The purpose of a direct input (DI) bass expander preamp should be pretty clear from the name alone – it directly expands the capabilities of an electric bass guitar. And this is exactly what the Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander does, with numerous features to broaden any bass's musical spectrum, hugely increasing the ways it can be used. The highlights here include a three-band equalizer with parametric mids, as well as an adjustable compressor, which takes care of unwanted level peaks. The gain control also makes it easy to create distorted sounds, which can be minutely fine-tuned using the blend control. When it comes to connecting peripherals, too, this bass expander leaves nothing to be desired, despite it all being integrated into a compact and easily transportable format. As users would expect from Harley Benton, the Custom Line Bass DI Expander also offers exceptional value for money.
The beating heart of this bass preamp pedal is its active three-band tone control, which can individually adjust bass, mid, and treble frequencies both subtly and more drastically. The operating frequency of the mid control is also continuously variable, allowing every musician to shape their sound uniquely and seamlessly according to their own requirements. Dynamics are kept in check by the compressor, which can be activated via the footswitch if required. The compressor can be adjusted very precisely using the controls for the threshold and compression intensity – and for basses with a high output, the attenuator can be engaged for a -10dB reduction in input sensitivity. The Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander has plenty of connections, with input, line in, thru, DI out, and a headphone output, and the necessary operating current for this Harley Benton Bass Preamp is supplied by a 9V battery or the optional mains adapter.
The Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander is a real one-stop shop for bassists who want as many options as possible packed into one compact device. The headphone output makes it ideal for silent practice at home, while the DI out means it can be connected to an audio interface, making it possible to lay down a bass track almost anywhere – of course, the DI out can also be used to send the signal to a mixing console, be it in the rehearsal room or on stage at gigs where the artists are equipped with in-ear monitoring. Thanks to its small dimensions, it will also fit into any gig bag, where its weight is scarcely noticeable next to a bass guitar. With the Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander, bassists can thus take their own sound with them wherever they go.
Since 1998, the Harley Benton brand has been catering for the needs of countless guitarists and bassists. In addition to an extensive range of stringed instruments, Thomann's house brand also offers a wide choice of amplifiers, speakers, effect pedals, and other accessories. In total, the range includes over 1,500 products. Built by established names in the industry, all Harley Benton products combine quality and reliability at attractive and affordable prices. The continuous expansion of the range ensures that Harley Benton always provides new, exciting, and innovative products that keep players perfectly in tune with the musical world, day after day.
Let's take a look at some of the different scenarios where the Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander might be an ideal solution. For concerts, the bassist can send a high-quality DI signal to the mixing desk, while simultaneously having the option of routing the signal to their own amp on stage. This can be the device's processed signal (output) or a completely unprocessed one (thru), meaning complete control over the bass sound both on and in front of the stage. For gigs with in-ear monitoring, players can simply use the DI out. The Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander can also be used as a control centre for recording sessions. One of many possibilities is, for example, to record the DI signal coming from the expander and the sound of the miked amplifier separately over two tracks – all made possible by using the output or thru connections.