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Bass D.I with amp SIM for live gigs?

#41
On the dsm the cabinet simulator is after both channels are combined. So you can blend preamp+loop vs parallel+loop with the upper large knob and dial in how much can dim you want at the end with the lower knob.
The lpf only applies to the parallel channel.
But cabsim at the end affects everything, but you can dial it to be subtle or not as you like.
 
#42
klattman said:
On the dsm the cabinet simulator is after both channels are combined. So you can blend preamp+loop vs parallel+loop with the upper large knob and dial in how much can dim you want at the end with the lower knob.
The lpf only applies to the parallel channel.
But cabsim at the end affects everything, but you can dial it to be subtle or not as you like.
Click to expand...



Thanks!

Wish the cabism did not affect the LPF path.

Do you notice the cabism removes the ultra low end? sub frequencies? below 40 Hz? Even though those frequencies dont "ring out" in the sustain, they do thumb in the attack of the notes, even the higher ones. I do have 3 pedals that do Cab sim but are made for guitar, and all remove the lower end. Maybe since the DSM (or hope others too) is designed specially for bass, the Cab Sim hass the full lows.

Also, does the "pre Amp" part can be set Clean? Of course if it affects the sound in a good way that is welcomed, but the more character it has the more personall hit or miss it becames, so I rather have a cleanish tone from the pedal.
 
#45
I just order a DSM Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station, after watching lots of videos from all the suggestions, and analizing the options, I think that box has what im after, with a tone that can be made "transparent" (enough) and also has some bells whistle I might use in the studio, while having the Cab Simulator with some simple while responsive options.
Thanks everybody for your feedback !
 
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#46
dadodetres said:
I just order a DSM Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station, after watching lots of videos from all the suggestions, and analizing the options, I think that box has what im after, with a tone that can be made "transparent" (enough) and also has some bells whistle I might use in the studio, while having the Cab Simulator with some simple while responsive options.
Thanks everybody for your feedback !
Click to expand...
Take it easy on em.
 
#48
So yesterday I had a rehearsal with a band we are putting together for a concert of a solo artist, (im playing percussion and 2nd guitar), and the bassist came with a Tech21 VT. I knew him from a distant past, and since we are rehearsing soon he offered me to take it home and try it. I made a video with line audio to demo the pedal and share it with you guys.

1st impression: the pedal sounds awesome, and has a lot of character.
2nd though: its not what IM after, since it has so much character, and the pedal hits its sweetspot the it starts sounding warm, as its the pedal`s purpose.
With Blend at 100% the pedal starts to sound when the gain is at 9 0`clock, less than that and the signal is too low, when at 9 it comes alive. at 11 o`clock the overdrive kicks in and the tome gets compromised.
I would totally use it always on in a rock/punk band. In any other live band I could use it with the gain at 9 o`clock, but I rather buy a cleaner box for my purpose.
Other thoughts: the "character" knob its similar to the a MIDs control, but its voiced really different than the "mids" in this box, so there are 2 flavors of Mid`s. It seems that the one labeled "mids" has much more influence in the quality of the drive, so Im guessing its PRE Drive, even though the LOW and HIGH sound POST Drive.
The Cab SIM works perfectly, and I would get this box before the standard Bass Driver, or any other preamp without CAB SIM, it make the difference (this box sounds awesome, but as the OP is intended, I would use it as a D.I if it didnt have an Amp Sim, I would use either this or other pre amp if I was going to an amp).

Here is a link to the video, hope it works.
I showcase several techniques and went through lots of different settings. What it is more important is the Cab Sim button demo, and the "sizzle" it removes (the more the drive, the more noticeable).

 
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#49
If you run the Blend at minimum the VT Bass DI operates like a standard DI with tone controls. The Drive control can be set from clean to overdrive to full on distortion if desired. The VT Bass is emulating vintage Ampeg amps. Level should not be an issue either way. The 1/4" output has a 10dB boost if needed. In most circumstances when used with an amp, the pedal should be set for unity gain with the bypassed signal.

The Low, Mid and High controls are all post SansAmp.

CHARACTER sweeps through an entire range of tonal possibilities associated
with Ampeg®-style amplifiers. In addition to modifying the frequency
response, the Character control also influences the attack and drive characteristics.
Therefore, you may need to adjust your gain and tone settings after
tweaking the Character control.

