EBS MicroBass II

MY WANTS AND NEEDS LIST:

Quiet for live TV and studio capable.
Switchable from one sound to the next.
Phantom power capable.
Preferably have a battery only option/No power cord/adapter.
Small or Flat enough to fit in the pocket of my UnderCover or MONO gig bag.
Compression capable.

In my Hunt For The Phantom DI, I had a short list of switchable DI boxes (listed below). In my mind, I wanted a versatile replacement unit which could do the work of my old units for less than $300.00. Seriously!?! The unit needed to fill at least 3 of my needs. Its ability to run off Phantom power was high on the list. The sound engineers at the 3000 seat church where I play/perform prefer to use the phantom option. If its their way, then it is my way. I also wanted to avoid a situation where Phantom was used accidentally with an item that is not Phantom capable. Whistling noises, along with the smell of fried electrical components, are NOT cool! The unit needed to be studio quiet, since the church broadcasts on television and the internet.

EBS Micro Bass II: All I can really say is WOW! It is the only item, out of the six bass DI units I tried, that I felt could cover the full sound spectrum for my situation. The solid state box has a great range of tonality and more functions than I could ever use in a live setting. The control knobs feel secure and turn smoothly. Some settings can sound a little mechanical but I have simply learned to avoid those settings.


UTILIZATION

The Micro Bass II delivers on all the features I read about on the EBS website, in user reviews, Bass Player Magazine reviews, and Talk Bass threads. It features 2 channels, single bass or A/B switchable, Phantom capable and also battery capable.

I also enjoy practicing with the MB2: It has the ability to connect a CD player/iPod and mini headphone jack for personal practice. - Computer to unit, bass to unit, headphones out – BAM! It takes up far less room and set up time than my practice amp and the amps need for RCA jacks. My practice amp offers neither the ability to use the tone controls nor volume controls of the external unit. The MB2 does! The MB2 also features a speaker simulation function and a Class A tube simulation function, A dedicated effects loop feature. The only feature on my list not available from my “Wants and Needs” list was compression.

The piercing LED lights on the unit grab your attention both dimly lit and overly bright stages. The Mute and Bypass footswitches work as they should and easily allow you to tap from function to function without problem. The small push/push switches that you need the most are easily accessible on top of the unit. The other switches that may fair better in studio situations are placed on the side of the unit. Fortunately the input and output jacks keep these small switches protected from being kicked.



SOUNDS

The Mirco Bass II is not as smooth sounding as the Radial BassBone or Aguilar Tone Hammer. For those that prefer buttery tones, this may not be the unit for them, although, these people could go for a flatter sound setting and rely on their bass to produce the butter. Being an old school Trace Elliot amp user, I am used to the Mid-range based snarl this unit is more geared towards. For live situations, it can get CrAzy Loud! You can send a disturbing amount of signal to the control board! A mind-blowing +12 to +35 db, depending upon the chosen boosted EQ or Drive section. You can see the units other features by visiting the EBS website @ www.bass.se



OVERALL OPINION

Cons - There is no dedicated tuner output (I can live without this). The small push/push switches are secure to operate but seem like a fragile choice for a foot operated unit. The Micro Bass II cost about $100 more than the other DIs that were on my list.

Other DI’s ON my LIST:

Radial ToneBone/BassBone
Aguilar Tone Hammer
Eden WTDI
SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe
EBS Micro Bass II
Sadowsky Bass DI
Bass Witch IQ DI – Never plugged into this one due to its $599 price tag.


The thought of no longer having much use for my vintage, Trace amps and cabinets seems a bit sad, but I am glad EBS offers a suitable option. The MB2 gives me amp sound options scaled down to fit at my feet. Oh, did I mention with Phantom power?!? I also appreciate the tube saturated overdrive without the full on distortion and fuzz tones most other Bass DI’s offer. As I mentioned prior, the MB2 is about $100 more than the other units I tried, but it easily does $200 more than the other units. It is everything EBS and others said it was and “still” more than I expected it to be!

Well this is not boiboite lamp but I knew their dj tubesim of quality in the bin and multidrive is the same.

I normment appreciates the fact that we can feed it with a phantom power supply mix table or my sound card. As the power supply is still in my gig bag for RPS / concert and home studio, I does not use expensive battery.

Connectivity level is also the feast: XLR output for the studio (with HP dbrayable simulator and possibilities out pre-EQ for easy ID), effects loop, output jack, two input are for two instruments.

Not to mention the bonus that makes it a great amp travel: the headphone jack.

Nothing really say about the design of this pedal. Except of course it's expensive but srieux is paid.

USE

It's worth reading the very (too) short manual, especially Schematic of the end, to understand the flow of signals in DIFFERENT rglages and options.
But so allergic to too complex rgler amps, I got very quickly the boiboite.

