Purchasing a Sansamp BDDI v2 in 2024

[amper]

I have a VTDI and a Q\Strip (and a Mesa Subway Plus DI). Is there a reason to consider the BDDI? I don't do dirt, but a little hair is okay.

The drive character of the BDDI and the VTDI are dramatically different. I have a strong aversion to the VTDI, but I love the BDDI. YMMV.

 

[Parzival]

The drive character of the BDDI and the VTDI are dramatically different. I have a strong aversion to the VTDI, but I love the BDDI. YMMV.

Same. I really don't like the VTDI sound at all. We used the BDDI Saturday for four different bands and it sounded so dadgum good out FOH. There was one kid, and I won't mention the type of bass he had, but I heard him just through the amp when we were getting him set up and then through the BDDI. I told him after they finished to save some gig money and get himself a BDDI.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

The drive character of the BDDI and the VTDI are dramatically different. I have a strong aversion to the VTDI, but I love the BDDI. YMMV.

Same. I really don't like the VTDI sound at all. We used the BDDI Saturday for four different bands and it sounded so dadgum good out FOH. There was one kid, and I won't mention the type of bass he had, but I heard him just through the amp when we were getting him set up and then through the BDDI. I told him after they finished to save some gig money and get himself a BDDI.

Thanks. I guess I’ll have to see if there’s one locally that I can audition.

 

[BassmanNate]

I'm kinda in the same boat. I never really liked the sound of the bddi, any version. I started messing with Zoom's model of it and using the suggested presets in the bddi manual as starting points lately. Now, I feel like I may have to get a real one sometime. Might only get the joyo version, not necessarily because it's cheaper but because it has a built in headphone jack. Although it's hard to beat something like that that can be powered off phantom which the real thing can do. I don't know why more preamp makers don't include that with so many groups and venues going to preamp and inears.

 

[amper]

I have yet to hear any digital model of the BDDI that sounds even remotely like the BDDI.

 

[Parzival]

I have yet to hear any digital model of the BDDI that sounds even remotely like the BDDI.

The Line 6 model is good, but yeah, the actual pedal just has that something.

 

[Ant B 2023]

To add to what I say before; my SansAmp is the only pedal I can’t live without. Although my pedalboard also contains amazing pedals from Origin Effects (new Cali76 and DCX Bass) which play a big part in my sound, the core of it is the SansAmp and I would never do a band practice or gig without it. If I can’t take the pedalboard for any unlikely reason; then I’d throw the SansAmp in the gig bag. Its sound is my signature tone.

Hi - I have the Sansamp, Cali76 and DCX. Can I ask what order you have them in the signal chain? Thanks!

 

[Ian774]

There you go.

 

[Ant B 2023]

View attachment 5483605


There you go.

Thank you! Same order as I have them. I'm with you. Loving this combo of pedals. Thanks for sharing!
Ant.

 

[PietroStimoli]

Mi pongo anche questa domanda: oggi con tutte le emulazioni anche a basso prezzo come quella del tonex, conviene ancora comprare un pedale come il Sansamp?
Un'altra domanda, ma Dio ti permette di fare solo generi rock metal?

 

[PietroStimoli]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp? Another question, but does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

 

[mouthmw]

does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

BDDI will absolutely not allow you to play anything but rock and metal. As soon as it senses that you're trying to play anything else, it will automatically shut off.

 

[PietroStimoli]

BDDI non ti permetterà assolutamente di suonare altro che rock e metal. Non appena rileva che stai tentando di riprodurre qualcos'altro, si spegnerà automaticamente.

:ridere::ridere::ridere:

 

[BassmanNate]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp? Another question, but does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

As someone who's used digital emulations pretty much my whole bass life (~20 years) and someone who just recently got his first SansAmp (Para Driver instead of BDDI) I feel like the analog just has a bit more edge over the digital. Is your audience going to notice? Probably not. But I do feel like there's still something that the analog is doing that I can't seem to get with simulations.

 

[NeilJazz]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp? Another question, but does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

My main processor is an HX stomp but still keep the Sansamp for final/on-the-fly tone shaping and DI. With this pedal, "Blend is your friend".

Also you can play any genre with this pedal, it does not discriminate.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp? Another question, but does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

I've learned that I don't do well with pedals that have apps and lots of programming. It's a "me problem". I like the Para Driver because all the controls are right there. ToneX probably sounds great, it's just not for me.

 

[Isaac_James]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp? Another question, but does BDDI only allow you to play genres like rock and metal, or can it be used for blues, pop and jazz?

SansAmp boxes, in particular the BDDI, have been used across a wide variety of genres. They're like the Fender P Bass of analog DI boxes... they work for just about anything.

 

[DonaldR]

I would also like to ask this question: today with all the emulations even at low prices like the tonex one, is it still worth buying a pedal like the Sansamp?

Just keep in mind that a Tonex profile is generated with parameters that are set at the moment of the capture. So you cannot add gain for example and changing bass/mid/treble on Tonex will not be the same as changing bass/mid/treble on the hardware. You may also have to go thru lot of profiles before finding one you like.

IMHO, a Tonex pedal is perfect if you want to capture your full rig and then just bring that pedal instead of your entire rig. But you will need a capture for every single tone tweaking your doing (ie, base tone, drive tone, octave tone, chorus tone, etc.).

 

[DonaldR]

Other solution if you don't want to deal with power anymore: Outlaw Effects Nomad rechargeable pedalboard. I have the small one and can do two gigs on a single charge:
https://www.cosmomusic.ca/outlaw-effects-nomad-iso-s-rechargeable-battery-powered-pedalboard/p

 

[BASS YODA]

At a time when we have studio quality preamps / DIs (Noble...) and Sith digital products that do everything (amp sim, cab sim, IR...) even laundry and coffee (Line6 HX Stomp.. .), I still love my TECH 21 SANSAMP BASS DRIVER DI, TECH 21 SANSAMP PARA DRIVER DI and MXR M80 BASS DI+ !

They are always very good wookiee buttshakers in the cantinas and it's simple, effective, inexpensive, reliable, durable, built like a YT-1300... A small board with 2 or 3 good pedals in front and you can cross the galaxy !

May the Groove be with you.