Hey guys, before I start I'd like to say I have done a search and found some threads related to what I'm going to ask, but there are some more specific questions I'd also like to cover.
My band has just purchased two bass bins, meaning I no longer need to lug around my 950 watt rig; this comprised a 32 band graphic EQ (yeh I know, OTT), into a Peavey 696F PA head, into 2 Ashdown 4x8s. It was loud and filled most venues, but now I have PA support, I no longer need such fire power. One thing I have always thought was that my rig sounded a bit flat; like it needed a nice high quality preamp to kick the power amp up the backside. Now I am using the PA, I immediately figured a decent preamp with a DI would work well, sending a balanced signal to the desk, and a signal to half my rig on stage to use as a monitor. Now, I have used a Sansamp BDDI; I sometimes liked it, but I always found in a band context that, when plugged into an amp and no extra equalisation added, it sounded very scooped and disappeared into the mix. I also found with the blend turned up full, it lost all the bass's own character. It was nice for adding some valve grit, but that was about it. HOWEVER, I have since discovered the Para-Driver; I was always put off by the description on the Tech 21 site that made it out to be mainly a 'jack of all trades'; since viewing some videos I've discovered it seems to be a very capable bass pedal, with the all important mid control (which is parametric, EVEN BETTER!). As you can probably tell, I boost my mids quite a bit. So, the main point is, should I buy a Para Driver? Nowhere in the UK seems to stock them for me to try, and the places that do stock them are very expensive. I have spotted a few used Paradrivers in the USA that will ship to the UK, and was wondering if they may fit the bill? As an aside, does anyone know what the Import Duty is likely to be? I haven't shipped anything from the US since I bought one of my Spectors over 10 years ago!!!
Many Thanks,
Nick
My band has just purchased two bass bins, meaning I no longer need to lug around my 950 watt rig; this comprised a 32 band graphic EQ (yeh I know, OTT), into a Peavey 696F PA head, into 2 Ashdown 4x8s. It was loud and filled most venues, but now I have PA support, I no longer need such fire power. One thing I have always thought was that my rig sounded a bit flat; like it needed a nice high quality preamp to kick the power amp up the backside. Now I am using the PA, I immediately figured a decent preamp with a DI would work well, sending a balanced signal to the desk, and a signal to half my rig on stage to use as a monitor. Now, I have used a Sansamp BDDI; I sometimes liked it, but I always found in a band context that, when plugged into an amp and no extra equalisation added, it sounded very scooped and disappeared into the mix. I also found with the blend turned up full, it lost all the bass's own character. It was nice for adding some valve grit, but that was about it. HOWEVER, I have since discovered the Para-Driver; I was always put off by the description on the Tech 21 site that made it out to be mainly a 'jack of all trades'; since viewing some videos I've discovered it seems to be a very capable bass pedal, with the all important mid control (which is parametric, EVEN BETTER!). As you can probably tell, I boost my mids quite a bit. So, the main point is, should I buy a Para Driver? Nowhere in the UK seems to stock them for me to try, and the places that do stock them are very expensive. I have spotted a few used Paradrivers in the USA that will ship to the UK, and was wondering if they may fit the bill? As an aside, does anyone know what the Import Duty is likely to be? I haven't shipped anything from the US since I bought one of my Spectors over 10 years ago!!!
Many Thanks,
Nick