There is therefore a channel A with a bass / treble EQ (and possibility on the medium with acute enfonant knob in the "enhanced filter" button) .... very very effective. Effectiveness of stunning. In short, all the superlatives you want. I use to boost my sound a little "finger".

The B channel used alone is a little touchy. It almost rgle level by the drive (so forcment, the more we want to play, the more we approach the overdrive). The rglages EQ are high-medium / high (EDGE) and medium (with choice of frquence). Finally, rglages are so effective that it's easy to find a real good sound also on that channel.
This is my "growl" channel for the game mediator for the big fat rock.

I do not use channel A + B for a big sound saturated (Therefore I do not resell my multidrive of the same name) because I too need both spars really alternating channels Both games groovy finger / plectrum rock in a cover band. I read that could replace a multidrive, I do not think it's totally true. The drive of rglages are most effective on the latter.

SONORITS

Good dj I play a Rickenbacker 4003 bass so that a sound all its own.
Not having the opportunity to lug my Ashdown 'between end "I love (and cost me less than boiboite EBS) in all studios in Paris rp Amen which I play according to the groups, I just amps on site.

And I learned har copiously Hartke 3500 and other Peavey dual channels that can be very good for modern active bass etc ... but that never honored my Rick ador e.
Purchasing this Pramp must be seen in this light. And I do not regret my purchase. I put the monster preamp Hartke flat as possible and let him take care of the Microdrive EQ and boost.
And the musicos my first group scotches. This is One of the first time or they do not hear a slurry and does not undergo this nervement which I rgle amp every 5 minutes just to distinguish my notes ct guitars and drums. The sound is prcis. The tubesim warms even when not bad. I could fault it may be a tendency to saturate a little too fast when it boosts channel A.

EBS is so modern for some may be a little cold. But I play a bass sound more than vintage but not forcment a vintage music if that was in one of my groups. So this creates a sacred right balance.

In Homestudio I plug in my Line6 Toneport and also changes a lot (but honestly I'm better rgler of Bass POD XT modlisations this shit Hartke 3500) .dropoff window
In short, to the extent that my bass is a gift, the Microdrive is surely my best buy low gear for at least 20 years.

To say, even my Variax Bass (my backup) sounds better with a (let's say the problem of the Variax is that it's hard to make out in a mix, whereas the problem I no longer arises).

NOTICE GLOBAL

I did that for some weeks, but between homestudio and rps this boiboite did not at. It just wait to go on stage with.

I hesitated as everyone with a Sansamp (which sounds when even very good) and it's because I'm a fan of their overdrive I chose the one l. No regrets.
And if I lose one day, I just hopes to be able to get another one soon enough.

I would have taken the lamp Pramp, but good has becomes heavy. Because yes, in addition, the box is lightweight. A Russianness all levels.
Huge favorite !!!

EBS MicroBass Pro II Preamp / DI for Bass

Channel A has three settings: two eq (bass, treble), and a boost (to be stronger in volume without distortion).
Channel B has four settings: a drive (to saturate), a button "Edge" (sort of presence), a parametric medium setting with a button "frequency" (100 to 4000 Hz).

In functions include a button-10dB at the entrance, a bright button (great for worn strings), a simulation button lamp (nice), a simulation of HP (useful), one grounded ( ground lift for the problems of breath), a button enhancer filter (I can not hear the difference)
On new models, a button pre / post EQ was added to the DI output: very useful!
Otherwise the drive by pushing the B channel, there is a good distortion that happens, it is always useful.

The connection is perfect: one entry, a preamp output (measured by volume), a DI output (button with pre / post class!), A headphone jack, and finally a send and return for effects loop . I almost forgot: there is an output link for the tuner!
I note only 9 because I would have liked a switch for switching the effects loop, but I ask too much?



UTILIZATION

I was looking for a DI box between my bass (MusicMan Stingray 5) and my sound card.
In fact, I found much more: a preamp.
I use it in different configurations: in front of the amp preamp requisitioned (a Hartke A70 yuck!), As a DI at home in a mixing desk, in DI + preamp in concert!

You can switch between two channels with a push button solid. There are two choices: either Canala or canalB or Canala Canala + or B.
At first I did not see the usefulness of two channels now it is indispensable to me: I rule without changing the channel B and channel A with a little more level and treble for slap.

The huge plus is the effects loop with a potentiometer metering dry / wet. A 0% was the direct sound of the preamp. A 100% was the sound effect in the loop. Turning the knob to 100%, the dry signal is mixed with the signal progrssivement the effects loop. For me, this is the big plus of the pedal.
This allows particularly to keep clean and sharp attack of the bass and have effect at the same time. A treat on whas and other envelope filter (like Enigma: Qballs or bassballs).

