Fat Bass Tone
Starlifter
Explore galaxies of tone with the new StarLifter bass preamp/DI pedal
A DI WITH A WEALTH OF POWER AND FLEXIBILITY
SWEEPABLE MID RANGE CONTROL DIALS IN EVEN MORE SONIC POSSIBILITIES
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Having a great-sounding DI and preamp combo is quickly becoming a necessity for gigging bass players. With IEM rigs becoming the norm and fewer stages accommodating full powered amps, the Starlifter delivers a super clear-sounding DI and preamp solution.
The Contour switch offers three modes: Flat (transparent, uncolored signal), Modern (tasteful mid scoop with treble and bass boost for slap, R&B, and Gospel), and Vintage (low-mid bump emulating a classic tube amp).
To complement that core tone, you get a 3-band EQ with a semi-parametric mid-control. The Bass provides ±15dB at 70Hz, the Treble provides ±15dB at 6kHz, and the Mid provides ±15dB at any frequency you select between 150Hz and 2.8kHz using the Mid Freq knob. This EQ is one of those no-matter-where-you-set-it-it's-great type of EQs. The sweepable midrange is particularly valuable for finding your space in a mix, whether you need to add punch in the low-mids, cut through with upper-mid presence, or take away some low mid mud or some high mid honk.
The Starlifter offers serious flexibility with its input impedance switch (1MΩ for passive/active basses, 10MΩ for piezo/upright), input pad (-10dB for high-output instruments), DI pad (-20dB), ground lift, and Pre-EQ switch that allows the DI signal to bypass the EQ section. This means you can send a flat signal to FOH while keeping your EQ'd tone for your stage amp. The tuner out remains active at all times, and the mute switch is perfect for silent tuning or bass changes. The Volume control affects the output jack (which has plenty of gain to drive power amps and powered cabinets) but doesn't affect the DI level. The Engage switch lets you toggle between flat and EQ'd sound on the fly, with LED indicators showing your status.
At 6.5" x 4" x 1.75" and weighing 2.5 lbs, the Starlifter comes with a US 15VAC 300mA power supply. The steel chassis is built to withstand the rigors of touring, and the thoughtful layout makes adjustments easy even in low-light stage environments.
Whether you're going direct to the PA, recording in the studio, driving a power amp, or building a sophisticated pedalboard rig, the Nordstrand Starlifter delivers the professional sound quality and flexibility that working bass players need.
From Nordstrand
The StarLifter offers top notch sound quality with a simple accessible feature set with clear and easy to use controls. It provides a killer clean DI signal that can either bypass the EQ or take advantage of the powerful tone shaping qualities of the carefully designed contour switch and the 3 band eq which features a sweepable midrange control. The line out provides plenty of gain to make any amp or powered cabinet sweat. A tuner out, mute switch, and switchable input impedance add real work flexibility. Get on board the StarLifter and take your tone to the stratosphere.
Comes with a US power supply.
Artists: Sammy Burke, Steve Araujo, Andy Irvine, Steve Jenkins, Jonathan Herrera
Dimensions = 6.5" x 4" x 1.75"
Weight = 2.5lbs
SIGNAL FLOW:
Input → impedance switch → –10dB pad → tuner out → EQ & Contour → DI/Output
TOP-PANEL CONTROLS
MUTE — Mutes all output except the tuner out. In MUTE mode, the mute LED turns red, as do the side lights.
ENGAGE — Turns on the EQ, illuminates the green LED, and turns the side lights green. When the pedal is disengaged, signal still passes through the gain circuitry and the volume knob remains functional.
ENGAGE allows switching a “flat” and EQ'd sound on the fly.
VOLUME – The signal level at the output jack (DI level is not affected). There is quite a lot of gain at hand here. We intend the StarLifter to provide more than enough gain to drive a power amp cleanly and loudly. (More on that later).
CONTOUR — A 3-way switch allowing a selection of “flat”(off), “vintage”, or “modern” settings. “Flat” passes an uncolored signal with no additional eq present, beyond that set with the EQ controls. The “vintage” setting is a "frowny-face" EQ curve, designed to provide a darker tone with a low-mid bump emulating a classic heavy tube amp setup with an 8x10 cabinet. The “modern” setting engages a carefully chosen mid scoop with treble and bass boost, providing quick access to great slap, R&B, and Gospel tones.
TREBLE — Provides +/– 15dB shelving boost and cut with a 6kHz corner frequency. MID — Provides +/- 15dB boost and cut at the frequency selected by the mid freq knob.
MID FREQ — Selects a center frequency between 150Hz–2.8KHz for the midrange bell filter.
BASS — provides +/- 15dB boost and cut with a corner frequency of 70Hz.
BACK PANEL CONTROLS
INPUT — Plug your instrument in here. (But you already knew that).
IMP SWITCH — Changes the input impedance from 1MΩ to 10MΩ. Use 1MΩ for passive or active electric instruments and the 10MΩ setting for piezo pickup systems, e.g., the typical upright bass pickup.
PAD — Decreases gain at the input by 10dB for high-output instruments. Use the StarLifter without the pad unless it becomes audibly necessary as would be indicated by the presence of unwanted distortion.
TUNER OUT — Allows connection to a tuner or for any other need requiring a parallel output. Remains active at all times.
12-15VAC POWER SUPPLY INPUT JACK — Connect the included 15VAC 300mA power supply here.
GND LIFT — Lifts the ground connection (pin 3) at the DI jack. Can eliminate a noisy ground loop, but should remain unused unless necessary.
PRE EQ — Allows DI signal to bypass eq section of pedal providing a flat, uncolored signal for recording or FOH You can still have the EQ’d signal at your amplifier. The EQ'd signal can be sent to FOH or "tape" by leaving this switch out (disengaged).
PAD –20dB — Reduce the signal at the DI jack by 20dB for better interfacing with some equipment.
DI JACK — Connect your mic preamp or recording interface here.
OUT — Main instrument output. Connect into front end of amp or line level input on recording interface. A lot of gain is available and you can easily drive a power amp or a powered cabinet. Look for an amp in or an effects loop return to bypass the front end of your amp for a super clean and deeply musical sonic quality.
Power Source Specs:
Starlifter Power Source: US AC Adaptor
Plug in Class 2 Transformer
Input: 120VAC, 60HZ, 60mA
Output: 15VAC, 300mA
This pedal preamp is built to the highest quality...exceeded my expectations...so easy to dial in the tone any gear guy would want..high end quality, easy to use,great tone!!!!!
A fantastic sounding DI / EQ that can give you a versatile and MASSIVE bass tone! Amazing when paired with a tube preamp or compressor.
I've owned many great DI-Preamps and this is the best I've had. Many 3-4 times as much in cost doesn't sound as good. Phenomnal build and dead quiet.
I’ve purchased a lot of bass gear from this place and they always go above and beyond. Max is the best.
