I was really impressed at how well the Mesa held itself against the Noble. Very good video!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Scott! Both are great preamps :)

Little bit late, I know, just subscribed to your channel. I'm very impressed by your content and the the quality of your reviews/comparisons. I heard some sound demos of the Nobel DI that were really impressive, but the price tag is just too sick for a simple DI box imo. I was quite surprised, for me it's the EQ that really makes the difference. In the flat settings I can hardly tell any difference. But with lows and highs boosted the Noble DI has this outstanding clarity and adds that tube warmth and sparkle to the sound, I had expected. Exactly what a JB needs to sit in the mix prefectly. Again, this shows that you have to spend a lot of money, if you really want to achieve those last 2 or 3 percent to perfection. But at least you get what you paid for here.

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with what you said. It’s really the last percentage points that you get with a unit like this one. With that being said, once you get one, you probably don’t want to play without it anymore 😂

Another great demo. Thanks so much, man. I'm a big Mesa fan, but I think you have to give a slight edge to the Noble. Impressive pre.

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, both are killer! The tubes on the Noble definitely make a difference, though sometimes i miss having a mid control. The mesa is a bit more flexible in that department

I switched to Mesa d800+ with two 12’s almost five years ago and love it. However I would like to add the tube pre for recording and also as a fly rig so I think I’m going to save up for the Noble. Plus the Noble is also a power supply for pedals. You sound great!

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Mesa amps and cabs are top notch! You won’t regret the amount spent on the Noble. It’s a GREAT piece of gear. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

Great video, thanks! Hmm, a Noble had been on my wish list, but now I'm second guessing. The Mesa sounds great too!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Both are killer! The tubes definitely make a difference sounds and playing wise, but the Mesa offers you a bit more flexibility EQ wise

@wcvalentine5996

3 жыл бұрын

Much cheaper

I bought my Mesa used for 225. For that price, the difference in the tone is not worth 800.00 more to me. I think it’s better to have all the ins and outs, eq with mids and easy ability to overdrive the input. I have been getting great live results and lots of compliments on the tone without an amp on stage. Still, that Noble is pretty sweet! Keep up the awesome videos!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Congratulations :) Yeah, since I switched to Mesa gear i always get compliments from front of house 😁

I have the Mesa subway! a brilliant little piece of gear and finally listened to it against of the best Di boxes which is the Noble. For the price I think Mesa held up great. For me it was a slight difference but has Ivan said it's the feel when playing with it. I will still keep my Mesa even if I do get a Noble.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Both are great DIs!

Listening through a pair of Bose QC 35 headphones, I hear a slight difference between the Noble and the Mesa. Given the difference in sound quality that I’m hearing, both sound great but for the high price of the Noble, the Mesa sounds like a better value.

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Both sound great! The feel/response of the Noble is pretty impressive and that is something that doesn’t translate through video. I prefer the treble control on the Mesa and sometimes I miss having a mid control on the Noble

@stevenojeda329

4 жыл бұрын

IvanBassist Great comparison. Love your playing style.

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

@@stevenojeda329 Thank you, Steven :) I appreciate it

Very good test, thank you, very cool

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Thanks Ivan! awesome video. I think the noble sounds a tiny bit nicer, while the price difference is quiet big... But, doesn't it feel good to spend carelessly on the smallest and most insignificant things, while saving every cent possible on the big and important ones? 😊

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha 😂 Yeah, both are great, though. One thing that is impossible to translate through KZread is the playing “feel” of the DIs. Those tubes definitely make a difference, but the Mesa offers more EQ options

Would love to see the Noble vs the Shift line Olympic 3

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

I don’t own the shiftline, but I’ll see what I can do about that! Thanks for the suggestion!

@KaltOhm

4 жыл бұрын

Plus one to this!

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like it is going to happen soon ;)

@KaltOhm

3 жыл бұрын

IvanBassist yay!

have you used noble with an electric guitar?

the noble sounds a bit warmer and have a full tone because the tubes, it is a 350 euro against a 1000 euro pedal. for me....The price difference is huge...so it would be the mesa. nice video Ivan

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Stefan! Yes, both sound great. The price of the Mesa is hard to beat 💪🏽

The Noble just adds a certain something to the tone... It's almost like a thickness and body that the Mesa is missing. The Mesa, on the other hand is definitely brighter, and sounds like it would lend itself well to a vintage tone. Just my 2 cents with some cheap headphones!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, those preamp tubes definitely have a big impact on the sound!

