Harke Bass Attack VXL DI

[mickrich]

I have had one of these for a while now.
I have started using it again lately after using my UA LA-610 for the bass di since I got it.
While the 610 captures the bass sound brilliantly, the Hartke really adds depth and punch to the sound.
The shape control lets you zoom in on the low end of the bass and can be mixed with the dry signal and the harmonics control adds great non fizzy crunch.
I run directly out of the Harke for guide tracks and line out of the Hartke to LA-610 for actual bass takes. I often use my Warwick Tubepath 5>Warwick cab miked up too.
The Hartke is dirt cheap (€85 on Thomann) and is one of those rare bits of gear that punches well above it's weight.
I used it for the bass on this mix

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2133088/premprod mix.mp3

Drums and DI Bass
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2133088/Premprod DI Bass.mp3

Drums and Hartke Re-amp Bass
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2133088/Premprod Hartke Bass.mp3

Thanks to PremierProductions for the multi tracks from this thread.
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...264-super-heavy-deathcore-5150-engl-look.html

 

[neptunian]

I got this unit for around $50 used last year. Sounds near identical to a SansAmp BassDriver for a third the cost. I will DI my bass with it for the foreseeable future.

To get the same effect ITB, I'd have to use an eq, exciter, compressor, overdrive, and saturator. In fact the latter is what I did previously and could never get my bass sounding right, mainly because there were too many variables and I wasn't experienced enough to get them all optimal. It only took me 10 minutes to set up the Bass Attack for better results.

Safe to say, this Hartke pedal does the trick for me now. I thought something was wrong with my bass, but now, with or new or freshly alcohol-soaked strings, low action, and rattly/clanky playing, I'm getting the metal bass sound I've always wanted. FYI, turning the 'shape' dial to 115-150 Hz is essential for getting needed mids, since there's no dedicated mid knob. I also like that it runs on Phantom Power as an alternative to battery and adapter.

 

[neptunian]

Another thing ... you guys know about duplicating a bass DI into a high passed distorted track and a low passed compressed track and then blending them. Well, as I found out, that's only one way to get the gritty highs. Another method is to use something like a SansAmp or the Bass Attack and rely on fret buzz and string clacking galore to get those gritty highs and harmonics (harmonics = mids). This requires a straight neck, fresh strings, and low action. Firm picking helps, or even the finger technique where you smack the string toward the fretboard as you pluck it. When sent through overdrive, this gives a nice punchy, dynamic kind of raspy grit that sounds pretty good to my ears in a mix. It's more dynamic sounding than the duplicate/distort method.

 

[Sloan]

Yeah dude! I bought one of these a few years ago since I couldn't afford a Sansamp. Works great and I carry it with me anytime I play a bass live gig. I had to use it once when my guitar amp failed (forgot my spare 12ax7's) - that fucking sucked, but it got me through the gig and we had a blast anyway. I need to use it when recording more often.