Budget Alternatives To The BDDI / VT?

[ra0ulduke]

As for that clone ethics debate, I would leave that for lawyers. If it can be legally bought, it's legal.

Of course it's legal. Whether everything that is legal is also ethically justifiable is a matter of opinion.

 

[RattleSnack]

Of course it's legal. Whether everything that is legal is also ethically justifiable is a matter of opinion.

You are right and I agree.
But the theme of business ethics has been discussed a lot of times on this forum and never was any consensus achieved, making it very controversial and highly subjective. Because of that, I feel that bringing it up doesn't add any value to the thread, maybe even taking away some good insight because there are lots of people, like me, who just don't take part in that kind of threads.
Personally, I am fine with it being mentioned, so those who care will take notice, but without any further arguments.

 

[ra0ulduke]

You are right and I agree.
But the theme of business ethics has been discussed a lot of times on this forum and never was any consensus achieved, making it very controversial and highly subjective. Because of that, I feel that bringing it up doesn't add any value to the thread, maybe even taking away some good insight because there are lots of people, like me, who just don't take part in that kind of threads.
Personally, I am fine with it being mentioned, so those who care will take notice, but without any further arguments.

That's precisely why I made it clear four days ago that I didn't want to discuss it at all. You felt motivated today to bring the topic up again, only to then emphasize that bringing it up wouldn't be productive.

 

[RattleSnack]

@Zoobervex
One more idea for inexpensive clone, but I haven't tried it (although I do have original) is Demonfx Tone Mallet, aptly named after Aguilar Tone Hammer.
Has:
*DI & 1/4" outputs.
*3 band EQ.
*Variable OD and fairly transparent cab sim (more like HPF/LPF)
*Low noise floor (original, that is. hopefully clone also).
It's about $60 new.

 

[DJmtd]

EHX Battalion is the best budget pre on the planet imo. I ended up with a pair that I paid $100 each for used. Slightly different flavor than than the BDDI, but it has all the features you mentioned and more (a compressor, noisegate and footswitchable distortion!)

 

[DJ Bebop]

I never invest a lot of money in this kind of thing. I wanted something when I had an amp without a built-in DI.
It worked fine and I have used it for some OD stuff as that is not my usual game. With the metal plate in the bottom it feels solid and I have has no problems with the plastic case or knobs. That Mosky Fire Works thing is probably just as good or gooder

 

[Zooberwerx]

EHX Battalion is the best budget pre on the planet imo. I ended up with a pair that I paid $100 each for used. Slightly different flavor than than the BDDI, but it has all the features you mentioned and more (a compressor, noisegate and footswitchable distortion!)

This one caught my eye and they're marked-down on any number of markets. IIRC, it also allows you to change the signal path.

Riis

 

[DJmtd]

This one caught my eye and they're marked-down on any number of markets. IIRC, it also allows you to change the signal path.

Riis

Yeah there's a 3 way switch to decide where in the path the EQ sits in relation to the OD. Super useful and fun to mess with.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yeah there's a 3 way switch to decide where in the path the EQ sits in relation to the OD. Super useful and fun to mess with.

I found & purchased one for a bill on the 'bay. It pretty much smacks of what I'm currently using w/ the addition of a noise gate (not needed) and an extra EQ band,

Thanks one & all for the collective and constructive input!

Riis

 

[Zooberwerx]

Anybody have a shoehorn?!?



The Battalion is a nice kit for $100 and change which puts it in league with the budget options discussed. Had to significantly roll-off the HPF upstream to beef-up the low end. 3 distinct OD signal paths...I found one to be truly useful (post EQ) but tastes vary. OD can get downright stupid when goosed (...spec'ly Drive & Blend) but I was able to dial-in some "hair" / soft break-up at lower settings as pic'd. The comp works well at lower settings...I have no use for the noise gate. The variable DI output should come in handy.

Now I just need to buy some low-profile patch cords...any suggestions? Side note: the board is an SKB (?) powered unit mated to a 1-Spot. The resident Velcro loop fabric went south so I replaced it with 3M Dual Lock.

Riis

 

[dannybuoy]

If you don’t 100% need the XLR out - Zoom MS-60B+ has a great BDDI v2 model, plus a ‘Clear Driver’ which is Zoom’s own take on a Sansamp-style preamp, plus a half-decent SVT… (and way more, their OC-2 model rocks for example)

 

[InkCow]

Now I just need to buy some low-profile patch cords...any suggestions?

I use Donner’s low profile cables. They seem fine. Cheap enough.

 

[InkCow]

If you don’t 100% need the XLR out - Zoom MS-60B+ has a great BDDI v2 model, plus a ‘Clear Driver’ which is Zoom’s own take on a Sansamp-style preamp, plus a half-decent SVT… (and way more, their OC-2 model rocks for example)

This is a good shout, as well. And the Strobostomp 2 theoretically could have provided the XLR out, if you put it after the Zoom, but that’s academic now.

 

[Zooberwerx]

This is a good shout, as well. And the Strobostomp 2 theoretically could have provided the XLR out, if you put it after the Zoom, but that’s academic now.

I have a Zoom B3n and, yes, the SS 2 would suffice as the XLR / DI. I'll snag some Donner cables, thx for the bird dog. I'm gonna cobble-together a secondary board w/ leftover & back-up components. It's literally a "board": a hardwood transfer board used to move folks from chair or bed to a wheelchair. It's amazing what I ran across when packing up my office upon retirement.

Riis