Weird Preamp Bypass Setup Question...

JoZac21

JoZac21

Nov 30, 2009
1,250
206
4,571
Brooklyn, NY
#1
Hopefully this question is in the right place...

But, I've been using a Darkglass b7k Ultra for awhile now as a DI (and will take it to my grave), and had been plugging it into the front of whatever amp - until it finally dawned on me today to just (duh) use it as a preamp and plug it straight into the effects return (re: straight into the power amp)...

Then I thought, "hey, I have a Presonus tubepre (with a Tung Sol)!" And can essentially now turn my GK, or any amp really, into a tube amp...

It's now starting to get a little too late to keep playing around with these ideas, but what are your thoughts? Which (would you think) should go first, the Presonus or the darkglass (since then it's tube > eq?)... does this all just sound like silly tinkering (because based on what I heard from my amp, I think I may be hitting on something with no budget and what I currently already own...)

Thanks!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample and Stumbo
#4
Stumbo said:
Until you're in your grave, it's never too late for anything!:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Haha - so true!

beans-on-toast said:
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your gear and figure out what works. Especially for recording, you can come up with all sorts of great sounds.
Click to expand...

Yup - just wanted to hear some of your thoughts to maybe come up with even more crazy ideas lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample and beans-on-toast
#5
On some amps you can plug your bass, with or without pedals, directly into the effects return. No preamp needed. If you have an active bass, all the better.

If careful with the levels, you can serially chain preamps. This can give you a rich thick overdrive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JoZac21 and BadExample
#6
beans-on-toast said:
On some amps you can plug your bass, with or without pedals, directly into the effects return. No preamp needed. If you have an active bass, all the better.

If careful with the levels, you can serially chain preamps. This can give you a rich thick overdrive.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I'm going for - I play a StingRay (Old Smoothie) and, well, here's a pick of my board:

20180504_184018.jpg

I've got a lot going in drive wise, as you can tell lol - I play in a punk bank and I have a thing for the tones of guys like Chris Squire, Tim Commerford, Entwistle, etc...

I guess I'm trying to get that classic (SVTesque?) sort of sound with what I currently have... and I think I may have hit on something possibly. Any further help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample, Stumbo and beans-on-toast
#9
BadExample said:
BTW: You dig early punk?
Click to expand...

Yup! Even proto-punk like MC5 and The Stooges...

BadExample said:
Don't take it to your grave! You can't use it there. Will it to a friend.

If it's anything like the integrated tube pre in a GB Streamliner, your in for some fun!
Click to expand...

Haha, true

The problem I was initially trying to get around was the 2 EQ sections. When I run the Darkglass into the front of an amp, I have to adjust the amps EQ to kinda match the settings on my b7k, which i have set to taste more or less... but I also love the sound of actual tube warmth added to the mix...

So the idea that I'll probably play around w tomorrow is:

StingRay > Effects > PreSonus > Darkglass > GK Effects Return...

And see how that goes - then swap the Presonus and Darkglass to see which works better I guess...?

Any better ideas??
 
#12
Update:

Now that I was able to experiment a bit, it seems that StingRay > Pedalboard > TubePre > Darkglass > GK Loop-In is the optimal order... (darkglass > tubepre seemed to suck up lowend and sounded tinny)

In that configuration, I get a warm, vintage, tube-y tone out of a GK, and I can control the EQ solely w. the Darkglass. Does it sound exactly like an SVT or anything? No, not quite there yet... but it's definitely closer to what I was going for while working with what I already have on hand. Knowing me, I'll probably tinker a little more - but this has been fun!

Let me know if you have any other ideas or pointers!! Thanks again!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crowd crusher, madmaskbass and BadExample
#13
I've got a half a dozen (and counting) different preamps. I plug them into the effects return on my main head and bypass the built in one. It's like getting a brand new amp for the price of the pedal. Highly recommended!

As far as a tube sound goes, the tube preamps will get you some of that. But to me the elusive "real tube" sound comes more from having a tube power stage than it does from the 12AX7 (and similar) in the preamp stage. Power tubes have definite personalities. Preamp tubes less so. At least to my ears. YMMV.

That said, a tube preamp into a solid-state power amp is proven combination that is well worth looking into. You can get some really good sounds that way too.So don't be afraid to explore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JoZac21
#14
40Hz said:
I've got a half a dozen (and counting) different preamps. I plug them into the effects return on my main head and bypass the built in one. It's like getting a brand new amp for the price of the pedal. Highly recommended!

As far as a tube sound goes, the tube preamps will get you some of that. But to me the elusive "real tube" sound comes more from having a tube power stage than it does from the 12AX7 (and similar) in the preamp stage. Power tubes have definite personalities. Preamp tubes less so. At least to my ears. YMMV.

That said, a tube preamp into a solid-state power amp is proven combination that is well worth looking into. You can get some really good sounds that way too.So don't be afraid to explore.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah, ideally I'd be working with a Tube power stage, but alas, not an option at the moment... one day
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back