Behringer BDI 21

Theabyssbass · #1 04-08-2009, 03:14 PM

Is this thing any good? All reviews say yes, but nobody wants to admit they just picked up some junk.

Thanks
The Abyss Bass

bazzanderson · #2 04-14-2009, 12:35 PM

for the $$ it really can't be beat. It's plastic so don't step on it too hard. Sounds very similar to a sansamp. I use one in my effects loop of my 1001RB-II with great results although I think I'm going to start using a real tube pre but not because I'm disappointed with the BDI...just want to hear if there is a big difference between the BDI tube emulation and real tube preamp.

Thunderscreech · #3 04-14-2009, 12:41 PM

It's pretty good. For the money and what it does, 30 bucks.

runwfo · #4 04-14-2009, 12:47 PM

I bought one 4-5 months ago to boost the signal of my passive basses when playing direct to the board. As far as I'm concerned it can't be beat for the money. I have never A/B'd it against the real Sansamp, but it gives me alot of tonal control. I probably have 20+ hours live playing time on it and the only problems I've had are a loud pop when plugging and unplugging (to not drain battery between sets) and I had to mark the knobs with white out to be able to easily see the settings while standing.

DaveLS · #5 04-14-2009, 12:47 PM

I kept one in my gig bag for a DI in case of emergency. When I needed it one day, it wouldn't work. It was dead. With or without battery, on or off, it would not pass a signal.

I called Behringer and they gave me a RMA number a couple weeks ago. I paid for shipping to them, and they said they'd send me a new one. They said it could take up to 5 weeks so I'm still waiting.

Atomik Rooster · #6 04-14-2009, 12:53 PM

I bought one several months ago and use it regularly. Not built like a tank, but with a little care it will last quite a while. Sounds good, warms up the tone nicely. An external power supply is money well spent, since it does go through batteries.

optikhog · #7 04-14-2009, 12:54 PM

Mine is several years old now and still works like a charm every time I need it. I still use it exclusively when recording.

BryanSwift · #8 04-23-2009, 11:08 PM

I got one on here for $20 off the truck... Postal truck that is...

I recommend it...

phatbass · #9 04-23-2009, 11:34 PM

I have had both. It's a good cheap "it'll do 'til the real thing comes along" alternative but if you can afford a real Bass Driver DI at all, get the SansAmp.

DanRJBrasil · #10 04-24-2009, 06:12 AM

is a pre with some tube emu, is cheap and a life saver, I have mine for some months and never have a problem,

bazzanderson · #11 04-24-2009, 06:37 AM

I consider it essential in my effects loop to warm up my GK 1001RB-II. Probably the best $30.00 I've ever spent.

danomite64 · #12 04-24-2009, 08:28 AM

I haven't had one, but I do have a Behringer tuner that I've used regularly for about a year. Last few times I used it my volume dropped during the gig; it has something to do with the input jack. Anyway, it was cheap, so no biggie, but expect the jacks to give out way before a better made pedal's jacks would.

Li Youwei · #13 04-24-2009, 08:33 AM

I found that the BDI21 and the Sansamp don't really have enough output to work as a proper driver, but as a DI the Behringer is nice. I only use it to add a little warmth to the sound. Only problem for me is the lack of phantom power.

jlane72t · #14 04-24-2009, 12:42 PM

Everything Behringer I've ever owned has been a complete disappointment....with the exception of the BDI21. Best bang-for-the-buck ratio in my rig.

Foamy · #15 04-24-2009, 12:53 PM

The BDI-21 is easily the best $30 I have ever spent. But, take a look at the ADI-21. Supposedly the same with the addition of a mid frequency selector and a mid level control. Same price. I absolutely swear by mine. As posted above, it will NOT drive a power amp (but nor will a Bass Driver that's 6x the cost). You will not regret buying one.

Foamy · #16 04-24-2009, 12:56 PM

In all fairness, is this relative? Sorry, don't want to come off snobby, but OP's asking about a BDI-21, not a tuner.
Only reason I posted is that I am very passionate about this specific pedal.
All brands make different qualities and levels of gear - you're going to get a lemon here and there. But at least let's compare apples-to-apples.
Please don't take offense - I am not trying to be a jerk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danomite64

I haven't had one, but I do have a Behringer tuner that I've used regularly for about a year. Last few times I used it my volume dropped during the gig; it has something to do with the input jack. Anyway, it was cheap, so no biggie, but expect the jacks to give out way before a better made pedal's jacks would.

jgroh · #17 04-24-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

The BDI-21 is easily the best $30 I have ever spent. But, take a look at the ADI-21. Supposedly the same with the addition of a mid frequency selector and a mid level control. Same price...

+1

I have the BDI-21 and it sounds very good, but IMO, it scoops your sound. Having a mid control would be really handy, so check out the ADI-21 which is supposed to be for guitars.

bigchiefbc · #18 04-24-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

The BDI-21 is easily the best $30 I have ever spent. But, take a look at the ADI-21. Supposedly the same with the addition of a mid frequency selector and a mid level control. Same price. I absolutely swear by mine. As posted above, it will NOT drive a power amp (but nor will a Bass Driver that's 6x the cost). You will not regret buying one.

The BDI-21 is a clone of the sansamp bddi. The ADI-21 is a clone of the sansamp acoustic di. Not the same circuit, but similar, and yes it has a mid control.

danomite64 · #19 04-24-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

In all fairness, is this relative? Sorry, don't want to come off snobby, but OP's asking about a BDI-21, not a tuner.
Only reason I posted is that I am very passionate about this specific pedal.
All brands make different qualities and levels of gear - you're going to get a lemon here and there. But at least let's compare apples-to-apples.
Please don't take offense - I am not trying to be a jerk.

My guess is Behringer uses the same input jacks on all their pedals, so yes it's relevant. You can be as passionate as you like, but that doesn't change my experience one iota. I've had problems with 2 of the 4 Behringer guitar amps I've used too (V-Tone series), but I felt that wasn't relevant, so I didn't mention it until now, as a rebuttal to your 'lemon' theory.

BryanSwift · #20 04-25-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danomite64

My guess is Behringer uses the same input jacks on all their pedals, so yes it's relevant. You can be as passionate as you like, but that doesn't change my experience one iota. I've had problems with 2 of the 4 Behringer guitar amps I've used too (V-Tone series), but I felt that wasn't relevant, so I didn't mention it until now, as a rebuttal to your 'lemon' theory.

Is this going to be another one of "those" threads?