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...