SansAmp VT Bass Pedal

PBass2004 · #1 10-18-2011, 04:55 PM

Hi Guys,

Currently using my GK800RB with my Ampeg HLF 410 Cab. Sounds great on its own.
Have tried the SansAmp VT Pedal which i just purchased. Seems quite boomy. I realise they provide 4 different settings in the manual.

However, I like the clean sound as i'm not really into distorted Bass sounds. Can anyone shed any light on settings that may help with a less boomy but clean tone?
The 800RB is basically set al 12 o'clock.

Thanks a million :-)

spiker · #2 10-18-2011, 05:32 PM

It indeed is a boomy beast that is hard to tame. The controls are too sensitive and unless you use it for an 'always on' pre-amp with a flat amp EQ you're going to find it hard to tame.

My suggestion would be to not follow the recommended settings and create your own sound with all knobs at 12 o'clock (with the exception of the drive & level that would be set to your own liking).

Sell it and get an SFT i say...

FaithNoMan · #3 10-18-2011, 06:35 PM

I had a Catalinbread WIIO that i thought was useless next to my Leeds pedal, especially for recording.

That being said, I really do hope you have the speaker sim bypassed, going into an amp. It would be much easier to work with that way. Turn the bass down a bit as well..

And like the previous poster said, start with everything around noon, and start slowly moving knobs around.

spiker · #4 10-18-2011, 07:19 PM

he doesnt have the vt bass version with the choice todefeat the speaker sim.

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 10-18-2011, 07:31 PM

I love my VT, but I dont think its the best match for GK amps. Try boosting the mids a smidge on the amp. Maybe cut the lows a bit too. Then set VT to taste.

MOTORHEADBANGER · #6 10-18-2011, 07:39 PM

Until recently, I ran a GK 700RB-II and a GK Backline 600 with the VT as a preamp for the past few years. First off, the presets are junk. You really have to find your own settings by tweaking around as each setup will react differently. You have a very very bassy cab, so I would suggest cutting lows.

Try this:

1. First, put your VT bass in the instrument input of your 800RB With the -10db button on, set your eq flat, except with a slight cut in the bass and low mid (GK's are very low mid strong), also a mild boost in the high mid may be needed.

2. Set your VT bass with the volume knob between 10:00 to 1:00, Character to taste (for an SVT between 9 'o clock and 11), the drive around 10:00 to 11:00 for clean, Bass to 10:00 to noon, Mids to taste (I prefered mine around 1:00 to 2:00), and treble to taste. Remember the treble knob is practically a boost only so don't over boost thinking that 12:00 is flat.

3. Make sure for a maximum VT sound without any extra fuzz, keep the input volume knob on the GK under 12:00 so you don't overload the preamp, keep the boost knob under 1:00 (it adds a small dab of harmonic distortion), and use you master volume for major adjustments. Also if you have an active bass, especially with an onboard preamp, (KEEP THE VOLUME KNOB LOW AND TRY NOT TO SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST OTHER FREQUENCIES). The VT does not care for very powerful active basses.

Try these settings and experiment with what settings you currently have. The biggest things to think about are that you don't want to put much boost on the bass frequencies. Your cab is ported at the bottom and (in my opinion) almost to bassy. If you aren't carefully, you can get muddy real quick. With that in mind, just cut the low freq's on the amp and experiment with settings. The VT bass is a really swiss army knife of tones with a million different sounds.

JimmyM · #7 10-19-2011, 01:32 AM

Ya, forget the presets and find your own settings.

Toastfuzz · #8 10-19-2011, 07:00 AM

I have mine on all the time as a pre-amp at the end of my signal chain. Level around noon, Drive 10-11, EQ to taste, and then use that Character knob to see what fun sounds you can find!

I think I've said it before, but I love what other effects sound like going into the VT. I definitely use it 60% for clean tone and 40% for taming fuzzes and distortion.

tech21nyc · #9 10-19-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass2004

Hi Guys,

Currently using my GK800RB with my Ampeg HLF 410 Cab. Sounds great on its own.
Have tried the SansAmp VT Pedal which i just purchased. Seems quite boomy. I realise they provide 4 different settings in the manual.

However, I like the clean sound as i'm not really into distorted Bass sounds. Can anyone shed any light on settings that may help with a less boomy but clean tone?
The 800RB is basically set al 12 o'clock.

Thanks a million :-)

The presets in the manual are just suggested settings. They were done direct (no bass amp) with a vintage 70's Fender bass with low output passive pickups. The low, mid and high EQ controls are active and can boost or cut by 12dB.

Until you get used to it you will probably have the best results with the pedal by putting the Mid, Character, Low and High controls at noon and start with very low Drive settings and use the level control for "unity gain." "Unity gain" simply means that when the effect is engaged your sound will be the same level as when it is bypassed.

Also remember that because the controls are active you will many times need to adjust the level control to match the volume you previously had when changing settings.

I'm somewhat curious by your post. You state your amp sounds great on its own and that you don't like distorted bass sounds. What exactly are you trying to accomplish with the VT Bass?

Toastfuzz · #10 10-20-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

I'm somewhat curious by your post. You state your amp sounds great on its own and that you don't like distorted bass sounds. What exactly are you trying to accomplish with the VT Bass?

I was sort of wondering the same, however for flexibility alone I still would recommend the VT.

PBass2004 · #11 10-22-2011, 06:17 PM

Thanks guys....For those who do use the VT, do you only use it for certain songs to get that SVT type sound or have it on on all the time?

Unchain · #12 10-22-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass2004

Thanks guys....For those who do use the VT, do you only use it for certain songs to get that SVT type sound or have it on on all the time?

Mine is always on with my amp set flat.

shrimpflea · #13 10-23-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ya, forget the presets and find your own settings.

this....just play around with it and have fun.....it took me a couple days but i found what worked.....great pedal.

depalm · #14 10-23-2011, 12:26 AM

If you're using it with an amp I'd suggest you to disengage the amp simulator button.

EQ to your taste/needs, have fun.