Sansamp bass driver di alternatives?

manmountain8 · #1 03-18-2008, 06:18 PM

I thought I was set on the sansamp but I tried one and I'm not sure it's right for me. It really does seem to demolish the mids and I struggle to cut through as it is. It seems a little noisy at times too. I do like the fat tone so I haven't ruled it out yet, I'm just shopping for alternatives. I also tried the MXR M-80 and it's too harsh for me. So what else is out there? I'm thinking about a BBE BMAX, but I'd rather have a pedal. I'm also looking at the XOTIC Tri-logic Bass preamp, but no DI is a negative. Any suggestions?

niftydog · #2 03-18-2008, 06:27 PM

EBS MicroBass II, Radial ToneBone.

ishouldbeking · #3 03-18-2008, 06:41 PM

I have a Behringer BDI-21 which is an almost exact clone of a Sansamp minus phantom power and in a plastic casing. It's $30 and sounds virtually identical to a Sansamp (which, now that i think about it, doesn't really help in your search... but hey, it's cheap at least.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ass_BDI21.html

MXR also makes another Bass DI pedal besides the blowtorch which might be more to your liking... i haven't tried one myself.
http://www.theperfectbass.com/explor...&CR=N&modify=0

Sadowksy makes a preamp/DI as well, but it's basically a pedal version of their onboard preamp (IIRC) and I expect that would mean it'd give you more of an "active" sound.
http://www.sadowsky.com/audio/preamp.html

Another cheap one would be Hartke's VXL Bass Attack pedal:
http://www.geartree.com/p-3792-hartk...ass-pedal.aspx

The only one I've used is the Behringer, which I like, though I only use it for recording.

stingray69 · #4 03-18-2008, 06:43 PM

The SansAmp ParaDriver has a sweepable Mid knob - may be just the thing your looking for. The rackmount version of this pedal is the SansAmp RPM. It's more expensive, but has a boatload of more signal routing possibilities, etc.

Puru · #5 03-18-2008, 06:45 PM

I want to try one of these:
http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_p...tonehammer.htm

manmountain8 · #6 03-18-2008, 07:00 PM

This is good info. Keep it coming.

crapusername · #7 03-18-2008, 07:00 PM

The mxr blowtorch does not have a DI however- but is still a pretty good fuzz!

rodneyat · #8 03-18-2008, 07:06 PM

I have the Radial Bassbone and really like it. For me, having the 2 channel preamp is really a great option. Even if I am only using 1 bass, the ability to switch channels and have a different eq/preamp setting is real nice. My only complaint, it has to run off of the proprietary ac adapter. I also have the the MXR Bass DI that was my main DI before going to the Bassbone. A little cheaper than the Sansamp, pretty quiet and has a decent distortion that I would use on occasion.

manmountain8 · #9 03-18-2008, 07:49 PM

Well maybe the para driver would solve the mids problem since it has a mid controls. What is the main difference between the bass driver and para driver and how does it sound on bass? The RBI which is a rackmount bass driver also has a dedicated mid control, but I wonder about floor switch options for it and does it have programmable channels for all that extra dough? I also looked at the tri-ac and I can't figure out what that thing is? Is it like a 3 channel programmable para driver or something else? Whew, too many choices.

manmountain8 · #10 03-18-2008, 07:51 PM

Any one have an opinion on the BBE BMAX vs the Sansamp?

343 Salty Beans · #11 03-18-2008, 09:20 PM

If price is an issue, I like using the DOD FX91 for a fat-tone sound. Not as versatile as the Sansamp, but it does a pretty good emulation of the fat rock-driving tone. Once the OD is dialed up on the thing, it quickly loses it's good stature, though.

manmountain8 · #12 03-19-2008, 01:51 AM

Jouni · #13 03-19-2008, 02:04 AM

Aphex bass exciter.

-Boosts lows and highs... But in a good way IMO. I think I'm gonna cut through better with it.
-Has an XLR DI, with groundlift.
-Works on a battery, power supply or phantom power from the XLR.

..If a fuse blows from the stage, amps die. But the bass keeps on rocking if the mixer is still getting phantomed DI from your pedalboard.

manmountain8 · #14 03-19-2008, 04:46 PM

Well, I checked out the para driver and while it does have mid control it lacks the presence knob of the bass driver which gives it an "edge" that I like. I am looking at the RBI now which is a rackmount bass driver with mid control and some other extra crap. For all that extra money I wish it was programmable though. I can't decide what's more important, mid control and presence with no programmability for an extra $100, or presence and 3 channel programmability with no mid control? Maybe the presence knob will make up for the mid scoop of the bass driver and help me cut through? The PSA 1.1 is intriguing but for that kind of money I'd just get a real tube preamp and get my distortion/fuzz somewhere else. Decisions Decisions.

manmountain8 · #15 03-19-2008, 04:59 PM

"EBS MicroBass II, Radial ToneBone."

The EBS MicroBass II has caught my attention but it's quite a bit more than the Sansamp and I wonder if it's any better. The Radial Tonebone does not sound like what I'm looking for.

manmountain8 · #16 03-19-2008, 05:01 PM

The Aphex bass exciter is certainly cheaper and I hear it sounds pretty good, but there are some major complaints about reliability.

manmountain8 · #17 03-19-2008, 05:07 PM

The Sadowski is an interesting preamp DI for clean bass purposes. Same goes for the BBE Bmax. My guitar player wants me to get a Sansamp for distortion though. I like the subtle edge I can get with the sansamp too. I just can't decide between the 3 channel Bass driver, RBI, or para driver.

niftydog · #18 03-19-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manmountain8

The EBS MicroBass II has caught my attention but it's quite a bit more than the Sansamp and I wonder if it's any better. The Radial Tonebone does not sound like what I'm looking for.

Well, "better" is subjective, but if you ask me the EBS is a thousand times better than the ToneBone - well worth the extra cash. As for comparing it to the SansAmp, well, the EBS doesn't really colour your sound like the SansAmp does - it's really more of a tone shaper than a specific "sound" like the SansAmp is.

But your statement makes me wonder what it is that you are looking for, given the many similarities between the ToneBone and the EBS. So what features are you after exactly?

98dvl · #19 03-19-2008, 05:23 PM

Might want to wait until the summer comes and try one of these (notably the VT Bass):

http://tech21nyc.com/character_series.html#

niftydog · #20 03-19-2008, 05:52 PM

The descriptions for those pedals sound like they were written by a z-grade Hollywood script editor who can't even crack a job writing for pornos. ***?