SABDDI Versus ADI21 (behringer copy)

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 01-26-2008, 10:27 AM

I'm looking to get some opinions about the tonal differences between the tech 21 bass driver/paradriver versus behringer's copy the ADI21.

Leaving the build quality aside, which one sounds better to you and in what way?

bongomania · #2 01-26-2008, 10:35 AM

There was a thread featuring soundclips of the two being compared side by side. It's worth digging that up, it was educational.

::::BASSIST:::: · #3 01-26-2008, 10:38 AM

ooh, gotta find that!

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 01-26-2008, 11:18 AM

If its the thread I think it is, the soundclips have been removed. Dang!

#5 01-26-2008, 11:23 AM

The ADI21 and BDDI are two different tools. The ADI21 is primarily meant for acoustic guitarists who want to take the edge off of piezo pickups. The BDDI has a drive function with no direct midrange control. The ADI21 has no drive function, but has a midrange control and midrange parametric sweep. Apples and oranges, depending on what you need. If you need the midrange control, go with the ADI21. If you need the drive control, go with the BDDI or BDI21. If you need both, your only option is the Sansamp Para Driver.

c0vin · #6 01-26-2008, 01:27 PM

I'm a big fan of the BDI21... you can dial in a lot of tones, it's cheap but doesn't sound cheap, and sounds essentially the same as the SansAmp for $150 less. Behringer DOES make some great equipment. They also make some major crap, you just have to know which is which.

The BDI21 is great and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Except for an all valve SVT head.

That would certainly make it unnecessary...

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 01-26-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tired_Thumb

The ADI21 and BDDI are two different tools. The ADI21 is primarily meant for acoustic guitarists who want to take the edge off of piezo pickups. The BDDI has a drive function with no direct midrange control. The ADI21 has no drive function, but has a midrange control and midrange parametric sweep. Apples and oranges, depending on what you need. If you need the midrange control, go with the ADI21. If you need the drive control, go with the BDDI or BDI21. If you need both, your only option is the Sansamp Para Driver.

The Sansamp para driver doesnt have a presence/drive knob.

I understand the differences between the units in question.

My question is between the behringer and Tech 21 products which *sounds* better? Which has the better tone to your ears?

karter2000 · #8 01-26-2008, 02:13 PM

Hi Torin,

I use a BDI21 after owning two BDDI's (programmable and non-programmable). I've typically avoided Behringer stuff, but I got my BDI21 cheap and was surprised on how good it sounds. To my ears, it sounds fairly similar to the BDDI's I've owned. I only use it for pick playing, which is why I sold the BDDI's in the first place. I couldn't justify keeping them around when I don't use them much. The BDI21 is just the right price and does the job.

Hope that helps,

Lyle

Turlu · #9 01-26-2008, 02:16 PM

Got myself a Behringer BDI21 and have played it for the past two years non-stop. For the price, it is an awesome tool. You won't get as much distortion compared to the SansAmp, but I find it adds just the exact amount of warmth I am looking to get. It is the perfect match for a passive bass, like a Fender Jazz or a similar bass.

On the other hand, it does not match at all with my new active Lakland 44-01 bass. But, this would be the same for the SansAmp.

For the price, this is the best gear Behringer ever made in my opinion.

Nikoubis · #10 01-26-2008, 04:24 PM

The BDI21 is one of Behringer's products that is well-executed. Much of the Sansamp magic is there for a fraction of the price. 2 main weak points compared to the original: the footswitch is not as heavy duty and the XLR output is kinda weak. But for the price you can't really go wrong.

#11 01-26-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

The Sansamp para driver doesnt have a presence/drive knob.

I understand the differences between the units in question.

My question is between the behringer and Tech 21 products which *sounds* better? Which has the better tone to your ears?

Yes, the para driver does indeed has a drive knob. Just so it's clear between the rest of what you're comparing, this is the Behringer BDI21 which everyone else is mentioning, the copy of the BDDI:

You mentioned the ADI21 in your original post. This is the ADI21:

The ADI21 is not a copy of the BDDI. It is a copy of the Tech 21 Sansamp Acoustic DI, different unit altogether. If you're looking for a comparison between the ADI21 (the reddish unit) and the BDDI, I've already provided one. If you're looking for a comparison between the BDDI and the BDI21 (the silver unit), that I cannot provide.

Rugaar · #12 01-26-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

The BDI21 is one of Behringer's products that is well-executed. Much of the Sansamp magic is there for a fraction of the price. 2 main weak points compared to the original: the footswitch is not as heavy duty and the XLR output is kinda weak. But for the price you can't really go wrong.

The XLR out on my BDI21 is just fine--not weak at all.

My impression of the soundclips posted on the old thread was that the 2 units sounded very similar with the SABDDI being a tiny bit brighter/clearer and the BDI21 was a bit warmer. They were close enough that I went with the BDI21 since I wasn't sure how much I'd actually use it or like it. Turns out I leave it on most of the time. I'll probably buy a SABDDI when the Behringer dies, just for the extra durability.

Munjibunga · #13 01-26-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

The Sansamp para driver doesnt have a presence/drive knob.

I understand the differences between the units in question.

My question is between the behringer and Tech 21 products which *sounds* better? Which has the better tone to your ears?

The ParaDriver DOES have a Drive knob. They sacrificed the Presence knob in favor of the semi-parametric mid. I never had much use for that anyway. In my opinion, the ParaDriver is the way to go. It's kind of a mix of the SABDDI and the Acoustic DI. The B-word unit doesn't have a mid control. I also like how they slipped that "21" into the name. I wonder what that means.

::::BASSIST:::: · #14 01-27-2008, 02:06 AM

My mistake. I meant to say the ADI21 doesnt have a presence knob. Neither does the Paradriver... as we can see in the pics. Its kind of confusing when discussing 4 different units. Ultimately what I'm looking for is a comparison between the tone of the tech 21 para driver and the adi21, but I didnt think as many people would be as famaliar with the paradriver (compared to the sabddi which many people know).

The paradriver is probably the way to go, but I just cant justify spending the extra $ on it right now, since the adi21 seems to be a close second in terms of tone.

I wish those sound clip comparisons weren't removed.

Terrorstorm · #15 01-27-2008, 02:43 AM

Is that only a BLEND switch or a tiny knob on the Para Sansamp??

::::BASSIST:::: · #16 01-27-2008, 03:29 AM

Yup thats the blend knob. Very hard to see at the best of times, nevermind a dark stage.

Nikoubis · #17 01-27-2008, 03:30 AM

A tiny knob.

EDIT: ninja'd...

Rugaar · #18 01-27-2008, 07:57 AM

Here's the old thread with the SABDDI vs BDI21 soundclips. It might give you some idea of what the units are capable of sounding like even though it's not the ADI21 or Paradriver models you're asking about.

::::BASSIST:::: · #19 01-27-2008, 01:11 PM

Thanks for that link!

I actually came across another comparison thread, but the links no worky.

#20 01-28-2008, 05:09 PM

Just get the ADI21, and you'll be happy, count on it. If need be, you can always chain an overdrive behind it if you really miss the drive function, and you'll still come out under the cost of the PDDI. That'd actually be the route I'd still be taking if I didn't go almost exclusively rack now. If you don't like the ADI21, you should either be able to at least return it or sell it for close to full value.