Sansamp BDDI or Tech 21 VT Bass or MXR?

walknbluez · #1 12-20-2008, 12:34 PM

For those of you who are familiar with any of these, I'm having a hard time deciding which one to purchase. I'm leaning toward VT Bass because I'm gathering it is more versatile. My goal is to make my somewhat sterile (even after EQ'ing) rig come to life.

SteveC · #2 12-20-2008, 12:36 PM

I have had all 3. Haven't been totally impressed by any. If I had to have one, I think I'd go with the BDDI.

bassninja7 · #3 12-20-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walknbluez

For those of you who are familiar with any of these, I'm having a hard time deciding which one to purchase. I'm leaning toward VT Bass because I'm gathering it is more versatile. My goal is to make my somewhat sterile (even after EQ'ing) rig come to life.

none.

get the PDDI.

tyrelnorth · #4 12-20-2008, 12:37 PM

BDDI, it's the one thing I can't live without.

paganjack · #5 12-20-2008, 12:38 PM

ive been pleased with the VT bass, but i use it more as a distro stompbox.

walknbluez · #6 12-20-2008, 12:45 PM

I've read so many good things about the VT Bass which is about $50 less. The problem is that I don't really know the difference between the various sansamps (and yes I've searched). Example: I've read in the VT Bass thread that it is all about tube emulation. Then I see that the same Tech 21 also has the GT2 Tube amp emulator. This is why it is a dilemma for me.

paganjack · #7 12-20-2008, 12:51 PM

well the VT bass is designed to cop various Ampeg tones. The three they tout are the SVT, b15 and like a modern rock sound. To my ears it does a fine job. I like my amp's normal tone for clean, but it does a nice little power tube sound which i enjoy hitting for solos etc.

I think the BDDI PDDI and all that are slightly different in that they are designed to 'liven up' amps. I think they do some distortion too, esp the PDDI, which i believe has a few channels you can switch from.

sansamps are all about emulation so if i'm not mistaken all their units will have some sort of emulation circuitry. Maybe someone can back me up on this but it really seems like the VT bass comes the closest to an actual tube amp out of those. So if that's more what you are going for then that might be the right choice.

walknbluez · #8 12-20-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganjack

well the VT bass is designed to cop various Ampeg tones. The three they tout are the SVT, b15 and like a modern rock sound. To my ears it does a fine job. I like my amp's normal tone for clean, but it does a nice little power tube sound which i enjoy hitting for solos etc.

I think the BDDI PDDI and all that are slightly different in that they are designed to 'liven up' amps. I think they do some distortion too, esp the PDDI, which i believe has a few channels you can switch from.

sansamps are all about emulation so if i'm not mistaken all their units will have some sort of emulation circuitry. Maybe someone can back me up on this but it really seems like the VT bass comes the closest to an actual tube amp out of those. So if that's more what you are going for then that might be the right choice.

That is exactly what I'm looking for, to liven up my amp. The other issue is that I've read that with the Sansamp BDDI you lose some mid range

sonicvi · #9 12-20-2008, 12:55 PM

I've had the Para-driver and the VT Bass. I was completely unimpressied with the PDDI on every account, but I love the VT Bass. I have an Ampeg tube amp (70's V4B) and it even makes it sound better. I've also never used an overdrive that I liked better.

tyrelnorth · #10 12-20-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walknbluez

That is exactly what I'm looking for, to liven up my amp. The other issue is that I've read that with the Sansamp BDDI you lose some mid range

It does scoop your mids a little, but mainly gets rid of the honky sound that I personally hate. I have my BDDI running before my GK and I boost my low mids a bit and it sounds great. In my application it basically smooths it out and adds a little dirt as well (I have all the knobs set at 12 o'clock.)

walknbluez · #11 12-20-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrelnorth

It does scoop your mids a little, but mainly gets rid of the honky sound that I personally hate. I have my BDDI running before my GK and I boost my low mids a bit and it sounds great. In my application it basically smooths it out and adds a little dirt as well (I have all the knobs set at 12 o'clock.)

I'm already losing some mids because I'm using flatwounds so I have mids on my EQ boosted. I suppose I could boost more if I lose some mids with the BDDI.

tyrelnorth · #12 12-20-2008, 03:32 PM

True, I also forgot to mention that it has a blend knob so you can blend as much of the the processed signal with the original as you want.

mavbass · #13 12-20-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrelnorth

True, I also forgot to mention that it has a blend knob so you can blend as much of the the processed signal with the original as you want.

Yes the blend knob will bring back your mids.
The bddi has the di which really comes in handy and bddi is more expensive so it must be better

The VT is awesome but it's a stomp box the bddi has so many more features it's like having a tool box with you.

Craig_S · #14 12-20-2008, 05:05 PM

I really like the PBDDI. I do use the blend knob on all settings. I also like the MXR M-80. Sometimes I even use both of them together. It just depends on the sound you're looking for. I found it easier to get a Geddy-ish tone from the MXR.

lowendgenerator · #15 12-20-2008, 05:10 PM

Paradriver FTW...

ibnzneksrul · #16 12-20-2008, 11:27 PM

I've had all 3, I kept the two Tech 21 pedals, I sold the MXR (M-80 I'm assuming is what the O.P. means).

If you like Tech 21's tube emulation, then you might like either one or both. The VT does excellent tube emulation, has a wider variety of sounds, a mid control, but no blend control. The BDDI does pretty good tube emulation, has no mid control, but has a blend control (which is the main reason I'm keeping mine after getting the VT), and a D.I. out.

The MXR has a great 3-band EQ, a D.I., and a contour/scoop control (if that's what you're into), and excels at modern clean tones. It doesn't do tube emulation at all, but it does do distortion (sounds hideous though IMHO).

Try all 3 if you can, and decide for yourself. Tonewise, it comes down to what is pleasing to your ears.

Nikoubis · #17 12-21-2008, 03:05 AM

Another one for the Parariver.

walknbluez · #18 12-21-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

Another one for the Parariver.

What is the difference between the paradriver and the ones I listed?

dannybuoy · #19 12-21-2008, 02:03 PM

Totally different kind of pedal, but take a look at the Music Electronix Submarine. Warms up your tone without scooping your mids or adding excessive colouration. Sounds like it fits the bill!

the low one · #20 01-23-2009, 10:58 AM

MXR. The eq is so transparent but when I need a boost it's all there. Great distortion IMO too.