Good Instrument Preamps / Channel Strip?

[Text_Edifice]

Hi All,

Can anyone recommend a good instrument pre for studio use (cheap is good <2k? and Australian made would also be an advantage as I'd rather support local industry)

The main use for the pre would be tracking bass guitar and I'm wanting something with a 'colored' 'warm' 'phat' (pick another useless adjective) sound (tube maybe?) with a basic EQ / compressor if possible though I realise this is a lot to ask for a sub $2k bit of kit.

Basically I'm wanting a good workaround for when the supplied amp doesn't cut it.

Also just 'discovered' the Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver DI which was great for pulling an ok tone really quickly - wondering if anyone's had experience using the Sansamp or similar (I think Lab Systems make something) in place of an amp?

Appropriate Regards.

Text_Edifice

[Simon B]

I have 5 channel strips, an amek channel in a box, 6176, an avalon 737, and a langevin dual vocal combo, these all fall under the awesome catergory, some more then other. and a tl audio 5051, which is not so awesome and I am not a massive fab of. however I can still find a use. the 5051, is < 2k, some people rant about it being good for bass, I only really use it for it kick drum. I dont really like it for anything else. in terms of colour I really really like the 6176, a classic compressor, a punchy pre, but it is not less then 3k but the la 610 is less then 3 k more then 2 but from all reports it is quite similar to the 6176, just some minor differences. not Australian I know, but still very very good.
The Langevin and the CIB are very transparent in terms of preamps. with the langevin is has 2 pre's and 2 octo limiters, if you look hard enough you can find them for an awesome price. The CIB I am a massive fan of, when it came out it was about 5k last I heard they were sitting at about the 3 k mark but they are awesome and I highly recomend
The only Australian makers I know of are Jlm that gets a bit of a mention on here. or sebatron, but I havent heard many positive things about them, and there is also buzz audio which is kiwi. I dont know much about them.

I hope this helps

[Martinez]

Gee, its such a shame that the option to buy australian just isn't there.

[Text_Edifice]

Thanks Simon, that's useful - might have to bite the bullet and outlay a bit more $$... (or maybe wait and try and snag something second hand).

I agree that the lack of Australian options is a bit of a bugger, was really hoping that something Australian made might be better quality for a cheaper price (less import costs etc.)

Anyone else have any ideas?

[Chris H]

Don't be too quick to dismiss the Aust options. Each bit of good gear has a flavor to its sound that should not be judged as good or bad.
If you want a clean uncolered pre the amek is a good choice, but for vox i have just found an old aust made pre with germanium transistors that sound better than anything else i have in my kit for vox.
OK call poor quality gear bad but often it too has a use as well.
JLM is good gear. I dont know about Sebatron, as i havnt heard any of his units, but i think you need to audition gear yourself to match the gear to your need. Also variaty helps.

[wez]

our very own Barney Loveland is the man to ask about pres & DIs for bass, he's tried a lot of stuff, and may even have a surprise or two.... i'm sure he'll be along shortly :-)

he was just telling me about the JLM DI kits.... ask him about them. one bit of kit that i really like on bass is the TC1190, which Barney bought of me, i should've kept it. very, very nice EQ for bass.

[davemc]

I know a few guys who use and love there sansamps, might be the cheapest suggestion. Maybe try one. They have a sound. If you like that sound cool. I always thought a Avalon 737 sounded really nice on Bass.
Otherwise instead of a channel strip why not get a few seperate items.
Presently I use a Aguilar DB900 DI which is really nice.
Into a API, Calrec or Great River NV1 Mic pre.
Into a DBX 160VU or Pendulum ES-8 Compressor.
Then EQ with the calrec or ISA430.
If I looked at the cheapest chain DB900->NV1->DBX cost over $2k.
Or look at the Avalon as well.

If you wnat a channel strip I use the ISA430 a lot for bass or the CIB would be a good pick as well, or try the UA channel strips or a Millenia although all getting more then $2k..
Local I have had a quick play with the sebatron, have not used the JLM stuff. I do own a Buzz Audio pre which is really clean.
There channel strip might be nice to use

Really at the end of teh day see if you can try a few things and see what works for you.

[Chris H]

To add to my previous post, what i was getting at, without actualy saying it, was a preamp that distorts nicely when over driven ( ie, gets furry etc) is a great assett when recording bass, and expensive preamps don't always do that even though they are great pre's. Some cheap and nasty preamps distort really nicely! And an even better option is a great quality pre that distorts nicely.
The options available will be limited when looking for one box that does all so if budget limits your options also ( a reality for most of us ), try looking for the killer preamp and getting a stand alone comp eg a RNC or their limiter. The pre for artifacts and the rnc for transparent comp' or whatever.
Also worth a try..........
Audition the Lab Systems VP 5 valve di ;
http://www.bmusic.com.au/category945_1.htm
AND
Dex Audio VTLS200 Valve Di

http://www.dexaudio.com.au/html/p&s_215.html

Both Australian made and great well built gear.Each sounds different.

