Do I need a Sansamp VT Bass DI or a Para Driver?

[Rafescow]

I currently own a Bass Driver DI but am not quite happy with its drive knob (it just doesn't sound right to my ears past 2 o'clock).
I am looking for a pedal that could both add some dirt/grind to my bass tone (like an always-on thing) but also provide me with some heavier distorted sound whenever I need it (kind of a Flea's-Around-The-World-ish distortion).
I wasn't really looking for the VT Bass because it didn't have a XLR output and Blend control, but now that the DI version is about to be released i'm very interested in it since Ampeg amps sound really good to me (even though I don't consider them must-haves).
I know the Para Driver has a nice variety of distorted sounds due to the sweepable mids, but it isn't an Ampeg amp simulator.
I haven't found many comparisons between these two. Which one has the most gain? Can I get a nice distorted sound with the VT Bass while having the Character knob below noon? Can I reproduce VT's Character knob settings with Para-Driver's eq?

Thanks!

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

It seems you're answering your own question.

You like the SVT thing of the VT bass but wanted a DI and blend knob. Well, now it has both the things you wanted AND the sound you want. So why ask strangers on TB what you "need"?

Just get it and move on.

You'll be happy with it.

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

You could try an eq or an amps eq in conjunction with the bass driver. The Para Driver has quite alot of gain in its drive more so than the VT bass, but the VT bass has more than I would ever need. Its been awhile since I owned a bass driver. I find by focusing the mids at certain frequencies makes overdrive sound best. Having said that I really dont use any of Tech 21's pedals for overdriven tones, I find a little grit sounds better overall. I liked the overdrive of the cheap Digitech Bad monkey I had better than any of Tech 21's overdriven tones. The stock bad monkey lost some lows & had a slight mid bump.

[Rafescow]

Originally Posted by Got2SadowskyNYC

It seems you're answering your own question.

You like the SVT thing of the VT bass but wanted a DI and blend knob. Well, now it has both the things you wanted AND the sound you want. So why ask strangers on TB what you "need"?

Just get it and move on.

You'll be happy with it.

Because I'm not sure whether the VT Bass can get distorted sounds as nicely done as the Para-Driver does. I've read that the VT Bass's overdriven sound isn't very pleasing.

Originally Posted by GLEN18INCHSPICA

You could try an eq or an amps eq in conjunction with the bass driver. The Para Driver has quite alot of gain in its drive more so than the VT bass, but the VT bass has more than I would ever need. Its been awhile since I owned a bass driver. I find by focusing the mids at certain frequencies makes overdrive sound best. Having said that I really dont use any of Tech 21's pedals for overdriven tones, I find a little grit sounds better overall. I liked the overdrive of the cheap Digitech Bad monkey I had better than any of Tech 21's overdriven tones. The stock bad monkey lost some lows & had a slight mid bump.

I'm willing to use it as a overdrive/distortion pedal too (not fuzzy stuff though). I imagine the VT is better for grit and the Para Driver for distorted sound variety. But which one do you think that, if used for both, scores the most points overall?

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

One persons "pleaseing" is another mans "Awesome".

The VT nails the SVT thing. I'm picky as hell when it comes to bass OD and I use it. It's it's to "pedal sounding" I hate it. I've found 3 things that OD bass really well and 2 are guitar pedals.

The Visual Sound Son of Hyde, it even has the natural tube compression sound to it. Only negative is no blend, buy you can control the bass responce.

The Visual Sound Garagetone Chiansaw. Like the SoH but minus the bass control and compression thing.

The Tech 21 VTBass. If you're looking for the SVT sound without the SVT this is it in a box.

I say wait, orde rone from a place where you can return it and try it for yourself.

It is different than the paradrive.

[Rafescow]

Originally Posted by Got2SadowskyNYC

One persons "pleaseing" is another mans "Awesome".

The VT nails the SVT thing. I'm picky as hell when it comes to bass OD and I use it. It's it's to "pedal sounding" I hate it. I've found 3 things that OD bass really well and 2 are guitar pedals.

The Visual Sound Son of Hyde, it even has the natural tube compression sound to it. Only negative is no blend, buy you can control the bass responce.

The Visual Sound Garagetone Chiansaw. Like the SoH but minus the bass control and compression thing.

The Tech 21 VTBass. If you're looking for the SVT sound without the SVT this is it in a box.

I say wait, orde rone from a place where you can return it and try it for yourself.

It is different than the paradrive.

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately the music stores in my area are small, so I cant test them or order one for a trial. Anyway, I am leaning towards the VT Bass DI, since I heard some Para Driver demos and realised I wont be using its max drive settings. I think the VT gain is enough for me. Still wish I could test both though

[Swift713]

You could order both from MF, a/b with your own gear and return whichever you like least.

