Buy Once!!

Zolbol · #1 09-08-2009, 01:16 PM

Hi...

Here's a question.

I am looking to buy a pedal / DI for my rig and i was thinking of going out and buying just a regular compressor and there in the shop was the Hartke Bass Attack... On reading reviews i came across the Sansamp BDDI which seemed to win hands down.. However triple the price!! The Bass Attack didn't get bad reviews just seems the BDDI got more love lol.

Is the Sansamp a much better buy? I am prepared to wait if i have to but i really dont want to buy the Bass Attack and then not be satisfied and have to buy the Sansamp anyway..

At present i am playing and Ibanez RDG 5'er through a cube amp lined out... Our sound guy says i definately need a compressor but i thought i might as well go all the way and get me one of these.. Which one?? I really just wanna beef up my tone and maybe add a bit of OD here or there nothing too fancy - really just want to get a punchier tone??

Many thanks

stflbn · #2 09-08-2009, 01:19 PM

- Depends what your interpretation of 'beefing up' is.

- Depends if you want your tone colored by the preamp or not.

- Depends what amp you're playing through and if it can handle the 'beefing up'.

Greyvagabond · #3 09-08-2009, 01:27 PM

Unhelpful answer #2.

Zolbol · #4 09-08-2009, 01:33 PM

I mean make it thicker and clearer like Chilli peppers i spose and excuse my ignorance please but what do you mean 'coloured by the pre-amp - Isn't that they meant to do??

And as for the amp - its a small 80w cube that i usually line out to the desk. surely if its lined out then i set the tone i want and the sound guy adjust the volume??

Again excuse my ignorance lol

wetzelman1 · #5 09-08-2009, 01:36 PM

I love my bass attack. I got it after seeing Troy Sanders from Mastodon using it and I absolutely love his tone. The tube emulation is sounds good, I don't have a tube amp so I can't really claim it's accuracy, but it adds alot of warmth. You get complete control with your tone with this thing. I can just set my tone up with my amp settings flat so when I go to a gig I can retain my overall tone but use the amp controls to tune it to the room.

best piece of gear I've bought, besides my spector : )

Zolbol · #6 09-08-2009, 01:47 PM

Sweet - thanks... My problem is i can go and buy the Bass attack now but the BDDI is maybe a month or two away lol - so i am just but itching to get me a something new for my sound . hahahah.... Kinda like a kid on christmas eve lol.. Thanks for your input i am on the verge hahhaha

RickenBoogie · #7 09-08-2009, 02:07 PM

Most sound guys handle more than just your overall volume in the mix, they also eq you for the room. If you want to make your stage mix sound better, get a better and bigger bass amp. If you want to send the soundman a better signal, go with a preamp/DI box, but choose based on sound, not features or price. Only way to do that is to go out and test drive them for yourself. I'd be happy to use the MXR Bass DI+ for all my clean tones, but I'm not too fond of the distortion channel. YMMV.

ga_edwards · #8 09-08-2009, 04:19 PM

Thing is though, if your soundman is strongly suggesting you get need a compressor, neither the Bass Attack or SansAmp does compression.

newbold · #9 09-08-2009, 06:11 PM

Do you want a pre/DI or a DI and a compressor?

Why not just get a mic for your bass amp?
You can make one with a speaker...wire in the +/- to the 2 and 3 leads on an XLR mic cable...

or by a decent mic. Speakers compress signal naturally.

Here's a DI that has a tube preamp with output limiter...and it's touted as being a great tool, 8V AND $30!!!

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ELAID=41699112

Here's a similar product with different voicing/limiter settings.

http://www.interstatemusic.com/webap...ductId=200144#

If you want a squashy comp, there are loads on the market.

I'd say get a decent yet cost effective compressor, and the grit/drive to shape your tone (VT Bass?). to put in between the comp and pre/DI/lim...all for the same price as a BDDI....will maybe not the the VT...but with those savings you might just sell yourself on a higher end product.

Mind you, the BDDI sounds and performs great...but if price is an issue you're not thinking about the BDDI...

shineofleo · #10 09-08-2009, 07:05 PM

Try it Buy it Play it Try it again if not happy, Sell it.

lol

Munjibunga · #11 09-08-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

Mind you, the BDDI sounds and performs great...but if price is an issue you're not thinking about the BDDI...

There's usually a SABDDI or two for sale in the ads here. Used is the way to go. That way, if you decide to sell it, you won't lose anything. But I'd go with the ParaDriver for its semi-parametric mid control.

