Source Audio Zio Bass Preamp

[triviani]

Well you did ask

Sorry if I was rash.

I’m currently only using the grit on the Zio for my dirt. About 10-15%, Scoop engaged.

The scoop mode gets overlooked because it sounds, well, scooped, compared to the normal mode. But I’m getting to like it quite a bit. I’ve found it makes a great combo with a compressor on front.

That would be the “clean” )with the grit on), but also looking for some dirt that plays well with the scooped shift. I’ve tried a few distortions and ODs but nothing totally convinced me.

 

[mikeynets]

Fair enough. I just wasn’t sure if that’s how it was supposed to work. I still like it, but would just prefer MOAR grit while scoop is on. With that said, my usual settings are grit on, scoop off.

 

[sk8]

Sorry if I was rash.

no worries. There was meant to be a after it

 

[LSMFT6]

For whatever reason, I’d previously written off turning the gain all the way down as a viable option but tried it again tonight and it might be my new favorite Grit setting.

 

[sk8]

For whatever reason, I’d previously written off turning the gain all the way down as a viable option but tried it again tonight and it might be my new favorite Grit setting.

I’ve done this too

 

[lomo]

I leave the grit off....use the Zio as an always on clean channel with HPF and get selectable on/off creamy OD from a Sushi Box tube preamp. I haven't been using the scoop much.....it makes it too easy to get lost in a mix. I also add back some mids via my Diamond comp. These are my settings for P bass with flats tuned BEAD. I'm heavily leaning into the glassy high mids and lows/low mids and it sounds great. Settings for MM/J with rounds are the same for the Zio but the other 2 are completely different.

 

[mikeynets]

View attachment 5451490 I leave the grit off....use the Zio as an always on clean channel with HPF and get selectable on/off creamy OD from a Sushi Box tube preamp. I haven't been using the scoop much.....it makes it too easy to get lost in a mix. I also add back some mids via my Diamond comp. These are my settings for P bass with flats tuned BEAD. I'm heavily leaning into the glassy high mids and lows/low mids and it sounds great.

I’ve thought about stringing my P BEAD. Spent some time on that TB thread but curious what strings you use and if you did any mods to get it dialed in?

 

[lomo]

I’ve thought about stringing my P BEAD. Spent some time on that TB thread but curious what strings you use and if you did any mods to get it dialed in?

I'm using a light 5 string set without the G. Labella Low tension flats. No mods needed-just a good setup/intonation-all the bridge saddles need to be moved purt far back.....nut slots fit 120/100/80/60 perfectly and I love the feel. I have moved to BEAD 4 bangers exclusively after 15 years of only 5ers. I don't miss the G and everything else is easier & more comfy. On my other basses I use DR Pure Blues/ Low riders with the same gauges.

 

[logdrum]

Really happy with this. Atlas or Ultrawave sometimes in front of it or some flavor of Sushi and done. Occasionally I have an envelope filter

One band already has a Bergantino IP powered cab they prefer to use. It sounds great there. No need to bring in the Demeter or Alembic pre which I used to do unless I bring in an active bass.

On FOH cases no complaints so far. I just tell them it is an active DI and do not fiddle with it and they leave me alone. I use a small AI combo so I can hear myself. DI is line level though. So I tell them that and sometimes have to use a WARM - DI just in case.

 

[shoepedals]

Fair enough. I just wasn’t sure if that’s how it was supposed to work. I still like it, but would just prefer MOAR grit while scoop is on. With that said, my usual settings are grit on, scoop off.

Yep. That's intended. The Scoop portion of the circuit is before the Grit circuit so that you can tighten up the feel of the overdrive if needed. The Low Cut also works that way for the same reason.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Just wanted to say...

Ummm good!

 

[mikeynets]

I just got a new-to-me Gibson Les Paul Tribute Junior and I'm surprised how differently it interacts with the Zio compared to my MIM P. Granted, they are different enough basses, but they are both passive and both more or less in the same tonal ball park. The biggest difference is how the grit is really noticeable with the P and barely there with the Gibson. I've tried the Gibson in both the regular humbucker mode and with the volume knobbed pulled up for the "coil tap" and not only is there little difference between those tones, but there's almost no grit coming through. Anyone have any suggestions as to why that is?

 

[lomo]

I just got a new-to-me Gibson Les Paul Tribute Junior and I'm surprised how differently it interacts with the Zio compared to my MIM P. Granted, they are different enough basses, but they are both passive and both more or less in the same tonal ball park. The biggest difference is how the grit is really noticeable with the P and barely there with the Gibson. I've tried the Gibson in both the regular humbucker mode and with the volume knobbed pulled up for the "coil tap" and not only is there little difference between those tones, but there's almost no grit coming through. Anyone have any suggestions as to why that is?

Grit needs prominent mids to be heard well. A P excels at that. Scoop will mute it.....so will the Gibson, at least unless you solo the bridge pup (assuming it's the more common 2 pup variant).

 

[Lo-E]

I'm surprised how differently it interacts with the Zio compared to my MIM P.

I found the same to be true. I just got my Zio recently with the intention of using it with four different passive, fretless basses and found that it behaves very differently with each.

That’s fine by me; it’s why there are knobs on it, but I did find it interesting.

 

[mikeynets]

Grit needs prominent mids to be heard well. A P excels at that. Scoop will mute it.....so will the Gibson, at least unless you solo the bridge pup (assuming it's the more common 2 pup variant).

Makes sense. My Gibson is one pup version and it sits in the P position but yeah, different animal for sure. Gibson, short scale, tapewounds, etc.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[johnk_10]

hmmm. i get plenty of grit (with the grit trimmer half way up or less) with either one of my Gibson LP junior tribute basses (one has flats and the other has rounds).

 

[mikeynets]

hmmm. i get plenty of grit (with the grit trimmer half way up or less) with either one of my Gibson LP junior tribute basses (one has flats and the other has rounds).

Huh. It's night and day difference for me b/t my P and Gibson LP. Do you have stock pickup(s) on your Gibsons?

It's not that big of a deal for me tonally, more I'm just curious as to why it's such a stark difference. What @lomo said made sense, but now that you're saying you do get plenty of grit with your Gibsons, I'm going to experiment more with my settings to see if I can coax some more grit.

 

[triviani]

My G&L sb-2 (passive) triggers much more grit than the active MM Sterling. The SB-2 is very hot but it also has more mids.

 

[johnk_10]

Huh. It's night and day difference for me b/t my P and Gibson LP. Do you have stock pickup(s) on your Gibsons?

It's not that big of a deal for me tonally, more I'm just curious as to why it's such a stark difference. What @lomo said made sense, but now that you're saying you do get plenty of grit with your Gibsons, I'm going to experiment more with my settings to see if I can coax some more grit.

yep. stock pickups in both.

 

[lomo]

Huh. It's night and day difference for me b/t my P and Gibson LP. Do you have stock pickup(s) on your Gibsons?

It's not that big of a deal for me tonally, more I'm just curious as to why it's such a stark difference. What @lomo said made sense, but now that you're saying you do get plenty of grit with your Gibsons, I'm going to experiment more with my settings to see if I can coax some more grit.

Other factors to consider......are you playing a cab without a tweeter, or with the tweeter dialed down.....or with the upper mids or treble dialed down on the amp, or does your Gibson need a signal boost before it hits the Zio?