Anyone else dislike Sansamp? - Page 3

Phantasm · #41 11-26-2012, 11:31 AM

It doesn't work for everything, but when the situation calls for that tone, it's hard to beat. It's bass/situation dependent to me whether it works or not.

You also have to learn that you're going to probably put the blend between 40%-60% and that you need to turn it while playing with the band to get it set.

NKUSigEp · #42 11-26-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Imma have to disagree with you on this. If that isn't what it is for then why do they have a clipping section in the pedal that they advertise for getting that elusive 'tube sound'? It's part of the pedal even if it isn't your part of the pedal.

I didn't like the EQ on the BDDI. It was 1,000,001 distinctive tones that did nothing for me. Maybe it was my bass or amp that didn't jive with it, but I didn't even like it that much running direct.

I'll agree with him though - it does seem like most of the comments I see have something to do with the user not liking the overdrive/distortion tone. If it's not for you that's cool, but it seems that a majority of those that dislike it are expecting it to be something it's not.

cheapbasslovin · #43 11-26-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

I'll agree with him though - it does seem like most of the comments I see have something to do with the user not liking the overdrive/distortion tone. If it's not for you that's cool, but it seems that a majority of those that dislike it are expecting it to be something it's not.

And that's fair, but they advertise the BDDI as an amp sim pedal, and all the amps they claim it sims are amps that dirty up real nicely. If you're looking for a dirt pedal or dirt capable DI and read good reviews about this one it is an easy mistake to make.

Maybe I just take the whole thread too personally (internets are serious business), but a lot of the comments read like, 'if you don't understand the greatness of the Sansamp, you are an idiot and need a lesson in gear usage.' I may be an idiot, but I know how to use my gear (and when I don't I take the time to learn so I don't sell something I'll regret) so I do take some offense at the implication.

/needtogofindmymeds

sevdog · #44 11-26-2012, 12:52 PM

I love them. I've owned a bddi pedal for 10+ years, and now have a VT bass deluxe and am playing through a Landmark 600 head.

If you don't like them that's fine, "like" is an absolutely subjective thing. But to the comments about "fake" sounding or "beginner" product, you all should go look at the list of pro's that use or have used them, starting with one Geddy Lee.

BUT please do continue with this thread. I truly appreciate the product bashing threads here on TB, they contributed directly to the amazingly low price I got on the Landmark 600 that most TBers wouldn't give a second glance at because of what they've read on the forum. For $500 my amp will kick the **** out of your amp, and I don't even have to ask what kind of amp you have.

So, please continue and some more inflamatory and/or derogetory terms would help.

Thanks again.

scottfeldstein · #45 11-26-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevdog

to the comments about "fake" sounding or "beginner" product, you all should go look at the list of pro's that use or have used them

Truth. I actually sold my BDDI to the guy from Megadeth when they were in town. I literally went and met him at the venue where they were playing later that evening.

Thaos627 · #46 11-26-2012, 12:58 PM

I know a few people who use it but it sounds too digital for me. I prefer the simpler things like analog pedals.

cheapbasslovin · #47 11-26-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaos627

I know a few people who use it but it sounds too digital for me. I prefer the simpler things like analog pedals.

LOL. All the Sansamps are analog pedals. A handful have digital controls, but they are all analog signal paths. I'd be curious to know what 'too digital' sounds like (being serious here, 'too digital' is your description and I would like to know you mean by it since they are analog pedals).

sevdog · #48 11-26-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Truth. I actually sold my BDDI to the guy from Megadeth when they were in town. I literally went and met him at the venue where they were playing later that evening.

It's funny, he pushes the heck out of those Hartke rigs he plays but I also heard he uses a sansamp to FOH, so that's what everybody hears, and on big stages I would bet he has in-ear monitors so that's what he's hearing, too...no shame in making money though, those Hartke's aren't bad.

RDkenny · #49 11-26-2012, 01:19 PM

Been following this thread as I was beginning to think I was a Sansamp 'hater'!

I have owned an original 'classic' and now have a BDDI...I now think maybe I just dont understand it?

The biggest moan I have is the mid scoop on the BDDI and the 'fizzy' overdrive..seems I'm not alone.

Anyway, what I'm after is a 'dirty' valve tone and DI capability. Would I be better with a different pedal and a stand alone DI box?

If so which pedal??????.....and I thought the BDDI would be the answer to all my prayers.....

sevdog · #50 11-26-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDkenny

Been following this thread as I was beginning to think I was a Sansamp 'hater'!

I have owned an original 'classic' and now have a BDDI...I now think maybe I just dont understand it?

The biggest moan I have is the mid scoop on the BDDI and the 'fizzy' overdrive..seems I'm not alone.

Anyway, what I'm after is a 'dirty' valve tone and DI capability. Would I be better with a different pedal and a stand alone DI box?

If so which pedal??????.....and I thought the BDDI would be the answer to all my prayers.....

The Paradriver would be the next place to look.

scottfeldstein · #51 11-26-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDkenny

The biggest moan I have is the mid scoop on the BDDI and the 'fizzy' overdrive..seems I'm not alone.

