500 series for bass direct

[astorian]

So folks ... perhaps you can help my lunchbox

Specifically, for those of you who have tried a bunch of the units, what have you found helpful for running bass direct? I have a Jazz Bass, and Gibson SG, and am looking for a classic picked sound (less aggressive, more slinky and smooth ... more, um, Dear Prudence / Sally Simpson: The Who / Aimmie Mann

Thanks in advance. John

[Midlandmorgan]

ADesigns EM Silver...steel core gives a really punchy sound great for bass apps...We use them for bass DI and kick drum pres....

[jspartz]

You might want to check out the OSA Mutant (MP1-L).

Jason

[Dot]

In all the bass DI tests we've done on numerous 500-series modules, the API 512C pretty much showed them all the door. If you're looking for a classic J & P sound, I don't think you're going to find it in any 500-series module. I'd suggest you look into the A Designs REDDI DI Box. I reviewed the REDDI at http://www.studioreviews.com/reddi.htm

[seaneldon]

purple audio biz. dual mode, cranked input, low output.

[jebjerome]

...a classic J & P sound

What does this stand for? Jazz and Precision?

[chrisso]

One of the A Designs modules might work well. My only experience is with the 512c.
I used to do a lot of tv scoring and I used the Api module for bass direct everytime. It always sounded great.

[AlexLakis]

I know a session bassist who does a lot of different styles and always travels with a 512c. It's workin' for him!

[heathen]

Whatever pre you get try and put a buzz essence comp in there after it, absolutely one of my fav bass comps at the moment. The internal side chain eq is perfect for it. I'd recomend a Buzz elixir pre too.

[uncle duncan]

OSA L3 is beefy, with a subdued high end. Craig gave it a rave review for bass DI in a recent tape op mag, and I use it all the time in my rig.

[moracspace]

Im looking for that exact same sound.Justed finished a/b ing
512c
a designs p1
a designs red
a designs silver

In my signal chain i added a several different compressors
Distressor
RNC
RNLA
1176
DBX 160 A

after a few hrs of testing i came up with this

Fender P/J into A designs Silver/thru DBX 160 with -11 db in,2:1,+9 out of course overeasy,Into D&R Orion channel return,hd 24,When i go to recod the tracks need I will split the signal,to reamp later.Sorry i dont have time to post any files.

[moracspace]

I crank the inpit of the A designs Silver to about 2 o'clock

[Helsing]

The A-designs Pacifica, P-1 and EM series 500 modules all have an extra high impedance buffer that routes the signal through the input transformer.

The typical design is to bypass the input transformer and send the signal straight into the amplifier. This turns the mic preamp into a line amplifier. This is fine for low impedance sources including synthesizers and guitars and basses with active pickups and low output impedances. When we deseigned the Pacifica the first proto used this concept. Although it sounded good the sound really came together when we switched to a pre transformer active buffer. A lot of A-designs customers are professional bass players so we always put extra care into acheiving an excellent bass sound.

The extra high impedance active buffer is especially necessary when using a bass with passive pickups like a Jazz bass, P-bass or Rick. These pickups have much higher output impedances and prefer a higher load impedance from the amplifier they are feeding. The A-Designs discrete input buffer presents a 2megaohm impedance, the proper source to load ratio for a passive bass pickup. This is a design element that sets apart all high end direct boxes whether its an Evil twin, Reddi or Littlelabs D.I.

Jon Erickson

[pramrod]

nobody beats the biz...

[moracspace]

A designs: Though i want the Biz
Pro Bass player

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by heathen

Whatever pre you get try and put a buzz essence comp in there after it, absolutely one of my fav bass comps at the moment. The internal side chain eq is perfect for it. I'd recomend a Buzz elixir pre too.

+1

my go to for bass...Buzz Elixir(beat out the OSA L3 for me)--->Buzz Essence...how sweet it is

[max cooper]

A Designs is the nicest 500 D.I. I've heard.

[donkerce]

I have an API 312, a Brent Averill 312A, and a Shadow Hills Mono GAMMA.
Love 'em all, but the SH is my fave out of that lot.

d

[macr0w]

Well, I have only used the 512c. But I will say that my deluxe Fender jazz into a 512c then into my FATSO is the Holy Grail of bass tone.

[jbuntz]

The adesigns silver is great. Also does cool things when running stuff back through it at line level.

[justinmj]

A Designs Silver. Yes, yes y'all. Also good is my BAE 312. My preference is the Silver, though. FAT. I really does do the right thing on my passive and/or vintage instruments. Throw that output into a Purple MC77...woo hoo!

JMJ
www.justinmj.com

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Helsing

The A-designs Pacifica, P-1 and EM series 500 modules all have an extra high impedance buffer that routes the signal through the input transformer.

The typical design is to bypass the input transformer and send the signal straight into the amplifier. This turns the mic preamp into a line amplifier. This is fine for low impedance sources including synthesizers and guitars and basses with active pickups and low output impedances. When we deseigned the Pacifica the first proto used this concept. Although it sounded good the sound really came together when we switched to a pre transformer active buffer. A lot of A-designs customers are professional bass players so we always put extra care into acheiving an excellent bass sound.

The extra high impedance active buffer is especially necessary when using a bass with passive pickups like a Jazz bass, P-bass or Rick. These pickups have much higher output impedances and prefer a higher load impedance from the amplifier they are feeding. The A-Designs discrete input buffer presents a 2megaohm impedance, the proper source to load ratio for a passive bass pickup. This is a design element that sets apart all high end direct boxes whether its an Evil twin, Reddi or Littlelabs D.I.

Jon Erickson

[oceantracks]

How does the Avalon U5 do for bass, such as a Precision?

TH

[s.d.finley]

A-Designs EM Silver as a bass DI, with the A-Designs PEQ rocks MY world for bass DI. The low end can already be had with the Silver, but adding the PEQ in the signal chain can really multiply that lowend, in a very good way. Plus, you can get the highs to cut thru nicely!

I like the P1 too! P1 has more punch, IMHO, than the Silver, but the silver has more lowend.