Sansamp vs Amp Head

jazzbassist1 · #1 01-25-2011, 07:34 AM

Hey guys,

I have a feeling this has been covered before, but I looked for the last half and hour and didn't find anything, so I'll ask it and I apologize if it has been covered before.

I travel with a band that has a really nice PA system, and for lack of transportation space, I don't travel with an amp. I play direct into the system, and my sound is good, but not great. Recently I got to borrow a friend's Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver and absolutely loved what it did for my sound going direct into the system. Currently, I have an Ampeg amp head that has a "preamp out" connection on the back and was wondering going through that preamp and then into the system would achieve the same results as playing through a Sansamp. Anyone have any experience with this?

Joe_K · #2 01-25-2011, 07:48 AM

That sansamp is engineered for direct sound, emulating a tube amp as well as some manner of speaker emulation. The amp heads preamp out is designed to be run into another amp, so it isn't going to emulate anything related to the amp or speakers. You are not going to get the same results. Good thing is, the Sansamp is pretty cheap to pick up, and if you like that sound, its still a lot easier to lug around to gigs.

rockstarbassist · #3 01-25-2011, 08:36 AM

What Ampeg head is it? If it's a regular ol SVT, the DI out on it probably isn't going to sound that awesome.
If it's one of their hybrid/solid-state models, probably just going Post DI from the XLR will get you close to that Sansamp. That "Preamp Out" to the board won't sound that great.

Joe_K · #4 01-25-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

If it's one of their hybrid/solid-state models, probably just going Post DI from the XLR will get you close to that Sansamp.

Yes, depending on the gig, I do this for gigs with an SVT 3 Pro (without the sansamp). And it sounds good. It can't cop all the sounds you can dial in with a Sansamp, but if the amp head already sounds good for the material, this method works well.

In fact, the sansamp itself doesn't do a very good job of getting the sound of my amp head because of its lack of independent Mid control.

I have to keep both methods on tap when I'm playing in several very different bands.

Medford Bassman · #5 01-25-2011, 01:31 PM

I would go with the Sansamp.

I own one and I use it for small gigs without an amp or if I have an amp failure. It's small and fits easily into my gig tote.

walker rosewood · #6 01-25-2011, 02:30 PM

I agree best thing to do would be just buy a sansamp. They're relatively cheap, especially used, and there's usually a few in the FS/FT thread. The speaker sim is most likely what you were hearing that you liked.

But to humor you, what amp head to you have? Check the block diagram for how the signal is routed. If you took the pre-amp out into a DI box, then into the FOH board --- it is probably the exact same routing as running built in DI (post), to the FOH.

cableguy · #7 01-30-2011, 02:06 PM

Look into the programable Sansamp bass DI or the VT bass Deluxe and they will give you more sound options at your feet and are a lot lighter than an amp. That is if you are happy with the FOH and monitors.

TimmyP · #8 02-02-2011, 05:01 PM

I find that the SansAmp does not reproduce the nuances of the strings as well as the J48 and other straight DIs. But if you want coloration, the SamsAmp would seem to be the ticket.

Growly Lytes · #9 01-31-2012, 03:13 AM

Get the RBI or RPM they have mid & mid shift.You can dial in whatever mids you need there.

Zooberwerx · #10 01-31-2012, 04:09 AM

I have both an RPM and SVP-CL all-tube pre sitting in front of me and, no, they do not sound alike.

Riis