MXR M-80 vs. Sansamp BDDI

OshKoshJoash · #1 11-13-2007, 11:12 PM

Whats up guys.

I'm looking at either one of these to integrate a DI into my pedal chain and was wondering what you guys thought of them. I'd love to have the versatility of having a smooth growly overdrive sound to an authentic distortion and don't quite sure if both or either can do so. I like the noise gate filter on the MXR, and of course it is cheaper. However, if the Sansamp is definitely better I don't mind shelling out the extra cash. Also looking at the programmable BDDI too.

How is the quality of their DI's? I only need this DI for live gigs since for studio recording, we use avalon's.

emjazz · #2 11-13-2007, 11:14 PM

Joash, get the Sansamp para driver DI....much better than the lot of 'em. It's the Bass driver but with a mid control...the bass driver is mid scooped.

OshKoshJoash · #3 11-13-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

Joash, get the Sansamp para driver DI....much better than the lot of 'em. It's the Bass driver but with a mid control...the bass driver is mid scooped.

Is it literally the same as the BDDI except with the added mid control?

Don't mind answer the Pm, you can just post your answer here if you are willing. It'll help others out too I'm sure.

emjazz · #4 11-13-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OshKoshJoash

Is it literally the same as the BDDI except with the added mid control?

Don't mind answer the Pm, you can just post your answer here if you are willing. It'll help others out too I'm sure.

I havn't gigged with the para driver but I'd love to have one. I used to have a bass driver and liked it...but didn't like the mid scoop. That drove me crazy. I'd think the para driver is the answer to that.

Andy.

waffle puzzle · #5 11-13-2007, 11:24 PM

I have never tried the Sansamp, so I can't give an opinion, but...

I do own the MXR M-80, and it is absolutely fabulous ! It has so much tone sculpting that I forget it's a DI.....and when I think that's not enough, it has a Distortion with a Blend and Gate on it.

I never leave home without it.

JanusZarate · #6 11-13-2007, 11:25 PM

The Para Driver DI is not quite the same. It reacts a bit differently... different input impedance, it seems. IIRC, it also has a greater range of gain.

Regarding the other two... I've owned both the BDDI and M-80 before. The M-80's clean channel is just that - clean. It's a simple EQ with a "Color" switch which can apply a preset, mid-scooped EQ curve to your tone. The distortion channel is okay... I thought it was two brittle and harsh, and loses a lot of low end when cranked. On lower settings and more of your clean signal blended it, it's gritty and not bad. It might be too harsh for direct-recording use... IMHO, it's best going into an amp. As for the gate, it's only useful with its own distortion, from my experience.

The BDDI really colors your tone, but rocks when used for direct, amp-free recording (it's an amp emulator, after all). I like the overdrive tone it delivers, too. However, I'm not fond of the results when running it into an amp.

Hopefully, that helps you out!

casio · #7 11-14-2007, 04:14 AM

I own the MXR and am pretty much happy with it, but more for it being an affordable, qiality DI than for the drive/distortion part of it!
I mean, its great, but its mid scooped and then you somehow dont get to stick out in the mix other than by cranking your stuff (which I dont personally mind

)!
so choose wisely!
I'm planning on keeping mine and using the eq section and the DI when necessary, and I plan to order the little big muff!

bassist1962 · #8 11-23-2007, 08:45 AM

I am looking at getting one of these pedals as well, but have only been able to try out the BDDI. I thought that the little Beringher amp they had me run through in the store was a clangy, rattly, POS, then I switched the BDDI on, and it cleared right up, and smoothed out. I am sold on the BDDI, but would still like to check out the M-80. I have also heard that the PBDDI has issues with signal loss/gain when switching between programs.

aksu · #9 11-26-2007, 02:08 AM

I agree with emjazz. The para driver just sounds a lot better than bass driver or the programmable version of that. The mxr m-80 is cheaper but honestly there is only one sound to use. IMHO the distortion sucks.

I had PBDDI, and after that the BDDI, both were okay but they somehow were not even close to what i can get out from the para driver.

Para driver adds some lower and upper harmonics, to my ears sounds like an old tube amp.

the low one · #10 05-28-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casio

I own the MXR and am pretty much happy with it, but more for it being an affordable, qiality DI than for the drive/distortion part of it!
I mean, its great, but its mid scooped and then you somehow dont get to stick out in the mix other than by cranking your stuff (which I dont personally mind

)!
so choose wisely!
I'm planning on keeping mine and using the eq section and the DI when necessary, and I plan to order the little big muff!

It's only mid scooped if you use the 'color' feature

rekesbass · #11 05-28-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the low one

It's only mid scooped if you use the 'color' feature

or when dist. is on

the low one · #12 05-29-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekesbass

or when dist. is on

True, but it does keep the lows in. You can put some mids back in too

varunkapahi · #13 05-29-2008, 06:05 AM

my mxr m-80 would reach me in some time, my friend has got a programmable sansamp DI. i would compare both and post here but it would take a while