Sansamp VT Bass Level

spiker · #1 10-11-2011, 02:36 PM

Does anyone else find that the only way to use a VT Bass in a live setting is to have the level set to 7-7:30 ?

Especially when using the suggested settings that came with the pedal. I know that you can back off the drive to compensate but i believe there is a degradation of grunt when doing this.

I find that if i were to use the settings that the pedal came with i'd blow a speaker due to the massive output. Probably great for di work but re live application it is near impossible to find an accurate level as it's so damn sensitive.

It's a great pedal but i must say i have a lot of trouble with how sensitive it is, it can be really hard to set the level in accordance to my clean signal's level so i can effectively use it as an OD. Thoughts ???

arginator · #2 10-11-2011, 03:39 PM

Depends on what I have the drive set to. But yes, if I have it turned up I have to back off on the level. 7-8 o'clock is where the level ends up sometimes.

stflbn · #3 10-11-2011, 03:42 PM

Always an ongoing gripe about the VT-bass. The thing has about 5x's or more gain on tap than it needs.

WhiteNinja · #4 10-11-2011, 04:14 PM

Yeah I noticed that too. It works perfectly fine though going straight into the power amp.

droo46 · #5 10-11-2011, 04:36 PM

I don't care ultimately where the knobs have to be but I do get really frustrated that the level knob is as sensitive as it is. It makes it a real pain to get it level with everything.

alec · #6 10-11-2011, 04:54 PM

The little button next to the preset 2 light is a boost for the main output. Do you have that engaged?

alec · #7 10-11-2011, 05:34 PM

I'm referring to the deluxe model there.

audiomitch · #8 10-12-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteNinja

It works perfectly fine though going straight into the power amp.

+1

lunarpollen · #9 10-12-2011, 12:08 AM

I have it at 12 noon, but I'm going through the effects return in the back of my LMII head, because the main input jack is having issues...

topo morto · #10 10-12-2011, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiker

Especially when using the suggested settings that came with the pedal. I know that you can back off the drive to compensate but i believe there is a degradation of grunt when doing this.

Yes, it's kind of daft that they even have a suggested level on the settings - how do they know what you're plugging into next?

Other Tech 21 pedals don't have this problem, either cos they're quieter (Classic, GT2) or they have a switchable instr/line output level (BDDI, PDDI) - as does the VT deluxe, as another poster mentioned, so that could be one way to go if you like the sound.

benmoore88 · #11 10-12-2011, 02:38 AM

I have mine on all the time so unity isnt' really too much of an issue for me. I run it just under 9 o'clock into my amp

BassMonstrum · #12 10-12-2011, 02:59 AM

Better to have too much, than too little...

"just my opinion, don't need to spread it around."

tech21nyc · #13 10-12-2011, 09:04 AM

The original version of the VT Bass pedal has a much quicker rise in volume on the level control. The reason for this was that if the pedal was set with the drive control on lower settings it would be easier to get a unity gain or higher level.

The V2 VT Bass has a different taper to its level control for a more gradual onset. Of course if you tend to run the pedal with low drive settings you would most likely prefer the older version of the pedal.

topo morto · #14 10-12-2011, 09:06 AM

Interesting! I was going to suggest a different taper as an alternative for a switch, but then I remembered I have no electronics knowledge and would thereby be talking bobbins...

jpTron · #15 10-12-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

Better to have too much, than too little...

"just my opinion, don't need to spread it around."

yup.

tech21nyc · #16 10-12-2011, 09:14 AM

The original version of the VT Bass pedal has a much quicker rise in volume on the level control. The reason for this was that if the pedal was set with the drive control on lower settings it would be easier to get a unity gain or higher level.

The V2 VT Bass has a different taper to its level control for a more gradual onset. Of course if you tend to run the pedal with low drive settings you would most likely prefer the older version of the pedal.

**lowfreqgeek** · #17 10-12-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

The original version of the VT Bass pedal has a much quicker rise in volume on the level control. The reason for this was that if the pedal was set with the drive control on lower settings it would be easier to get a unity gain or higher level.

The V2 VT Bass has a different taper to its level control for a more gradual onset. Of course if you tend to run the pedal with low drive settings you would most likely prefer the older version of the pedal.

That explains exactly why I am perfectly fine with how my V1 pedal works; I never use much drive at all (I have another pedal for that). I can see how it might be a problem if you run the Drive control high.