Sansamp PBDDI, VT bass or Para Driver

[René_Julien]

I had a PBDDI and a regular SABDDI. I also own a Behringer ADI21. I will say, the Behringer has much more low end (and the sweepable mids work). I do not like a ton of grind (I love the clean SVT tone), but the Behringer has a bit of tube emulation. The killer is that the input impedence is too low and for almost every bass I have to turn the volume down so I don't clip the pedal.

Does the Para Driver have those lows (seems to boost at 40hz or so vs. the Bass Driver which is punchier but now as deep)?

I was considering the Behringer ADI21. I figured at that price, whatever if it turns out useless.
But you would advice against it... ???

I might consider a Para Driver or the rackversion, the RPM.
I don't need any grit, just some good toneshaping and DI. And something to color a solid state amp a bit.

I personally don't like the tone of an Ampeg SVT, so a BDDI and VT Bass are not the right pedals for me I guess.

 

[Lync]

I was considering the Behringer ADI21. I figured at that price, whatever if it turns out useless.
But you would advice against it... ???

I might consider a Para Driver or the rackversion, the RPM.
I don't need any grit, just some good toneshaping and DI. And something to color a solid state amp a bit.

I personally don't like the tone of an Ampeg SVT, so a BDDI and VT Bass are not the right pedals for me I guess.

To me the Behringer ADI21 does what I thought my Aphex Bass Xciter could do (that live low end sub sound at practice volumes). The Behringer ADI21 does do this the best out of any of these preamp pedals that I have tried/owned. By the way, it is not so much necessary when you are at gig levels with no PA, but for practice or headphone use the low end that pedal adds (and the way it is eq'd is incredible). In fact, I use the "country" setting on the ADI21 and the mids are there with the super fat lows.

The clipping issue stops me from using it in a band context though. To the point where I emailed Behringer about a mod to use the input from the BDI21 to stop that.

Still, if Tech 21 made a product that had those lows and could handle a hot bass, I would be all over that.

The ADI21 is not useless for my acoustic guitar though, so for $30, it was still a good purchase.

 

[stflbn]

I always get confused when people talk about SVT sound, Fliptop sound, etc.

I wish someone would make some kind of reference as to what these "trademark sounds" are supposed to sound like, because I often find as with most everything else here what different people feel is a trademark sound varies immensely.

For example, the Fliptop setting in provided material for the VT-bass is brighter sounding than the SVT setting... yet here is a Flipster pedal that's supposed to mimic a Fliptop sound and it's very subdued http://olcircuits.com/olc_flipster.html which doesn't jive with the settings provided for the VT-bass.


I think I'll start a thread on it.

 

[René_Julien]

To me the Behringer ADI21 does what I thought my Aphex Bass Xciter could do (that live low end sub sound at practice volumes). The Behringer ADI21 does do this the best out of any of these preamp pedals that I have tried/owned. By the way, it is not so much necessary when you are at gig levels with no PA, but for practice or headphone use the low end that pedal adds (and the way it is eq'd is incredible). In fact, I use the "country" setting on the ADI21 and the mids are there with the super fat lows.

The clipping issue stops me from using it in a band context though. To the point where I emailed Behringer about a mod to use the input from the BDI21 to stop that.

Still, if Tech 21 made a product that had those lows and could handle a hot bass, I would be all over that.

The ADI21 is not useless for my acoustic guitar though, so for $30, it was still a good purchase.

I always get confused when people talk about SVT sound, Fliptop sound, etc.

I wish someone would make some kind of reference as to what these "trademark sounds" are supposed to sound like, because I often find as with most everything else here what different people feel is a trademark sound varies immensely.

For example, the Fliptop setting in provided material for the VT-bass is brighter sounding than the SVT setting... yet here is a Flipster pedal that's supposed to mimic a Fliptop sound and it's very subdued http://olcircuits.com/olc_flipster.html which doesn't jive with the settings provided for the VT-bass.


I think I'll start a thread on it.

Thanks for both your insights.

I guess the Para Driver or the RPM might be more suited for me.
Since I also want to use it for double bass and classical guitar.

About so called "amp modelling".
That's a very tricky issue.
I like the sound of Eden amps.
So I tried out a Line 6 LowDown combo a few times in my local store (15" 300w).
And I did not like the amp modelling at all.
Although I thought the "clean" SVT modelling on the Lowdown was pretty good, although I played through real Ampeg SVT's with 8x10" cab and the real ones I don't like.
A tad to rough for my taste.

I think Line 6 is good at what they do, but I'd prefer the real thing.
Unless you use amp modelling through a PA or headphones, or perhaps for recording.

I'm still not sure about Line 6 Pods.
I know of some used Bass XTs in my area, and I would just use it for a bit of amp modelling.
Although they don't get much good reviews around here.

