A Hidden Gem: The All-Around Performer, Laney DB-PRE

Greetings! This is Mark, a writer for the Sound House Column page.

Today, I’d like to introduce the electric bass preamp DI Laney DB-PRE, currently on sale at a fantastic price (as of August 2024).

This pedal, which I came across while looking for compact gear, turns out to be a real all-rounder.

Laney DIGBETH DB-PRE

Laney / DB-PRE Bass Preamp

The DB-PRE is an electric bass preamp DI released as part of the Digbeth Series by the British company Laney.

A preamp pedal that lets you shape your sound, just like the preamp section of a bass amplifier.

A direct box (DI) that converts the high-impedance signal from the electric bass to a low-impedance one and sends it to a mixer.

The gear that combines these functions is called ‘preamp DI’ or ‘DI preamp’, and it has become popular among modern bassists,

The DB-PRE is no exception. Having been launched in 2021, it’s kind of a new model.

By the way,the circuit is fully analog—bye bye latency.

Why the DB-PRE is a Standout Performer

Variety of Inputs and Outputs

For its price range, the DB-PRE offers an impressive array of input/output options:

• Input for active basses
• Input for passive basses
• 3.5mm AUX input (for music players, etc.)
• LINK output (provides the raw sound without going through the preamp)
• Send/Return (for inserting effects between the preamp and output stage)
• 3.5mm headphone output (ideal for practicing at home)
• Main output (for connecting to a bass amp)
• XLR DI output (for connecting to a mixer)

Pretty awesome, right?

This makes the DB-PRE an all-in-one rig that works perfectly for home practice, recording, or live performances.

Selectable DI Output Modes

The DI output has two modes: PRE and POST.

Choose PRE to send the raw bass sound (like the LINK output) to the mixer and select POST if you want to send the sound processed by the preamp.

This allows for flexible routing, whether for recording or live gigs.

Great for Practice

The DB-PRE also includes an AUX input and a headphone output.

You can listen to your favorite tracks, backing tracks, or a metronome through headphones while playing along, making it perfect for practicing at home or in the green room.

The 3.5mm terminal is also a nice feature because general headphones often do not have a standard phone jack.

Customizable Switch Functions

The BYPASS/MUTE switch on the left side of the unit can be customized to suit your needs.

Use BYPASS if you want to simply turn the preamp on/off like a distortion pedal.

Switch to MUTE if you want to cut the sound, like using a tuner or volume pedal.

For those who don’t use pedal tuners, the MUTE function can be very handy.

Built-in Distortion Channel

The DB-PRE features two channels: FET (clean) and TUBE (distortion).

The TUBE channel mimics the sound of a tube amp (though it doesn’t actually have a real tube inside).

The DRIVE knob lets you easily dial in anything from light saturation to rich overdrive or even fuzzy distortion.

You can switch between channels using the footswitch or mix both using the MIX switch, which is incredibly useful!

Blending clean and distorted tones keeps the sound clear and helps it cut through the mix, even in a band setting. This function is also useful in compressors and delay pedals.

Excellent Bypass Sound

Although the DB-PRE uses buffered bypass, the sound remains almost indistinguishable from the original signal.

This has been noted in various forums, with some users even measuring that the difference between bypassed and direct sound is minimal. Laney’s expertise in amp building shines here.

Wide Sound Shaping Options

The DB-PRE includes Laney’s unique TILT knob.

This dynamic EQ is described by Laney as working “like a seesaw.”

Turning it to the right reduces the bass while boosting the treble, and turning it to the left does the opposite—cutting the treble while enhancing the bass.

Unlike traditional filters that affect either the high or low frequencies separately, the TILT knob brings about a dramatic change in the sound character with just a turn.

Additionally, the main EQ operates with a four-knob system that allows you to adjust the midrange, so you can easily shape your tone without needing to add a graphic equalizer.

Notably, all the knobs, except for DRIVE and VOLUME, have center detents, making it extremely convenient to reset parameters and start fresh when dialing in your tone.

Example Sound Setup

Here’s my typical sound setup and usage for the DB-PRE:

Start by setting all the EQ knobs to center, and adjust the TILT and VOLUME to shape the overall tone.

Once the general character is set, I use the 4 EQ knobs and toggle switches for fine adjustments, filling in the details that the TILT alone can’t cover.

This method reduces the number of steps compared to starting with the main EQ, making it easier to avoid getting lost in EQ adjustments.

Next, here’s a usage example:

For the main sound output, I use the DI output (POST) and connect it to an audio interface or mixer.

For the secondary sound output, I use the LINK output, also connected to the interface or mixer. Since LINK provides a dry-through signal, it’s perfect for further processing or using as a track for an amp simulator later.

In the send-return loop, I insert a compressor. I use it to subtly smooth out the sound, applying compression after the preamp section rather than directly from the bass, as this achieves the desired effect more precisely.

The remaining mono output is connected to a tuner, essentially serving as a tuner out. Personally, I prefer desktop or rack tuners over pedal tuners, so having a dedicated path for the tuner, like with the DB-PRE, is incredibly helpful.

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