Got a Sansamp Bass Driver. Should've got a Para Driver?

*ToNeS* · #1 06-28-2011, 01:35 AM

Hey guys. Got myself a SansAmp Bass Driver after months of deliberating, only to subsequently discover the existence of the Para Driver once I'd already bought a BD

I like the idea of the Para Driver because it has a mid control - but is that the only difference between them? Is it worth me going to all the trouble to resell my Bass Driver to pick up a Para? For the record, I'm working on getting my fretless to sound more like an upright. Whatever box will help the most in that quest, I want that one.

tech21nyc · #2 06-28-2011, 10:35 AM

The Para Driver doesn't have the presence control for that extra sizzle that the BDDI has. The PDDI has more gain than the BDDI . There is some overlap between the two.

It sounds like the PDDI with it's sweepable midrange control might be a better choice for what you are trying to do. It's a hard call without trying both with your rig though. I know it's a drag since our products are probably a bit pricey in Australia.

Here's a video of the PDDI on bass.
YouTube - ‪Tech 21 SansAmp PARA DRIVER DI: Bass‬&rlm;

*ToNeS* · #3 06-28-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

The Para Driver doesn't have the presence control for that extra sizzle that the BDDI has. The PDDI has more gain than the BDDI . There is some overlap between the two.

It sounds like the PDDI with it's sweepable midrange control might be a better choice for what you are trying to do. It's a hard call without trying both with your rig though. I know it's a drag since our products are probably a bit pricey in Australia.

Here's a video of the PDDI on bass.
YouTube - ‪Tech 21 SansAmp PARA DRIVER DI: Bass‬&rlm;

I saw that video, love the distortion sound you can pull out of that thing. It's gnarly as.

Damn it. Knew this would happen. It's okay, you'd be mad to buy locally around here. Back to eBay it is!

iamdenialNJ · #4 06-29-2011, 12:15 AM

Should've gotten a fuzz pedal.

*ToNeS* · #5 06-29-2011, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

Should've gotten a fuzz pedal.

Proud owner of a Big John's Hairy Balls. They're hairy, alright.

bassman1185 · #6 06-29-2011, 12:30 PM

Neither of those pedals will do what you want. They are both essentially tube-amp emulators with distortion. You're looking for something more along the lines of a simple EQ pedal.

For what it's worth, the BDDI sounds way better than the PDDI to my ears. The PDDI always has this annoying nasal quality that the BDDI does not.

iamdenialNJ · #7 06-29-2011, 12:34 PM

Eq your amp, eq pedal, low pass filter, solo neck pick up, roll of tone and play close to the neck, get flat wound strings,

bassgod0dmw · #8 06-29-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Neither of those pedals will do what you want.

This

Eublet · #9 06-29-2011, 02:29 PM

I don't like the PDDI...at all. I love the BDDI. I think a Tone Hammer would be best for your appliation though.

*ToNeS* · #10 06-29-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

I don't like the PDDI...at all. I love the BDDI. I think a Tone Hammer would be best for your appliation though.

Tried a Tone Hammer out for hours a while back. Man, that thing sucked (for what I wanted, that is). I reckon a lot of players tend to get a bit 'Aguilar drunk' at times. Not for me.

I dunno, guys. I can hear a bit of potential in this bad-boy. Totally willing to experiment, of course. What's a low-pass filter? That's new to me.

ThudThudThud · #11 06-29-2011, 09:54 PM

I have a BDDI first generation. It's on all the time! It's a part of my sound and I love it. I send that signal through a PBDDI for additional tweaking where required and additional boost. Love my sound. The BDDI is a great pedal.

bassman1185 · #12 06-30-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ToNeS*

I dunno, guys. I can hear a bit of potential in this bad-boy. Totally willing to experiment, of course. What's a low-pass filter? That's new to me.

A Low-Pass filter (or lpf) is a device that filters out high frequencies, letting the lows pass through. It is used a lot in electronic music to make the bass sound huge, but it can be a more mainstream tone-shaping tool as well, depending on how you use it.

*ToNeS* · #13 06-30-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

A Low-Pass filter (or lpf) is a device that filters out high frequencies, letting the lows pass through. It is used a lot in electronic music to make the bass sound huge, but it can be a more mainstream tone-shaping tool as well, depending on how you use it.

Are they available in pedal form?

tech21nyc · #14 06-30-2011, 08:22 AM

Let me clarify something. The Para Driver DI is an EQ pedal as well as an amp emulator and DI box. There is no nasal quality unless you dial that in. With the pedal engaged, the blend control turned counterclockwise and all EQ controls set at their null point the pedal is flat response. There is no preset sound.

Grateful · #15 06-30-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ToNeS*

For the record, I'm working on getting my fretless to sound more like an upright. Whatever box will help the most in that quest, I want that one.

I have a Zoom B9.1ut that I use to help with this on my EUB and fretless. It's a combo of some 'air' type reverb and some rolling off of treble/higher frequencies that seems to work for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Neither of those pedals will do what you want. They are both essentially tube-amp emulators with distortion. You're looking for something more along the lines of a simple EQ pedal.

+1. I have the programmable BDDI that I turn off when using the fretless. I have a P/J with nickels that usually runs through BDDI with one setting for grindy punch, and the other for a more vintage sound. Presence+Blend=Yummy.

*ToNeS* · #16 06-30-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grateful

+1. I have the programmable BDDI that I turn off when using the fretless. I have a P/J with nickels that usually runs through BDDI with one setting for grindy punch, and the other for a more vintage sound. Presence+Blend=Yummy.

I keep reading that and it's getting really depressing

Mental note: Refer to TalkBass people first before dropping cash on stuff I know crapping nothing about.

**BullHorn** · #17 06-30-2011, 07:16 PM

We're in the same boat. I got a BDDI and then had a 8-pages thread about how much it sucks out your mids + how much it, well, sucks.

*ToNeS* · #18 06-30-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

We're in the same boat. I got a BDDI and then had a 8-pages thread about how much it sucks out your mids + how much it, well, sucks.

Well, at least I'm not alone out here with this pricey little box that, while cool, is not exactly what I wanted.

Poor tech21nyc. Suppose you gotta run around these forums a fair bit checking out this kinda whinging. Sorry!

**BullHorn** · #19 06-30-2011, 09:06 PM

It sure sounds great on YouTube and when used as a DI to record stuff but to my ears (and my band's), it did not help improving the tone when playing live.

To each his own. I'll probably try to sell mine unless I find a way to use it. Everyone suggest pulling the Blend knob behind 12 o'clock to get a bit more of your original pre-mid-scooped signal.

Eublet · #20 07-01-2011, 05:17 AM

Wow. Honestly, I think the BDDI can be setup to make anything sound good. You just have to know how to coax it. There are many tones in there that require some subtle playing with the controls. I agree that it wouldn't be my first choice for fretless, but it can work. The BDDI has been used on countless thousands of professional recording with fantastic results.