Best Nux Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp Alternatives

Based on 20 reviews

Darkglass's most transparent preamp and most distorted drive engine of all their gear! The frequency bands of the EQ are perfect considering how each of the distortion circuits shapes the tone of your input signal. And, as with all Darkglass pedals, it respects and preserves the character and tone of your bass while building an absolutely massive sound with it, even if you have the blend knob all the way to the right! In terms of EQ shaping, Alpha circuit is similar to B7K and Omega is similar to VMT, but both of them are totally unique and really well tailored. The ability to blend the two circuits is probably the most interesting feature, as it allows you to create your own signature sound!

Based on 2 reviews

This little box - busy looking on most sides - is very competent at what it says to deliver : a vintage inspired but accurate true parametric equalization which some creature comforts. The equalization part is, in a few words, excellent. The ranges for low-mid (40Hz-700Hz) and high-mid (300Hz-6kHz) frequency selection are totally usable. Did not measured the +/-18dB with precision tools, but seem accurate. The manual gives quite a few propositions for settings regarding if you intent using it as an equalizer or en effect, but gut feeling is not restricted as an option. HPF and LPF are useful whether you need to clean a bit of ramble or, again, use them as an effect. The cost of this product is mainly because of the fact this is a analog pedal, which requires quite another level of...

Based on 2 reviews

I previously owned a Darkglass Alpha Omega and after 4 years of loving everything about it I chose to upgrade to the Ultra version. The eq is smooth and as responsive as it should be, the Drive versatility is beyond everything else I've seen or tried. Sounds even more refined and improved from the regular version of the pedal. The growl and Bite switches are smooth and work perfectly as intended. The cabsims give literaly endless posibilities and give an impressive final touch on the overall sound played with drive or clean. The option to have just the EQ without Drive makes it even more wonderful and versatile. The aux in and headphone out also make it perfect for practice etc. It's lightweight compact and beautiful. Can't express enough how impressed I am of this pedal's sound and...

Based on 10 reviews

From now on, I will always have this in my gig bag. It's a multi-purpose tool that has features that you might not always need, but some time they will save you and your live performance. Pros: + GREAT EQ and tone! Transparent, has parametric mids control and very sweet sounding treble range; + Has a DI out with switchable pre/post; + Output hot enough to drive a power amp; + Built-in overdrive, which definitely sounds nice on moderate settings and can be used as a cab simulator; + 18v for more headroom; + Takes batteries Cons: - Overdrive (AGS) doesn't have a dedicated volume, thus jumps in volume significantly when engaged, rendering it unusable for mid-song activation; - AGS itself sounds 'unnatural' on higher gain settings; - Little control over AGS sound; - No dedicated cab...

Based on 9 reviews

I've bought it mostly for use with one of my passive basses which has two single passive pickups. I wanted to reduce the noise from singles, and to shape a good signal for every situation. And this preamp makes it perfect with a ground lift option. I also often use it with my active basses too, when I'm not sure about the line signal on the stage, and it works perfect in these cases. M-81 was my long time wishlist favorit, since I'd been using their MXR m-80 for a long time. But I don't need an overdrive section and need a smaller pedal. That was another reason for m-81 version. Also I like the way it works with frequencies and overall output of my basses. The equalizer is quite useful and clear and the Color button gives you much punch. The only con to mention is that it doesn't...

Based on 15 reviews

I have gigged the MXR M80 DI in a variety of settings and scenarios: straight into front of house PA using regular onstage monitors, as a preamp into a Laney poweramp, as a distortion/eq into a Ampeg PF500 amp, straight into recording desk and a few more I can't remember.. I use it with a regular boss power supply, or occasionally with phantom power, but I have never used a battery. This DI has never failed me, and is always with me on gigs as a backup. It has a very rugged design, and has withstood general handling and even a few nasty drops. The distortion is really nice, with the blend control ensuring that you don't lose out on the low end - a problem quite common with bass distortion pedals. It would be nice to have a parametric eq control on the mids, instead of the...

Based on 14 reviews

Extremely satisfied with this product. I've been using this D.I. in a studio and live environment and it's just got everything: it's a good D.I., the pre-amp has that Ampeg sound that never gets old, and you can (and should) use the Scrambler, a very dynamic distortion circuit modeled after the classic SVT crunch, to add that little grit that you just need when you make a record. You can also dial it up and get some nice aggression, then blend it in with the clean sound using the knob, but beware cause it tends to get a bit out of control and a little overwhelming in the mid range if you go too far. It's well made, heavy, sturdy, and esthetically pleasing. The connectors are all top quality and the Aux In and Phones Out can come in handy for practicing and makeshift on-stage...

Based on 11 reviews

Before getting this, I had used a Zoom B3 as my main practice tool/headphone amp. I had come to a point where I knew what kind of bass tone I like and figured that a Bass Driver would get me there. Also, I like the possibilities for live use, even though I don't really play live anymore. I was also considering a Darkglass Alpha Omega, which had just come out at the time, but I was worried that it would be less versatile and too modern sounding. The Bass Driver seemed like a safer choice, and more of a solid platform to build on. I don't think I can say much that hasn't been said many times already. It is not really a neutral sounding box that will give you the pure sound of your instrument, but it is also far from a one-trick pony. Anything from gritty rock tones to warm vintage tones....

Based on 9 reviews

This is a very versatile tool for shaping and tayloring your desired bass-sound, with options and solutions to a wide variety of setups. Fantastic multifunctional tool for bass. I have used it with gitar once in a live-situation. Sounded deep and wonderful! It is supposed to be an Ampeg SVT amp, if i remember correctly.... I also bought the tech 21 VT bass, also an Ampeg SVT simulation, and its a much more aggressive and «fun» tool. I ultimately ended up using the tech 21 all the time, because its easy to use, and sounds insanely cool. If you like versatility, go for DSM. If you like rock and metal, definitely go for tech 21(tech 21 runs on phantom-power...... its just super easy every time)

Based on 5 reviews

Great pedal. Allows for quite a lot of tone-shaping. It's a 5/5 pedal in terms of price-performance ratio. Here's what stands out: + Good DI with a separate volume knob, ground lift and bypass option for the DI signal (all on the side). + Good 4-band EQ. + A nice distortion unit, goes from subtle growl to an almost opaque fuzz. Can replicate the sound of most distorted bass songs one can cover. - Noise gate sucks. It's only good enough to gate noise between songs, not during. - Compressor is alright for amateurs or those not fussy about the exact sonic palette. Not for perfectionists. Longevity?* Works great after half a year of use. I'd recommend it to a good friend. *EDIT: After a year of infrequent (once a week) use, the DI-out port stopped working and the footswitches were not...