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New Basss Preamp by TC Electronics - Spectra Drive

#101
craigie said:
I have a RH450 head and love it for what it is and what I do. The tube tone IMHO does sound like a simulation and I use it very sparingly. The compressor is great for a transparent compression. The four band semi parametric EQ is fantastic. It oils be nice if the full parameters of everything were available with tone print but I probably wouldn't take advantage, and only if you were able to have different presets have different tone prints.

This is where they have $h@@ the bed for this preamp pedal in my opinion. It obviously uses a digital converter because it has the tube tone and spectra comp. so the EQ are also digital. And yet they only give knobs because people are used to that and it gives the semblance of being analog instead of some cheap zoom .

They could have had a programmable preset bank with up/down switch, or say six switches to select bank. Then you could have many different presets and switch between them instantly on the fly without need to fiddle knobs which also throws off your balance in the mix. Big missing for me. They could have also included a HPF and LPF. Fully parametric EQ. Hard limiter to squash spikes like a disconnected cable. Reverb? Echo? Your imagination is the limit. After all, it's digital.
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You're absolutely right. They could add every single TonePrint available, and people would be like, " I don't want their chorus, or Flashback or reverb, etc. I've already got those tones that I'm happy with. I just want a preamp with maybe a compressor."

Or we'd hear about how all multieffect units suck.

"I want access to the editor - 4 dozen TonePrints don't give me enough flexibility. I'm going to stick with my current setup where I control 3 parameters..."

TCE has spoiled its customers to the extreme.
 
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#104
tfer said:
You're absolutely right. They could add every single TonePrint available, and people would be like, " I don't want their chorus, or Flashback or reverb, etc. I've already got those tones that I'm happy with. I just want a preamp with maybe a compressor."

Or we'd hear about how all multieffect units suck.

"I want access to the editor - 4 dozen TonePrints don't give me enough flexibility. I'm going to stick with my current setup where I control 3 parameters..."

TCE has spoiled its customers to the extreme.
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Yep but I send an email to TC 3-4 years ago suggesting for a 2/3/4/5 slot toneprint pedal, each slot with a knob and a switch. You load what you want. That would be a nice supplement to the Spectradrive.
 
#110
pbass6811 said:
I just ordered two of them, they should be here tomorrow! I'm gonna swap them out with my BDDI v2's and see which one's I dig more. I'm REALLY rooting for the SpectraDrives, as that would allow me to remove three pedals from my board!
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Same here. As much as I love my BDDIv2 I also want to cut down on boxes. I'm not expecting it to match the tone, but it seems to offer more tonal options, plus a comp.
I'm not impressed with the latest demo videos though.
 
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#112
dave_bass5 said:
Same here. As much as I love my BDDIv2 I also want to cut down on boxes. I'm not expecting it to match the tone, but it seems to offer more tonal options, plus a comp.
I'm not impressed with the latest demo videos though.
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It sounds like we have the same thought processes going on. I'm a fan of the BDDIv2. I think it sounds killa'! So why do I want to change it? Because I like preamps(and compressors! LOL)and I like trying new ones. I tried the Q Strips, but I didn't get what I wanted, so I returned them. I was going to get the VT Bass DI, but my source didn't have any in stock, so I got the BDDIv2's and I really dig them.

Yeah, The vids with the Danish guy just aren't very inspiring. I'm sure he's a nice guy and a good player, but he's not doing the SpectraDrive any favors...

I decided to check out some BH demo vids, since this is basically the front end of those amps, and they were much more impressive. If I can get that kind of tone-shaping, with more power, into better cabs, I should be good to go. I really just need it to be close to the BDDIv2 and I'll be happy.

I'll letcha' know later today...:thumbsup:
 
#113
Yep, i have the Q/strip and VTBass DI. My fav is still the BDDI. I dont know what I'm looking for, all off therm work, but i need space on my small pedal board so took my Spectracomp off. Being able to have a preamp and comp in the space of one box will be great. I use ther comp at the start of my chain, with preamp next, so the Spectradrive is just in the right place to cover both.
I had originally wanted to get this for home practice only. I was looking for something smaller than my B3n for headphone practice, without too many options and with speaker sim and possibly comp. The SD came along just at the right time. Same as my gigging comp, better EQ than my BDDI, small foot print and drive. Even if it doesnt replace my BDDI it will be perfect for home use.

Good luck and yeah, definitely let me know your thoughts.
 
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#117
DonaldR said:
Do you have any links because as much as I like the features on the BHxxx I cannot find any videos that impressed me.
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I feel ya'. I was really starting to second guess my decision to try out the SpectraDrive after watching some of the early demos from TC. Then I started looking at BH demos and I watched this one-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A19DzG0RgpI-

That vid stood out to me for a few reasons:
1. There were actual, live band clips! That, to me, is what is missing in almost every demo video. I like hearing what a particular piece of gear can do, but what does it sound like in an actual gig situation? You can twiddle all the knobs you want and get some great sounds, but if it gets lost in an actual gig band mix, is it really worth anything? Ben was playing an actual gig with this amp, and even though that's not the kind of music my band plays, I could still get a good sense of what this amp is capable of. I may try to focus my demos on what a piece of gear sounds like in an actual live situation...

2. He barely mentioned TonePrints! OMG, every TC vid seems to be centered around TONEPRINTS! Doesn't matter what it is, it's all about TONEPRINTS! I love the TonePrints, I'm tired of hearing about them. Just show me the product first. I need to go back and watch it again, but I don't think he used any...

3. He's using the old TC cabs, not the current K-series. That also seems to be a hallmark of TC amp vids. I get that, but it's almost like they're saying the cabs are more important than the amp. Since he was using the old RS-series cabs, there was none of that.

I sort of stopped watching vids after that one, so the rest of them may be terrible, but that one saved the day for me...;)
 
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#118
I agree about hearing things in a band context. We all know that what sounds great in a mix can actually be really nasty on its own. I never worrry about these videos as I know they aren't relevant to my playing. I like watching actual gear reviews, as you can get a feel for what something can and can't do, but just someone playing with it is not too interesting.
Unless it's P bass with a pick it's not going to get my tone anyway.
 
#120
dave_bass5 said:
I agree about hearing things in a band context. We all know that what sounds great in a mix can actually be really nasty on its own. I never worrry about these videos as I know they aren't relevant to my playing. I like watching actual gear reviews, as you can get a feel for what something can and can't do, but just someone playing with it is not too interesting.
Unless it's P bass with a pick it's not going to get my tone anyway.
Click to expand...

Yup. I generally see three kinds of demos.
1. The Zach Rizer-style(@Proton Lenny): I totally LOVE Zach's demos! He not only twiddles knobs, but he, very clearly, describes what he's doing and why he's doing it. He doesn't leave you wondering about anything. He talks about how he uses different settings live, unfortunately, he doesn't get a chance to show it. I've bought stuff based on Zach's demos.
2. The Chris Kollias-style: I dig Chris' style as well. No talking, but clear, concise knob turning with some on screen explanations. That's also a great way to do demos. Again, I'd love to see a live band demo, but that's not his thing. I'm actually contemplating a purchase based on one of his vids.
3. The Mr. Excane-style: If you want to see every knob turned to extreme settings with little or no explanation, this is your guy. He's definitely a good player, but all he does is twist knobs and dial up a lot of completely unusable sounds. I'd never buy anything based on his demos.

Back on topic-I just got my SpectraDrives. I'm gonna get them put on the board, hooked up and see what I get. My main focus may be trying to get some live band recording done this weekend...
 
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