[tech21nyc]

The Para Driver is capable of a bit more gain. The Para Driver can get into the VT Bass territory but it is a different circuit and can't get the clank of the VT.

You can get a pretty distorted tone with the VT's Character control set low. I think the reason some have trouble with high gain settings of the pedal is that you usually need to readjust the EQ as distortion generates quite a bit of harmonic content. With a typical overdrive pedal you have a pretty simple filter to deal with as opposed to a treble, bass, mid and character control.

In the end you really need to try for yourself. There are too many variables to get a definitive answer.

[stichintime]

Originally Posted by Rafescow

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately the music stores in my area are small, so I cant test them or order one for a trial. Anyway, I am leaning towards the VT Bass DI, since I heard some Para Driver demos and realised I wont be using its max drive settings. I think the VT gain is enough for me. Still wish I could test both though

Just listen to the demo on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKxMaWSKuU

[Rafescow]

Originally Posted by stichintime

Just listen to the demo on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKxMaWSKuU

I actually did, though not all configurations I'd like to try are showcased in these videos.

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

The Para Driver is capable of a bit more gain. The Para Driver can get into the VT Bass territory but it is a different circuit and can't get the clank of the VT.

You can get a pretty distorted tone with the VT's Character control set low. I think the reason some have trouble with high gain settings of the pedal is that you usually need to readjust the EQ as distortion generates quite a bit of harmonic content. With a typical overdrive pedal you have a pretty simple filter to deal with as opposed to a treble, bass, mid and character control.

In the end you really need to try for yourself. There are too many variables to get a definitive answer.

Thanks for the explanation guys. Pretty much answered my questions from the beginning. This review made me realize it CAN get saturated with the character at low settings, but, as you said, it requires some EQ tweaking after turning the drive up. I think the VT Bass DI will be more of a single-pedal solution for my case. Now let's wait for its release, shall we...

[Col200]

I know you seem to have found your answer, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I had been using the BDDI for years and liked it (didn't love it). Picked up a VT a couple years ago and really liked it. I didn't use too much drive, but just enough to liven up my sound a bit. For that, it was perfect and took pedals well.

Picked up a Para-driver for recording purposes and am blown away by it. It's true, the drive is really hairy compared to the VT (or BDDI) but that's a good thing, IMO. With subtle settings, I feel like it can get the VT sound, but with more EQ options. And if I want to destroy my guitarist, I can crank that drive up

While I still like the VT a lot (for what it's worth, it's amazing with guitar), if I were stuck between the two, the Para-driver would be my definite choice. Specially if you plan to do any studio recording.

[Rafescow]

Originally Posted by Col200

I know you seem to have found your answer, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I had been using the BDDI for years and liked it (didn't love it). Picked up a VT a couple years ago and really liked it. I didn't use too much drive, but just enough to liven up my sound a bit. For that, it was perfect and took pedals well.

Picked up a Para-driver for recording purposes and am blown away by it. It's true, the drive is really hairy compared to the VT (or BDDI) but that's a good thing, IMO. With subtle settings, I feel like it can get the VT sound, but with more EQ options. And if I want to destroy my guitarist, I can crank that drive up

While I still like the VT a lot (for what it's worth, it's amazing with guitar), if I were stuck between the two, the Para-driver would be my definite choice. Specially if you plan to do any studio recording.

Thanks a lot for the input! Though any of these two pedals is a great choice, I am really anxious to try this new version of the VT Bass, specially because of the new blend knob. I feel it opens up tons of possibilities, one of them is it being used as distortion (character + drive knobs around 3 o clock, blend around 12 o clock is one of the settings I have in my head waiting to be tried!).
Too bad that Tech 21 is taking so long to release the VT Bass DI. Its released date was scheduled for april/may, but still nothing at all... and not even one decent demo of it

[vini138]

If only the new version had the sound bank as the vt deluxe

[svtb15]

I have a Love Hate relationship with the VT and the BBDI.. I sell one to get the other then i go back again by selling one.. Ive done this 3 times! I should keep both.. But all i have now is the VT..
I have Euro fly dates coming up and Im debating getting another BBDI, or have the Putnam MOD done to the VT into a DI..
The Putnam MOD is for the VT to have a Blend control... But i see that the VT is now in a DI form.. .

Not sure when the VT DI is coming out or if it even works well.?? but it looks cool

But i need to set up something for my Fly dates..
mmmm

[Col200]

If anything, the VT makes a great OD pedal, so next time you're on the fence, just keep it around and use it as an OD instead of a preamp.

[tech21nyc]

I have a Love Hate relationship with the VT and the BBDI.. I sell one to get the other then i go back again by selling one.. Ive done this 3 times! I should keep both.. But all i have now is the VT.

How are you using the pedals? Direct or into the front end of an amp... What specifically are you trying to accomplish with the pedals in terms of your tone?