Hartke VXL Bass Attack

The Hartke VXL pedal is black, probably the size of two Boss sized pedals side by side.

I need a DI box and a distortion pedal and this is both of those things in one. I bought it brand new at my local music shop for $89.00

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I like that that Hartke VXL can be used as either a preamp, a passive or active DI, and a distortion pedal. It packs that into one box, so I get to bring less to the gig. You can power this by a 9 volt battery, Zoom makes a power supply for it as well as I can used my One-Spot or my Godlyke Power All.



I do not like that when the pedal is bypassed in my signal the EQ is still active. This is no problem if this pedal is always on for you or if you are running it through a true bypass loop. But, hey it's a small price to pay compared to the cost of some of the similar pedals.

This thing is built in a tool metal casing. You wouldn't want to catch this pedal with your teeth! The knobs seem sturdy. The switches are OK, but could be better. I've had them stick once or twice, but the problem worked it self away.

Bottom Line is this is a great pedal packed with a ton of features for not a ton of money. Nothing will beat the sound of a cranked tube amp, but when you can't have that, this thing is a great substitute.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I was not satisfied with my tone. I saw several reviews about the Hartke bass pedal saying it was a good stuff, so I bought one from www.misk-service.de for 99 euros plus 15 euros shipping.

This unit provides really various and good tones. I have completely bypassed the preamplifier section of my combo and plug my bass into the pedal and then directly to the power amplifier section. The result is far better than with the original preampli.

This unit can do 4 things :
- DI box
- pre amplifier (with volume, bass, treble, mid ("shape"))
- distorsion effect
- tone selector (2 footswitches)
What I regret is that on stage or rehearsal it is difficult to perform a fast tone change because it is very difficult to see how the potentiometers are set and the "shape" function can be distinctively louder when engaged with a footswitch.

The box is made out of metal and looks strong enough to whistand the assaults of time and use. Inside it is neat and clean. Good old analogue components are used so it should not be too difficult to repair if needed. For my part I speak from experience since I received the unit with the "brite" potentiometer broken. It could not have been seen from the outside. The potentiometer was broken due to a misalignment with its dedicated hole in the box when the two parts of the box were closed. Hartke does not test the pedal after assembly...
This incident somewhat cooled down my enthousiasm. On top of this I must say that the user manual is under expectation. It lacks a diagram showing the relations between inputs, processes, switches, outputs, such as any mixing console provides. It lacks indication of impedance and levels for the inputs and outputs. It lacks indication of consumption on 9V supply. Last but not least, page 9 of the manual describes a setup which is impossible. I asked Hartke about this, and after two answers besides the point they decided to keep a prudent silence.

Today I don't know of any other pedal providing similar functions in this price range. The competitors are at least twice more expensive. The Hartke pedal can be used in many situations and provides very good tones. I would recommend a try to anyone who is not satisfied with its current sound or to anyone who needs one of the functions provided by this pedal.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this unit from Zzounds for $99.95.

If you can buy just one pedal for your bass guitar then this is the one to get.I couldn't believe how much it improved the tone of my Peavey T40 and all I did was to set the knobs on the Bass Attack to the first suggested setting in the manual.Incredible!

Most of the tones are very usable and totally smoke but if you turn up the overdrive too much-well there's always room for improvement.

Overall the unit is well-built-although I did have to glue a couple of caps on the knobs back on probably due to rough handling during shipment.

I promise-if you try this pedal out and set it to some of the suggested settings- you will not want to turn it off.It's a great pedal for recording also. It can be powered by phantom power and will really add a professional sound to your bass tracks.Go get it!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Basically it is a preamp pedal that "emule" sound lamp!
7 knobs peauffiner settings for the sound! 2 clicks under the feet to choose either more bass, more treble, or 2, or none of the 2 ... A jack, 2 jack outputs, 1 output xlr ... a case which is not half an A4 sheet!

UTILIZATION

One branch, we test, we hack it selects. The manual helps much anyway, because it is difficult to realize what buttons (shape and on / off) which activates knobs! Attention to be a little subtle nevertheless, it is a boost that can be very powerful for serious notament.
A fault: fast food batteries; must not forget the phantom power, but the best is to buy a tranfo ...

SOUNDS

Used as a first step for more potato slap: nickel! Both his round, clean and punchy + of crystalline medium for superb treble solo, but you love it when "crachouille" (this is crunch if you prefer!)! Attention is very powerful!
Then ... after a while I used to give a little more life and anthencité an electric bass (model not expensive at stagg) I found myself with a sound limit "woody" and singing "(woohoo!).
Today I put the output of a multi effect boss gt 10b, provides multi regulate according the bass attack is neutral, but it "warms" sounds numeriqes, level amps I just connected two Peavy not fantastic. .. well I'm still big sound. It also allows me to have a 2nd amp back with the 2nd jack!
Recently latest innovation: a friend came home record on the PC. scratching input and 2 outputs: one jack with its effects, a xlr in clean and we could record 2 tracks for future work! Neutral settings lightweight and not too disturbed the sound of the guitar! Apart from a tiny breath RAS, so nickel record type demo / amateur.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for nearly 5 years!
Overall I see no equivalent!
The qualities listed above: it is robust, versatile (A + a DI preamp + compressor quasi ...) practice. The defects are more at the alim (bouffeuse stack phantom little more sure ...), low "bourrinent" a little, you have to be subtle and not too push the level!
Bought for 100 € at a time when I did nothing pigeais effects ... since it excites me!
Lovers will find very largely see their account even for the pros scene!