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Recommendations for a Preamp/DI Pedal

Dave-in-TN

Dave-in-TN

Apr 21, 2008
247
0
Tennessee, USA
#1
I am looking for a preamp/DI pedal with functionality similar to the Sansamp BDDI or MXR M80 and in kind of that same price range. I was about to pull the trigger on a used PBDDI, but then I started reading about the lack of mids, and I definitely do not want that.

Don't care so much about the distortion, although I wouldn't complain if I had it to use sparingly. Mainly I just want a compact pedal with a clean XLR DI out with EQ options that I can run straight into the mixer or a power amp. 1/4" out for bass amp would be a plus, but not a deal-breaker.

Any recommendations?

BTW, it will be used with a passive Peavey Millenium BXP 5-string going straight to the mixer and occasionally to a Crown XTi-2000 power amp.
 
#2
If it's typically going in to a mixer, do you really need full "line level" output?

It's just that you have many, many more choices if you don't need the same little box to drive a power amp solo.
 
#4
If you read about the BDDI's lack of mids enough times, I guess it becomes true. I dunno, call me tonedeaf, but I've had two BDDI's (just sold one, still have a Deluxe) and I love the tones you can get out of it. A lot of people are turned off by the lack of a dedicated mid control, but the bass and treble controls are +/- 12 dB (IIRC), so if you want to boost the mids, you cut the B and T and adjust the level accordingly. No big deal. Changing their relative settings affects the slope, so you can get almost any tone.

I'd suggest you buy a BDDI online (or here, used). If you don't like it, return it and get a refund, or resell it. I'm betting you'll like it, and you might just wonder what all the stink about the "no mids" griping was about.

BTW, I use mine to drive a power amp, and DI to FOH when the situation calls for it. Works great for that. The line-level output isn't as hot as it could be, but is still good enough to drive most power amps. My only disappointment? I wish I could mute the DI sometimes (like for tuning purposes), but that's probably an unreasonable request.

-jb
 
#5
You might like the Sadowsky or Aguilar outboard preamp/DI pedals. They're not as cheap as the BDDI or MXR, but they're really not that expensive. The Sadowsky doesn't have a mids control, but then it doesn't inherently cut mids either unless you boost both highs and lows.
 
#7
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Keep the suggestions coming. I'm new to this type of setup so I have a lot to learn.

@RickenBoogie... No real reason to not get the M80. I was just wondering what was out there that I'm not aware of.

@John Bigboote... I may go ahead and try a BDDI if nothing else sounds like it would be way better. I just really want to make sure I don't lose the mids with whatever I get.

@grovest... What other options are you referring to? I'd be interested in some specific examples. Although I will still need something that could be occasionally used to drive a power amp.
 
#8
If ya didn't need to drive a power amp I'd suggest a Carl Martin Parametric Preamp/Di, but since it won't drive that Crown my recommendation is moot.

Maybe try talking to Dave Hall over @ DHA about what you need/want and see if he could help ya out? (He's also a TBer, so you could prolly PM him here)
 
#9
Dave-in-TN said:
@grovest... What other options are you referring to? I'd be interested in some specific examples. Although I will still need something that could be occasionally used to drive a power amp.
Click to expand...

Well, about EVERY other EQ/preamp pedal. :cool: For instance, Bongo mentions the Sadowsky. I had the Sadowsky pedal pre/di, and it barely had the juice to directly drive my QSC PLX2 poweramp. But as an eq operating at instrument output, or a mic level (I presume?) di, it worked nicely into a mixing board. If you want a good inexpensive bass pre for a power amp, there are many rackable options.
 
#10
John Bigboote said:
If you read about the BDDI's lack of mids enough times, I guess it becomes true. I dunno, call me tonedeaf, but I've had two BDDI's (just sold one, still have a Deluxe) and I love the tones you can get out of it. A lot of people are turned off by the lack of a dedicated mid control, but the bass and treble controls are +/- 12 dB (IIRC), so if you want to boost the mids, you cut the B and T and adjust the level accordingly. No big deal. Changing their relative settings affects the slope, so you can get almost any tone.
Click to expand...

