Been pondering amp modeling-B2 or SansAmp?

cheapbasslovin · #1 02-05-2008, 12:55 AM

So I've been thinking about trying to bypass the preamp section of my Carvin R600 and what I want is some tone versatility and (of course) tone quality. I'm not as interested in the effects of the B2 as I am the amp modeling and the drum machine (for practice). I owned a Zoom 607 and swore off zoom forever based on that experience, but the new Zoom products seem to be pretty good (so say most). I haven't played with any Tech 21 toys so don't have any personal knowledge there.

My question (finally):

Is the amp modeling on the Zoom good enough to justify my getting it over the BDDI (cheap bastard)? A lot of people swear by the SansAmp line but I want to know if it is even close, and which is more versatile, or am I asking if gravy is better than watermelon? (Man, gravy is gravy and watermelon is watermelon. They're both great, but one is not a substitution for the other.)

(just felt like adding one more set of parentheses)

Swift713 · #2 02-05-2008, 07:23 AM

I've never used a real sansamp but I've been told by a couple people that the B2 pretty much nails it. I have read many complaints about the sansamp's mid scoop and the difficult compromises involved in unscooping it. I suspect that the B2 is more versatile (7 amp models, sansamp, tube pre, 4 dist pedals) but they say you can set the sansamp to emulate many things as well. The B2 has a nice EQ section and is blendable as well. I suspect that the clipping of the majority of the models is all the same but with different EQ etc. Also, the B2's speaker simulation can be turned off while the sansamp's is always on which may not sound so great through real speakers. I think you have to try them out for yourself. If the Sansamp works for you it's a tougher piece of gear that should last a lifetime. But if it's not your thing (or your amp's) the B2 will probably work one way or another.

thejohnkim · #3 02-05-2008, 08:00 AM

i just recently got a B2.1u a couple weeks ago, and have used my Sansamp PBDDI for a couple yeras. To my ears, it doesn't really get very close to teh sound, but its close enough for rehearsals, which is all i use the B2.1u for. The EQing responds very differently, and you don't have any presence control on the B2.1u, and the mix knob doesn't give you too many steps. the drive control is fine though, definitely one of the best in a multi effects unit ive ever tried.

to its credit the B2's other drive models do sound pretty good and they're not just EQ tweaks, and some of the other effects sound pretty nice like the flanger and compressor for what you pay for the unit.

i think the B2 would give you a good amount of versatility, but i don't think its amp modeling is its real strength... live or studio... to my own ears. then again the Sansamp is mostly a one-sound (but very good sound) tool for me i use my presets to give me varying amounts of overdrive/warmth.

i vote gravy.

bassman1185 · #4 02-05-2008, 08:25 AM

One thing to consider is the new Tech21 Bass VT pedal that should be available in the next couple of months. It has Tech21's tube emulation, along with a mid control, and their website says that it does have enough juice to run a power amp. I think that it should be a bit cheaper than the BassDriver, since it doesn't have the DI output.

cheapbasslovin · #5 02-05-2008, 12:48 PM

Thanks, all.

Pretty much what I expected, SansAmp has the good 'one sound', but the B2 has not as good 'all the other sounds'.

This is gonna make me buy both and see. I can see that now.

Puru · #6 02-05-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Is the amp modeling on the Zoom good enough to justify my getting it over the BDDI (cheap bastard)? A lot of people swear by the SansAmp line but I want to know if it is even close, and which is more versatile, or am I asking if gravy is better than watermelon? (Man, gravy is gravy and watermelon is watermelon. They're both great, but one is not a substitution for the other.)

Is the amp modeling on the Zoom good enough to justify my getting it over the BDDI
yes, IMO

I want to know if it is even close
yes, can get close soundwise

which is more versatile
B2

am I asking if gravy is better than watermelon?
no

This is gonna make me buy both and see.
good idea

Answers based on my experience. I own the B2 and the BDI21 (which soundwise compares favorably to the Sansamp). Rarely use the BDI anymore, except when I feel like a change just for the heck of it.

bassbrock · #7 02-05-2008, 04:33 PM

I have both a Sansamp RBI and a Zoom B2.1u and I actually like to use both, together at the same time. The Zoom seems only able to model the overdriven Sansamp. I've found my actual Sansamp RBI to be much warmer and "authentic" sounding than the Zooms simulation, especially when used to just warm up the sound rather than create straight up overdriven sounds.

I've also found the Sansamp to generally be much more response to my playing dynamics and nuances as opposed to the Zoom.

Speaking of the Zoom, the "Tube" emulation on it is great!