Would it be possible for you to make a video of the Noble going through the output jack instead of the DI? And run some pedals into the unit? Also if you hit the front end of the Noble hard with a boost pedal would it start to break up or stay clean? Im thinking of getting a Noble, id be upgrading from an Aguilar Tone Hammer. I use powered cabs, no head no pre. Instead i drive my cabs with a pre off my board. And i use a lot of pedals. Im tired of the tube sim on the TH (AGS), i want real tube tone. should i get the Noble? And im not looking for a glorified EBS Valvedrive, i want the clean warm b15 esque tone i hear on my fav records

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Taking the 1/4” out is the same sound as using the DI. The only difference is that you can control the volume out of the 1/4”, but both of them have the tube sound. I think you *could* hit some break up, but you need to hit it extremely hard. It was not designed for that, as far as i know.

Hey Ivan, I saw this excellent review when you first put it out last year. I'm in the market right now for a preamp and narrowed it down to the Mesa Subway DI and the Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp. Not sure if either pedal is popular enough these days to justify it, but would love for you to do a comparison of the two someday. Just thought I'd throw that out there to you. Thanks, man! 🎸✌

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Greg, I can make that happen. A friend of mine has a Tone Hammer. I’ll see what i can do 💪🏽

@grossi6330

2 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist That would be awesome. Thanks so much for the quick reply!!! 😀

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

@@grossi6330 In the meantime, here’s a demo of the Tone Hammer I did a few years ago: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pmmow8OAiqWwY6Q.html

@grossi6330

2 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist thanks again!

I would be interested to hear the Noble vs the direct out on WD 800….I think that would be closer or harder to pick. On this Noble is better

Noble! More focus, more tone, is amazing!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Those tubes are pretty awesome

Mesa held up very well,against its tube competition. I will say that if the Noble had a midrange control it would the winner for me. I’ve had many versions of the Alembic preamps and they never have enough growl and volume, unless I’ve modified them. Does the Boogie have a loop?

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

The “Plus” version of the Mesa has a loop :)

@theirritatedirishman5440

3 жыл бұрын

I’m not great by any means but I have to an amp behind me. Just the old school player in me. I want something I can run a power amp with live which I know these can. I hate the weight of my old Crown Macrotechs and the QSC MX series I have but the warm bottom end! Can a new power lite series compete???

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Powerlite? Do you mean the Subway cabinets?

@theirritatedirishman5440

3 жыл бұрын

IvanBassist : Power Amps? QSC,Crown and Peavey all make powerful lite weight amps now.

MB sounds best by itself but the N sounds better in the mix as it presents more musical treble character and sounds great in the mix as well as being a defined instrument in that mix, the boogie only blends in.

The subway felt like it was down a long tunnel compared to the Noble. Though maybe the Noble is just a little louder in the video/maybe in general?

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

I tried to match volumes as best as possible

Considering the price difference between the two.... There is a big difference.... & the Noble has more Tube Vibe... But its a piece of equipment for Studio' or what you send to the F. O. H engineer.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Both are great. The Subway DI is also a good DI for live use, but it doesn’t have the tube warmth of the Noble, like you mentioned

mesa subway, is it phantom powered?

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the late reply! No, you need either a 9v power supply or a battery

Hey sorry I'm having a brain fart, do these DI's go into a preamp? Or do these XLR outs go directly into the line input of a daw? The unit has a DI and a preamp both included? So I should take that XLR and go line in, right? It's weird to me it's called a preamp

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

Are you talking about the Mesa or the Noble? The signal going out of the XLRs go into your interface or a mixing desk.

@AASteveo

2 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist I was talking about the Noble. Pretty sure it outputs line level, unlike most DIs, therefore does not need to go to a preamp, but rather the line in or straight to a compressor. Last time somebody brought one in the level coming out of it was too hot for a preamp, so I think it has both a DI and a preamp stage in the box and outputs line level.

Subway sounds just a little bit cleaner which I liked. Noble sounds little bit beefier. I like the subway better because it has more control to shape the way I want.

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, those mid controls are definitely helpful!

Do you use this pre or the noble along with your power amp?

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve been using both either in front of my amp or in the return of the effects loop, bypassing the amp’s preamp. They both sound great!

@Russ2607

4 жыл бұрын

IvanBassist thanks bro

wonder how a Caveman BP1 would compare. saw in Janek Gwizdala latest videos that he picked one up and he also had one of the first noble's.

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t tried that one, unfortunately

@cheveyo2403

2 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist maybe they dont mind to send you one for review? Denmark isn't that far is it?

I'd love to see the Arkham Oracle in the mix with these. Price Point is between the two and its a James tonestack.

@IvanBassist

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll see what I can do!

The WD 800 direct out would be a more fair contrast since it has the tube in preamp. This has no tube and I can hear the tube sound from Noble. I bet WD can hang with it -you are getting a full head for same price. This difference was minor so I’m sure the WD hangs.

