Aphex Bass Xciter in tandem with Sansamp Bass Driver

[Redarmynick]

I've seen some comparisons of the two (Sansamp Bass Driver vs. Aphex Xciter), but my question is are they redundant? Should I look at one or the other, or can they be used in tandem. What would be the benefits of using them together.

I've used a Bass Pod XT Live and I want to move away to pedals (the Pod's nice but I've had wierd issues with the patches). I have a Sansamp Driver, but have an opportunity to get a good deal on an Aphex Punch Factory and an Aphex Xciter.

'ppreciate your thoughts...

[DD_BigBottom]

By chance I have been using this combo for recording along with the addition of using the Aphex Punch Factory optical compressor. The SansAmp and Xciter do two different things. The SansAmp is what I would describe as an amp emulator/DI Box and the Xciter is a signal processor. Aphex describes it as an "audio spectrum phase re-alignment processor". Both units have a balanced XLR direct output.

I go into the compressor first then the Xciter using mild blend settings into the SansAmp using Drive to beef up the harmonics but I keep the tone controls pretty much flat.

The combo gives more than enough of everything to mix with. In mixing I sometimes end up pulling out some of the low-low's because I get so much of everything I need to make some room for the kik drum in the mix.

I haven't used the SansAmp live so I can't offer any first hand info about that. You should check out both for yourself to see how they will work for you in your setup, or not.

dd

[topo morto]

Both nice tools to have in the toybox...

Low end:
The sansamp gives you drive, and that pushed amp feel, but of course very much has its own sound, whereas the Bass Xciter is extremely tasteful and natural sounding unless you really pump the blend, and the variable frequency is interesting to play with, though to be fair the Sansamp usually 'does the right thing' to your low end.
Note that the low end that the Xciter adds is somewhat compressed (in a good way), so it can also sound a bit like a mildly driven amp.

High end:
The Xciter is just better here IMO - less noisy, and the sweepable frequency is really useful.

I'm sure you could do interesting things with them in tandem, though there's a risk you'd be doing that just for the sake of it. But if you like the bass driver, I'd definitely try the Xciter too.

There might be some overlap between the Punch Factory and the Xciter too? I think both use optical compression.

[ryansalmond]

Absolutely not redundant! Both are great, different from one another, and can work well together.

[sonic assassin]

they can both add a certain shimmery top to your signal. both seem to have a hi-fi feel given that they accentuate frequency ranges that typically arent so pronounced. other than that, night and day.

[Dazonbass]

I have been wondering how my MXR M80 DI+ compares to an Xciter. I want a DI at the end of my pedals and have been considering ending with an Xciter and maybe just having my M80 as a distortion/colour. I know the Sansamp and M80 are not of the exact same taste, but close enough for this thread to give me a little more to chew on.

topo morto's point about the sweebable frequency is a big selling point to me.

[topo morto]

Originally Posted by Dazonbass

the sweebable frequency is a big selling point to me.

I'm sure you know this but in case anyone else picks up on this thread, it's worth noting that there's an independent frequency knob for bass and for treble, and and independent blend knob for each of those frequency ranges...

So the Xciter works by boosting the frequency extremes, and the Bass driver works by cutting a big chunk out of the midrange (about 800 or 900 Hz I think ) and also boosting the frequency extremes.

[Eric!]

[Dazonbass]

Originally Posted by topo morto

I'm sure you know this but in case anyone else picks up on this thread, it's worth noting ...

Actually... glad you spelled it out in detail. Thanks