A Must-Read for Bassists! Introduction to Preamps with Real Vacuum Tubes

■ Getting Started

This time, I would like to talk about a tube-equipped preamplifier that I highly recommend to all of you.
Let's start with this one!

This is 『the ALBIT A1BP VINTAGE MARK II（made in Japan）』 (hereafter referred to as “this unit”).

The price is 32,780 yen (including tax) (based off of Sound House's website as of February 2022).
It’s not like a vacuum tube nor does it simulate a vacuum tube amp, but it’s the real thing!
ALBIT has many other models in their lineup, but this preamp is by far the cheapest and most practical, so I think it is a great first unit. (Is it really worth it?).
Let me introduce this to you.

Please refer to the User Manual on ALBIT's website for how to use it.
Now, I would like to introduce some of the good points that I found when I actually tried it out.

■ Good points

• There’s a headphone output!
• There’s an AUX IN!
• There’s a TUNE OUT.
• Convenient Mute!
• Tube Saturation!
• Easy Cross Knobs!
• Finally, it sounds good!

The last one sounds good. Let's go in order.

1. Headphone output!

This is excellent equipment for environments such as apartment complexes and nighttime practice!
In fact, my favorite MXR M80 Bass D.I+ does not have this feature.
This kind of equipment is standard on all bass preamps that have appeared in recent years, but this unit was the first to offer it.
It would be great to be able to play “Vintage Sound” and “Tube Sound” in the middle of the night with this advanced equipment.

2. There’s an AUX IN!

This is a very useful and an unassuming feature.
This is also a standard feature in recent preamplifiers, but I never expected to find it in this authentic preamplifier.
From a Japanese manufacturer! As expected from a product made in Japan! One word: excellent.

3. There’s a TUNE OUT.

I appreciate this!
There is a MUTE switch on this unit and I am so impressed with how well it functions even when the MUTE is turned on.
That's all I have to say, but it was also a deciding factor in my purchase.

4. MUTE is convenient!

As mentioned above, the ability to simply MUTE is an unexpected and helpful feature.
You can operate it with this switch without touching the knob on your hand.
You have really gone for ease of use.
All the ingenuity that the manufacturer could do has been done.

5. Packs a Powerful Punch! TUBE SATURATION!

This is the best part of this machine! It's every man’s dream! Tube sound! This is the best part of this machine!
You can catch a glimpse of the manufacturer's attention to detail.
I bought it to enjoy this sound.
I also learned that the distortion varies depending on the cabinet speakers and the equalization changes the distortion a lot.
You can get stuck in the swamp of searching for the sound you like. （It's fun!)
I even want to design my own cabinet to match this thing (Seriously).
I am not an expert, just an amateur, so I want to thoroughly enjoy the sound of this unit.
In a sense, it has become a never-ending theme.

6. Above all, the CROSS knob is easy to use!

That's right, the mid frequency, which is ALBIT's pride and joy, B-450F, is also equipped on this machine.
What a good value unicorn....
With this, you can be sure to get the sound you like (From crisp to brisk).
Is this machine really worth the cost, Mr. ALBIT? That’s a little worrisome.

7. Last is good sound.

So, here we are at the end.
Thanks to this ALBIT A1BP VINTAGE MARK II, I could know the real thing.
I tried to make a video to introduce it this time, but I gave up posting it because the tone varies considerably depending on the amp and electric bass, and I didn't want to cause a bad word to be said about it (Seriously).
Specifically, it is a 'work of art' that the sound varies considerably depending on the pickups and is considerably influenced by the cabinet.
Conversely, it is easy to create the sound you like. (If you get it right, it's amazing!).

I have a CARVIN VANQUISH V49K electric bass that I chose for myself.
(See: buying a bass online) that I set up to fit this. (The picture is flat).
Through this unit, I was able to come up with the answer.
I believe that this machine is filled with uncompromising attention to detail and will be a partner that produces uncompromising sound!

■ Lastly

[I would like to introduce you to the sound of vacuum tubes.]
The ALBIT A1BP VINTAGE MARK II brings the sound of vacuum tubes closer to you.
I can even feel such a desire in “ALBIT A1BP VINTAGE MARK II”.
If you have a chance, I hope you will take it in your hands.
One last thing. I'm not a representative of ALBIT, but I'm just a big fan! (Make no mistake!)

*Finally, a word of caution! (Use the designated app! Or it may cause malfunctions!!)

Thank you for reading this article to the end.

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