[mfdu]

i was going to mention the JLM and sebatron gear too. but only as a "have a look" because i can't say i have experience with either of them.

i just picked up a $70 b*$&^#er bass driver/di. supposedly the same as a teck21 sansamp.

only had a chance to use it on a couple of basses, guitars and keyboards so far.
for $70, it would fall into the value-for-money category. pulled a huge SVT-ish bass in a couple of seconds, got some glisten off a synth without batting an eye, and am generally thinking these driver/di boxes might be about the best thing in the b*$&^#er range.

best thing of all - i just chuck the instrument into a di, then out the hi-imp output and into the driver box - get clean and dirty in one pass, and the talent have direct control over the level of dirt because its a stompbox.

but you might need to remove it from the stock casing and put it into a natty metal box so it looks good enough to ut in front of a client.

chris.

[Martinez]

Well,

if its for DI, which I'm assuming it is,

why not go for the obvious and get a little bass amp.

they usualy distort nicely and have eq and they don't have to be very powerfull and you pick them up pretty cheap second hand and so have 2 or 3 for different flavors!

theres also a few different valve ones around aswell.

just make sure theyve got a line out on them.

[Barney Loveland]

So many options so little time? For bass specific but basic di the avalon U5 is amazing as is the demeter tube bass pre with the optional jensen transformer output (it has basic passive style eq) Aguilar di is also good. might find a demeter on ebay?? The TC1140 pre/eq is good value for money and can be used for other tasks as well (thanks wez;-) JLM has a di kit (with transformer out) that you can put together for about $100 which works amazingly well into any pre i have, highly recommended! The JLM di into the UA 6176 mic pre is awesome. I find the 737 good for upright bass as a pre, but for a di on electric bass too soft sounding. The sansamp is quite a box too, a little secret for y'all, it is a killer pre for double bass piezo pickups, just a little of the blend, no drive or presence and away you go, especially good for live gigs! And when time or space limits micing an amp can add that bit o grunge for electric. But as always, try them see how they work for you, one mans trash is anothers treasure! I'm currently digging an old Mccubbin compressor that I finally put new pots/switces etc in, aussie made and very well built, but generally i don't often record with compression on my bass. Hope this helps.

[Simon B]

For bass I highly recomend the UA gear,the 6176 is always my first choice for bass, although it is alot more then what you had planned I think the LA 610 which I have also heard is amazing on bass is sitting about the $2.5 k mark would be the way to go.

The best way I suggest to support local would be to get it from a local dealer. Find a shop that answers your questions, gets stuff in for you. gives you an awesome price and treats you like you are more then a customer and buy from them and only from them.
For me I have 3 people that have among the three of them have everything for me. Serge at Audio OZ offers some very very good prices, Andy at pro audio has alot of knowledge and pro audio from my understanding base themself as more of a mail order dealer then just for people in Canberra. and finally Mick at mixmasters I have bought some consignments off and I found a price for something OS that just couldnt be matched in Australia and he brought it in for me, and when I got it he had taken over the waranty so I didnt have to send it os to get fixed.

maybe look at a good bass mic as well, at the moment I use an EV RE20 for kick drum and bass, and for deep an heavy vocals as well as solo guitar where the extended frequency response makes the guitar sound full and really pleases guitarists when they hear it on their own, but in the next 12 months I will buy a fet 47 to do this but better.

[David W]

I've put together a coupple JLM kits (99v and 1290 neve clone) both are great for different reasons. I also have Manley and UA M610 mic pre's and are in the same league.
In fact as I as recording and mixing in Pro Tools HD I like the JLM's character a little more.The 1290 on drums have a great tone and my current favorite for bass di, just a little softer sound IMO.
The 99v has a very nice bottom end to me and is my vocal MP of choice at the moment.
This could just be becaust I've had the manley for so long though.

Im also using a Control 24 console using focusrite designed pre's .If there anything like platnum series as claimed i'd give them a miss.

[Damien]

i have a UA LA610, and i love it for bass.

i also have a labsystems mp4. which has a valve in the pre. i use the di out and its great. (a bit noisy in the tops, but i just roll this off)

damien

[Text_Edifice]

Hi All,

thanks for your feedback, all really helpful. I'll try and track down some of the DI's mentioned and definitely audition JLM and Sebatron stuff.

Thanks for helping me out!

Text_Edifice