DSM/HUMBOLDT Simplifier Bass Master

The DSM/HUMBOLDT Simplifier Bass Master is a bass preamp pedal from DSM/HUMBOLDT, listed by the maker as a new product. It sits in the Simplifier family of preamps and is built to carry a bass signal from the instrument to the front of house or a power amp, taking the place of a traditional bass head.¹

What it does

DSM/HUMBOLDT describes the Bass Master as the result of years of research into the factors that interact to shape a bass tone. At its core is what the maker calls a super versatile preamp with three modes²¹:

The three modes give the pedal three distinct preamp characters:

• Clean: the maker's clean preamp mode¹
• Comp: the maker's compressed preamp mode¹
• Hot: the maker's hotter, driven preamp mode¹

Alongside the preamp modes, the pedal carries a 4-band equalizer, which the maker says "makes it an extremely versatile and capable tool" for dialing in a bass tone.²

The Bass Master also offers a parallel signal mix with low pass filter options, which DSM/HUMBOLDT describes as a way of improving the low end feel and response. In practice, that means a player can blend a second signal path against the main one and filter it, a common approach on bass for keeping the low end full while a driven or brighter layer sits on top.¹

Hearing it in action

DSM/HUMBOLDT hosts a demo with Ben Jud on the product page for players who want to hear the preamp's modes and EQ before trying one.²

The maker also publishes an audio playthrough of the track "Act 2: Agonist of the Hope" by KUBERA, performed by Ignacio SpoonMan Kubera, with a SUB-ATOMIC running into a Simplifier Bass Master. DSM/HUMBOLDT notes the recording was made by Seba Aguilera with no edits and no post effects added, so it shows the pedal as recorded.²

Videos

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