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SansAmp - Bass Driver DI - Buzzing Sound

lustersilk

lustersilk

Guest
Apr 26, 2012
689
62
Orange County California
www.dimestorezombies.com
#1
Just got a new BDDI. I unplugged my PreSonus Tube Pre and substituted the BDDI. I set it to a few of the suggested setting and get this buzz. I played with some of the dials and can back the buzz off a little but it's still there.

I'm not getting this buzz with the Tube Pre or just plugged straight into my amp.

Any suggestions before I return what I was hoping to be an amazing box, based on numerous good reviews here.
 
#2
lustersilk said:
Just got a new BDDI. I unplugged my PreSonus Tube Pre and substituted the BDDI. I set it to a few of the suggested setting and get this buzz. I played with some of the dials and can back the buzz off a little but it's still there.

I'm not getting this buzz with the Tube Pre or just plugged straight into my amp.

Any suggestions before I return what I was hoping to be an amazing box, based on numerous good reviews here.
Click to expand...

Does the "buzz" go away when you turn down your guitar's volume control?
 
#3
tech21nyc said:
Does the "buzz" go away when you turn down your guitar's volume control?
Click to expand...

It doesn't go away, just proportionately down. It's the drive that seems to be causing this. Some times the buzz is not there at all, sometimes just a little hum. I was testing and played for a few hours with no buzz, then after lunch it reappeared.

I don't think the FOH guys are going to want any little buzz in the feed.

I'm still playing with this thing though :) - I love the tone
 
#4
lustersilk said:
It doesn't go away, just proportionately down. It's the drive that seems to be causing this. Some times the buzz is not there at all, sometimes just a little hum. I was testing and played for a few hours with no buzz, then after lunch it reappeared.

I don't think the FOH guys are going to want any little buzz in the feed.

I'm still playing with this thing though :) - I love the tone
Click to expand...

Any gain producing device will add to the noise floor. Once you enter into the realm of distortion your gain is really being multiplied. You mentioned the Presonus Tube pre but were you using that for distortion?

"Buzz" sounds like there might be another issue. What is your exact signal chain? Bass passive or active? If active do you have the tone set flat? Bass to Bass Driver to amp? Is the output of the Bass Driver set for instrument level and do you have the pedal set for unity gain? What settings on the Bass Driver? Is the pedal set up with a parallel feed to the board?

Where were you testing this? At home, studio or live venue? Did you try the rig in a different environment? Was there a computer nearby or some other sort of interference?
 
#7
tech21nyc said:
What is your exact signal chain? Bass passive or active? If active do you have the tone set flat? Bass to Bass Driver to amp? Is the output of the Bass Driver set for instrument level and do you have the pedal set for unity gain? What settings on the Bass Driver? Is the pedal set up with a parallel feed to the board?
Click to expand...

In 1/4" input, out 1/4" output, in 1/4" input on my amp. Active Jazz Bass, set flat. Yes, bass, to bass driver, to amp. I'm just trying all the example settings in the manual. No feed to a board. I'm not sure what "Unity Gain" means, can you please help me understand.

tech21nyc said:
Where were you testing this? At home, studio or live venue? Did you try the rig in a different environment? Was there a computer nearby or some other sort of interference?
Click to expand...

At home and in our practice studio. Computers are in the room, but more than 20' away.
 
#10
lustersilk said:
In 1/4" input, out 1/4" output, in 1/4" input on my amp. Active Jazz Bass, set flat. Yes, bass, to bass driver, to amp. I'm just trying all the example settings in the manual. No feed to a board. I'm not sure what "Unity Gain" means, can you please help me understand.



At home and in our practice studio. Computers are in the room, but more than 20' away.
Click to expand...

Make sure that you have the output set for "instrument level." Unity gain means that you set the level of the pedal to match your bypassed signal. As a rule of thumb whenever you increase the "drive" control you will usually want to reduce the level control on the pedal. This is not to say you can't set the pedal to boost your signal but when you do use it as a boost there will be an increase in your noise level somewhat.

Powering with a battery will be the most quiet way to power the pedal. In certain environments there can just be a certain amount of line noise on the AC that will be exacerbated when using any type of gain producing device.

You didn't mention what amp you are using and how it is set. If your amp is set with the high end boosted and you are also using a full range speaker system there will be more noise potential with distortion sounds.

If you are going to be using the pedal as your main sound you will want to set your amp a bit flatter. If you intend to use it like a stomp box and switch it on and off you will probably need to alter the tone of the pedal. Try using less presence and drive or experiment with the blend control.

In the end it really depends what you are looking to accomplish with the pedal.
 
#11
lustersilk said:
Just got a new BDDI. I unplugged my PreSonus Tube Pre and substituted the BDDI. I set it to a few of the suggested setting and get this buzz. I played with some of the dials and can back the buzz off a little but it's still there.

I'm not getting this buzz with the Tube Pre or just plugged straight into my amp.

Any suggestions before I return what I was hoping to be an amazing box, based on numerous good reviews here.
Click to expand...

Sure it isn't the Sansamp distortion?
That's what it sounds like to me: bees in a jar.... Ugh!!! LOL...
 
#12
lustersilk said:
Battery - is that a possible problem. I can easily get the adapter.
Click to expand...

Old thread, but thought I should comment. This unit was not cheap, thought I had a dud. Only the effected outputs were noisy when pedal was engaged, adjusting knobs made no difference.

I removed the battery, hiss / static is GONE !! ISO Brick for power only. My cables to interface: effected output XLR to XLR. parallel out 1/4 to XLR (for re-amp). I'm going direct only, no amp. 1/4" output to tuner (all Mogami cables)
 
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