Product Description
Designed by a Bassist for Bass Lovers. We collaborated with American bass player Melvin Lee Davis to create the NU-X MLD Bass Preamp & DI.
Melvin Lee Davis is an American bass player, vocalist, keyboard player, producer, TV composer and engineer based in Orange County, California. He is the music director for Grammy-award winning artist Chaka Khan and has recorded with The Pointer Sisters, Lee Ritenour, Bryan Ferry, Patti Austin and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
MLD Bass Preamp + DI has tons of functions based on Melvin Lee Davis' musical experience. And offers the best sound-shaping controls such as: 3-band EQ with middle-frequency selection, drive with blend control, speaker cabinet simulation (Impulse Response loader) and built-in noise reduction with Decay and Threshold controls.
Specifications:
- 24-bit, 48KHz
- Impulse Response: 1024 length (20.33ms)
- Latency: 1ms
- 3-band EQ with Middle-frequency selector
- Drive with blend control
- Built-in noise reduction
- Impulse Response loader, speaker cabinet simulation
- 1/4" instrument input
- 1/4" through output and main output
- XLR DI output
- 1/8" headphone output
- 1/8" Auxillary in for music player connection
- Micro B USB input for firmware update, software control, IR loading, and audio stream
Features:
MLD signature Bass Preamp + DI features fully sweepable mid-range frequencies in addition to Bass and Treble controls. Melvin L. Davis is proficient at 4, 5, 6 and 7 string basses, so MLD Bass Preamp has a wide range of frequency control.
- Volume Knob
Adjusts the overall output volume of the pedal. Ideal for fine-tuning the output on clean tone, it also controls the DI output volume.
- Blend Knob
Adjusts to blend between the clean signal and overdrive signal. The clean signal remains as unity gain, allowing for fine control of the blend ration.
- Drive Knob
Adjusts the Gain level and sets the saturation level in the overdriven signal.
- 3-Band Equalizer with Middle Frequency Selector
Bass: +/- 12dB @40Hz Middle: +/- 17dB @160Hz to 1000Hz Freq.: 160Hz ~ 1000Hz Treble: +/- 12dB @8000Hz
- DI Output
Balanced XLR Output carrying the mic-level output signal, either affected or unaffected depending on the Pre-Post switch.
- GND LFT (Ground / Lift) Toggle Switch
Disconnects the signal ground on the DI out to break any ground loops. Toggle the switch to the LESS noisy position; it can be either GND or LFT depending on the room, stage or studio condition. Switch does not effect the 1/4-inch (6.5mm) output.
- Impulse Response (IR) Toggle Switches
You can activate/deactivate the IR cabinet simulation for both DI out and 1/4-inch (6.5mm) out separately. Use the appropriate IR toggle switch to turn ON/OFF the emulation for the output you choose.
Input/Output and USB Connections
Main OUT and Through
You can use the main "OUT" and "THROUGH" output to get the dry signal for bass amplifier connection.
When you activate the "OUT IR" cabinet simulation, you can connect the pedal to any FRFR speaker, directly to a mixer or audio interface. "THROUGH" output will remain bypassed either the "OUT IR" is activated or deactivated.
DI Out, Auxiliary Input and Headphone Output
On the LEFT SIDE of the PEDAL, you can access the XLR output for a mixer and/or audio interface connection, and you have the option of activating the IR cabinet simulation.
There is a 1/8-inch (3.5mm) auxiliary input to connect a music player, and headphones output for silent practicing or monitoring (please check the USB connection).
Headphone output is related to DI out, when you activate the DI IR simulation, headphones output will be simulated.
NUX Bass Preamp + DI Software
You can connect the pedal to your Windows / MAC computer to use the editor software. You can load your own IR files and control various other settings. Supported IR file: 48 kHz / 24-bit, 1024 Samples
Bass Amplifier Models
MLD Bass Preamp + DI pedal comes with 2 amplifier models, you can select and control the amps and the Noise Reduction on the software easily. There will be more amp models released . . . stay tuned !
Speaker Cabinet Models (IR)
There are 8 IR presets (4 factory / 4 user) in the Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp + DI, and the pedal comes with the selection of speaker cabinet IR files created by NUX. Also there is an independent volume control for the cabinet simulation to adjust the IR level.
Signal Routing
There are 3 ROUTING OPTIONS for the USB audio streaming:
- NORMAL: You can create your tone by using the pedal, and it will send the processed signal to the recording software.
- DRY OUT: You can record your bass guitar without any preamp effect and IR simulation. This option is useful for re-amping.
- REAMP: You can playback a recorded track on the recording software, and send it to another track. MLD Preamp will process the signal while recording to a new track. (see: Re-amp Routing)
Recording With Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp
You can record your bass guitar without using any audio interface. MLD Bass Preamp + DI has a built-in audio streaming function, so you can connect the pedal directly to your computer with a Micro B USB cable, and it is ready to play and record. A driver-free* solution helps you produce music with direct connection. You can use the headphones output for monitoring, you will hear both your guitar and the audio from your computer.
PLEASE NOTE: Run the audio recording software first, then run the MLD Bass Preamp Editor Software to use it properly.
*Driver-free: macOS only. It's suggested that all Windows users install the NUX Audio Driver to ensure better performance. Please download on the Support page.
** Free Firmware Updates and Manuals are available by clicking here then selecting "Support"
