Do I need a BDDI?

[Nic.]

For some reason I'm having GAS for this.

So my signal chain is

Bass -> Foxrox Octron -> ZVex Mastotron -> ZVex BOM -> ZVex Distortron -> Bass Crybaby wah -> DoD Ice Box chorus -> Electronix Submarine preamp -> Amp

The chorus and Submarine are on all the time as part of my "tone shape", the Distortron on at a low gain setting almost all the time since I like a slightly overdriven sound.

Do I need a BDDI (or something similar)? I want something that fits on my pedalboard that I can throw at the end of the signal chain just to send out to PA. Don't really need the overdrive function as I already have more than enough drive.

I thought the Submarine would work as a DI, but [u]I'm just not satisfied by the sound I get running it direct to PA[u/]- that's the reason why now I'm considering one of those Sansamp pedals.

I'm seeing people all over this forum raving about the BDDI. But I also hear it scoops mids (which is something I don't really want, since a large part of my tone is boosting my mids as far as possible).

Don't think I can do a proper test on one in a shop since I'll probably have to run it through the amp- which beats the purpose, I'm only considering it as something to bypass the amp and go straight to PA.

Suggestions?

[somegeezer]

Put it into your fx send/return chain if you have one. That way, you will send your preamp sound through to the PA.

[TheMutt]

If you're just looking to bypass the amp, get a regular DI box and call it a day. (and potentially save some cash, or just get a better quality DI with a better transformer without the tone shaping circuit.)

I've owned a BDDI in the past and replaced it with a Radial JDI as it suited my needs much better.

[JimmyM]

i greatly prefer the vt deluxe over the bddi but i also agree with mutt that if you have a sound you like already, just get a regular di.

[TheMutt]

I still say blasphemy Jimmy! You're supposed to be the one who says use a microphone!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by TheMutt

I still say blasphemy Jimmy! You're supposed to be the one who says use a microphone!

oh yeah, forgot.

use a microphone

[Lindsay]

Originally Posted by Nic.

Do I need a BDDI?

Nope, just get a regular Radial or Countryman DI

[Jake of Bass]

Sounds like you don't "need" a BDDI. Maybe try one out and see if you like it, but perhaps it would be better if you get the VT Deluxe. Has overdrive, presets and an effects loop, as well as a DI. Could run all your effects through the loop (other than the ones you use all the time, put those in front) and run the eq one the VTD at 12 o'clock position so they're flat. Then you have more versatility, a DI and a cure for your GAS

[Nic.]

Originally Posted by TheMutt

If you're just looking to bypass the amp, get a regular DI box and call it a day. (and potentially save some cash, or just get a better quality DI with a better transformer without the tone shaping circuit.)

I've owned a BDDI in the past and replaced it with a Radial JDI as it suited my needs much better.

I haven't seen any Radial JDIs around locally. BDDIs pop up 2nd hand every now and then locally so that's why I considered it.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i greatly prefer the vt deluxe over the bddi but i also agree with mutt that if you have a sound you like already, just get a regular di.

The problem is that I don't really like the sound of going direct. I love the sound I get when plugged into the amp. I love the sound for most amps, actually. But when I go straight into a PA with my current setup (i.e. out from the Submarine into the mixer), I don't really like it much. So I'm thinking of getting something that simulates an amp.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

oh yeah, forgot.

use a microphone

Sounds good. Should I mic up the 3PDT to get a more clacky sound? I hear that's good for metal.

Actually your thread was part of the reason why I revived my GAS for one of these boxes >_<

[JimmyM]

lol...micing up the switch

actually, in that case, most definitely get an amp sim. a lot of people like the bddi. not my favorite tech 21 product but a lot of folks love them.

and to be honest, i'm going to try giving up the mic and using the vt deluxe direct. love the mic but i seem to be getting what i want from a mic with the vtd.

[Mark Olson]

The best possible thing you can have in your signal chain to de-sterilize your direct sound is an amp and a cab. Is there something wrong with your amp that you don't want it in your signal chain?

[Nic.]

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

The best possible thing you can have in your signal chain to de-sterilize your direct sound is an amp and a cab. Is there something wrong with your amp that you don't want it in your signal chain?

I can't always carry it around, don't always have time to set it up for gigs, etc.... so I want something that I can go straight to the mixer with. At the moment I'm going straight to mixer with the head of my shuttle 3.0, but if I can have one less item to carry about that's even better.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

lol...micing up the switch

actually, in that case, most definitely get an amp sim. a lot of people like the bddi. not my favorite tech 21 product but a lot of folks love them.

and to be honest, i'm going to try giving up the mic and using the vt deluxe direct. love the mic but i seem to be getting what i want from a mic with the vtd.

To be honest, the "mid scoop" descriptions of the BDDI is scaring me more and more. Seeing how everyone's saying the VT is a mid hump and the BDDI is a mid scoop, I'm possibly going to grab the next VT that pops up instead...seems like that one can go straight to mix, at least according to what some other guys say. First, though, I'm going to mess around with a many-band EQ and figure out exactly which set of frequencies was it that I liked so that I have something to base on rather than trial and error with less "precise" EQs.

[Jake of Bass]

The other option is a Para Driver DI. Basically the same as the BDDI but with a mid control added with adjustable EQ instead of the presence knob.

[JimmyM]

nic, honestly, i think the bddi gets a bad rap for a mid scoop because of two things:

1. some folks don't realize the eq knobs don't have to be placed at noon and left there

b. some folks don't realize that you can turn eq knobs down as well as up

having said that, i still don't like it nearly as well as the vt deluxe. but i am a dyed in the wool ampeg nut, and even though i have owned a couple non-ampeg amps in the past, i always judge every amp i've ever bought by how close it can sound to an svt or b-15. if that's not as important to you, the bddi or paradriver are probably fine pieces for you. but even though they claim to cop ampeg tones, i just don't hear it.

[Jake of Bass]

Yeah I wouldn't compare the BDDI to be a true representation of any Ampeg rig I've played though (mainly SVTs) but it does have a great overdrive and it really is a good pedal... but the VTD is what I'm after, once I can order it.... (hurry up Tech 21 and get that order shipped to Tonefactor!!)