Sansamp programmable vs. driver V2

[Jeff Cooke]

I really want to try a Sansamp preamp. I see that the programmable bass driver doesn’t have a control for mids, but the idea of 3 tones ready to go is really helpful for my gigs. On the other hand, if having controls for the mids on the bass driver V2 makes for a better overall tone, it seems like that would be the one to choose. What I’m asking is if you have the programmable one, do you miss your mid control? Do any of you own both, and what’s your take?

 

[Inconnu]

I haven’t got any experience with either, but I’ve got an RBI which I believe is almost (if not entirely) a rackmount version of the BDDI. I would really miss the mid knob, personally. The blend knob lets you kick in some kids from your bass, but the SansAmp sound is naturally scooped and I find the mid knob brings a certain balance. YMMV… I don’t know your preferences. If you really like a scooped sound, then the programable might work. Or if you EQ differently. Cutting highs and lows in order to get more mids through. If you really need the programmability.

 

[LowRenzo]

I can't comment on the programmable specifically, but I've moved from the BDDI without mids, to the one with selectable mids (and lows), and I could never go back.

I tried a VT Bass DI shortly, but it just didn't have that special something the BDDI has, so I went back to the BDDI as soon as the V2 with mids came out. Never regretted it even once.

There is a 'trick' to the old BDDI where you can 'boost' the mids by cutting bass and treble and boosting level. However because the bass and treble don't have selectable frequencies, you can only 'boost' the specific mids that are in a sense leftovers after cutting.

Having the selectable low and mid knobs on the V2 helps alleviate every tonal problem or obstacle the BDDI used to give me.

People always praise the selectable mids, but the selectable lows are also a very important factor in the sound!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

3 or more bands of EQ are a must for me. Dialing in a nice bedroom tone is one thing, cutting through a band mix is another. If that's all you're using for tone shaping then I'd go for the V2 with the mid knob.

If you wanted to go rackmount, the RPM version does have a mid-knob as well.

 

[paskisti]

If you wanted to go rackmount, the RPM version does have a mid-knob as well.

But it is not the same sound and not available anymore.

 

[el murdoque]

I have or had the Programmable, the Deluxe, the BDDI and the BDDI v2.
I still own the Programmable and the Deluxe.

I bought the V2 to replace the Programmable, and I was glad to get a mids button. In the end, the Programmable had 'that' sound for me and the V2 could not replicate it. It's hard to put a finger on it. The BDDI is a classic sound. The V2 is more modern. They all are pretty good, though.

 

[FirewalZ]

Going off topic a bit, but i bought the original BDDI back in the late 90's/2000's and never really got along with it, I remember it sounding scooped and dark. I still have it boxed away. However, I've been wanting to try the BDDI v2, more so to add some dirt and edginess to in front of my D800. From what i read, the V2 seems to be more favored over the V1, and different enough to justify the move?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

3 or more bands of EQ are a must for me. Dialing in a nice bedroom tone is one thing, cutting through a band mix is another. If that's all you're using for tone shaping then I'd go for the V2 with the mid knob.

If you wanted to go rackmount, the RPM version does have a mid-knob as well.

Me too. Hence my attraction to Eden WT heads…

 

[B Dax]

This is an awesome SansAmp.

There are a couple of pedal variants if rack mount is not your preferred form.

 

[melloncollie]

Going off topic a bit, but i bought the original BDDI back in the late 90's/2000's and never really got along with it, I remember it sounding scooped and dark. I still have it boxed away. However, I've been wanting to try the BDDI v2, more so to add some dirt and edginess to in front of my D800. From what i read, the V2 seems to be more favored over the V1, and different enough to justify the move?

I didn’t have too much experience with the original but I didn’t like for much of f the same reason that you didn’t. However the V2 works much better for me. The mids control (especially at 1000) brings some definition to the pedal that’s lacking in the original.

 

[paskisti]

I didn’t have too much experience with the original but I didn’t like for much of f the same reason that you didn’t. However the V2 works much better for me. The mids control (especially at 1000) brings some definition to the pedal that’s lacking in the original.

By the way, RBI has mid control in 1kHz too, and sounds much better than BDDI v1.

 

[Inconnu]

By the way, RBI has mid control in 1kHz too, and sounds much better than BDDI v1.

The rackmount format may or may not be interesting for some. I like my RBI, but sometimes which for a more portable device (having everything on the floor).

That said… is it safe to believe that the v1 or the programmable SansAmp pedal sounds pretty similar to the RBI if the mid is set flat or not?

 

[paskisti]

The rackmount format may or may not be interesting for some. I like my RBI, but sometimes which for a more portable device (having everything on the floor).

That said… is it safe to believe that the v1 or the programmable SansAmp pedal sounds pretty similar to the RBI if the mid is set flat or not?

I have compared RBI and BDDI v1 and they are not exact twins. RBI is more open and sound feels higher quality. Like how aluminium vs. plastic box feels in hand .

I totally understand that rack mount is not for everyone.

 

[Inconnu]

I have compared RBI and BDDI v1 and they are not exact twins. RBI is more open and sound feels higher quality. Like how aluminium vs. plastic box feels in hand .

I totally understand that rack mount is not for everyone.

Yeah… but there is a possibility of adding a foot switch.

 

[Vishyyy]

I recently purchased the programmable bass driver and absolutely love it. I don't feel like I'm missing out by not having controls for the kids, but I can totally see why for others it's a requirement. I feel like I have more than enough options to sculpt my tone. The simplicity seems to help me a lot.

Having the ability to save presets for me is really handy. When experimenting, if I find a sound I like I can save it to a preset with ease. It's really convenient for me.

 

[tech21nyc]

The problem some players have with the v1 Bass Driver is that they are using the pedal into a bass amp that already has a mid scoop (which most amps have) vs using the pedal into a flat response platform like a mixer etc. Either pedal can work into an amp but the v2 will be easier to use if you are unwilling to dial in your amp for a flatter response.

The Para Driver DI is the pedal version of the RPM for those that need more midrange control than the Bass Driver offers. The RPM was replaced by the GED-2112 rack mount. The Drive channel of the GED-2112 has the same functions as the old RPM.

 

[Jeff Cooke]

I really want to try a Sansamp preamp. I see that the programmable bass driver doesn’t have a control for mids, but the idea of 3 tones ready to go is really helpful for my gigs. On the other hand, if having controls for the mids on the bass driver V2 makes for a better overall tone, it seems like that would be the one to choose. What I’m asking is if you have the programmable one, do you miss your mid control? Do any of you own both, and what’s your take?

.
So, update. I did get the V2 Sansamp driver about a week ago. Thanks for all of the advice! I absolutely love it! I have my first gig with it coming up this weekend, so I’ll update again after. I was using a TC Electronics spectra drive compressor/pre amp, but I got tired of the tone print thing, so I wanted to give this a try. And Wholly Crap! It is really that good! So while I was dialing it in, I was going back and forth between the two pedals and realized that I can keep a useful tone dialed in on the spectra drive, and switch between the two on the fly when I need to. I’ve never had more than a preamp pedal before, but now I’m kinda getting the bug to start a pedal board…what have I done?!

 

[Jeff Cooke]

So I played a gig with the Sansamp, I loved the tone! Now I added a MXR compressor pedal too, and BOOM! That’s the tone I’ve been looking for and envying whenever I heard someone else with something similar. I couldn’t be happier! Thanks to everyone who offered up advice! So my signal path for most of the night is ; Fender American Elite P bass into Tech 21 Sansamp, into MXR Bass Compressor, into Little Mark 3 with 4x10” cabinet. Awesome combination. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on my tone nowadays!