| MDB-1 MIXER / DIRECT BOX
Let's have a look at the MDB-1 first. It's basically a three channel splitter and DI box. Mr Rabe has quite rightly kept the design on this muppet-proof. You've got three mono jack inputs, three mutes, three volumes, and two outputs (one jack and one XLR, with an earth lift). There's also a stereo input (great for Stick players), and an aux channel (that's an FX loop to you and I) which are added bonuses.
For recording, the MDB-1 is a dream box, especially when balancing more than one instrument. You can also use a preamp/EQ in the aux loop, and blend the two with one control, rather than having to faff with separate channels for each bass when recording (and if it's a four track at home, chances are their won't be any spares channels.) So plug in your bass, link the PHA-1 or something similar into aux loop, and blend in as much of the amp sound as you want, and still connect to the desk and an amp via the XLR and jack outs!
I found that for balancing two ill matched instruments volume wise, this was the mutt's nuts - so simple, and so effective - no more twiddling volume levels during a gig. Just mute the one you're not using, and set the volumes in the sound check! Yessssss!!!! |
| PHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP / PREAMP
The PHA-1 is a headphone amp that doubles up as a preamp. The front panel looks like a dead simple amp - two ins (high and low gain), volume, bass, mid and treble, and mix L and R, for when you've got a CD or tape running into the stereo socket on the back.
As a head phone amp, it's great - wire up a portable CD player to the stereo input and use the mix controls to set your levels. There are two headphone outs, which means that using the two inputs on the front, you can jam with mates on headphones - ideal for college halls of residence, or late nights on a tour bus!
As a pre-amp, the PHA-1 works equally well. Built to the same exacting specifications and high quality as the MDB-1, the sound is crystal clear, and the three band EQ is centred at very useful frequencies. The stereo input is especially useful if you play with tracks live, or are busking and have run out of channels to put things through. The mix blend controls mean that you've got total flexibility with how much of the stereo signal is sent to the outputs.
The PHA-1 could prove a life saver on the road - allowing you to practice silently but also acting as a back up preamp should yours die at any point - it can be run either directly into a power amp, or into the FX return on a combo to bypass a busted preamp. The 18 volt circuitry means it works great as an extra three band EQ for a passive instrument - loadsa headroom and lots of outputs! It also comes supplied with a set of headphones, made to Raven Lab spec by Yamaha, which is a great added touch.
CONCLUSION
The applications of these two fine quality boxes are myriad and the quality of the workmanship is spectacular - dead simple and pretty rugged, with really high quality parts. There's no added noise or unwanted coloration anywhere, making them appropriate for top pro level recording. It's a shame that the knobs on the front aren't recessable, as there is a danger that they could get knocked off in a gig bag, which would be a bit tragic. The battery housing is rather neat - they run on two 9-volt batteries each, and the blurb claims about 100 hours usage for the MDB-1 and 50 for the PHA-1 from a set of batteries. Better carry a couple of spares and a tester just in case though.
Down side? Er, I'm racking my brain and can't really think of much. It would be nice to have mains power as an option - for home use, batteries can be a bit of a liability, though on the road being freed up from looking for plug sockets is a bit of a dream. And it'd be great if Raven Labs made some sort of bracket for housing the two boxes into a single rack space, for protection on the road. But these are minor things. Over all, these are two of the most useful bass accessories I've seen in years - well worth investigating! |
| Spec Check - MDB-1
Price (UK): £209.00
Origin: USA
Features: 3 mono inputs, one stereo, aux loop with blend control, XLR and jack outputs.
Width: 6.7" (170mm)
Height: 1.75" (44.5mm)
Depth: 6" (152mm)
Weight: 2 lbs. (0.9kg)
Ratings - MDB-1
Usability: 5/5
Features: 4/5
Sounds: 5/5
Workmanship: 5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Rating: 96%
Pros: Transparent sound, ease of use
Cons: No mains power option
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| Spec Check - PHA-1
Price (UK): £199.00
Origin: USA
Features: Hi/Low gain inputs, three band EQ, two headphone outs, aux (tuner) output, stereo input, with separate blend controls.
Width: 6.7" (170mm)
Height: 1.75" (44.5mm)
Depth: 6" (152mm)
Weight: 2 lbs. (0.9kg)
Options: Yamaha headphones, Stereo big jack to mini jack lead supplied (for connecting portable CD player.)
Rating - PHA-1
Usability: 5/5
Features: 4/5
Sounds: 5/5
Workmanship: 5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Rating: 92%
Pros: Well chosen EQ frequencies, two headphone outs.
Cons: Shorter battery life but still no mains option.
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