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All-New Ampeg SCR-DI!
- Thread starter CharlieC
- Start date
I pre-ordered it at Amazon on February 25. I'm tired of waiting for it, however I did get in on the $167 price, so that's a plus. Still say they have no clue when it'll ship out.
Also, I'd like to know if you know of someone that could modify it so that I could have that internal switch, for switching in an active bass, be re-routed to the top where it should be? That's a mod I'd like done right away.
Also, I'd like to know if you know of someone that could modify it so that I could have that internal switch, for switching in an active bass, be re-routed to the top where it should be? That's a mod I'd like done right away.
You really don't need to do that. They did a great job at making it so you can unscrew the bottom off with your hands. Very quick and simple process unless you need to be doing it during a gig. Which at that point you might be better off using a DI that can handle more than one bass input like the Tonebone.
I don't see any reason you couldn't relocate it, but switches like that are set-it-and-forget-it to me (never used a 15db cut in my life, never will), so I'd never bother.
Not that simple if it's wired up and velcroed to a pedalboard ...
This is a good point. Another positive for the SCR-DI is that they don't have a battery cover sticking out on the bottom like the SansAmp. It always drove me nuts trying to stack velcro the same height as the battery compartment.
I handle it by choosing one or the other and sticking with it
No, but seriously, on the rare times I swap basses during a show, I also set a preset on my VT Deluxe. I have a couple leftover presets on it that I use specifically for those times. I see the logic in wanting to use the 15db cut for switching, but I don't know that I need that much of a cut for my active basses to match volumes.
I only noticed that when my iPhone was in the vicinity...are you using the aux in with your phone's MP3 player feature???
My non-technical SCR-DI review...
An online dealer was offering a 20% coupon on tax day, so I called to see if they could do 20% off an SCR-DI and they agreed to. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give one a spin for $160 to my door
Anyway, it arrived. I first tried it with headphones. Using quality headphones (Sony MDR-7506), I think it sounds great! The Aux In feature is really cool. I ran an 1/8" out of my tablet into the SCR-DI, then balanced volume with my bass signal. It made learning and playing songs really easy/fun.
Next, I ran it through my mini-P.A. Sounded good there too. I find the Ultra Lo and Ultra Hi to be pretty much worthless for my needs. The Ultra Lo EQ curve can be exactly duplicated by turning the knobs. I see it as just a simple "preset" of sorts for people who don't want to turn knobs. It sucks out way too much 500hz for me. The Ultra Hi is way too bright for my ears.
Finally, I took it to church and ran it through the big P.A. at practice tonight. We have a decent system with subs. I was able to listen through my stage wedge. Then later on I went into the control booth and walked around the sanctuary (I have wireless). I ended up running settings as follows:
Scrambler On
Drive: 11 o'clock
Blend: Noon
Volume: as needed
Bass: Noon
Mid: 10:45
Treble: Noon
Ultra Lo: Off
Ultra Hi: Off
I don't have much experience with running an overdriven signal, but it sounded really good and added a lot of definition to my sound. The settings I use just add a slight bit of grit/hair to the sound. I didn't notice much, if any, loss of low end.
One bummer: I wish they had included a separate level knob for the Scramber section. As I had feared, output levels can change significantly depending on where the Drive and Blend knobs are set. I confirmed this both by ear and with an SPL meter. I had hoped to be able to use the SCR-DI to switch between both clean and driven sounds on the fly sometimes in the same song. Looks like I'll be using it more as a "set and forget" pedal most of the time.
Overall, the pedal is a keeper for me. Built well, looks great, easy to use, and sounds really nice.
An online dealer was offering a 20% coupon on tax day, so I called to see if they could do 20% off an SCR-DI and they agreed to. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give one a spin for $160 to my door
Anyway, it arrived. I first tried it with headphones. Using quality headphones (Sony MDR-7506), I think it sounds great! The Aux In feature is really cool. I ran an 1/8" out of my tablet into the SCR-DI, then balanced volume with my bass signal. It made learning and playing songs really easy/fun.
Next, I ran it through my mini-P.A. Sounded good there too. I find the Ultra Lo and Ultra Hi to be pretty much worthless for my needs. The Ultra Lo EQ curve can be exactly duplicated by turning the knobs. I see it as just a simple "preset" of sorts for people who don't want to turn knobs. It sucks out way too much 500hz for me. The Ultra Hi is way too bright for my ears.
Finally, I took it to church and ran it through the big P.A. at practice tonight. We have a decent system with subs. I was able to listen through my stage wedge. Then later on I went into the control booth and walked around the sanctuary (I have wireless). I ended up running settings as follows:
Scrambler On
Drive: 11 o'clock
Blend: Noon
Volume: as needed
Bass: Noon
Mid: 10:45
Treble: Noon
Ultra Lo: Off
Ultra Hi: Off
I don't have much experience with running an overdriven signal, but it sounded really good and added a lot of definition to my sound. The settings I use just add a slight bit of grit/hair to the sound. I didn't notice much, if any, loss of low end.
One bummer: I wish they had included a separate level knob for the Scramber section. As I had feared, output levels can change significantly depending on where the Drive and Blend knobs are set. I confirmed this both by ear and with an SPL meter. I had hoped to be able to use the SCR-DI to switch between both clean and driven sounds on the fly sometimes in the same song. Looks like I'll be using it more as a "set and forget" pedal most of the time.
Overall, the pedal is a keeper for me. Built well, looks great, easy to use, and sounds really nice.
There are overdrive settings that work with footswitching in and out...might want to experiment with getting as much clean in your blend as you can stand, and then it keeps unity gain.
Thanks. I'll play around with it more as time allows. Still, a separate level knob would have been nice.
What are you generally running the Drive and Blend knobs at?
I fluctuate with the drive, but I have the blend usually around 2:00 or 3:00, probably closer to 3:00 most of the time. Needless to say the OD sounds I get out of it generally come across as mild but you can get a little edgier with more drive. Plus I have other pedals for wilder sounds.
but you can get a little edgier with more drive. Plus I have other pedals for wilder sounds.
Amazon sent me yet another update - they went back to not knowing when it will ship - and they will keep trying to fill my order for the SCR-DI. I went and cancelled the order and purchased one on Ebay. The Ebay one was from Sweetwater. It is an "open box with full warranty" item. $180.00 shipped - so it was very close to the price I would have paid Amamzon ($167+tax).
I might get it Friday
still no word from amazon. purchased March 2nd. anyone get theirs from amazon? I'm getting anxious. this would be great for practice.
I fluctuate with the drive, but I have the blend usually around 2:00 or 3:00, probably closer to 3:00 most of the time. Needless to say the OD sounds I get out of it generally come across as mild
On my SCR-DI, the more the blend is turned up (clockwise), the more drive passes through. And conversely, the more blend is turned down (counter-clockwise), the more clean is in the signal. IOW, 3:00 on the blend is letting very little clean into the signal. Is that what you're saying?
