The NAMM show in Anaheim, California doesn’t kick off for a couple more days yet but the new gear releases are already starting to filter through. New for NAMM 2015 from Orange Amplification is the OB1 Series of class A/B rack mountable bass amplifier heads with the OB1-300 and OB1-500.
For years bassists have been combining guitar and bass amps to remarkable effect, adding harmonics and layers of overdrive from a guitar amp to their core bass tone in pursuit of the ultimate live sound. Taking their inspiration from this ‘bi-amping’ trend, Orange has produced two stunning new models that takes care of this in one package, addressing the demands of modern bassists.
The OB1 splits the input instrument signal into two separate, totally analogue paths. One side amplifies the clean signal, with all the clarity and responsiveness you would expect from Orange. The other adds two stages of gain and increased harmonic content to the upper frequencies, controllable via the amp’s Gain knob. These two elements are combined using the amplifier’s footswitchable Blend control which adjusts the mix between clean and dirty. The overall sound can then fine-tuned using the active three-band EQ.
The results are truly inspired – a tight, thunderous low end fused with a brutal but versatile gain circuit that maintains definition even at extreme settings. Depending on where the Gain and Blend controls are set, the possibilities are limitless. Punch in the Blend control to achieve anything from a transparent clean boost, to all-out filthy grind, and everywhere in between.
The OB1 is available in both 300 Watt and 500 Watt versions (both 19” 2U), each featuring balanced DI and line level outputs and Orange’s classic ‘Pics Only’ styling.
Key Features include:
• Footswitchable ‘bi-amp’-inspired design
• 100% Analogue signal path
• Class A/B operation
• Active EQ
• 2U rack mountable
Orange Amplification will be showing the New OB1 Series and all their other new products at their Booth 4890 Hall C at Winter NAMM 2015. The range is expected to be shipping April.
Distributed in Australia by Australian Musical Imports