 

[Lync]

Looking at the manuals of the Para Driver, The Programmable Bass Driver (which I had no clipping issues) and the ADI21, it looks like the ADI21 and Para Driver inputs are the same (4.7megOhm), where the Bass Driver/Programmable is 1Meg Ohm and can handle the hotter signals from different electric basses better.

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If there was a way to adjust this on the Para it might be the ultimate pedal for me (as long as it carries the same low end as the Behringer ADI21).

 

[Don Sibley]

You know they could fix all this by just adding an XLR to the VT pedal.

 

[Tunaman]

Thanks for all the posts here guys, I went with a local sale of a PBDDI for $130, figure I could sell it back for the same if I don't like it & go with the VT Deluxe.

 

[Chowowbus]

I have an L2000 and it is such a mid heavy bass that I prefer the bddi over the vt by a long shot..thats just me however..I think you cant go wrong with either but I just thought I would chime in...have fun..it will sound orgazmic!

 

[Tunaman]

I have an L2000 and it is such a mid heavy bass that I prefer the bddi over the vt by a long shot..thats just me however..I think you cant go wrong with either but I just thought I would chime in...have fun..it will sound orgazmic!

Thanks, its a done deal. Its going to be my 3rd amp. I have an idle poweramp that I wanted to use vs. setting up & breaking down my Streamliner & Eden Navigator after every gig.

PLUS I can use it as a DI tone shaper (I hate going post EQ as the house tone & my backline tone are VERY different).

I'll report back on it but there are lots of good buys on used BDDIs as people go for the VT.

 

[GreggBummer]

I have the BDDI and the VT Bass.

I had both on my board for quite some time. The BDDI has a different sound than the VT. In my opinion, the VT is "gritty". It has an "old school" sound. The BDDI is a bit more "modern" sounding. I love both, for different applications. I took the BDDI off my board because I use the VT Bass the most. I just wanted to lighten my load. I bring the BDDI with me to gigs... it is too handy a tool to leave home.

I ran the VT Bass into the BDDI. I could fatten up the VT or wash out the bottom if I wanted too... or add more distortion...

It works well for me.

If you want to hear the VT Bass, check out my bands recordings here:

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_G

 

[Tunaman]

I have the BDDI and the VT Bass.

I had both on my board for quite some time. The BDDI has a different sound than the VT. In my opinion, the VT is "gritty". It has an "old school" sound. The BDDI is a bit more "modern" sounding. I love both, for different applications. I took the BDDI off my board because I use the VT Bass the most. I just wanted to lighten my load. I bring the BDDI with me to gigs... it is too handy a tool to leave home.

I ran the VT Bass into the BDDI. I could fatten up the VT or wash out the bottom if I wanted too... or add more distortion...

It works well for me.

If you want to hear the VT Bass, check out my bands recordings here:

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_G

I would like the VT Bass Deluxe for sure but its $260 vs $130 for this PBDDI. My Streamliner 900 has all the monster tube sound I could want so the PBDDI is the "modern" sound difference I'm looking for.

I'd imagine my Eden Navigator & Streamliner 900 could cop a VT bass & the PBDDI would be the most different

 

[Tunaman]

Adding a Paradriver to the stable today, going to review that vs the PBDDI. Winner goes up against the VT Deluxe eventually.

 

[Tunaman]

Paradriver... eh
Not a big fan out of the gate. More like another layer of EQ on top of my bass. I'm using it as a preamp to an idle poweramp for a 3rd amp so thats okay. Of course next to my Eden Navigator & Streamliner 900 it gets crushed in the tone department but those are fantastic much more expensive preamps
This will be a great tone shaper for the house PA

Programmable BDDI: Pretty cool. No mid control or mid sweep like the paradriver but I like it for what it is. It easier to dial in great tones that complement my Eden & Streamliner although working with presence & blend is harder to get my mind around. I need more time with the pedals to know what to expect when I turn those knobs.

I wouldn't mind trying out the VT deluxe now for sure... but the PBDDI has a slight edge to me as of now over the Paradriver. Need more time when my baby is grabbing at the controls & needs a diaper change!

 

[spego]

I owned the PBDDI for a short while....bought it used and actually loved the tone of it. I am using Warwick basses.....LH1000 head and Hydrive cabs. I did recently sell it to get the cash to buy the VT Bass Deluxe. I have to say it sounded great but I just wasn't digging it 100%.....for it being $260 I had to return it. I ordered a Bass Driver Deluxe in place of it....it comes today....I am excited to get my old tone back. The Bass Driver Deluxe is basically a PBDDI with an fx loop (which I really want). Lesson learned for this guy. (everyone likes different things)

More vintage/mid driven tone = VT
More modern/mid scooped = (P)BDDI (Deluxe)

Personally I really dig Emma Anzai and Mike Inez's tone......PBDDI captures that pretty well.

 

[Tunaman]

More vintage/mid driven tone = VT
More modern/mid scooped = (P)BDDI (Deluxe)

I like the PBDDI... its like you say... a tone emulator while I see the para-driver as an EQ pedal