Big +1

One last thing to remember with this beast is the BLEND control. The sansamp products have a very powerful voicing. If you leave the BLEND at 100% then you loose a lot of your own tone. I use mine with the blend anywhere from 25-45%. The tone shaping is still very powerful but that allows a lot of my own tone through. On the plus side, the BLEND function itself is the most transparent blend I've used. It doesn't sound like two separate sounds run together but an actual mix. A great pedal, but you gotta know what you're doing with it or you'll end up like John Campbell...
 
#12
Pitbull Growl said:
If ya didn't need to drive a power amp I'd suggest a Carl Martin Parametric Preamp/Di, but since it won't drive that Crown my recommendation is moot.
Click to expand...

Actually it's still a good suggestion--it drives my Carvin power amp just fine, so if you have a power amp with a low-ish input sensitivity rating then it does the job. And it's a great device!
 
#13
Before spending money .. test out the M80..

I've owned countless DI boxes.. this one will fire up a power amp -- avaialble used on Ebay/TB

T.




Dave-in-TN said:
I am looking for a preamp/DI pedal with functionality similar to the Sansamp BDDI or MXR M80 and in kind of that same price range. I was about to pull the trigger on a used PBDDI, but then I started reading about the lack of mids, and I definitely do not want that.

Don't care so much about the distortion, although I wouldn't complain if I had it to use sparingly. Mainly I just want a compact pedal with a clean XLR DI out with EQ options that I can run straight into the mixer or a power amp. 1/4" out for bass amp would be a plus, but not a deal-breaker.

Any recommendations?

BTW, it will be used with a passive Peavey Millenium BXP 5-string going straight to the mixer and occasionally to a Crown XTi-2000 power amp.
Click to expand...
 
#14
I highly recommend the SansAmp ParaDriver DI (SAPDDI). It's a SABDDI with semi-parametric mid control. The other night I was too lazy to lug my rig to practice, so I took my SAPDDI and went straight to the board. It took me about five seconds to dial it in. We play through Mackie SR1530 columns. The lead guitarist and keyboard player said it sounded great. The mid control makes a big difference.

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#15
Munjibunga said:
I highly recommend the SansAmp ParaDriver DI (SAPDDI). It's a SABDDI with semi-parametric mid control. The other night I was too lazy to lug my rig to practice, so I took my SAPDDI and went straight to the board. It took me about five seconds to dial it in. We play through Mackie SR1530 columns. The lead guitarist and keyboard player said it sounded great. The mid control makes a big difference.
Click to expand...

Listen to Munji. He has a lot of posts.
 
#17
The PDDI is one pedal that I am SERIOUSLY considering getting again, even over the VT and MicroBassII (and not just cus I have a headphone amp in the EA Earwig)

Oh, and about the lack of mid control on the BDDI: sure you can just turn the bass/treble both down and get a "mid boost", but the mid boost is only at around 750Hz (according to the manual, IIRC). The PDDI can give you a variety of "presence" boost or cut on the high end of the shift, and on the low end you get into the 150-250Hz range which can breed some phat tones.
 
#19
John Bigboote said:
If you read about the BDDI's lack of mids enough times, I guess it becomes true. I dunno, call me tonedeaf, but I've had two BDDI's (just sold one, still have a Deluxe) and I love the tones you can get out of it. A lot of people are turned off by the lack of a dedicated mid control, but the bass and treble controls are +/- 12 dB (IIRC), so if you want to boost the mids, you cut the B and T and adjust the level accordingly. No big deal. Changing their relative settings affects the slope, so you can get almost any tone.

I'd suggest you buy a BDDI online (or here, used). If you don't like it, return it and get a refund, or resell it. I'm betting you'll like it, and you might just wonder what all the stink about the "no mids" griping was about.

BTW, I use mine to drive a power amp, and DI to FOH when the situation calls for it. Works great for that. The line-level output isn't as hot as it could be, but is still good enough to drive most power amps. My only disappointment? I wish I could mute the DI sometimes (like for tuning purposes), but that's probably an unreasonable request.

-jb
Click to expand...

+1

Recently tried my SansAmp DI to my portable studio and sounded great. I don't have big overdrive needs, so it does the trick for me. Also, with the Programmable version, you can pre set 3 different tones. Won't gig/record without one.
 

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