Bass Preamps / D.I.

[Fullmetal]

So I'm thinking of buying a VT Bass as a preamp, cos I've tried one and I like the tone shaping and drive on it too. However, I have been looking into the MXR M-80 Bass D.I.+ and the Sansamp BDDI and now I'm stuck for choice. I'm really going for the M-80 at the moment because of the noise gate option (which will save me money because I'm planning on buying a Boss NS-2) however I do like the VT Bass, even though it lacks the D.I. option.

As for the Sansamp BDDI, I have no experience with this and no idea what it's like. So there are people on here who have tried at least one of these pedals, and I'd like to see some reviews from actual people who use them. I have used the search button and have read some reviews, but I'd really like to learn a little more about each pedal before deciding.

Many thanks.
Jak

[Fishyfan]

IME, the Sansamp BDDI is great for getting a tone for those times when I need something other than my fingers slamming the amp input. I really like the fact that it is really simple to use and I can set it to sound good with any bass without too much tweazing. I used to use it exclusively all the time and never turn it off. The tone was great for what I was doing then. I will probably use it more when I get back into a band that rehearses away from my house

[stflbn]

M-80 is very clean sounding and does not change or color the tone of your bass directly on it's own. You get whatever EQ you add per your preference.

BDDI injects it's own Sansamp 'vibe' into whatever bass you plug into it. Can't get away from that vibe no matter what you do. Just depends if you love, hate, or can tolerate that vibe.

Sansamp VT-bass is somewhere in between. No Sansamp trademark vibe, but does injust an Ampeg vibe which is what it's designed to do. Beyond that it's a damn good always on EQ though can be a bit noisy at boosted settings.

Personally I much prefer an M-80 approach to preamps rather than the BDDI approach. I've had 3 VT-bass pedals now and I go hot and cold on them just depending on my mood I think, but it's still a damn good pedal.


.

[bthiemann80]

Agree with Fishyfan.

I would prioritize tone over options. To me, I feel the VT Bass is superior to all the ones mentioned as far as generating a variety of great authentic sounding and very usable tones. You can always get a seperate passive DI to place between you and whatever source would require a DI and run a line to your amp w/out any trouble.

Personally, I was able to obtain the same tones I like in the VT Bass from the BDDI and was able to get a good deal on a BDDI at the time. I'd like to get a VT Bass someday but for my undiscerning and uneducated ears, i'm pretty ok with playing through a BDDI into a power amp for all applications.

[Fullmetal]

Ok, so I'm more leaning towards a VT Bass now as they are cheaper, but the MXR M-80 still has the noise gate which I would like to learn more about.

[The Ethanator]

ive used the bass driver many times as my church has one. im looking at getting a paradriver myself, which is the same thing with a sweepable midrange (i like my mids). the blend knob allows for your clean signal to be blended with the sansamp tone, which is a good feature if youre running more dirty effects before it. that way you can blend the sansamps overdrive with anything else before it. i tried it with my bass big muff running intot he bass driver, and if you like stoner/doom/sludge type music, thats all you need...

[EskimoBassist]

M-80 +1. I've been using one for nearly a year live, great pedal. The tone shaping is great, the DI is clean, the switchable distortion channel is great, the distortion is good and the noise gate on the distortion channel is very effective.

And with all those outputs you have a lot of flexibility, live and in the studio!

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by Fullmetal

Ok, so I'm more leaning towards a VT Bass now as they are cheaper, but the MXR M-80 still has the noise gate which I would like to learn more about.

The MXR M80 Noise only is active if you're using the Distortion channel. Meaning if you're using the clean channel you cannot make use of the Noise Gate.

[bongomania]

Also, noise gates generally suck squirrel teabags, and should be avoided at all cost. The idea of reducing noise is of course appealing, but the actual results you get from most noise gates just make me want to have the noise.

[Silent Fly]

Originally Posted by bongomania

(...) but the actual results you get from most noise gates just make me want to have the noise.

+1

[GrooveWarrior]

If you can spring for a little extra money, I would buy an Electro Harmonix Bass Big Muff and a Phil Jones Bass Buddy. For $350 (or less if you shop used) people would covet your tone, and you would have more features than you can shake a stick at.

You would have:
Dry Signal
OD signal
OD blended with a Dry signal
OD signal with a bass boost
5 band EQ
Compressor
DI
Headphone practice amp w/line in for iPod or other source
1/4" line out (think tuner)
Speaker (the PJBB powers an 8ohm cab up to 12 watts or so, plenty for the bedroom)

I have these things in my arsenal. I have used the PJBB in the studio, and the engineer couldn't believe how quiet it was. I can't imagine coming up with a better setup for the money.

[bwv1013]

i was in the market for a good DI and ended up going with the VT pedal. i liked the tone a bit better and after thinking about it i realized i didn't need the XLR out. if you really need the XLR, i would look into the sansamp programmable DI. after you dial in a sound you can save it to one of three patches and easily recall it later. i use one for my church gig and it's a great piece of gear. it warmed up the old backline amp quite nicely even with all the levels flat.

[Fullmetal]

Looking back at the posts, if the M-80 only has a noise gate function for the distortion channel, I probably won't use it. I think I'm gunna stick with my original choice and get a VT Bass.

Many thanks again everyone.
Jak