In this comparison the Nobel sounds better across the board. I had the Mesa and it adds a very high constant high frequency that I could barely hear but could see in my DAW and my daughter said “what is that whine?” Your other video comparing the Nobel with the RNDI was much more close. In fact I preferred the RNDI in the mix with the band to the Nobel.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean about the Mesa. I see a spike somewhere around 18-20 khz in my daw, too. Both the RNDI and Noble are great. The RNDI captures a really broad spectrum of sound and has TONS of headroom, which is awesome :)

The Noble sounds rounder and warmer

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Gotta love those tubes 😁

The Noble DI sounds better imo.. BUT- is it 400$+ better? Definitely not

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

That’s up to each person to decide 😊 One thing that isnt possible to show in videos is the response/feel of the bass when playing through different preamps/amps, and I have to admit that playing through the Noble feels pretty amazing 😄

@schurfrelay

4 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah of course it's up to personal preference, just sharing my own meaningless view on it 😂 great videos anyway!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

@@schurfrelay Every opinion is appreciated! :) Thanks for watching!

Im afraid if I keep scrolling I'll find the classic comments like. What bass are you using, what color is your bass, what strings or cables? and... can you send me the tabs?

@IvanBassist

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂

3 knobs? I'll take the mesa - the plus version though.

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

The plus version is pretty awesome!

When flat they're identical. Though Noble has some personal character to it but in general they will be indistinguishable in the mix

Great Demo! l like your Six Feet Deeper T-shirt! :-)

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Gift from Erik 😁😁

Noble sounds a bit...more...but I'm going with the Mesa. It's close enough and the differences are negligible to justify the HUGE price difference.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Both are great! :)

@blankvrs

3 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist Agreed. I prefer the Noble, but it's the cost. I'm not a pro musician, so the Mesa will do just fine. Your video has really helped me.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Happy to help! Glad to hear that! I also did a full demo of the Subway DI in case you want to check it out: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qWGLpcujgNnUf7A.html

Noble sounds louder, as if it adds a bit of compression

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

I tried to match volumes as close as I could, but the Noble definitely adds a bit of natural tube compression

@ludovicmennel4166

4 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist Which is not a bad thing at all in my opinion!

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Ludovic Mennel indeed 😁

noble all the way... best DI/preamp ever

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! :)

Noble sounded a tiny bit better but IMO it is not worth the extra upcharge compared to the Mesa. If nobody was no object then yeah, I'd go for the Nobel LOL

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Both area great :)

Playing with a pick - no difference. Fingers - more of a difference. Money no object Noble, price point goes to Mesa. It is all good and really, just go and practice! and you will sound better. I actually use an MXR DI+ and love it, great price point, great preamp plus excellent analog distortion (with noise gate!) and a pre shape voicing option as well. Can also be battery powered..

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

The MXR is a great DI

@johnhahn7948

3 жыл бұрын

@@IvanBassist Yes, I forgot to mention the eq section as well. I found it out when I was looking for a distortion pedal for a "School Of Rock" show I had to play for a couple of weeks. I like sweet sounding and musical distortion (if that makes sense) and everyone I talked to said check out that pedal. I loved it and got a preamp out of it as well. My basses are mostly passive so that was a great addition for the preamp slap sound. You play great btw. So many people think they can demonstrate gear and they don't have a clue how to play. You are refreshing.

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

I also play mainly passive basses, so I definitely know what you mean! Thanks for the kind words, John! I appreciate it 🙏🏽

Ill stick with the Khan Audio VTDI

They sound the same. At least through audio technica m50x headphones. And here the MESSA clearly has an advantage. But it’s not just Noble that is considered the holy grail. I watched almost all the videos about Noble. As for equalization, you can get the same sound for less, and this video is another proof. So it's something else. Something that cannot be transmitted through sound and monitor. Can you tell me about the feeling? And yes, I watched your video where you compare it with cave man, but can you go into more detail? Personally, as a practical person, I see that the number of settings and communications in MESA is more useful than useless.... but something needs to be clarified here.

@ruslanshalintsev4793

9 ай бұрын

I found the answers in the comments. That's what I thought - it's about the feel on the spot, and this is not conveyed through video. Thank you.

I think you bass is too low in the mix w/ the music backing parts

Just bought my noble it’s gonna be a long 12 weeks

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

The wait will be worth it!

@OfficialMarkZuckerberg

4 жыл бұрын

jesus thats a long lead time

Almost similiar. But mesa have brighter sound on my ear

@IvanBassist

4 жыл бұрын

That’s been the opinion on most of the comment so far :)

Mesa!!!!!!!!

@IvanBassist

3 жыл бұрын

Great preamp 💪🏽 thanks for watching!