Better Sound From the Best Bass Guitar Preamp
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Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Guitar Preamp -
Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega Ultra Bass Guitar Preamp -
Radial Engineering Bassbone V2 Bass Guitar Preamp -
Tonebone Bassbone OD Bass Guitar Preamp -
MXR M81 Bass Guitar Preamp -
Buyer's Guide
A good bassist knows that your tone is definitely something worth being meticulous about, and there’s no better way to get a really great-sounding signal out of your instrument than by running it through a bass guitar preamp. This unit can be used to simply boost the signal or shape the tone further via EQ, compression, and effects. Bass preamps come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and types, from units that integrate into amplifier heads to rack systems. We've chosen the best bass guitar preamps in 2022, each one listed here featuring a drive control that allows you to add some grit to your signal, EQ settings that give you the ability to shape the frequency of your bass signal, and they all offer footswitch options to give you hands-free control over your sound while playing whether it’s through the product’s pedal status or additional footswitch for the rackmount devices. Read on for our top picks and buyer's guide.
Best Bass Guitar Preamps Worth Considering in 2022
Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Guitar Preamp - Best Bass Guitar Preamp Overall
Eden’s WP-100 Navigator bass preamp is a flexible tool that can be used both onstage and in the studio. A studio-quality compressor offers threshold and ratio controls, alongside tube and enhancement knobs to give you even more control of the character of the signal. The EQ here is semi-parametric, which gives you a wide range of directions to go in when manipulating the frequencies of your bass guitar. A footswitch also allows you to control the enhance, compressor, mute, and turbo boost features, making this ideal for gigs where you can’t necessarily turn knobs while playing. The unit also features a DI output control in the front, as well as outputs for both stereo and mono XLR.
Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega Ultra Bass Guitar Preamp - Runner Up
The Tech 21 SansAmp RBI rackmount bass preamp opens up a world of possibilities for the bassist who needs a variety of tones to choose from. The preamp’s drive enables users to crank the gain/overdrive in their signal, while presence coaxes out the attack and harmonic content in the upper register. The RBI also comes with a dedicated Mid control to give you a tighter handle on the meat of your tone. The preamp’s Blend feature allows you to mix the direct signal from your bass guitar with the RBI’s SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuit. Also included is an Effects Loop, along with an accompanying 50/50 switch that allows you to configure that input in series or parallel.
Radial Engineering Bassbone V2 Bass Guitar Preamp - Honorable Mention
Whether you’re a regularly gigging bassist or a studio session player, you know that it’s important to be able to capture a variety of tones in your performance. The Tonebone Bassbone V2 bass preamp is designed to do just that, with two channels that each feature their own powerful EQ settings and level controls. The preamp’s 3-switch stompbox design makes it easy to jump between channels as well as the control effects loop and boost. The Bassbone V2 also comes with a built-in DI, making it ideal for live and recording environments. The unit’s separately buffered tuner output works in conjunction with a mute footswitch that makes it easy for you to tune your instrument while onstage without letting the audience hear the process.
Tonebone Bassbone OD Bass Guitar Preamp - Consider
Tonebone’s Bassbone OD bass guitar preamp provides two channels that you can use in one of two ways; you can run two separate bass guitars through it, or you can opt with one but have an instantly-switchable A/B setup for your sole signal. The unit features a bass overdrive effect that allows you to dial in just the right amount of bite to your tone. The OD’s drag control and PZB booster provides a variety of resistance levels which make it work well with whatever kind of bass you could imagine using with this preamp, including vintage instruments, acoustics, and other low-output axes. An 1/8 inch headphone amp has its own dedicated volume control, so you can still be in practice mode and sound great. The Bassbone OD has won over some of the premier bassists working in the industry today, including Rhonda Smith (Prince, Beyonce), Carlos Puerto (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock), and Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Nine Inch Nails, Beck).
MXR M81 Bass Guitar Preamp - Best Bass Guitar Preamp
Ampeg’s SCR-DI bass preamp pedal provides a quick and easy way to dial in the refined bass guitar sound that bassists have looked to the company for over the last few decades. Like all preamps, this unit has EQ and tone controls that allow you to fine-tune your signal till you hit the sweet spot. What sets the SCR-DI apart from the rest is its Bass Scrambler Overdrive, which can be used in a variety of ways; a tiny bit of drive brings out some subtle upper-level harmonics, while cranking it all the way up can result in some grinding, alt-rock sounding bliss. The unit also comes with an 1/8” aux input so that you can play along with signal routed from your computer, mp3 player, and more.
