mario_buoninfante

Here's a YT video that might be useful

Really interesting post. I do believe that as a musician the most important of the 2 is art. There are so many things that human beings do well in life without knowing anything about the "science" behind it. That said, knowledge is a good thing though and so, I think it's important to have a basic understanding of the tools used to make art. Just the way painters used to (maybe still do) make their own colours and brushes. In terms of "flat/perfect" frequency responses, I doubt anything with it would sound great. Humans are imperfect and attracted by imperfections, also our hearing (as pointed out already) is anything but perfect. Few days ago I was looking at these headphones measurements. In a similar way, even some really expensive and "good sounding" HPs have "terrible" graphs https://www.stereophile.com/content/innerfidelity-headphone-measurements

Hi, I found this on YT and quite liked it. They compare several famous bass amps, playing different styles and basses, reamping, and recording the actual cabinet, no DI (this I found particularly good). No Ampeg and GK and other big names, but still quite good. I saw they used the EQ in various situations and that surely affected the results, but overall I think it's a good video. Personally, I was impressed by the Little Mark III by Mark Bass. It has personality but seems to stay true to the instrument. Aguilar pretty good too, but a bit too clinical. Surprised by Hartke too, that for whatever reason I never considered. PJB is a bit of a weird one. To me it always sounds like is lacking the "low lows" (maybe speaker size matters afterall ). Eden, well it colours the sound quite a bit, but I love that 90-00s scooped sound though Interested in hearing other opinions, especially if anybody has one of those amps.

absolutely, I 100% agree. I'm a big fan of detailed specs.

that's fair. I did see some official videos (in Italian though) on YT where the presenter was saying one could even go straight into that with their bass. I think it's the gain stage they have in place that allows that.

I need to try this with my setup too. I'll report the results

thanks for this, it's really useful!

I start thinking that the GR Bass Pure Amp might just be the ideal solution for this, since they also have a gain stage in case the preamp doesn't provide enough signal.

from its manual

it seems like this can drive a power amp too https://www.premierguitar.com/tech-21-geddy-lee-yyz-signature-sansamp

that's interesting too

just found this too. not sure I want to buy an Ampeg to bypass its pre though

sure, bypassing the EQ is already something!

also, I assume this is when the gain section on some power amp like the GR I linked above, come into play. I know that'll probably be another preamp, but at least seems to have been designed to be transparent

amazing thanks for the feedback. I'm not interested in speaker simulators atm, but I see that's an option

Hi all, Recently I have been thinking about preamps and amps, having the bass going through a preamp pedal and then another preamp (combo or head), and how that affects the sound. So, I was thinking about just using a "power amp" and a preamp pedal (+ any other pedal of course). Something I saw some people do years ago (I remember a guitar player from back in my teenhood). This to keep consistency (as much as possible) between my preamp pedal DI out and the sound coming out of the speaker. I also saw some brands making these: https://www.grbass.com/portfolio/pure-amp/ Does anyone have any experience with this kind of setup? pros and cons? Cheers, Mario

just saw this few days ago too. an interesting news for sure. on bright side for now, on G4M there are few of their pedals sold for less than half their price

Hi all, Just saw this interesting video where they got rid of the active electronics and standard pups on a 5 strings Spector Legend Classic and installed the SD NYC pups. They also got rid of 1 knob and installed 2 3-ways switches. I have to say, the result is pretty good! not saying I'm gonna do that to my Spector, but again, they sound pretty solid to me.

I'm also thinking this might be normal since the SEND comes after the PREAMP/EQ section on the pedal, so in my previous setup the signal from the MXR wasn't going through the preamp section at all.

recently I noticed an interesting thing. I had an MXR Phase 90 script connected to the Digbeth send/return, and I noticed that was sounding a little bit "feeble" compared to when I had it connected (straight) into my amp. Thus, I decided to try having bass->MXR Phasee 90->Digbeth, and I got the "presence" back. The pedal sounds more in line with what I had when using my GK amp. I haven't done any more scientific test atm, but I wanted to share this here in the meantime.

yeah, I would go for an ADAT converter. you can use an Octopre like you said, but also any old audio interface that works standalone too. you configure it once so that it does AN IN->ADAT OUT and ADAT IN-> AN OUT, and then use it with Scarlett, Clarett, etc.. I did it years ago when I had a PCIe RME that only had ADAT ins/outs. I bought a second end MOTU MK2 and an Octopre and used them as AD/DA converters. Both came at less than 500 euros.

Are you after 8+ analogue channels, or 8 analogue + extra digital channels? Check the Focusrite Scarlett range for a more affordable one, or the Clarett range for better preamps. BTW USB is still the way to go in my eyes. I would avoid Firewire as it is not really used anymore (think about your next PC/laptop upgrade).

then I do also believe that the environment and weather both played a role in the genre development and the feel too. not saying one can't play dub in Norway! but, that way of playing, to me, reflects the 40C degrees one might experience in Kingston but again, this is more about how it started, one can learn and play reggae regardless the location

I think an important part of learning ska, rocksteady and reggae is that of learning R&B and jazz. this is where all these guys were coming from. most of them were fine jazz and R&B players that found their own swing. I would recommend to explore those genres too (not suggesting to become a jazz player first though ), then the whole "feel" thing will become clearer. just my 2 cents.

I second what @skidder652003 said. I got a Digbeth Pre not too long ago and am quite happy with it. Until a couple of months ago, for recording I used my GK MBSIII, that is a really good studio amp (nice preamp - I don't mic it and use its lineout), and even if it sounds different (more neutral tbh), the Digbeth holds the comparison. The Laney pedal sounds really good, clean but with character. The EQ is quite musical and offers more options (4 bands with 3-way switch for the lo-mid) than other EQs on other preamps (even the pricey ones), the tube channel (emulation) sounds really good, and the FET (clean channel) sounds clear. Also, you get the "tilt" function, that is useful. Connectivity is comprehensive, with the always welcome send/return too.