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Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI-Expander

4.3 out of 5 stars from 148 customer ratings

Effect Pedal

  • Active bass preamp / DI pedal with compressor
  • True bypass
  • Controls: Gain, Bass, Middle, Freq, Treble, Blend, Volume, Comp and Threshold DI Switch (Ground / Lift)
  • Input switch: (0dB / -10dB)
  • Jack input
  • Thru jack input (parallel)
  • Line in
  • Jack output
  • Headphone output
  • Balanced DI output via XLR
  • Power supply via 9 V battery or 9 V power supply unit (not included, suitable power supply available under Article Nr 409939)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 128 x 93 x 56 mm
  • Weight: 450 g (without battery)
  • Available since June 2017
  • Item number 404129
  • Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
  • Effect Types Preamp
  • Design Floor Effects Pedal
  • Headphone Output Yes
  • Direct Out Yes

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1.150 kr
All prices incl. VAT
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1

One for all

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.

Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI Expander

Practical in practice

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.

Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI-Expander - Detail

On the road and at home

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.

Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI-Expander - effect pedal

About Harley Benton

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.

In the control room

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.

148 Customer ratings

4.3 / 5

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108 Reviews

R
Let's analyze in detail why this device has no disadvantages.
Rusizl 10.09.2020
1) first of all, it is cheap. lets say you need a preamp, for example, for home quiet rehearsels (like me). You will only find 2 or 3 models in China with a similar price, (but absolutely incomprehensible quality). this is different
2) it has an equalizer and a parametric middle. Adjusting the frequency of the middle is the most important thing in the equalizer - its awsome. Look at the more, much more expensive preamos - many of them dont have middle freq control.
3) it has a compressor. Yes, it's a primitive compressor, but it does its job VERY VERY VERY WELL! I can't play without a compressor now. with a small threshold and a small compression level - it evens out your sound without suppressing it too much NOTE - pushing the compressor will raise your signal level. You can find the position of the controlers when the level of the compressed signal and without the compressor is the same - but for me this is too compressed signal. Loses the attack. I like to hear the attack. I always leave it on. lifehack - you can use this button as a booster - during solo, for example. cool, right?
4) it has a balanced output - sound engineers will love you right away when you come on stage and say I've already set everything up - here's my di box. where is your cable?)
5) it has a headphone output. yeah! my girlfriend dont hate me)
6) it has a player input for quiet reharsels - yeah - my wife dont hate me) 6) it is in a steel frame. I already dropped it. the paint on the corner broke off. well, okay) it's paint. there's metal under it!
7) smooth controlers.
Now about the features. I have a jazz bass. As everyone knows, if you play only on one pickup there is hum noise. this is normal. it phisics.
If you add treble, the high-frequency humb are become more noisy. but this is with single coils and if the controller more then 75%.
As for the blend controller - it is superfluous there. why it is needed it is not clear (but i know). let me explain - you can adjust how much to send the signal that was processed by the equalizer, and blend it with the clean dignal. I think ( iam sure) that this blend was left, because the template of the case and the printed circuit Board on which the chips are standard for a few products. because the same preamps are available for acoustic guitars. the manufacturer did not fool around too much and left this blend option, although it is not necessary for bass players. is this a problem? - no. just leave e always in the extreme right position. By the way, if you set it for 12 hours, the signal level becomes higher.
By the way, here's an interesting life hack - this preamp can be used to record three tracks at the same time (if you need it). I'm recording 2 tracks. Explaining.... I take one signal from the balanced output (XLR) into input 1 of my sound card, the second signal from the parallel output (raw signal into the sound card by pressing HI-Z) to the input 2 of the sound card. In total, we get the processed signal via the XLR cable and the raw signal via the jack cable. Want a third sound? send a signal from JACL LINE OUT to the combo and use the microphone to record the speaker sound into input 3 oа the microphone. Want 4 tracks at the same time? - use DI out from your amp or youre combo into input 4 oа youre audio card. Here are 4 different sounds of Your one bass. just one preamp. And then remember how much you paid for it)
By the way, for the sake of interest, I went to the store with it and compared it with other preamps. there weren't many of them - result - it worth the price! believe me)
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s
Sick of bass amps?
stobbsyboy 09.05.2020
Been using this for a little over a year now and I love it!

Very straight forward to use, has a great tone and neatly fits on my pedalboard - at rehearsals I go straight into the P.A. and don't even bother with an amp, the EQ and controls are very intuitive, have a great sweep and really let you dial in your tone, I'm not a big compressor user but having one built in that I can click on when I needed is a great benefit - maybe used it a couple times when I thought I was being drowned out by one of my guitarists using a headrush through the P.A.

With gigging a lot of sound guys won't change the set up when they use the line out of a bass amp so going out the jack it does lift your tone through a bass amp - kind of like having a limited EQ pedal in front and another one of those times the compressor is handy if you feel like some of your notes seem a bit quiet - I like a very mid-rangey bass tone with a bit of growl and it's easy to achieve that in conjunction with an amp in a live setting

While there's not much growl on it's own, you can clip the gain for some, but it does get really loud and one of those things you really need to dial in with the volume and blend controls, so it's not recommended, but if you want just a fantastic clean bass tone for not much money compared to the likes of a sansamp etc. - it's definitely the way to go especially if you want to build an ampless set up with pedals
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J
works great. excellent price.
JakeC 29.06.2021
A DI box is expensive. I think it's because they usually have an AMP simulation... I think. I don't know.

I needed a bass DI box to convert my bass signal to XLR output, and I decided to try out this Thomann one.

As a DI box, it works perfectly. For my purpose of use, I think this box will last literally forever. XLR almost never break down, you know. Also, this can be used as a bass headphone amp, and it is a nice feature.

Hardware-wise, this is made excellently, Metal casing, smooth knobs, all firm sturdy ports and switches and buttons.
You need a philips head screw driver to put in a 9V battery if you want to use it battery powered, which means the battery replacement is not the most convenient way.

The only questionable functionality of this product is the compressor. It does adjust the output level as it should, but I don't like the final tone quality. I usually don't use compressor, but if you expect better and more natural tone through the compressor, I recommend a separate compressor.
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Bb
Perfect Utility Pedal for All Bassists!
Born-again bassist 22.07.2022
Harley Benton has blown my expectations out of the water yet again! This DI-expander has really expanded my sound and playing capabilities in live settings. I am a very involved bassist on my church's worship team and do my own music ministry as well and have used this thing on a very regular basis. After some time experimenting when I first purchased this item, I am now able to sculpt my bass' sound exactly how I like it before it enters the soundboard and the sound engineer's hands. The compressor also has greatly improved my dynamic range when playing with the rest of the band so I don't get lost in the sound mix. The one recommendation I have is that if you purchase this item you should also buy the optional DC adapter because the 9V batteries die quite quickly during regular use. Apart from the power draw, this thing is incredible! The item quality is top notch and very durable. This product is perfect for any bass player's tool kit. The utility and functionality is too good pass on! It can be a DI box, a nice pedalboard addition, or even a nice sound mixing interface for practicing with headphones on. It is a must buy. I never leave home without putting it in my gig bag!
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