Buyer's Guide
Getting a suitable preamplifier is one key factor that determines the clarity of the sound of your bass guitar. A preamplifier is a piece of electronic equipment designed to help you boost your volume signal till it gets to the required dB, which every live equipment and studio works with. Keep reading this guide to find out the vital tips you should never forget before buying the best bass guitar preamp.
Types of Bass Preamps
Knowing the types of bass guitar preamps out there will help you limit your choices. Here is a breakdown of the classes.
· Tube preamplifiers
These amplifiers use vacuum tubes to boost the signal, and they rank as the oldest technology used for amplification. Also, they are not transparent because they add a lot of colors and harmonic distortion. The sound they deliver is fat and warm, and they are sometimes used for high-pedals to add a unique tone to the signal.
· Equalization
The chances are that you have used EQs a few times, but not too many people understand how they function. Note that the EQ component of your preamp pedal will serve as the core tone-shaping tool you will be using. EQs come in four distinct variants, which include graphic, shelving, parametric and semi-parametric.
Why Do I Need to Have a Preamp Pedal?
Bass guitars are made to operate via an amp, and the signals that are picked often need different stages of amplification before they can be used. With a preamp pedal, you can get the preferred tone while giving the bass the proper grit, warmth and technique required. The chances are that you will get more value from your preamp pedal than from your amplifier pedal. You also have some aux jacks and headphones, which can help you enjoy your sound, with some having compressors and distortion.
Factors to Consider Before You Choose a Bass Guitar Preamp
· Sound shaping and EQ
Aside from the coloration, preamps allow you to shape the sound produced with the EQ knobs. Some even provide you with essential bass and treble equalization, while others will give you better control with sweepable mids. Also, they work hand in hand with the preamp to provide you with total control of the sound produced. Although more knobs imply greater control, you should be careful not become too obsessed with controls over the excellent sound.
· Active or passive electronics
Usually, bass preamps are designed to work well with the regular passive pickup bass guitars. However, they can work appropriately with active pickup equipment instruments. The interaction between the active electronics in the devices and the preamp may lead to unexpected outputs. Therefore, it is recommended that you bypass the active electronics of the bass guitar if you intend to use it with preamps.
· Output/input options
Another vital factor you should consider is the input and output options available to you. The majority of portable bass preamps are equipped with DI box functions, which implies at least one balanced XLR. This alternative is ideal for important use, but you will also find others that allow more signal routing options.
· Form factor
Unlike guitar and mic preamps which come in different shapes, most of the best preamps are made with the pedal format. This single factor helps them easily integrate with any pedalboard while giving room for hands-free control.
· Battery
Bass preamp pedals derive their power source from a battery or external power supply. Note that power supplies are the best, which is why you need to confirm if they come with one because some manufacturers would rather they be separately bought. Also, some bass preamps are made to work with batteries, and they are ideal for recording because they operate quietly.
· Tone coloration
Bass preamps are usually used to boost sound quality, so bassists would instead go for one that copies the sound of the old tube amps. Some would instead go for one that produces transparent and clean sound. Many of the preamps out there will allow you to modify the level of sound coloration through the gain/drive knob, while the others will give room for more control through the mix/blend knobs.
· Brand reputation
Just as it is with every other electronic or non-electronic device, you need to pay great attention to the value proposition of the brand manufacturer. The easiest way to do this is by going through their product reviews and customer feedback. These will help you have a better perspective of who they are and what they have to offer.
· Passive/active push-pull
This is another vital feature of preamps that they come with push-pull knobs, which can be used to switch your bass between passive and active modes. Because both passive and active units come with different sounds, it is imperative to have the ability to switch between both.
How to Use Preamp Pedals
You will find two distinct stages in the head of a lamp: the power amp and preamp section. The power amp section helps make the sound loud for you to drive the cabinet and boost volume. On the other hand, the preamp section helps color and shape the sound before sending it for amplification.
Amplifiers are made of two distinct sections, but we are beginning to see the preamp section working as pedals with technological innovations. Ensure that you cl
Bass Preamp Pedal FAQs
Q. Do I need to get a preamp for my bass?
A. This ranks as one of the first questions asked by people when they are trying to figure out if to buy a bass preamp or not. The answer to this depends on your playing style and where you intend to use the bass rig.
Q. is it possible to use my preamp off stage?
A. the right ramp can make a profound impression on your tone, especially with added control over the output equalization. The majority of the basses out there come with tone controls that are already on board.
Q. How do I know if my preamp will work with my pickups?
A. what a preamp does is cut or boost some frequencies from your signal. This implies that there isn't a reason why your preamp shouldn't work with any pickup set.
