• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

MXR M-80 vs. Tech 21 VT Bass

#41
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what's the difference between the SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe and the SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe? I noticed that the VT adds a 'mid control', and I'm familiar with the MXR M-80, but how are the two SansAmp pedals different?
 
#43
EVOLVEBASS said:
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what's the difference between the SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe and the SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe? I noticed that the VT adds a 'mid control', and I'm familiar with the MXR M-80, but how are the two SansAmp pedals different?
Click to expand...
In short, they sound different. There really isn't much more to it than that. Just have to determine which you prefer.
 
#49
sykes of christ said:
I'm going to go with the VT, but the Input Sensitivity on the Crown power amp is at 1.4 V. Is that a problem?
Click to expand...

I had considered one of Crown's XLS Drivecore power amps when I was using a VT into a power amp. I'm assuming, given the input sensitivity that you're looking at the same model. The numbers scared me a bit, but at the time, the amps hadn't been released by Crown, so I was never able to try them. I can say that on a Carvin DCM2000L (1.0V input sensitivity) the VT could drive the amp to it's full power and into clipping rather easily. I imagine the XLS Drivecore will be okay to use with the VT, but I can't say for sure. Worst case scenario is that you won't be able to get all of the power from the amp as it won't be driven completely. The Carvin DCM-L and Peavey IPR amps look like a much better match on paper at least. How that translates to the real world is beyond me outside of the Carvin.

sykes of christ said:
So my amp may clip? This could be a huge problem.
Click to expand...

Depending on the output voltage of your bass and everything in the signal chain leading up to where the VT feeds into the power amp, it's a possibility.

I'd rather have the possibility of clipping the power amp, then have such an input sensitivity mismatch that I couldn't drive the amp to full power though. The former can be fixed by listening to your gear, the latter can't be fixed.
 
#50
You don't want to have to push the VT Bass too hard into a power amp. I've noticed that the sound of the VT degrades when you turn the level up too much. You're better off making sure you have a poweramp with a fairly sensitive input I think.
 
#54
Eublet said:
In short, they sound different. There really isn't much more to it than that. Just have to determine which you prefer.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I don't really have an easy way to test both... Is there anyone who has tried them both and would care to give a bit more detail on the differences (SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe versus SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe)?
 
#55
EVOLVEBASS said:
Unfortunately, I don't really have an easy way to test both... Is there anyone who has tried them both and would care to give a bit more detail on the differences (SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe versus SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe)?
Click to expand...
Yes, I've used both a lot. It's just very hard to put it into words. The BDDI (deluxe or otherwise) sounds good if setup correctly. The overdrive is a bit more harsh sounding at lower settings. Some folks really like that. The VT is more closely related to an SVT or b15 depending on the settings. Folks used to say that the BDDI was the Ampeg emulator, but the VT has definitely take it's place. I think they're both very useful.

IMO, they are more alike than different. The VT can more easily do mid-oriented tones. The BDDI is pretty much going to scoop your sound no matter what you do unless you run the blend fairly low. At that point, your hearing more of your natural bass tone than you are the BDDI. Some folks like that, and the VT has no blend knob.

I know it's a bad answer, but you really need to spend a few weeks with each to really know. Even a casual comparison of the two wouldn't really expose all they can do.
 
#58
silky smoove said:
I had considered one of Crown's XLS Drivecore power amps when I was using a VT into a power amp. I'm assuming, given the input sensitivity that you're looking at the same model. The numbers scared me a bit, but at the time, the amps hadn't been released by Crown, so I was never able to try them. I can say that on a Carvin DCM2000L (1.0V input sensitivity) the VT could drive the amp to it's full power and into clipping rather easily. I imagine the XLS Drivecore will be okay to use with the VT, but I can't say for sure. Worst case scenario is that you won't be able to get all of the power from the amp as it won't be driven completely. The Carvin DCM-L and Peavey IPR amps look like a much better match on paper at least. How that translates to the real world is beyond me outside of the Carvin.



Depending on the output voltage of your bass and everything in the signal chain leading up to where the VT feeds into the power amp, it's a possibility.

I'd rather have the possibility of clipping the power amp, then have such an input sensitivity mismatch that I couldn't drive the amp to full power though. The former can be fixed by listening to your gear, the latter can't be fixed.
Click to expand...

Well in that case, you could put a mic preamp between them and use the VT as tone shaping.
 
#59
I really can't imagine the VT not being able to drive any amp. I suppose if you ran the Drive knob fully off, and then cut some EQ on top of that, you'd have some serious output reduction even if the Level know was at full. I also don't know why anyone would ever run the VT as such. Even with the Drive at 9 or 10 o'clock, it's still fairly clean sounding, but it adds more output.
 
#60
I keep my VT pedal at unity through the pedal board, which has the level pretty low.
My Yamaha poweramp needs the level on the VT almost all the way up.
Because of that, I run my pedals into a M-Audio stereo mic preamp. Yes, it's an extra step in the chain but it works for me - plus I use that second channel on the mic pre for the mic on my cabinet.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back