Anyway, what I'm after is a 'dirty' valve tone and DI capability. Would I be better with a different pedal and a stand alone DI box?

That's pretty much where I am. I tried to make my BDDI into something it wasn't meant to be and, although many are pleased with the result, I wasn't.

The best non-tube effect to get the dirty valve tone is probably the Tech 21 VT Bass. But do get the v2 model, as it has a button to shut off the cab simulation.

Of course that leaves you with no DI. If you want one with a DI, you're looking at the Tone Hammer, the Hartke Bass Attack, the Darkglass B7K and the MXR M80. I think the Tone Hammer can sound a bit flatulent. The Hartke strikes me as cheap. The Darkglass is really expensive and clearly designed for higher levels of distortion than I'm likely to use. Which leaves me ...the M80. YMMV.

sevdog · #52 11-26-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

That's pretty much where I am. I tried to make my BDDI into something it wasn't meant to be and, although many are pleased with the result, I wasn't.

The best non-tube effect to get the dirty valve tone is probably the Tech 21 VT Bass. But do get the v2 model, as it has a button to shut off the cab simulation.

Of course that leaves you with no DI. If you want one with a DI, you're looking at the Tone Hammer, the Hartke Bass Attack, the Darkglass B7K and the MXR M80. I think the Tone Hammer can sound a bit flatulent. The Hartke strikes me as cheap. The Darkglass is really expensive and clearly designed for higher levels of distortion than I'm likely to use. Which leaves me ...the M80. YMMV.

VT deluxe would have a DI...M80 isn't a bad pedal either, I also have used one of those for a looong time, they're all different though.

scottfeldstein · #53 11-26-2012, 01:39 PM

True, the Deluxe does have a DI. And it has a mid knob! But it doesn't have a way to defeat the cab emulation.

bkbirge · #54 11-26-2012, 01:48 PM

This is what I use for dirty valve tone...
Finally! The TAB-Funkenwerk V71 tube & transformer DI

But it ain't cheap.

warwick.hoy · #55 11-26-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

That's pretty much where I am. I tried to make my BDDI into something it wasn't meant to be and, although many are pleased with the result, I wasn't.

The best non-tube effect to get the dirty valve tone is probably the Tech 21 VT Bass. But do get the v2 model, as it has a button to shut off the cab simulation.

Of course that leaves you with no DI. If you want one with a DI, you're looking at the Tone Hammer, the Hartke Bass Attack, the Darkglass B7K and the MXR M80. I think the Tone Hammer can sound a bit flatulent. The Hartke strikes me as cheap. The Darkglass is really expensive and clearly designed for higher levels of distortion than I'm likely to use. Which leaves me ...the M80. YMMV.

Is there some issue with running a VT non deluxe model into something like a Radial JDI for DI? I mean aside from having two units instead of one....

scottfeldstein · #56 11-26-2012, 01:58 PM

No, not really. Just having two units instead of one...and it's a more expensive route. But that's definitely a viable option.

HolmeBass · #57 11-26-2012, 02:07 PM

Not a huge fan of the tone, and especially the OD tone, on the BDDI. But it does keep coming in handy in many situations. But with my main bass and rig? Don't use it. I do have a Red Ripper on my pedal board and it's pretty cool.

dukeisdog · #58 11-26-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Don't hate. At worst I'm ambivalent on the SansAmp line. I've owned the BDDI and the programmable BDDI; I still kind of pine for the VT Bass.

Thing is, I think a lot of guys (myself included) looked to the Bass Driver as a stomp box to sit in front of their amp. This isn't its primary purpose. Its designed to send an "ampy" signal to the mixing board through its DI while sending an unaffected parallel signal to your amp. The end. Trying to use it for other purposes suits some players just fine--and others not so much. I'm the latter. But the engineer's face when I sent him the DI from the BDDI? He nearly died and went to heaven.

Maybe the VT bass is the way to go as an effect pedal: instant big-rig, retro rock sound. I don't think it's going to satisfy every distortion itch you're ever going to have. It doesn't scratch all of mine. But for that moment when you need to sound like John Paul Jones or John Entwhistle, I don't think there's another pedal on the market that does it better.

+1 Scott.

I picked up a BDDI after looking into the RBI because it was a little cheaper. Needless to at, I was looking for a nice always on slight OD box but the BDDI just couldn't do it with me. My active 5ers seemed too hot for it and I was overdriving everything (not nicely). I've since moved to a two RBI setup with a loud poweramp and I'm finally able to get the exact tone I want.

I'm running one clean, one fully overdriven and blended into both channels of my poweramp. I'm very happy with this rig and don't see myself switching to anything other then the tube SVP CL.

Medford Bassman · #59 11-26-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Truth. I actually sold my BDDI to the guy from Megadeth when they were in town. I literally went and met him at the venue where they were playing later that evening.

Sweet!

hoketus · #60 11-26-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevdog

It's funny, he pushes the heck out of those Hartke rigs he plays but I also heard he uses a sansamp to FOH, so that's what everybody hears, and on big stages I would bet he has in-ear monitors so that's what he's hearing, too...no shame in making money though, those Hartke's aren't bad.

I wonder how many of those Hartke cabs are decoys, then.