MIJ-VI · #12 09-08-2009, 08:32 PM

Hi Zolbol.

Some suggested units from Tech 21...

Units with an XLR out and phantom power-ability:

- the SansAmp Bass Driver DI (known to have a mid-scooped sound, no mid-range control)

- the Para Driver DI (similar to the BDDI but with a sweep-able semi-parametric mid-range control, and a higher input impedance which can accommodate piezo pickups as well as electro-magnetic designs, about $15 more than the BDDI).

--------

Units without an XLR out and phantom power-ability:

- the VT Bass (a killer-sounding Ampeg amp simulator offering lots of great clean and distorted bass tones. It even sounds good for guitar.)

BTW. The tube amp simulating circuits in all three of these units can mimic a tube-like compression depending upon how their input and output controls are balanced.

Downloading and studying the owners manuals for these (and other) units is a good way to assess their features vis a vis your needs.

JonathanD · #13 09-08-2009, 08:34 PM

I believe there is no substitute for experience. Try them both.

Zolbol · #14 09-09-2009, 12:22 AM

Wow - thanks ppl your input is very helpful - much appreciated... I'm just confused about this whole compression thing - i get the general idea of how a compressor works but the guy at the music store said that when you plug any pedal into the chain it immediately will compress the signal??? So thats why i thought i might as well buy once and get something like the Bass Attack or SABDDI... But yeh thanks alot - i think the general consensus is right - test first then buy which is what i think i will do.

Jeez what a helpful site... And no bassholes yet - thanks ppl

Wasted Bassist · #15 09-09-2009, 12:33 AM

The guy at the music store is silly in the head. We need to bring in Bongo to explain compressors. I'm not nearly knowledgable to offer any real opinions.

dannybuoy · #16 09-09-2009, 12:54 AM

Bongo's Compressor FAQ: http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

Swift713 · #17 09-09-2009, 05:38 AM

If you're otherwise happy with your tone, get a compressor. Bongo's reviews include a list of best bang for buck units to choose from.
If you want a tube amp type sound with the option of a little break up go for the Sansamp. Behringer makes a cheap copy which from what I've read is probably better than the Hartke.

ga_edwards · #18 09-09-2009, 07:05 AM

I can see what the guy at the store was saying, but it's very misleading. Tube amps, preamps, even emulators like the SansAmp can compress the signal when driven hard. But it's natural response of driving the amp hard, and not easy to control. Playing hard on stage will may compress nicely, but quietly at home, maybe not.

Pedals in the signal chain can affect signal quality, and maybe reduce volume if they aren't true bypass. There maybe a minute amount of compression as a by-product, but not enough to be noticeable or as a usuable effect.

Zolbol · #19 09-09-2009, 08:46 AM

Jeez again thanks ppl - information overload lol...

thanks for the explanation on the 'every pedal compressing nonsense' - makes sense now as to it just being a by-product - Thanks.

So i reckon i am gonna try a straight compressor first, cos the sound guy reckons its really needed for recording purposes, and then see where my tone ends up. Also a hell of a lot cheaper.. If i'm still not happy then i'm gonna hit the BDDI or Para Driver which seems the better unit between the two??

Again thanks ppl you've been a great help - still all a bit confusing but the links and wot not provided have been a great help - Ta

Zolbol · #20 09-09-2009, 12:13 PM

Ok... So... After more thought!

Jeez ppl this whole effects thing is but heavy involved hey?? Holy moly!! I cant think where most of the pedals out there could be used though - with a bass guitar i mean..
Maybe a lil distortion here and there i spose but.....

Wah wah pedal?? On a bass?? Lolol - sorry ppl my newbness coming through i guess...

Nah dont need all that - It must be said at this point that my sound and the bands sound aint half that bad ppl and i am stoked to be playing music 2/3 times a week. But there's definately something missing from my sound - Ultimately i reckon a nice BIG amp would probably solve most of my issue's lol but finances as they are right now means thats not gonna happen. So tomorrow i get a behringer compressor and take it from there.

And yeh thanks Dannybuoy for bongo's compressors link - even more involved eh?? Seems like a lot of fiddling with the knobs is needed lol - still wrapping my head around the whole threshold vs ratio thing?? Learning all the time i tellya just when i though G C D was enough hahahahahahah.

Will keep ya posted ppl an thanks again