Spent the last hour A/B-ing the B3K and the BDDI

[NKUSigEp]

Both seem to be pegged mainly as overdrive pedals that are capable of a light breakup as well as heavier, thicker distortion tones. The major difference seems to be pretty obviously the midrange definition found in the B3K while the BDDI has more of a scooped tone...this is nothing new to us Talkbassers.

But what I did observe; and I wish I had video capabilities to capture it for you guys; is that the B3K plays extremely well with other effects whereas the BDDI seemed to reduce the pronunciation of each specific effect (perhaps because of the mid-scoop). This was most evident on my phasing and fuzz pedals.

As a stand-alone effect though, I find that the BDDI wins out because it has a thicker and meatier tone; more "ass" (bottom end), if you will. It also has the DI output and more tone controls. However, the B3K REALLY shines as an always-on effect and definitely works better with other effects - the envelope filter came alive with it and the flanger loves it too.

So...my only real conclusion is that they are different enough to justify having both. If I had to pick one over the other, it would probably come down to utility and price...meaning the BDDI. Fortunately, I don't have to make that decision because I would really be missing something not having the B3K!

[MSUsousaphone]

Yeah. I dug the B3K a lot. It wasn't the EXACT sound I was looking for. It can be a bit too compressed and thin for me. I way prefer the Swell products.....and even then The Elements...ProCo Turbo Rat.....all opinion, of course.

But of all the ODs I've tried, nothing plays as well with other pedals as the B3K.

[Bean639]

I think a more fair comparison (price not being the issue) would be B7k and the BDDI. To me it isn't even close as the B7k blows the BDDI out of the water. Its all a matter of taste. I would never sell either.

[insomniac2295]

Maybe a comparison between the B3K and Sansamp Para Driver would yield even closer results?

[NKUSigEp]

Possibly...I don't have a paradriver or a B7K though. Maybe next time?

[swspiers]

To be fair to the BDDI, and straight out of the manual:

"Adjusting Mid-Range Content: The mid-range level of SansAmp Bass Driver DI is preset. Boosting Bass and Treble gives you the equivalent of a" mid-cut”, where the relative mid-range level is lower than the Bass and Treble
frequency levels. Cutting Bass and Treble is the equivalent of a “mid-boost” where the relative mid-range level is higher than the Bass and Treble frequency
levels. NOTE: The overall output level will change in relation to the adjustments you make with the EQ controls. You can compensate accordingly with
the Level control."

I know some of us hate to cut when EQ-ing, but cutting bass/treble and not diming the Blend will result in a tone that is not scooped.

Otherwise, thanks for the comparison. The B3K is one I would like to try!

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by swspiers

To be fair to the BDDI, and straight out of the manual:

"Adjusting Mid-Range Content: The mid-range level of SansAmp Bass Driver DI is preset. Boosting Bass and Treble gives you the equivalent of a" mid-cut”, where the relative mid-range level is lower than the Bass and Treble
frequency levels. Cutting Bass and Treble is the equivalent of a “mid-boost” where the relative mid-range level is higher than the Bass and Treble frequency
levels. NOTE: The overall output level will change in relation to the adjustments you make with the EQ controls. You can compensate accordingly with
the Level control."

I know some of us hate to cut when EQ-ing, but cutting bass/treble and not diming the Blend will result in a tone that is not scooped.

Otherwise, thanks for the comparison. The B3K is one I would like to try!

One step ahead of ya...had the bass cut to about 10:30-11:00 and the treble about the same and the blend was full clockwise. I don't get all mid-anal though...I do like the sound of the BDDI but it invariably has a bit of a scooped tone to it which is neither good nor bad, it just is what it is.

[insomniac2295]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

One step ahead of ya...had the bass cut to about 10:30-11:00 and the treble about the same and the blend was full clockwise. I don't get all mid-anal though...I do like the sound of the BDDI but it invariably has a bit of a scooped tone to it which is neither good nor bad, it just is what it is.

So you primarily use the BDDI as an OD then? I might have to try that idea out. Both times I owned the BDDI I just used it as a pre. Not my cup of tea for my main tone. But I do like the OD sounds from the B3K

[pauliebass]

Originally Posted by insomniac2295

So you primarily use the BDDI as an OD then? I might have to try that idea out. Both times I owned the BDDI I just used it as a pre. Not my cup of tea for my main tone. But I do like the OD sounds from the B3K

I don't use mine as an on all the time pre, more as a supplemental eq boost pedal. Works great for that. As far as "doesn't play well with others" comments, used sparingly, it does well at adding bass back to effects that can detract from the low end. For example, my keeley comp cuts a little bit of the low end off when tightening up the sound... Sans amp to the rescue. The great thing about the sans is there is so many different ways to use it. It's a versatile tool that doesn't always make me thrilled, but I'm glad it's there.

[willbassyeah]

I found BDDI to colour the tones too much even with the blend at minimum, maybe they are just not my cup of tea. where as the B3K seems to retain my original tone better. b3k is my always on overdrive/preamp though. It just sounds so GOOD

[JBNeedsBeer]

From my time with a B3K, as much as I did like the sound that it produced, it definitely did not retain my original tone. I would definitely spring for the B7K instead of the B3k if only for the added EQ section.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by insomniac2295

So you primarily use the BDDI as an OD then? I might have to try that idea out. Both times I owned the BDDI I just used it as a pre. Not my cup of tea for my main tone. But I do like the OD sounds from the B3K

I use the DI out as an always-on overdrive channel and then out of its unaffected output, I run to the rest of my effects and then back to my amp and also have a mic on my cab.

[BassMonstrum]

I've always had an "always on"-pedal on my board and currently own the BDDI, VT Bass and B7K. For long I used the BDDI and liked it. It worked well as a DI, tone sculpture and an overdrive. However, I felt that I missed the mid-knob, maybe because of all the hate on tb, so I bought the VT Bass. I used the VT on a couple of gigs without being totally impressed by it. While it does have a mid-knob, I missed the blend knob as I felt the natural attack of my basses were lost. So I bought the B7K...

Blend, lo AND hi mids and all the extras to sculpt my sound. For a while the B7K was a mainstay on my board. Gave me lots of punch, clarity and complemented all the other pedals going into it. However, after eight months the BDDI is on the board. Why?

The B7K IS an awesome pedal. The EQ and toggle-switches makes it versatile and the drive... my word, the drive is heavenly! But for me, the BDDI has more personality! Like someone posted here, it has more bottom, more ass! To compensate for the lack of mids I have the blend between 9 and 12 o'clock while the presence is between 12 and 3 o'clock. I still have clarity and punch, but also that little "extra", the dot over the I, the x-factor in my sound. Hard to explain, but that's my 2 cents.

On a side not; I still own the VT and the B7K and have no intent on selling them. Also, I have the B3K. Also a nice pedal.

[mouthmw]

Tried the B3K, nice overdrive, but VT kicked its ass IMO (and just IMO).
But I prefer a bit more color and old school warmth for my always on tone shaper.