SansAmp news from NAMM

[dannybuoy]

I doubt they did it this time round but I hope they implemented the speaker sim defeat switch properly this time. I like the sound of the regular VT but the high end roll off of their speaker sim sounds fake when using fuzz before it. I would want to defeat that and let the natural roll off from my tweeter-less cab take over - but on the character pedals when you disable the speaker sim it adds an even bigger treble roll off because someone at Tech21 thought that would be a good idea.

Maybe that's what the bite switch is for?

[kringle77]

I just wish that tech21 would do more listening to the bass playing customers before they roll out another product. They are so close. A sweepable mid that is less wide on the vtdi would totally finish the product. The custom mid on my rack really makes it great. I had it designed to be about 1 octave bandwidth with a sweep from about 100hz to 1khz. Roughly.

This is the last time Im going to repeat this statement. Tech 21, listen to us and stop rolling out a different version of the bass vt every year. With this vtdi you are now 90% of the way there, so just do the sweepable mid with a 1 octave bandwidth and be done with it. That rackmount should have the speaker sim and bite button as well. The bass vt is becoming the microsoft windows of the bass world. My custom version has everything that I have mentioned except the blend control, which I don't need because it is strictly for the foh and my IEM's. If using in my amp rig, I would probably want the blend and I can actually have that added if I want.

This being said, I am a loyal tech21 customer and will probably buy the bass vtdi to use at at band practise.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Kringle:

How much do you think Putnam would charge to just put in the sweepable mid?

[kringle77]

Not much at all. Plus, he's already taken the time to design it for me so, that parts done. I'll be making a video today explaining my gig rig so that the rest of my videos are 90% playing and the putnam rack will be in it. I may get a vtdi and the have him mod it with the mid control if there is enough room.

[LozzieG74]

.

[plankspanker13]

GAS pains.

I thoroughly enjoy my VT Deluxe, but have removed it from my board. I love the sounds, but was really only using 2-3 of the 6 for gigs; not a lot of call for dirt beyond subtle. It now languishes, waiting for the right context. I could totally see using one of these things, on my large board, where a Boss BEQ-7 took up residence, near the front of the signal chain, replacing the VT Deluxe, which was at the end of the signal chain. This new VTDI would give me right kind of simple sophistication (if such an oxymoronic term makes any sense).

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by kringle77

This is the last time Im going to repeat this statement. Tech 21, listen to us and stop rolling out a different version of the bass vt every year. With this vtdi you are now 90% of the way there, so just do the sweepable mid with a 1 octave bandwidth and be done with it. .

Possible planned obsolesce based to sell the improved version every year?
I agree about the sweepable mid; it has become the standard.
I could never understand the 300 watt amp in this day and age either. Bet that wasn't a big seller.

[vegas532]

I took time to speak to Andrew Barta yesterday and mentioned that I was on talkbass and he did mention that forum feedback is partially responsible for the VT Bass DI. Tech21 was paying attention when people were getting theirs modified and asking for things like a blend. He also addressed the bite switch with me and explained that there is more of a scooped attack when the switch is engaged, and a flatter response when turned off.

[willbassyeah]

well quite obviously that they are listening to us... haha we have been asking for the blend on the vt and a mid on the bddi for like ages!!!

[Rafescow]

Originally Posted by vegas532

He also addressed the bite switch with me and explained that there is more of a scooped attack when the switch is engaged, and a flatter response when turned off.

Matches what is said at the sweetwater pre-order item description:

Big Bass Tones in a DI
Add killer bass tones to any rig or stage with the Tech 21 VT Bass DI pedal. This robust DI pedal features a Blend control to dial in the perfect amount of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry. A Bite switch adds punch to your treble while tightening up the low end. Perfect for stage and studio, the VT Bass DI sports a 1/4", XLR, and Parallel outputs for flexible use. A Character controls takes you from old-school tube amps to modern rock rigs.

GAS much?!

[AdamR]

wonder why they didnt put the speaker sin defeat and bite button on the rack version ?

[Eublet]

I'm more curious about the relationship of the EQ knobs to the blend control. I wonder if it behaves like the BDDI in that they affect the dry signal also.

[vegas532]

Originally Posted by Eublet

I'm more curious about the relationship of the EQ knobs to the blend control. I wonder if it behaves like the BDDI in that they affect the dry signal also.

My guess would be yes. I know I'm getting one. I told Mr. Barta yesterday that, for me, the VT Bass has already become an essential recording tool!!

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by vegas532

My guess would be yes. I know I'm getting one. I told Mr. Barta yesterday that, for me, the VT Bass has already become an essential recording tool!!

Agreed. It's always been it's live application that has been lacking. It's too extreme sounding at most all settings through most any bass rig I've tried it with. The blend control could fix that, and I've asked him to add that for years now.

[kringle77]

.If the clean side is effected by the eq then, they've missed the boat again. The signal should be buffered, split between clean and sansamp, then the blend. Eq should never be on the clean side. I wont be buying one I guess. I'll just have mike putnam do it right the first time. Sheesh

[sevdog]

You are all missing the boat that has already landed. My rig consisting of a Landmark 600 with the footswitch and a VT Bass Deluxe on the floor does everything and more of what everyone has mentioned they want here.

...oh and it can get louder (both clean and overdriven) than my buddy's 70's SVT...I think that comment deserves 2 ninjas

[bgavin]

Originally Posted by RichardCranium

Wow I just got a VT last week. Wish I would have waited!

+1 Me too.

[zwkoch]

I added the X-blender to my board to accomplish the dry/wet VT bass blend I want. It really helps me dial in some really aggressive drive and character settings while having a nice thick dry low end supporting it. I am reading all about the limitations of live use for the VT Bass. Given that I only play live, I would have to say it gives me three perfect tones for live sets. I have a scooped mid tone, a bright rock tone, and a heavy dirt tone that I use weekly. I can't imagine playing without it.

[LSMFT6]

Originally Posted by vegas532

He also addressed the bite switch with me and explained that there is more of a scooped attack when the switch is engaged, and a flatter response when turned off.

Stop. Scooping. The. Mids.

Blend knob? Awesome. DI? Fine. Still no sweepable midrange? Disappointing.

As mentioned before, Tech 21, you're almost there. Sweepable mids (with a Q width control? ) would make this pedal a SERIOUS must-have.

[AndyLES]

Wait. Doesn't the character knob affect the midrange too?