Platinum Stage EQ/DI Analog Preamp

If your instrument has a piezo pickup, using a preamp is a good way to get the best sound out of your instrument. A good preamp can boost your signal and correct the impedance to match your amp for better sound. The addition of an EQ will help fine tune your sound for each gig. Lately, I have been using the Fishman Platinum Stage EQ/DI Analog Preamp with my upright bass. Here are some of my thoughts on the preamp.

The first thing that I like about this preamp is that it provides up to a 6dB increase to your signal. This is enough to drive my amps and tighten up my sound. If that is not enough, there is a boost switch that give you up to a 12dB increase. To further help your sound, the Platinum Stage has a 10M ohm input impedance which matches well with piezo pickups. The output impedance for amps is 1k ohms. This will avoid the weak impedance mismatch sound that can happen with amps not designed to work with piezo pickups.

The EQ on this preamp is interesting. It has a standard 4-band EQ with sweepable mid. In addition, there is an EQ mode switch. With the switch set to "bass", the EQ is optimized for basses. When set to guitar, it is optimized for all other instruments. In addition, there is a phase control switch and a low cut to remove unwanted bottom end.

I really like the flexible power options. The Platinum Stage can be powered by 9-volt battery, 48-volt phantom power, or power adapter. I was very glad it had this option when my power adapter stopped working right before a gig. I popped in a 9-volt and I was ready to roll. It is also nice to have when the sound person cannot figure out how to turn on the phantom power (but that's another story).

The Platinum Stage is designed to be worn. It has a large belt clip on the back of it. This is great if you plan to wear it. This give you access to the boost switch while you are playing. I, however, do not wear it. I usually place it on the floor or on top of my amp. The downside is that I find that the preamp does not always sit nicely when hooked up to cables. Sometimes, I find the cables want to shift the preamp from where I want it. I think this is because the cables all hook into the same side.

Other than how this preamp sits when hooked up to cables, I have been completely happy with this product. I realize I have not mentioned the sound and that is because it does exactly what it is suppose to do. It provides a crystal clear sound that I can fine tune using the EQ. I know several musicians who used the previous incarnation of this preamp. They have nothing but good things to say about their experience. That is what caused me to purchase this version of the preamp.

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