Behringer BDI 21

[swspiers]

I haven't seriously played in over 20 years, and am just getting back into it, so I'm pretty new at the pedal thing. When I was a kid I used the original Big Muff to great, noisy effect, but that was about it.

flash forward to today, and all of a sudden I have a pretty big case of G.A.S. I bought a Russian Muff in December, and have a Supercollider Beast on order. But I really want to try the amp simulation thing, and instead of buying the most expensive and respected pedal I could find, I devided to give the BDI 121 a try.

I understand about the Behringer reputation about being cheap, poor quality etc. But I also use a UCA202 in my home audio rig as a USB to s/pdif DAC. It shreds DAC's costing hundreds of dollars. So I know that Behinger is capable of quality gear, from first-hand experience.

So far the BDI 21 is working better than I had hoped. It gives a warm, tubey sound to my Acoustic 200 combo, and seems to give more control to my Russian Muff.

I might not brag about it when I build a pedal board, but I will brag about saving about $100. while trying to get a grip on all the other options. Well worth the money so far

 

[Touch]

Love my BDI 21!

I got it to use as a little preamp/DI when we fly and don't bring our amps along. I'm now also using it in front of a "hi-fi" solid state bass amp for a little tube emulation. It sounds a little "scooped" but I really like it. And for the $ you can't beat it. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do but there you have it.

 

[dave_bass5]

Well ive just decided to sell my week old VT bass, in favour of my BDI21.
I really like the fact that the BDI has a mid scoop. This works well with my Schroeder cabs as these have a mid bump. It seems to even the cabs out and gives a bit more depth and warmth.

 

[BassBrass]

I use one at home only because I have a VT on my main rig. There's nothing the BD can do that the VT can't, plus the VT has complete control over mids. BD just cuts them. Bass/trebel/presence: Where's the mid! To make your VT sound like a BD, just cut the mids.

 

[dave_bass5]

I use one at home only because I have a VT on my main rig. There's nothing the BD can do that the VT can't, plus the VT has complete control over mids. BD just cuts them. Bass/trebel/presence: Where's the mid! To make your VT sound like a BD, just cut the mids.

Sorry to disagree but to my ears each sound different. It might be slight but its there.
The VT doesn't have a blend control or presence for a start. And i think its something to do with the impedance but to my ears the VT, even in bypass mode seems to make my tone a lot brighter than either the BDI or nothing at all.
And my rigs or amp really dont need any mid boost.

 

[meandnooneelse]

I had picked up one of these used on ebay since it was very cheap and I was looking for an overdrive unit. Unfortunately the drive control doesn't seem to do much but make it louder. There's not much audible overdrive at all. Is this the case with them new or did I just buy a messed up one?

 

[boynamedsuse]

I had picked up one of these used on ebay since it was very cheap and I was looking for an overdrive unit. Unfortunately the drive control doesn't seem to do much but make it louder. There's not much audible overdrive at all. Is this the case with them new or did I just buy a messed up one?

I know this is an old thread and a months old question, but I'll answer anyway just in case someone still cares. The drive control adds mild overdrive--as though you were trying to get some extra volume out of a tube amp. As a result, you get a volume increase and a mild, musical overdrive. If you want heavier overdrive and distortion, you need to look for a pedal with a more aggressive overdrive such as the MXR M80 DI+.