LowK4 Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 I have a passive PJ bass, and a Pandora PX4B (Toneworks). Can the PX4B make a Passive bass sound like an Active bass? Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lug Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 Typically, an active preamp allows you to boost the signal level as well as have a wider range of level control on your bass, mids, and treble as oppossed to a passive setup that just has a tone control that basically rolls off the treble level. A Pandora PX4B allows you to boost the signal level as well as have a wider range of level control on your bass, mids, and treble as oppossed to a passive setup that just has a tone control that basically rolls off the treble, PLUS a whole lot of other stuff as well. You can stop now -jeremyc STOP QUOTING EVERY THING I SAY!!! -Bass_god_offspring lug, you should add that statement to you signature.-Tenstrum I'm not sure any argument can top lug's. - Sweet Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 I was watching Ed Friedland's slap DVD last night, & he switched his bass from active to passive, adding outboard EQ to the passive signal to compensate. I couldn't really tell the difference, which seemed to be his point. So I'd say yes. (With the caveat that "sounds like" means different things to different people.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Lawson Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 there are lots of external preamps that you can use that basically add active electronics to your bass, but do so outside the bass - Sadowsky make a lovely two band one, and E-Pro do a pedal version of the U-Retro, but there are loads. Shop around. steve www.stevelawson.net StevieLand - go on, you know you want to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMan99 Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Except for maybe 10' of "patch-cord" from bass to "stomp-box", I wouldn't think there was a difference in an onboard/outboard preamp. Personally, I like having an onboard preamp so I can change the EQ faster between (or during) songs. Active vs. passive pickups are another story, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Originally posted by Steve Lawson: there are lots of external preamps that you can use that basically add active electronics to your bass, but do so outside the bass - Sadowsky make a lovely two band one, and E-Pro do a pedal version of the U-Retro, but there are loads. Shop around. steve www.stevelawson.net In fact, there's no reason you can't buy an onboard preamp of your choice, and mount it in a little plastic project box from Radio Shack or similar. Just add battery clip, input and output jacks, and knobs for the pots. You could externalize it so you just plug a short cable (as short as possible) from the bass's output to the preamp's input. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 To make a bass sound active, play it fast. It'll help if it's black, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Ben's right. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thanny XIII Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Yes ben has said all you need to know. Screw preamps. I knew a girl that was into biamping,I sure do miss her.-ButcherNburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thabottomend Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 And if you put "gaffa tape" on it, it will suddenly become a thunderous forge of low-end perfection, the action will become silky, your sweaty underarms will dry up and you will start to resemble Hugh Jackman without the sharp hand thingys. Maybe. Do not be deceived by, nor take lightly, this particular bit of musicianship one simply describes as "bass". - Lowell George "The music moves me, it just moves me ugly." William H. Macy in "Wild Hogs" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 LowK4 - it might help if you could characterize what you want from an "active" sound. As others have said, adding some type of preamp will allow you to EQ differently - either by the basic tone of the box or by the controls. Some here have experience with that Pandora, so you have the right tool (assuming you can also play very fast ). Originally posted by lug: Typically, an active preamp allows you to boost............... A Pandora PX4B allows you to boost the signal level........PLUS a whole lot of other stuff as well. A cogent, competent, helpful post without any sarcasm, bad jokes, boiled basses, etc. ??? LowK4 should know how lucky this day is for him/her !! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lug Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Originally posted by Tom Capasso: LowK4 - it might help if you could characterize what you want from an "active" sound. As others have said, adding some type of preamp will allow you to EQ differently - either by the basic tone of the box or by the controls. Some here have experience with that Pandora, so you have the right tool (assuming you can also play very fast ). Originally posted by lug: Typically, an active preamp allows you to boost............... A Pandora PX4B allows you to boost the signal level........PLUS a whole lot of other stuff as well. A cogent, competent, helpful post without any sarcasm, bad jokes, boiled basses, etc. ??? LowK4 should know how lucky this day is for him/her !! Tom I think his mom is fat. You can stop now -jeremyc STOP QUOTING EVERY THING I SAY!!! -Bass_god_offspring lug, you should add that statement to you signature.-Tenstrum I'm not sure any argument can top lug's. - Sweet Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotosound45 Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Personally, from the moment I went active, I knew there was no going back. I really liked the way my old P Bass sounded, but the added tonal control from the onboard preamps of my StingRay and Tobias made me realize that the little 9v battery was doing something very special. I'm not knocking passive controls, because many a great tone has been laid down with them. I just happen to favor the flavor of hi-fidelity. You can make your signal active with outboard gear before it hits the amp, and get that "active" sound. But, you are still dealing with outboard stuff and not getting the convenience of an onboard preamp. Tone changes that would have consisted of adjusting amp knobs or engaging an EQ pedal are now easily made within reach of your picking hand without having to walk halfway across the stage (as PhilMan99 has already pointed out). Also, beware of inexpensive onboard preamps. I feel you get what you pay for in this department. Try to think along the lines of Bartolini, EMG, Seymour Duncan Basslines, ect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninja Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Well, I've been using an EQ pedal by Behringer for three months now, and I can say that my Jazz bass has something more to give in terms of punch. Just keeping the amp equalization flat and acting on high and mid-high frequencies can help to achieve a more brilliant sound. However, if I have to play with an active sound I use the GL L-2500. www.myspace.com/fabrizioruggiero www.myspace.com/vanalientribute Who are we? People. Where do we come from? Home. Where are we going to? Home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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