I would like to get a fuller, warmer bass sound and have been struggling to find something that makes me happy. By happy I mean Aguilar DB750; lots of punch, clarity and tube compression.
Signal Chain:
I am playing a Music Man Sting Ray 5 string bass direct into a Mackie Onyx mixer then through a Drawmer DL214 Auto Compressor into my desktop sound card.
Constraints:
1) I can't afford $1500 for a Universal Audio LA-610.
2) I play live, so something that I can use to record at home and on the road would be a real plus, although not a firm requirement.
3) I record in a house where children are sleeping. Miking up an 8x10 cab isn't feasible (although I love that old Ampeg sound).
4) I also need to record acoustic guitar and vocals using a Studio Projects C3 for both, so any DI I buy would have to work for all three.
5) I play pop, blues, rock but I like my bass clean (no hard distortion) but full.
What I have already tried:
1) Direct into the Mackie - this works about as well as anything else I have tried. The bass sounds "okay", but lackluster.
2) POD XT - love it for guitars, but for bass - not so much.
3) Sans Amp Bass DI - everyone loves these, but it just doesn't do the trick for me. I think I am looking for something more "tubey".
What I am considering:
1) Tube DI - where do I even begin? Anyone excited about using the Studio Projects VTB-1? Electro Harmonix 12AY7? EH Blackfinger?
2) Dedicated Bass Pre?
Many thanks in advance.
Signal Chain:
I am playing a Music Man Sting Ray 5 string bass direct into a Mackie Onyx mixer then through a Drawmer DL214 Auto Compressor into my desktop sound card.
Constraints:
1) I can't afford $1500 for a Universal Audio LA-610.
2) I play live, so something that I can use to record at home and on the road would be a real plus, although not a firm requirement.
3) I record in a house where children are sleeping. Miking up an 8x10 cab isn't feasible (although I love that old Ampeg sound).
4) I also need to record acoustic guitar and vocals using a Studio Projects C3 for both, so any DI I buy would have to work for all three.
5) I play pop, blues, rock but I like my bass clean (no hard distortion) but full.
What I have already tried:
1) Direct into the Mackie - this works about as well as anything else I have tried. The bass sounds "okay", but lackluster.
2) POD XT - love it for guitars, but for bass - not so much.
3) Sans Amp Bass DI - everyone loves these, but it just doesn't do the trick for me. I think I am looking for something more "tubey".
What I am considering:
1) Tube DI - where do I even begin? Anyone excited about using the Studio Projects VTB-1? Electro Harmonix 12AY7? EH Blackfinger?
2) Dedicated Bass Pre?
Many thanks in advance.