Nathan East’s Signature Tone in a Portable Preamp
Designed alongside celebrated bassist Nathan East, the Laney Digbeth DB-East-Pre harnesses the sound of his full-blown “big rig” and packs it into an eminently portable solution. This preamp bass pedal’s FET-based clean tone offers exceptional clarity and definition. And when you want to push things further, the tube-style Drive adds rich warmth and gritty edge, perfect for cutting through a mix or adding vintage-style character. Additionally, the flexible EQ section includes a Tilt control for quick, intuitive tone shaping. Moreover, the DB-East-Pre features LA-IR-equipped DI outputs, bolstered by preloaded IRs of Nathan’s favorite DBV212 and DBV210 cabinets. You also get two switchable inputs, complemented by the dual LA-IR DI outputs, enabling you to supply front of house with a dedicated output for each instrument. Finally, the DB-East-Pre includes a USB-C jack for connecting to the LA-IR app, but it also supports post-IR audio I/O, enabling flawless direct connection to your DAW. Melding heritage, innovation, and exceptional portability, the Digbeth DB-East-Pre delivers pro-level performance and tone anywhere.
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From a velvety purr to a thunderous roar
No matter what tone you envision for your bass lines, the Digbeth DB-East-Pre can achieve it. The preamp’s FET-based foundation is incredibly crisp and clean, yet never sterile. The FET/Tube switch gives you access to the preamp’s second personality: a snarling, thunderous beast infused with a potent tube-style Drive. The 3-band EQ offers comprehensive sound shaping, while the Tilt control — one of our favorite features here at Sweetwater — enables you to add more mix-piercing cut or dial in a velvety, silken roundness.
Cutting-edge LA-IR-equipped DI outputs
Packed with cutting-edge technology, the Laney Digbeth DB-East-Pre features LA·IR-equipped DI outputs, each tied to its own input and configurable via the free LA·IR app, which includes preloaded IRs of Nathan East’s favorite DBV212 and DBV210 cabinets. When you switch inputs, the DB-East-Pre automatically changes the corresponding IR, providing you with total flexibility for multiple basses. Moreover, the pedal’s two switchable inputs and dedicated DI outputs enable you to send separate signals to front of house for independent EQ adjustments. With the DB-East-Pre, you can apply the perfect cabinet IR and fine-tune EQ for an ideal bass tone every time.
Nathan’s “big rig” sound, minus the bulk
Nathan East is one of the most respected names in bass, and in 2025 Laney proudly introduced his first signature product, the DB-East amplifier. As a constantly in-demand musician, Nathan needed a compact, portable solution that could deliver his iconic, DB-East-fueled “big rig” sound without compromise, and that’s exactly what the DB-East-Pre provides. This preamp pedal has become his go-to studio tool, offering all the tone and versatility of his signature amp in an eminently portable form factor. In Nathan’s own words: “I can’t believe it; it sounds exactly like my big rig.”
Laney Digbeth DB-East-Pre Features:
- Signature preamp bass pedal of celebrated bassist Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins)
- Harnesses the sound of Nathan’s full-blown “big rig” and packs it into an eminently portable solution
- FET-fueled foundational tone gives you plenty of clean articulation
- Tube-style Drive feature provides added warmth and grit
- 3-band EQ gives you intuitive sound shaping
- Tilt control enables you to add more mix-piercing cut or dial in a velvety, silken roundness
- LA-IR-equipped DI outputs with preloaded IRs of Nathan’s favorite DBV212 and DBV210 cabinets
- Automatically switching inputs provide total flexibility for multiple basses
- 2 switchable inputs and dedicated DI outputs enable you to send separate signals to FOH for independent EQ adjustments
- USB-C jack for connecting to the LA-IR app and flawless direct connection to your DAW
