Bass DI: MXR M-80 Vs. Sansamp Programmable Bass DI

freak4pc · #1 10-06-2008, 03:35 PM

Hey guys, hope all of you are doing well

First thing first, the gear i'm using is a Sandberg Ken Taylor Special 5 (Mahogany Body, Wenge Top) to a Markbass Little Mark 250

I really like my current sound now, but - i want a DI, one that would also be great for quality recording, but mainly - for adding some juicde to my signal - and when i say juice, i mean drive (distortion)

I'm currently thinking between the MXR M-80 Bass DI and the Tech 21 Sansamp Programmable Bass DI.

I heard the MXR M-80 at some friends gig and also in a local music shop and i really liked how it sounded - But, a friend of mine reommended i'll check out the Sansamp Programmable Bass DI.
He believes its much much better than the MXR and can get the same and even better sounds then the MXR.

I'm usually playing metal and i'm tuned to Drop A (AEADG) , using a pick (but not only) and i'd like to get a clear punchy low-ballz tone with that fizzy-growl-distortion to compliment it.

I'd be glad to hear your opinions
Cheers,
Shai!

bassman1185 · #2 10-06-2008, 03:45 PM

I hate to be the "Use the search" guy, but this has been discussed to DEATH. I'm pretty sure there's a megathread on it already if you're willing to spend 30 seconds searching for it.

stflbn · #3 10-06-2008, 03:46 PM

Pretty much the same things. The benefit of the programmable Sansamp is you can have 3 preset sounds of your liking.

People will argue back and forth both ways. Best suggestion is to play your bass through one of each to decide. Otherwise, buy smart enough and if you do not like whichever you get you can sell it here for the cost you got it for and try the other.

If you're like most others here it will go like this...

You'll decide you like one and buy it.
Then you'll find something you don't like about it and sell it to try the other.
You try the other and decide you like the first better so you sell this second one.
You buy another one of hte first one you decided on.
Something new comes out and you convince yourself it's better then what you just convinced yourself you liked best.

Guaranteed... welcome to hell.

.

wizay · #4 10-06-2008, 03:47 PM

I think people also would recommend the new Tech 21 VT bass pedal=]

But do a search, lots of threads about this

stflbn · #5 10-06-2008, 03:52 PM

VT-bass isn't a D.I. One single 1/4 out on it. Simple and Elegant.

Great at what it does though. And I love mine.

Inverness · #6 10-06-2008, 04:09 PM

I have a Programmable Bass Driver. Two thoughts:

It is extremely useful; however, it completely colors your tone and the bypass is terrible. You may not have a problem with that. The high gain settings, I've found, are really cool for some basses and not so cool with others. I bought it used on the 'bay for like $150 or something and I think it was well worth that price.

The other thing is that Bass Driver Deluxe is coming out soon or is out already - I can't remember. I think it has an unaffected out, but the really cool feature of it is that it has an FX loop. So if you were running some rackmount dealies, then it would be ideal to that FX loop. The only downside, really, is that it's larger than the PBDI.

I've never tried the MXR, but I do like the sound of the PBDI, and it is quite versatile.

the low one · #7 10-07-2008, 02:55 AM

The thing I like about the MXR is how transparent he EQ is on the clean channel if you don’t engage the color button. You say you already like your tone so the 3 band EQ and channel volume can boost whatever you need. The distortion channel engages the color button automatically so you start with a mid scoop but you can EQ a good tone, and because the lows are boosted you don’t drop out of the mix. The clean blend on the distortion channel is good too.

freak4pc · #8 10-07-2008, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Pretty much the same things. The benefit of the programmable Sansamp is you can have 3 preset sounds of your liking.

People will argue back and forth both ways. Best suggestion is to play your bass through one of each to decide. Otherwise, buy smart enough and if you do not like whichever you get you can sell it here for the cost you got it for and try the other.

If you're like most others here it will go like this...

You'll decide you like one and buy it.
Then you'll find something you don't like about it and sell it to try the other.
You try the other and decide you like the first better so you sell this second one.
You buy another one of hte first one you decided on.
Something new comes out and you convince yourself it's better then what you just convinced yourself you liked best.

Guaranteed... welcome to hell.

.

Lol, i am also a guitar player so i know exactly what you mean .

Guyz thanks for your comments, i think i'll go for the PBDI this time and hope it won't ruin my signal too much with its bypass

Do you think it will help to change the switched to new Fulltone 3PDT's ?

Cheers,
Shai.