Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all, I am looking for a good bass amp emulation box for home recording. I don't use computer recording software, so I am specifically looking for a box for this purpose. I used to use a bass amp with a bass mic, but the amp is no longer available to me, and I don't have room for that right now, anyway. I'm looking for something versatile - I am even interested in emulating a stand-up bass for some bluegrassy stuffy I am working on, but mostly, I want to get a killer Ric sort of punch for some snappy power pop songs. Hopefully, some of you experts can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Steve-O

Sansamp VT Bass pedal is your friend.

jps wrote:Sansamp VT Bass pedal is your friend.

+1

Try the EBS Microbass. It is a very transparent box when you want it to be, yet is capable of emulating classic Ampeg & Trace Elliott tones as well. It can also do modern and upright sounds. It sounds great through an amp or straight to tape. Pricey, but like most high-end gear, its worth it.

There's always the good old Bass Rockman. They have gotten great reviews for many years. I dunno if they still make them, but you see them for sale online used all the time.

kiramdear wrote:There's always the good old Bass Rockman. They have gotten great reviews for many years. I dunno if they still make them, but you see them for sale online used all the time.

I had the first version of the Bass Rockman. It was fine for practicing, but I didn't like it as a preamp for recording or gigging. It completely stripped any bass guitar of it's own voice and added it's own sterile voice. I haven't tried any of the newer ones. Maybe the newer ones aren't like that.

I heard that about the early models, but they also say the later ones were much improved. Someone gave me a non-functional one for free, one of the later ones. If I ever get around to having it repaired I'll let you know first-hand.

I dont currently own one but the Line 6 bass POD is pretty cool.

Actually, anything SansAmp is good....I also have a Digitech BP80 that I bought REAL cheap from the 'bay and I use it in line with my SansAmp and it records VERY well...

cheyenne wrote:I dont currently own one but the Line 6 bass POD is pretty cool.

I currently own one I am trying to dump.

Never used it, myself, just acquired it in an "I need cash fast to stay out of jail, can you help me?" acquisition.

Until recently there was a nice rendition of Motorhead's I Don't Believe A Word on YouTube, and in the comments section the bassist mentioned he was playing a borrowed late 70s 4001 into a Bass Pod XT Pro. To my non-audiophile ears, it sounded just as good as a real Marshall cranked up in a real studio. I wanted one too, until I saw the price.

I have a Line 6 Bass Pod XT Live and it rocks for recording (but it can be difficult to learn to use properly). I am on the fence about using it on a gig though, between my Ric and the head and cabinet, adding more tones to that doesnt make alot of sense. But like I said, it is great for recording.

Does anyone have any experience with the Phil Jones "Bass buddy"?

From what I've read, they seam like they could be great solution to Steve O's request, but I haven't had any experience with these myself (yet )