Hi folks, I've got an octa capture and a fender p bass... would it be very beneficial to get a bass preamp? I currently just use the hiZ input. I also use amplitude ampeg.
Thanks

i use this for my bass tracks:
 

 
excellent.
 
a step up, is what geddy lee of rush (and others) use:

 
another excellent product.
 

I've done some direct recording with an Ibanez Blazer Bass (P Bass type) and a Yamaha 5 string with active pickups.  Its OK but its better, after using a POD Farm Bass amp model (Ampeg B15N clone works good for me).
 
I've also used the Bass through my POD X3 Bass program and that works OK too.

I use one of these
 

Not only for bass but for vocals. The important part to me is I must have a GOOD analog compressor ahead of the A/D. Most digital solution compress AFTER the A/D.  The EQ on this makes it a swiss army knife pre amp. You can leave your Bass and your mike plugged in as it has both XLR and 1/4 inputs on the back. 
Simply push the line switch and make new settings. I have mine memorized. The Phantom power does not go to the line in so you can leave it on too. 
What I really like is it has 2 parallel outputs. So one goes to my Interface for the recording input and the other goes to a small mixer which then drives my headphones and / or a Mackie SRM 350 powered PA speaker.
I need the big speaker so I'll play the bass the way it was meant to be played. Loud. This stops me from making unwanted noises which you won't hear through wimpy monitors of headphones.  
 
http://www.joemeek.com/threeq.html

wizard71
Hi folks, I've got an octa capture and a fender p bass... would it be very beneficial to get a bass preamp? I currently just use the hiZ input. I also use amplitude ampeg.
Thanks

I love Fender basses... but IMO passive Fender basses don't sound their best recorded straight DI.
Active basses cope better straight DI (ie: Musicman Stingray)
 
Ampeg SCR-DI was just released (~$200)
 
The Zoom B3 actually has a couple really nice sounding models.
The Bassman is perfect for classic-rock type tones.

Another good bass pre-amp is the MXR M80. It can run from batteries but is better using 48v phantom power which gives it much more headroom. No compressor built in though.

If you want an 'in the box' option the Amplitube Ampeg models aren't bad, but personally I prefer the MXR or a Sansamp. The Amplitube compressors and envelope filter on the other hand, not so good. The compressor plugins that come with Sonar do a better job.

Another option is to DI the bass without a dedicated bass pre-amo and use compression, e.q. and something like the Softube saturation knob to process the raw bass. Lots of excellent bass recordings have been made that way.

I use the UA LA-610, but it is NOT a "budget" item.

 
Tom

Hey all, thanks for your input. I've opted for the sansamp tech 21 rack mount, will be interesting to see how it compares with my existing method.

the way i use my sansamp bass DI (and the rack version is similar) is to take the 'effected' signal right off the Bass Di to one track, and then use the 'unaffected' direct out and put that thru a mic pre and a compressor.... and then into the sound card.
 
blend those two together.
 
 
or, add a miced track along with those other 2 tracks, time shift to align the miced track, and blend all together.