VT Bass, Vs BDDI Vs RBI preamp.
 

Ive had a few Tech 21 pedals in the past, a VT Bass Deluxe and a Programmable BDDI. I liked the tones I got out of the BDDI better, The VT bass didnt sound bad but I felt all my settings sounded really similar. Gas got to me and I ended up selling both.

What I really liked about the VT bass was the snap and punch it had. The BDDI wasnt as punchy and I think in a band setting in may have actually sounded better in the mix then the BDDI.

Ive been considering picking up another Tech 21 product and cant decide which one. The BDDI seemed to have more usable tones available but Im not sure in a band setting I will really use more then 1.

The VT bass had the punch which Im assuming is do to the mids it puts out and the speaker sim.

I'm also considering a RBI preamp. I already have a rack set up and it I like not having pedals lying around. I also like that it has the mid frequency knob and Im guessing I can dial in plenty of mid range punch with it.

Anyone have any advice. I have no place I can go to try out the RBI which is the biggest issue really.

The rest of my rig is GK800RB, GK Neo 212, Fender P/J basses.

I sent my BDDI in to Putnum Guitars and had Mike add a mid control to mine. Kind of a RBI in a box. Works great.

Didnt know they could do that. Might be a good idea to get a programmable bddi and have that done. I dont know why they dont offer a programmable paradriver.

Id be really happy if they had a 2 channel rackmount VT bass.

actually a 2 channel rackmount VT would be dumb seeing I would still need a pedal to switch channels, LOL

I have the BDDI had it since 97. It has a scooped tone. Then I got the VT. To me the VT has more of an amped up sound. The drive knob is great. Punchier than the BDDI in my opinion. here is a clip of my L2000 running thru the VT straight into the soundboard.
http://soundcloud.com/teepeerock/08-your-love-is-everything

The RPM version has sweepable frequency control on the mid.

Yeah, I was thinking it was the RBI for some reason

If I may, I'd like to ask a somewhat related question... I posted this in another forum, but I don't think I explained myself very well....

I currently own an RBI as well as a Bass Driver, and I'm trying to figure out what the best connection method is in order to run these two together. I understand that they both feature true bypass, so assuming I am OK with bypassing the RBI, can I run the Bass Driver through the RBI effects loop? Or, will the Footswitch Out of the RBI work?

Reason being is I want to use one rig for two projects with different requirements. In one project, the RBI is all I need. In the other project, I need the ability to switch by foot (my Bass Driver is the 3-channel programmable version). So, I want to be able to simply plug / unplug the Bass Driver when I need it (vs having to completely change around my setup when switching projects).

FYI, my rig is centered around a Carvin DCM3800 power amp, so the only conventional effects loop I have is on the RBI itself.

Thoughts?

The rbi is my choice