Any reason to buy BassDriver over ParaDriver?

doppio · #1 09-09-2010, 02:47 PM

Hello all, I've been looking into buying a pedal from Tech21... either the SansAmp bass driver or the para driver.
From what I see, para driver does all that bass driver does, plus mid-parametic EQ controls.

I also own electric guitars and acoustic, so I thought paradriver would be more useful...

BUT, if you were to use it wholly for the bass, is there any reason to pick bassdriver over paradriver?

Chowowbus · #2 09-09-2010, 07:05 PM

Para has the mid knob
Bass driver has the blend
What else will be in your chain? If you have an EQ pedal you might not need to worry about not having a mid.
With my G&L L2000 and my EQ in the chain I have more than enough mids so I really like the blend...

Mark Olson · #3 09-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Personally I think the Para Driver sounds a lot better than the Bass Driver on bass. I'd go with the Para Driver.

*insertcoolname · #4 09-09-2010, 07:32 PM

Pretty sure they both have a blend, the blend on the paradriver is just a little smaller.

**Staccato** · #5 09-09-2010, 07:38 PM

You'll find lots of Paradriver recommendations in the BDDI archives. I've never demo'd the Para...

ryansalmond · #6 09-09-2010, 07:39 PM

The bass driver will be easier to find.

I bought a paradriver.

I haven't played a bassdriver, but some might say the paradriver sucks your highs that same way the bassdriver 'sucks your mids'. I can say that there isnt a whole lot of top end on the paradriver, especially if you're in a mix with cymbals and guitars.

Philbiker · #7 09-09-2010, 08:10 PM

I needed a DI to work with bass or acoustic guitar depending on the situation. I've been very happy with the Paradriver that I bought at Jive Sound for both utilities. I'll probably bring it to the upcoming DC area GTG.

timbledum · #8 09-10-2010, 06:42 AM

Paradriver lacks a presence knob.

cybersnyder · #9 09-10-2010, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I needed a DI to work with bass or acoustic guitar depending on the situation. I've been very happy with the Paradriver that I bought at Jive Sound for both utilities. I'll probably bring it to the upcoming DC area GTG.

Unrelated, but I've been meaning to go to Jive Sound for two years. I'm close, but not conveniently close. Think I'll make a trip there this weekend.

Jake of Bass · #10 09-10-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbledum

Paradriver lacks a presence knob.

Yeah, kinda swaps the presence for a mid control. I'd say the mid is more useful, if the eq response and tone is the same as the BDDI.

Jim Carr · #11 09-10-2010, 07:06 AM

I have a Paradriver, but have not used the Bassdriver. I use the Paradriver for Upright or if I want to connect anything with a Piezo pickup. It is also a nice way to add that "even numbered harmonic distortion sound," commonly called tube simulation. It has tons of it and you can select the amount and then blend it in.

The only time tone or highs are "sucked," IME, is when the drive and blend are engaged. This seems normal to me though, as it is not actual "suckage," but rather a subtle distortion—which actually does "smooth out" the signal by filtering and emphasizing different parts of the signal in a tube—like way, i.e., a warmer sound that is less honky, and with a gentler attack. YMMV.

I like it with passive basses when I am in the mood for using the drive, or if I am doubling electric and upright.

judas jedermann · #12 09-10-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake of Bass

Yeah, kinda swaps the presence for a mid control. I'd say the mid is more useful, if the eq response and tone is the same as the BDDI.

Paradriver user manual: Bass is 80 Hz.Treble is 3.2kHz.

Ba55Man1ac · #13 09-10-2010, 09:54 PM

+1 for ParaDriver

doppio · #14 09-16-2010, 05:07 PM

Okay, the reason why I'm trying to get a bassdriver/paradriver is because...
I have the Sterling Ray34 (think of stringray), and I think it picks up more of that finger noise when you slide your fingers on the string than other basses do. Would lowering presence with BassDriver solve this problem? Or scooping mid somewhere with ParaDriver would solve this problem?

*insertcoolname · #15 09-16-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doppio

Okay, the reason why I'm trying to get a bassdriver/paradriver is because...
I have the Sterling Ray34 (think of stringray), and I think it picks up more of that finger noise when you slide your fingers on the string than other basses do. Would lowering presence with BassDriver solve this problem? Or scooping mid somewhere with ParaDriver would solve this problem?

Presence on the BDDI is boost only, so having this completely off won't do much in that regard. Most of the Tech 21 products are pretty mid scooped as it is, which will really get you buried. I absolutely adore Tech 21 for their drive pedals, but you gotta cut bass and treble if want them to be heard. Besides, that finger noise is coming from the very treble heavy tone that Stingray's naturally have. The finger noise is going to be solved by cutting treble somewhere along the way.