Two channel preamps

rgrice

Can y'all make some preamp recommendations for my bass player to blend pickup and mic. Preferably with XLR in. Best value. Thinking about Ultrasound DI Max, but no experience with anyone who has used one.
Suggestions are really appreciated.

guitarua

I have a Grace Design Felix. Yes, it's expensive. BUT it also sounds better than any other preamp I have ever used, and I've owned most (Baggs, Fishman, Headway, AI, Avalon)

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/felix/felix.htm

nomadgtr

What mic(s) and/or pickups are you using guitarua? Are you doing any 2-channel blending? Grace preamps are very nice studio quality but I'm wondering how this pans out in a noisy club or restaurant. I really like the idea though and I'm pondering one of those with either an Ischell or maybe a DPA 4099G.

guitarua

I use it with a K&k and a Bartlett mic on my Martin. I blend as needed for the gig, sometimes just adding a little "air" from the mic.

nomadgtr

Good deal, thanks. My guess is some of the extra polish of the Grace is lost in a noisy environment but it's still an awesome tool and can be used for double duty in recording.

guitarua

I would disagree. It actually makes the pickup sound more natural, even when loud. I've had several sound guys ask me what I was using and tell me it sounded like a mic out front (when using pickup only).

nomadgtr

Cool, good to hear that.

Al Watsky

So far the Grace Felix is the best thing out there in a 2 channel device that costs under 2.5 k. I say that knowing every other product on the market at the present moment. You can go with a Pendulum Audio pre amp if you want to step up with that 2.5k. For most of us the Grace will do just fine. Its a total live and studio solution.

Frank Wekenmann

I have been happy with the D-tar Solstice. It is much less expensive than the Grace Felix (although it has also not nearly the features of the Felix). If you want a good sounding Preamp to blend a microphone and a line signal and don't need to eq it very much, this might be an option. However, it might recently have been discontinued.