Settings below 12 o’clock will give you the ‘70s powerhouse, the SVT.
Around 12 o’clock will introduce you to the studio staple, the flip top.
Above 12 o’clock increases the gain and crunch for less polite, modern
rock, indie bass sounds.
Full up gives you distorted bass tones from Yes to Crimson to King’s X styles.

MID, LOW, HIGH. Unlike passive controls that only cut, these active
tone controls cut or boost ±12dB from unity gain (12 o’clock). Mid is 1kHz.
Low is 125 Hz. High is 3.2kHz.
 
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#50
mcrawfordmusic said:
Yep, they are built like a tank and every sound guy knows what they are and that they work. Some can be hesitant with newer gear they're not familiar with :D
Click to expand...
IMG_6779.jpeg

I recently switched to a Geddy Lee style SansAmp setup with two XLRs… If necessary I could dial in a usable tone on one of these of course but at my next gig I’m gonna see if I can get away with using a second channel for drive/deep biamp style tone. It could give the sound guy more flexibility to be able to dial in as much low cleanish bass and mids + more distortion as he wants…. Maybe actually resulting in overall a better mix. My band only has one guitar player too, so the chances of having a free channel on the mixing desk are a bit better for me.

I run this EBS compressor in 18v mode by the way… just adds that final cherry on top. 🍒
 
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#53
VicDiesel said:
Don't you wish for a DI with built-in compressor? That's what (I think) I'm needing right now.
Click to expand...
Tech 21 makes those too. There’s the Bass Fly Rig as well as the XB Driver. SansAmps already compress your signal a bit anyway, but I like LOTS of compression ;) because I play a lot of heavy metal, hard rock, and grunge music, which demands it.

I’m not sure but the Steve Harris SH-1 sansamp may have compression built in too. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
 
#55
I would recommend the Zoom B6 which has a selection of various Preamps, Amp Sims, Compressors and a plethora of effects, a selection of IR’s for speaker/mic effects plus at the end a choice of 4 foot-switchable DI’s which are very usable.

I have just added my Sansamp VT Bass DI unit to the front of the B6, I’ve yet to try it out live but through phones it sounds really good.
 
#56
I’ve used the BDDI and most available analog and digital direct solutions. Since the original ask was taking into consideration distortion, I’m going to throw out the recommendation for the Darkglass Microtubes Infinity. Despite its initial appearance, it’s deceivingly simple to use. And, the presets are fantastic. I use clean (Tube), overdrive (Vintage), distortions (B7K). I compare it to the Apple ecosystem where everything from preamp, compressor, distortions, gates, and cab sims work effortlessly together. And, there are several cab sims to suite your taste(See last pic below). And, there is and XLR out and two 1/4” out which can be independently configured to have the cab sims or not. In my case, no cab sim for the 1//4” going to my amp. I do have cab sim on for the XLR and one 1/4” out. The whole thing can be setup directly with the knobs but the sims need to be loaded using a computer or phone app… yeah, you can connect your mobile phone to it thru Bluetooth if needed. But honestly, I set this thing up in a very short time the day I got it and have hardly fiddled with it since. I just plug it in and go.

Pro tip: it does make a pretty big difference of whether you have the Blend knob take effect before or after the Sim. I have found ‘Before’ is much better for keeping the fundamentals if that’s important to you. In other words, your clean sound is blended-in keeping the detailed highs and low lows in addition to any overdrive or distortion. Sounds amazing actually.

Pro tip2: clicking the Preset 1 and Preset 3 button together (manual calls them buttons A and C), puts the device in ‘Live’ mode. In other words, lock the knobs mode. This is really helpful.

From my experience, if you want great clean AND distortion at the mixer, this a really easy plug and play way to get a near studio finished sound with minimal fuss gear-wise.

IMG_0003.jpeg
IMG_0006.jpeg

My cab sim:

IMG_1064_Original.png
 
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#57
I use a few solutions for amp less rigs.
My go to solution is my t21 harris pre.
Doesn’t have the scoop inherently, but can be dialed in if needed. It also covers many different sounds from jamersonesque to lemmy and all points in between.
It also has a cab sim built in, and a second channel for adding a ‘more gain’ sound.
I also own an mxr m80, Laney digbeth, behringer bddi, and hartke bass attack
 
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