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DI-2112 vs VTDI?

_Some Dude

_Some Dude

Sep 14, 2016
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5,961
#1
Just noticed Tech 21 put out what looks like a compact version of the rack DI.

I mostly use the VTDI to cop the Ampeg thing with a bit of grit dialled in.

Curious if it’s worth getting the DI-2112?

di_2112_angle2.png
 
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#2
No experience with the DI-2112, but the smaller YYZ gets you that tone all right. That said I don't think it's necessarily an improvement over VTDI. It has different controls, an interesting mid eq, and overall behaves differently, but I was able to get similar sounds from both by fiddling with the knobs.

I played the YYZ for a few weeks on loan, had a VTDI of my own for a long time. Never felt it necessary to buy a YYZ after that. However, if you are interested in and equipped to fully utilize the two parallel channels of the 2112 as opposed to blending them, that might be a different story.
 
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#4
Honestly, I wouldn’t be opposed to giving the soundman control of the blend since he’s in a better place to hear it than I am.

I guess my only complaint is there’s no unaffected output that I can send to an onstage amp. Seems like a bit of an oversight…how am I supposed to make this work without in-ears?
 
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#9
I've used the VT Deluxe, YYZ and now use the DI-2112. I liked VT alot; however the DI-2112 has the features that I've always wanted but was never available in a pedal format.
The tone shaping options on the 2112 are really good - like the clean blend on the drive channel, deep channel w/saturation (to me acts for like an EQ filter), and ability to combine using the internal swith to put it all on one channel/out.
Clean blends work great retaining the original tone; if the the pedal settings are changing the original tone too much - just mix it back in (for me my USA MM Sterling 5 seems to loose it's tone if the original tone can't be mixed back in). My passive P-bass doesn't loose as much, so I don't blend too much back in. The YYZ sound best on passive basses IMO due to it not having the clean blend.
 
#10
I'm only new to these pedals, so take what I say as an extreme layman. :) But recently I picked up the YYZ and the DI-2112. Loved them. Have to say I basically have the DI-2112 set permanently now bypassing any amp processing at all, and the tones are amazing and versatile. For me the YYZ is when you want that tone intermittently, the DI-2112 is really for everything. That being said, I picked up last week the Bass Fly Rig V2, thinking great i'll have the Geddy pedals, but now can also play around with the VT circuitry and the standard SansAmp bass circuitry. On its own, couldn't get the tones I liked out of the Fly Rig, played around with it for a week and returned it. The Di-2112 I could in my own inexperienced way dial it in really nicely, the Fly Rig not so much, and this could be that it has less customisation to the Di-2112 and a dedicated VTDI, as it only really has Low, Mids, High and Drive, the compressor gives it a bit of a boost, but its all so sensitive. I ended up sticking with my Di-2112, that thing is just amazing with the sounds you can get. I really shouldn't have pushed my luck and went for something else to try out after the Di-2112 did such a good job. :)
 
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#11
jamesblue said:
I've used the VT Deluxe, YYZ and now use the DI-2112. I liked VT alot; however the DI-2112 has the features that I've always wanted but was never available in a pedal format.
The tone shaping options on the 2112 are really good - like the clean blend on the drive channel, deep channel w/saturation (to me acts for like an EQ filter), and ability to combine using the internal swith to put it all on one channel/out.
Clean blends work great retaining the original tone; if the the pedal settings are changing the original tone too much - just mix it back in (for me my USA MM Sterling 5 seems to loose it's tone if the original tone can't be mixed back in). My passive P-bass doesn't loose as much, so I don't blend too much back in. The YYZ sound best on passive basses IMO due to it not having the clean blend.
Click to expand...
Tech21 does not include on their manual the ability to combine using the internal swith to put it all on one channel/out. Which XLR or 1/4” output does the pedal use to achieve this? Thx
 
#12
On the newer units both channels are combined if you are only using the 1/4" Mix/Drive output. If you plug in the Deep 1/4" the signals are separate. If you want a mix on the XLR outputs you need to engage the switch. Then all outputs receive the mixed signal.
 
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#14
I recently picked up the SansAmp VT Bass DI, and I think I prefer it the best so far. I'm keeping my Geddy products, but right now i'm enjoying the VT the most. Really easy to get an amazing sound out of it. I'm still going to play around with the Geddy pedals, but the VT is amazing.
 
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#15
tech21nyc said:
On the newer units both channels are combined if you are only using the 1/4" Mix/Drive output. If you plug in the Deep 1/4" the signals are separate. If you want a mix on the XLR outputs you need to engage the switch. Then all outputs receive the mixed signal.
Click to expand...
The biggest crime here tho is the DI-2112 doesn't use the Starman and not in a red/black color scheme similar to the MP40. Seriously would have made for one cool pedal if it had a starfield, starman and maybe those colors.
 
#16
Zbysek said:
IMHO, it boils down to whether you are interested in bi-amping. If you are, than DI-2112 might be the ticket. If not, VTDI should be fine...
Click to expand...
I own bass driver and vt di, Di2112 much better tone/sound and blending , capabilities, just an overall better pedal with really good eq variations but ultimately it has that extra punch, bite and grit, although the vtdi is a very good pedal also.
 
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