Preamp and Cab Sim placement in signal chain?

tamoor69

tamoor69

Supporting Member
Jun 7, 2022
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#1
So I have a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra that I use as a preamp pedal (EQ and Cab Sim). Where should I put it in my signal chain (I'm running a full pedalboard)? I run DI into FOH/interface (no amp).

I'm hearing a lot of people saying to put it at the very beginning of the chain, but others are saying to run it at the end since I'm not using an amp. My understanding is that my options are to just run the Darkglass (EQ and cab sim) at the start of the chain, end of the chain (logic being that since it's acting as my amp it would go at the end ig), or run the preamp with cab sim off and use a separate cab sim pedal at the end of the chain.

I'm sort of lost. Where does it go in the signal chain? Do I need a separate cab sim? How much of a difference would it make?

TL;DR where does a preamp and cabs pedal go in the signal chain and do I need separate units?

Thanks!
 
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#2
tamoor69 said:
So I have a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra that I use as a preamp pedal (EQ and Cab Sim). Where should I put it in my signal chain (I'm running a full pedalboard)? I run DI into FOH/interface (no amp).

I'm hearing a lot of people saying to put it at the very beginning of the chain, but others are saying to run it at the end since I'm not using an amp. My understanding is that my options are to just run the Darkglass (EQ and cab sim) at the start of the chain, end of the chain (logic being that since it's acting as my amp it would go at the end ig), or run the preamp with cab sim off and use a separate cab sim pedal at the end of the chain.

I'm sort of lost. Where does it go in the signal chain? Do I need a separate cab sim? How much of a difference would it make?

TL;DR where does a preamp and cabs pedal go in the signal chain and do I need separate units?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There are no rules for this stuff of course, all any one of us can do is offer advice based on our preferences. The X Ultra is a perfectly capable standalone unit that doesn’t need anything else (except maybe a tuner). So it really depends on what you want to mix with it. What else is in your chain?
 
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#7
As with all effect related types of advice IMO whatever gets you the sound your were looking for is fine. For my sound/tone goals I would place a preamp/cab-sim/DI at the end of the signal chain to send to FOH mixing desk, recording input, and/or amplifier input.
 
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#11
tamoor69 said:
So I have a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra that I use as a preamp pedal (EQ and Cab Sim). Where should I put it in my signal chain (I'm running a full pedalboard)? I run DI into FOH/interface (no amp).

I'm hearing a lot of people saying to put it at the very beginning of the chain, but others are saying to run it at the end since I'm not using an amp. My understanding is that my options are to just run the Darkglass (EQ and cab sim) at the start of the chain, end of the chain (logic being that since it's acting as my amp it would go at the end ig), or run the preamp with cab sim off and use a separate cab sim pedal at the end of the chain.

I'm sort of lost. Where does it go in the signal chain? Do I need a separate cab sim? How much of a difference would it make?

TL;DR where does a preamp and cabs pedal go in the signal chain and do I need separate units?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
That's my main issue with some of the tech these days. yes you should run the preamp first, it's the only way to split the processed and unprocessed signal. alot of pre amp have built in Cab Sims which dictates you place it at the end. if you have a pre amp with a cab sim you need to decide which is more important, cab sim or signal flexibility because you can you both with all in one units. Best case a separate DI and Cab Sim. Wish I did more research before I started buying mine
 
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#12
odarellmc said:
That's my main issue with some of the tech these days. yes you should run the preamp first, it's the only way to split the processed and unprocessed signal. alot of pre amp have built in Cab Sims which dictates you place it at the end. if you have a pre amp with a cab sim you need to decide which is more important, cab sim or signal flexibility because you can you both with all in one units. Best case a separate DI and Cab Sim. Wish I did more research before I started buying mine
Click to expand...

Yeah I was wondering if getting a separate cab sim that would go at the end with the x ultra in front or an additional eq/preamp up front and the x ultra at the end would be better than just having the x ultra at the beginning or the end... I don't really know though it feels like the benefit of getting an additional pedal would be marginal I guess. Kinda thinking out loud here but if anybody has any input on this feel free to share!
 
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#13
Zbysek said:
Put it at the end of you want your other pedals affect FOH…
Click to expand...

If I were to run it up front I would use a separate DI box at the end (already have one). I'm sort of conflicted on placement for tone and if it makes sense to have a separate cab sim pedal to go at the end or a separate pre/eq to go up front (putting the x ultra at the beg. or end to use in conjunction with the other additional pedals), and if that'd be better than just using the x ultra at the front or the end (and how much of a difference it makes from a purely tone improvement POV if that makes any sense).
 
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#15
tamoor69 said:
If I were to run it up front I would use a separate DI box at the end (already have one). I'm sort of conflicted on placement for tone and if it makes sense to have a separate cab sim pedal to go at the end or a separate pre/eq to go up front (putting the x ultra at the beg. or end to use in conjunction with the other additional pedals), and if that'd be better than just using the x ultra at the front or the end (and how much of a difference it makes from a purely tone improvement POV if that makes any sense).
Click to expand...


I see. I would still put it at the end. You need the cab sim to take care of the highs and lows created by your other pedals (fuzz, octavers and synths).

In case you've got spare DI box, I would put it at the beginning of your signal chain. That way, you would be sending two signals to FOH: 1. effected from your preamp at the end of the signal chain, 2. clean/full range signal from the beginning of your signal chain.

That's what I do too (the red pedal serves as my cab sim):

51D60009-57E3-4784-9FB0-648C50A1007F.jpeg
 
#16
Hope this thread’s not too old to tag onto…

I was in a similar boat. My current thinking is to try two preamps:
Bass (passive) —> tuner —> sansamp —> (any other effects here. Chorus, looper, etc) —> DG infinity —>foh/Frfr 112

does this setup seem logical? Kinda new at this. Not really sure where chorus and looper should go in regards to the Infinity.
 
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