Author Topic: Tech 21 Sansamp bass driver! (Read 284 times)

white_cloud · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 05:34:03 AM »

Anyone members here have any experience of the Sansamp D.I/bass driver??

As regulars here will know I am a technological half wit and always need taken by the hand with such gadgets! I have been offered one for a decent price and Im told it will do wonders for the live sound of 57 re-issue Fender Precision!

John.

briant · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:06:05 AM »

I have one. They are a great option to make a so-so bass rig sound really good - especially if you send your signal to front of house straight from the BDDI. I generally use mine for recording but have used it live on occasion.

This is a BDDI direct into Protools and no other processing:

BDDI + my Rogue

I've got this model which is the classic BDDI. If anyone is looking to buy one new I'd suggest getting the three channel programmable version for only $10 more. Same tone circuit but with 3 channels instead of just one.

crgaston · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2009, 08:02:46 PM »

They rule. I carry one as an ultimate backup. If my whole rig fails I can plug in to this and finish the show through the monitors. As an effect the eq and distortion capabilities are great. It will definitely beef up a P. Turns my G&L SB-2 into a snot-nosed monster with dripping glass fangs, if I want it to.

Get it.

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:46:56 AM »

Geddy lee uses one instead of onstage amps - his backline now consists of vending machines and tumble dryers (when I saw rush in glasgow his roadie had to keep feeding them with money). Sounded ok if a bit muffled although the bass always sounds duff at Glasgow's SECC.

Graeme

white_cloud · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:41:55 AM »

Totally agree with Graeme, the general sound at the SECC is awful! The adjoing armadillo is far superior!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I stumbled upon the Behringer bd121 bass driver pedal, that according to online reviews does exactly the same job as the Sansamp (within reason, it is a Behringer after all) for a fraction of the price - I bought it!

I reasoned that a ?30 outlay as opposed to ?150 it would be a good way to try out the kind of effect the Sansamp would give me without parting with all my hardearned cash!

Hey, at ?30 its almost disposable if it doesnt float my boat! If I adore it then I can upgrade to the pro Sansamp - rock on!!!!

John.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2009, 04:16:41 AM »

Go for it John!
Let us know how it sounds........we'll all be keento hear about cheaper versions.
I know that Berhinger mixers are just great.......when our American Peavey 16 channel got some beer in it a few weeks ago, I went home and got my 12 channel Berhinger (my home studio mixer)........and it blew the Peavey off the stage!

white_cloud · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:11:28 AM »

Well, I have played around with the Behringer version of the Sansamp for a couple of days now on my small Fender practice amp (my Trace Elliot is at my guitarists house with the P.A.) and Im not sure if I like it or not yet!

The tube simulation is good and adds a lot of warmth and depth...but its quite an old school type of sound so Im not sure how it would work out live. Also its easy to dial in a Marcus Miller/Daryl Jones type of snap into slap playing - but it does come at a price, the sound becomes very sensitive! the overdrive doesnt really do too much at all except push the volume to a uncomfortable level - the quality of the disortion is poor (not that I would use it anyway) and its hard to push into overdrive!

Overall? Im glad I didnt buy the Sansamp...the Begringer is fun to play around with and much cheaper. Im sure the quality of sound from the sansamp would be superior but I dont know if its what Im looking for yet - maybe. The external Sadowsky pre-amp/D.I. comes in at a similar price - maybe that would be money better spent!?!?!? I have heard it does wonders for stock Fender basses!

John.

gare · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:30:58 AM »

John
I've used a bassdriver for years, as others have said they can be very useful..they're especially good for adding more presence..dont write the box of yet..in the past I've also used it as a second channel for a quick change of sounds, something to try anyway. They do fatten up the sound of just about every amp (if thats what you're going for)

Gary

willie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:03:19 AM »

I recently got a Sansamp RPM and a RB1. They sound great but I haven't had enough time to really try them out yet.
They definitely help get the Geddy Lee tone though. On different tours he went through one or the other and the direct line out to front of house. No backline amplifiers. Just clothes driers and chicken cookin things. They may sound good but I personally would still like amps behind me so I not only hear what I'm playing but feel it as well.
Willie

briant · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2009, 12:20:42 PM »

I A/B'd the Behringer real fake BDDI against the real thing about a year ago. I recorded both in my studio setup. There was a very noticable difference. The Behringer sounded like the BDDI but left much to be desired when compared to the real thing.

I have since deleted/lost the sound files or else I would have been glad to post them for review. Sorry.

eligilam · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2009, 02:33:15 PM »

Since I got the SansAmp about 8 years ago, I don't do a lick of bass recording in my studio without going through it....although most think of it more for drive and attack, it can also really ballz-up the bass frequencies if you're going for a more fat, subdued, classic sound.

I agree with crgaston, too: it can make an already aggressive bass sound (like with my Ric or SCSD) transform into a hungry lycanthropic Uruk'hai!

gare · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:24:12 AM »

Willie
Since you have both the RBI & RPM, which would consider..well more useful for lack of a better phrase ? I've been thinking of getting an RPM because of semi-parametic mids..I'm also not thrilled with pedals..I'm a clutz, I can trip over my own feet..so I don't need any help there.

Gary

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:13:25 PM »

white cloud..just looked up that pedal, I think I will treat myself to one and see if it does what it says on the tin, for that amount of dosh you cannot go wrong.
(It's 2.12 am Saturday morning UK time, I have a bad case insomnia)

terryc · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:30:56 PM »

Two large gin and tonics and I am still awake..wonder if I can hit 1000 posts by sunrise

57basstra · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:36:06 PM »

I think you can do it!

Author Topic: Tech 21 Sansamp bass driver! (Read 284 times)

white_cloud

white_cloud

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