Sansamp Bass Driver Question

BassNGuns · #1 09-19-2011, 03:04 PM

Hi,
I just recently bought a Markbass LMIII.
I was going to buy an LMTube 800 but didn't feel that the tube section made THAT much of a difference in sound, plus I got the LMIII at a great price.
So, here is the deal...Tone wise, I love the tone of 50/50 - SS and Tube together.
In the past Trace Eliot used to have the same kind of control where you could blend tube and SS together and get a great tone. My dial would be right in the center.

1. Could the Sans BD give me this mix?
2. How is the overdrive tone?
3. Does the emulated tube sound just like the real deal?
4. Is it best to get the programmable BD?

Thanks.

PurpleDrank · #2 09-19-2011, 03:46 PM

I'll take a crack at answering this for you. I've got a ParaDriver, not the BassDriver, but it's the same ballpark:

1. The blend knob is useful for giving clean low end signal along with the effected signal from the sansamp circuitry (tube and speaker emulation). To me it's not so much like blending a solid state pre with a tube pre (like you could do with your Trace or the Genz-Benz Shuttlemax series) as it is like blending a clean DI signal with a mic'd speaker signal. Useful, but not exactly the same.

2. The overdrive tone seems to be a love hate thing with most people. It doesn't really sound like a cranked SVT, but it doesn't sound bad either. You've definitely heard it a million times on records and live shows. They are everywhere, seriously. Listen to some clips on YouTube and decide if you like the tone, as that is a pretty subjective thing.

3. The tube emulation is actually really pretty good concerning the feel of it. It's pretty touch sensitive and can do clean or dirty depending on how much you dig in. As for sound, it's emulating a tube preamp, tube poweramp, and sealed speaker enclosure. I don't think it's all the way there as far as sounding like an all tube amp (or SVT in specific) but it's still a usable sound for sure. I think the speaker emulation is what really causes what most people feel is the mid-scoop associated with the sansamp line. There are ways to counteract the mid scoop in the BDDI if you look around here in the effect forum (basically turn down the lows and the highs). If it bothers you not having a mid control, get the ParaDriver.

4. If you change your sound frequently during a set, it's probably nice to have the programmable version. One channel dirty, one channel clean, one channel with a volume bump for solos, etc. I treat it more like the preamp on a head, so it gets set for the room and stays in one place all night. For me the programmable one is useless complexity. For you, it might be an indispensable necessity. Just figure out your needs before you go buy it.

Hope that helps.

cchorney · #3 09-19-2011, 04:42 PM

I have the bass driver deluxe and I too have the LMIII (via a cmd102p). I really wanted a tube sound but I didn't wanna buy a new amp so I looked at the sansamp at Guitar Center. Once I played it I knew I wanted one not just for that tube like sound but also for the svt like sound as well. Neither emulation is perfect but both are improvements over my current sound for the music I play. The choice then come down to which model do you want. There are 3 models for the bass driver - basic, programmable, and deluxe. All 3 have the same tone and emulation options, the differences is the programmable give you 3 presets while the deluxe give you 6 presets, 2 instrument inputs and a switchable effects loop. The deluxe and programmable also have a parallel out. The basis and programmable cost I think $200 and $205 respectively. The deluxe cost a bit more at $265 but I got that 1 because I wanted the 6 presets and the 2 inputs. Effectively this box not only gives me the tone emuation I want but also gets rid of the need for me to have a separate a/b box and a separate EQ pedal. I recommend going to a store and trying 1 out - with your guitar, amp and cabinet.

BassNGuns · #4 09-19-2011, 05:27 PM

Thanks so much! Lot of info here!
You know, SVT's are ok, I'm not a super fan
so anything tube sounding would make me happy.
I think the 3 channel would do me perfect.

cchorney · #5 09-19-2011, 06:21 PM

Now that I'm not typing from my phone...

The circuitry among all 3 are the same, so try out whatever the store has in stock to get a sense if the sound works for you. Like I said, the tube emulation is "tube like", so it may or may not float your boat. It floated mine.

Like I said I have the deluxe but so far I've really only found 2 sounds I really like, the tube and the svt. I have a 3rd channel programmed in with everything at 0 - that's my mute. On the second bank I have the same 2 sounds on the same 2 buttons, just louder (and while the 3rd button is a mute on the second bank as well, no its not also louder lol). Anyway, have fun shopping and once you decide what you like, try and score one used via the TB selling section, CL, ebay or Guitar Center's online used gear section.

walterw · #6 09-19-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassNGuns

You know, SVT's are ok, I'm not a super fan

then you might want to look elsewhere.

the sansamp is all about the "feel" of the SVT, that grindy rock sound you get when you dig in or hit with a pick.

FaithNoMan · #7 09-19-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

then you might want to look elsewhere.

the sansamp is all about the "feel" of the SVT, that grindy rock sound you get when you dig in or hit with a pick.

I disagree about the grindy rock thing only belonging to the SVT, or even Ampeg.

Mesa, Marshall, Traynor, Aguilar, Gallien Krueger, and the old Peaveys all have grindy rock sounds as well. I actually prefer their more "electric" sound to the SVT's more "gloggy" tone.

BassNGuns · #8 09-20-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

then you might want to look elsewhere.

the sansamp is all about the "feel" of the SVT, that grindy rock sound you get when you dig in or hit with a pick.

Walt,
With that blend switch though, adding a little of my SS with the SVT tone may be what I'm looking for.
I like the SS sound with a little tube to smooth it over.
I don't hate the SVT sound, but on it's own to me IS a little gloggy.
Actually, my favorite tube sound on it's own is either Genz or SWR.

FaithNoMan · #9 09-20-2011, 01:02 PM

I can highly recommend the Tech 21 Oxford.

I've owned the BDDI, Tri AC, PSA-1, and the Leeds before this pedal(I'm also sending back a recently acquired Aguilar Tone Hammer, too). The Oxford seems to have more of the aggressive grind I like(while still having warmth) than all of these pedals.

Here's some direct recorded clips of both the Oxford and the Leeds:

Infant Molecule's sounds on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

Another pedal(s) I would probably recommend to you would be the Tronographic Rusty Box, which emulated a cool Trayner SS amp - it has a wicked-sounding SS overdrive that is VERY aggressive. Here it is live, into a power amp:
Shellac Live A Minute 7-27-1997 Chicago,IL - YouTube

And yet another, the Microtubes B3k:
Darkglass Microtubes B3K Bass Overdrive Pick and Slap - YouTube