use now soundwise?

Edited October 28, 2007 by niceguyhomer

[stingrayfan]

Suggest SansAmp DI or Aphex Xciter. At least you've got something to fiddle with if the sound's not quite right. With a DI box, you're a bit stuck.

[wateroftyne]

The EBS MicroBassII is genius.

Loads of great tone-shaping and Tube simulation, and the DI out has a switchable speaker emulator, so your FOH sound will have a bit of 'mic'd up' about it.

It knocks spots off the SABDDI, IMO.

[niceguyhomer]

I knew you'd show up WOT - I feel a purchase coming on and I've been looking at the EBS for some time now - I know how impressed you are with it. We did a showcase yesterday and had a band meeting shortly after. We're going to cut down the backline and put everything through the PA.

In an ideal world, a lightweight 2x10 combo and the EBS would be just the job but I think I'm stuck with my GK rig for now on account that you can't sell anything at the moment.

[bassicinstinct]

+1 for the SABDDI suggestion.

[bass_ferret]

If you are still gonna use a low calorie back line like your 1x12 then you can still use the lineout on that.

If it sounds crap then get a BDDI or Microbass.

[The Funk]

The EBS Microbass is great. I used to use the built-in DI on my Aguilar pre but I've decided to only use that in the studio now. Live I plug out of one of the line-outs on the Aguilar into the EBS.

Another good thing about the EBS is that it actually runs on phantom power - forget worrying about potential damage to your amp or potential battery failure. And if one of the valves in my Aguilar blows, then I can also run the EBS into my power amp and cabs.

[niceguyhomer]

I've ordered one off Bernie Goodfellow - hoping to have it by the weekend. Then you'll get bombarded with homerposts cos I don't know how to work the thing. I don't even know what phantom power is.

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='81773' date='Oct 31 2007, 03:41 PM']I've ordered one off Bernie Goodfellow - hoping to have it by the weekend. Then you'll get bombarded with homerposts cos I don't know how to work the thing. I don't even know what phantom power is. [/quote]

You'll not regret it.

Quick tip - be VERY subtle when cutting/boosting. Set everything flat, and take it from there.

I usually run mine flat, with both channels summed, with a bit of drive, the enhance filter engaged and the treble rolled back (which boosts the mids a little).

mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[Sibob]

My covers band always DI/Mic everything, and 99% of my originals gigs is the same, i still love to have a phat bass sound on stage from my full rig.
Hope the EBS is wicked!

Si