Help with Sansamp direct to Effects Return

[Twocan]

I've got a VT Deluxe running to a Sansamp BDDI, which then runs straight into my SWR's effects return. I don't use the overdrive on these pedals, my drive setting is usualy around 9 O'Clock. I also don't use both pedals on at the same time. My bass volume (active bass) is usually 95% and I've been trying combinations of one or two of the "1/4 boost" buttons on, in order to power the amp enough.

My issue is that when slapping I get distorted tones out of the amp (when plucking the G string). Normal finger playing is fine. This happens at any volume the amp is set at, so the issue is certainly before the amp itself.

I'm wondering - is it the bass volume, the drive settings or the 1/4" boost button settings?

Thanks for any help you can supply!

[RickenBoogie]

One or more of your gain stages is set too high. It's pushing too hot a signal somewhere. Check all your settings.

[parsons]

I cant imagine youd need the 1/4 inch boost buttons on if youre using an active bass.

[cheapbasslovin]

If I understand the controls on these things correctly, the 1/4 boost button should only be engaged on the device closest to your amp. So if you have the VT first in the chain and have its boost button on you'll be running a +20dB signal into the BDDI, regardless of whether or not the VT is bypassed. That will almost certainly lead to some distortion if the BDDI is engaged and possibly add distortion even if it is bypassed.

Hope that helps.

There may also be some line level preamp components on that return jack. +20dB twice could cause some of those to fart out as well and it wouldn't show up as a power amp problem. My Benz combo has the EQ section post effects return.

[fivestringgecko]

+1, probably don't need the boost.

Sounds like you also might benefit from a compressor.

5sg.

[tech21nyc]

You may not need the boost in your application. The FX return of most instrument amps aren't designed like the input of a typical power amp used for sound reinforcement. The other thing is that you can get fairly close to the sound of the BDDI with the VT Bass by turning the Character control completely counter clockwise. It won't be identical as there is no presence control.

Plug in directly into your bass amp by itself and figure out how much volume you need to get and then try bypassing your amp's preamp and using the VT Bass pedal and see if it matches the volume without the boost. If you still feel you need the boost go ahead and use it. Unfortunately if you still want to use your BDDI after the VT Bass with it's boost engaged you will probably clip the input of the BDDI. There is a workaround if you still feel the need to use both pedals with the boosts engaged.

Plug your bass into the VT Bass and the output of that into the FX return of your amp. Take the parallel out of the VT Bass and plug that into the input of the BDDI. Take the out of the BDDI pedal with the boost engaged as well and run that into the efx return of the VT Bass pedal. There should be no jack in the fx send of the VT Bass. Now when you engage the fx loop of the VT Bass you will bypass the preamp circuit of the VT Bass and you will hear the BDDI only. Just make sure that the BDDI is always on. It sounds more confusing than it really is but it works.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

You may not need the boost in your application. The FX return of most instrument amps aren't designed like the input of a typical power amp used for sound reinforcement. The other thing is that you can get fairly close to the sound of the BDDI with the VT Bass by turning the Character control completely counter clockwise. It won't be identical as there is no presence control.

Plug in directly into your bass amp by itself and figure out how much volume you need to get and then try bypassing your amp's preamp and using the VT Bass pedal and see if it matches the volume without the boost. If you still feel you need the boost go ahead and use it. Unfortunately if you still want to use your BDDI after the VT Bass with it's boost engaged you will probably clip the input of the BDDI. There is a workaround if you still feel the need to use both pedals with the boosts engaged.

Plug your bass into the VT Bass and the output of that into the FX return of your amp. Take the parallel out of the VT Bass and plug that into the input of the BDDI. Take the out of the BDDI pedal with the boost engaged as well and run that into the efx return of the VT Bass pedal. There should be no jack in the fx send of the VT Bass. Now when you engage the fx loop of the VT Bass you will bypass the preamp circuit of the VT Bass and you will hear the BDDI only. Just make sure that the BDDI is always on. It sounds more confusing than it really is but it works.

Great products and great customer service plus made in the USA

[Twocan]

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

You may not need the boost in your application. The FX return of most instrument amps aren't designed like the input of a typical power amp used for sound reinforcement. The other thing is that you can get fairly close to the sound of the BDDI with the VT Bass by turning the Character control completely counter clockwise. It won't be identical as there is no presence control.

Plug in directly into your bass amp by itself and figure out how much volume you need to get and then try bypassing your amp's preamp and using the VT Bass pedal and see if it matches the volume without the boost. If you still feel you need the boost go ahead and use it. Unfortunately if you still want to use your BDDI after the VT Bass with it's boost engaged you will probably clip the input of the BDDI. There is a workaround if you still feel the need to use both pedals with the boosts engaged.

Plug your bass into the VT Bass and the output of that into the FX return of your amp. Take the parallel out of the VT Bass and plug that into the input of the BDDI. Take the out of the BDDI pedal with the boost engaged as well and run that into the efx return of the VT Bass pedal. There should be no jack in the fx send of the VT Bass. Now when you engage the fx loop of the VT Bass you will bypass the preamp circuit of the VT Bass and you will hear the BDDI only. Just make sure that the BDDI is always on. It sounds more confusing than it really is but it works.

Wow - I just tried the VT Deluxe with my Sansamp settings (mid left at 12 and Character all the way off) side-by-side my BDDI and the sounds are almost identical! As mentioned, there is a little something missing without the presence control but the VT really covers the BDDI's tones well! Thanks for this tip!

[walker rosewood]

sounds like you'd definitely benefit from taking a look at the block diagram for your amp. Find out exactly what that FX return jack bypasses or doesn't.