Ampeg SCR-DI

I was looking for something like this for a long time... a standalone unit I can use without my laptop or interface, one I can take with me whenever I go, with just a few cables and headphones. I needed a rugged piece of gear, easy to set up and dial in the sound. Two different aux inputs with a dedicated mix knob are simply great and it's worth mentioning that it has all metal jack inputs/outputs, even the 1/8" / 35 mm ones. This configuration allows to use this DI as a stage in-ear monitor which is super cool.

Now for the sound: I found out that I get the best Ampeg sound when I engage both hi and low buttons, then set the bass and mids to 2 o'clock and the highs at 10 o'clock. Just recently I've watched a video of Tim Commerford's (RATM, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage) pedalboard with a SCR-DI on it, and I noticed that he's got exactly the same settings! It looks like it's the sweet spot on this preamp, but of course it's subjective and depends on many factors. I've also used it in a studio and it turned out to be a very good clean channel DI-box.

My scrambler settings (if I'm using it) are minimal, around 9-10 o'clock max, just to add some character. I don't like higher settings here. I think it takes away some of that characteristic clean Ampeg sound this unit is capable of.

I highly recommend it, first as a practice tool and then also as a high quality DI. It is solid, well designed, and (at least mine) dead quiet it terms of any hiss or noise. The only thing I would change is the clean bass signal being always on (when the preamp is off) and unaffected by the volume knob. If you want to unplug the bass without a pop in headphones or a speaker, you have to turn the preamp back ON and set the volume knob to zero, which is counter-intuitive.

P.S. I also recommend the dedicated bag. It is of very good quality and fits this unit perfectly.

Extremely satisfied with this product.
I've been using this D.I. in a studio and live environment and it's just got everything: it's a good D.I., the pre-amp has that Ampeg sound that never gets old, and you can (and should) use the Scrambler, a very dynamic distortion circuit modeled after the classic SVT crunch, to add that little grit that you just need when you make a record. You can also dial it up and get some nice aggression, then blend it in with the clean sound using the knob, but beware cause it tends to get a bit out of control and a little overwhelming in the mid range if you go too far.
It's well made, heavy, sturdy, and esthetically pleasing. The connectors are all top quality and the Aux In and Phones Out can come in handy for practicing and makeshift on-stage monitoring.

PROS:
- Great D.I. if you're looking for that Ampeg sound.
- The Scrambler circuit, properly set, is an invaluable addition to your sound.
- Great construction.

CONS:
- If you want flexibility, go for a SansAmp.
- If you're looking for a more controlled, heavy distortion, take a look at the Darkglass stuff.

It works great and colors the tone wonderfully.
The ultra low is very useful to get a big warm sound and stay out of guitar frequencies.
The ultra high adds bite.
The EQ is solid and usefull.
Plugging headphones or computer speakers into it makes it a great practice amp replacement, and aux in adds further features like playing along with music from your phone or computer.

The drive is ok, not great. Its mid sounding and bites. Very vintagey and fuzzy. You might like it or not

There is one problem. If you have a very hot output you will clip the preamp. There is a trim pot inside the pedal to adjust it but makes the preamp much lower volume than bypass, which must be compensated by either upping the volume of the preamp or leaving the trim pot in passive mode and lowering input volume on the bass or i do it with an compressor. Problem comes around only with VERY HOT output active basses, but it is there.

I recommend the product very much.

I bought this pedal so that I would be able to leave my head&cabin at home when gigging and it turned out to be an excellent buy.

For this low price I got the characterestic Ampeg tone along with an equaliser and an amazing overdrive as well. The overdrive effect is actually so good that it justifies the purchase itself. In addition, using that pedal as my personal DI box enabled me to carry my sound even at the most barebone gig setups. The quality build is very high and I really don't have anything bad to say.

Long story short, as a bass player it is always trouble carrying my amp around small venues, only to find out that the sound engineer or the stage won't allow the use of it. This amazing pedal solves all these problems and doubles as a great overdrive pedal if you feel like it.