Audere JZ Onboard Preamp Evaluation. . .

[rooster6550]

Just got done with my third night with my newly-bought and newly-installed Audere Audio onboard preamp -- the JZ ready-to-install version with Bass, Mid, Treble, Pan controls and Z-Mode switch.

 

The Bass: Made-in Japan Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass (with modifications) --

 

Pickguard: Brown Tortoiseshell;

Pickups: Bartolini 9-V (old);

Tuners: Stock, except for Hipshot BT-2 D-Tuner;

Strings: Ernie Ball Slinkys, 45-105.

PLUS: Audere Audio drop-in three-band preamp. Let's get down to details:

 

My Opinion:

 

Overall, very nice. Very versatile, too. Very natural, "Woody" timbre. . .I flattened the EQ on my channel on the FOH board, as I'm only going through the PA and monitors. I wanted this to be a fair test of the electronics *and* the bass, overall, so that's what I did. . .And it sounds fine like that. . .BTW, the monitor in question is an old Community wedge (early 80's?)with a 12 inch JBL and (?) tweeter.

 

I've never had a bass-through-the-PA sound like that. . .The drummer on this gig, who I played with for 6 years previous, even said he could hear an audible difference. . .Wow. . .

 

(Bear in mind: This initial test is/was on a classic country/new country/classic rock gig. No test with hard rock, etc.)

 

Very intuitive preamp, overall. And extremely quiet. And extremely easy to dial up a sound on. *Solid* in the monitors and out front in the PA. Very "robust" (i.e. "fat")sound in the PA out front (as far as my 25 foot cable would take me, anyhow).

 

The Low-Z mode really rocks. I didn't adjust anything (trim pots) when I installed the preamp -- I wanted to try the unit with "stock" settings. . .Very Three-Dimensional (esp. Low-Z mode). IMO, it responds well to the overall volume control. I also found that, if we were playing a "quieter" song, I could leave the volume rolled up full, leave the EQ alone and switch to "Mid-Z" mode for a more "subdued" tone.

 

Very convenient, no-nonsense overall.

 

Anybody else out there have one of these? If so, chime in -- I'd like to hear other takes on it. I think it's a really nice unit, and very reasonably-priced. Doesn't have the 40 Hz "girth" that my tried-and-true Sadowsky onboard preamp has -- which made me skeptical at first -- but has a very distinct personality, one all its own.

 

Special Note: I usually *hate* onboard preamps with midrange controls. They've driven me near crazy in the past. . .Too much "honk" or too much "sludge", never a decent balance. . .Which is why I favored the Sadowsky. . .Just a 40Hz boost and a 4KHz boost. . .

 

But this one (Audere preamp W/mid control) seems to stay out of the way if you don't use it/need it. . .

 

Opinions may vary of course, but I'm really happy.

 

Peace. G'night.

[Davo-London]

Hi Rooster

 

I have the same unit installed in my Jaco Jazz. I have found the Audere EQ very useable across the whole range. I prefer a master volume and blend pot so I'm very happy there. I have it coupled with Nordstrand SE pick-ups which I really dig too.

 

I note that a small boost on the mids can add definition to the fretless rather than muddying the sound and so I know what you mean about normally disliking mid range EQ. Having to select a frequency and then to decide whether to boost it or cut it seems too much choice for me. These controls are very intuitive.

 

Overall I'm happy too.

 

Davo