In fact, the number of connections (input, send, return, di, preamp, link) makes the EBS very functional and useful. The possibilities are many!
I'm not talking about food: either pedal 9v or phantom power or external power supply (not included).
Since it takes a little criticism, I will share the mute switch against a small push button (after all you mute the sound not very often) and replaced by a mute switch on / off the effects loop.

SOUNDS

Starting at noon with the buttons (or 0) on the Canala, we obtain a faithful reproduction of the kind of bass, and it is thought a pedal for the bass sound. I appreciate that BSE respects the sound, the character of my bass (MusicMan StingRay5).
However I find canalB not very "right": this is probably normal with the drive that brings distortion. I expected a preamp that colors may be less but I may be asking too much for a small bass preamp type.Je this is the distortion of channel B a little low frequency but still useful.

In general, the EQs are well thought out and super helpful.
The parametric eq canalB is welcome. I measured and remains doubtful for the adjustment of the EDGE channel B.
I love the button tube Sim 'which rounded sound (friend of Motown!)

Today, I use both channels separately, I think the A + B test with more interest.




OVERALL OPINION

The small size of the pedal and its strength can be an asset in the face of tube preamps fragile and bulky on the go.
This pedal with many advantages: it is thought for bassists, and (s) sound (s) is (are) in height.
The highlight for me (and I have not bought the pedal for that!), It is the effects loop with adjustable direct sound / his treatise, we can have middle sounds interesting.
I have not tried other DI / preamp, but it's been two years since I am more than satisfied with the EBS MicroBassII.
The most serious competitor seems to be the Lehle Basswitch but 100euros more!
I highly recommend buying this preamp (especially used!) Provided that the usefulness of having (DI, preamp, ...) but I think for a bassist who did a little concert, and who wants to transport its settings, it is a good buy.

the most:
- The sound!
- Ease of use
- Variety of Outputs: 6.35mm Jack for amp, XLR table mix, headphone jack, line out
- Runs on 9 volt battery, transformer, or phantom power (XLR or phone jack)
- The two channels
- The bonus: the effects loop with his knob dry / wet

the least (for picky!)
- Lack of transparency
- Power supply (transformer) not included
- I have liked a switch to engage the effects loop

Small metal box no bigger than a like effect or electro harmonix SansAmp Bass,
it uses analog technology.
this pedal is a good preamp manufacturing and of course a good fame.
the connectors are numerous and well thought out, very pro for such a small box (2 in bass, effects loop, XLR output, a link, a headphone ...)
Finally, this pedal offers configurations, both simple and complex to use if you want to push the envelope further ...

UTILIZATION

First complaint, the record which is not very useful, but which is in English and not very clear.
We do without them, the general configuration is based on two different channels and there's really more that I have seen elsewhere on this type of pedal (amp)
Indeed, a channel that plays on medium settings and the ability to create distortion, and B plays the treble and bass boost with an adjustable on the same channel and master volume for the 2.
As you can clearly make two different sounds plus a noise level which is different monster for example passages slapper. Very practical, the game channel does not stop there, they can also be addition on and there we find a very complete set.
There are a range of next switch used to play on some frequencies donneent additional opportunities telqu'un simulator lamp, for example ...
Very complete, this box is very accurate in these settings to the image of his amp and you really have to be light on the pots so as not to create a sound envelope too rich and take the place of other musicians.
Finally, there is a switchable mute the foot, I thought at first that it was "zel" made by the manufacturer and ultimately it's quite convenient.

SOUNDS

The sound is once again the image of the brand very professional but also less roots than other brands which cost him making comments such as "the sound is cold" for me, the sound is very modern if 'playing with the preamp but much respect to the side of my vintage instrument, all the same and the grain is there.
The panel is quite big opportunity and I took the risk to say that this preamp also undoubtedly more expensive rack.
In my case, I bought this after trying the boiboite tech 21 (a reference in the field) and the idea of ​​leaving with the Sadowsky. Ultimately, I would prefer this pedal is the best time or at least more complete and more convenient than the competitors.
Finally you can play with this stuff all with it without amp directly into the console, the sound is very professional. Of course with an aditional amp is ajusqu'a 3 setting options that you can switch to a foot for pieces which for me is a first for this type of stuff.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using less than 48 hours, but it was already 4 o'clock with months of testing in my room and two concerts on two evenings, with and without my amp which is itself an EBS and a traditional Jazz Bass.
I was looking for more configuration can be switchable according to the pieces, but I wanted to keep the quality of my EBS amp that sounds the fire of God .... I served, there was no better. (In this price range)

Finally, finally, I'd be mean but I would recommend for future achetteurs, of this brand or another not to proud sellers of Pigalle that are Ramme, and preached to their parish. None of them said the same thing, some n'on not even read this stuff and still critical, I was almost seduced by the tech 21 if you can try this one, and I do not regret having changed mag to try it anyway.
Its price is 350 euros in a bit expensive but it's good here is EBS sells racks at the same price TElement is good.