I'd get the Multicomp before the sans amp based on the gear you have. I doubt a Markbass Preamp and Berg 610 sound bad with a stingray going into them 
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So...do i REEALLY need a sansamp?
- Thread starter bryceg2189
- Start date
If your Mark Bass has an XLR out - I would just use that. I've never seen the point in using a seperate DI box of any sort if the head has a dedicated out. Seems pretty redundant. If the soundman complains about wanting a Pre-EQ signal, I know on Ampegs there is a pre/post EQ switch that routs your signal to the XLR accordingly. Not sure on the Mark Bass.
Do you want your gear to sound like 'your gear' or do you want your gear to sound like a Sansamp?
IMHO the Sansamp imposes way to much of it's own character on whatever you plug it into.
IMHO the Sansamp imposes way to much of it's own character on whatever you plug it into.
I'm mostly with this guy. I sold my BDDI. Bought it back. Sold it again. In the end, for me it sucks too much mids out of the tone. I bought it back because it does make the bass sound good solo. I sold it again because I would always end up blending the thing completely out to where it was just a DI. When I had it blended in it made it difficult for me to hear myself without getting volume complaints. I never have that problem with my P-Bass running pretty much flat. It sounds good to me, I can easily find myself in the mix and I don't get requests to turn down.
I'm thinking of getting a Sans Amp VT pedal, but I'm a bit leery, since I ended up disliking the BDDI as much as I did. I'm tempted with the VT because I like having a DI (see http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=605642) with me in case something bad happens with my amp and I think it'd be fun to play with its SVT emulations.
OTOH, a nice passive DI is much more in line with my minimalist inclinations.
KO
In my experience, the drummer is the only guy who wants to talk to the bass player.
KO
I *like* what my SansAmp does to my sound.
I *love* the fact that it has a DI function. That's invaluable.
I've been tempted to buy a VT Bass, based on it's rep around here, but I am unwilling to give up the built-in DI.
I *love* the fact that it has a DI function. That's invaluable.
I've been tempted to buy a VT Bass, based on it's rep around here, but I am unwilling to give up the built-in DI.
- Sep 16, 2008
- 874
- 7
- Disclosures
- Master Luthier: Ironclad Bass Guitars
You really don't need any pedals at all, a good bass and a good amp would suit everyone just fine. But, that being said, I think pedals are unique to the user and they help you find your one true voice, plus I use them just because they're a riot 
I've used my SansAmp to play ampless with great results. However, if you like the sound you're getting from your gear I'd say to go with the comp first. FWIW I got my SansAmp because I needed it for ampless and small gigs.
I use the BDDI for songs that require a very deep bass sound without every going into any highs. I've tried using for all songs I play but I've got complaints saying that it looses alot of highs and mids. The way I have it set, the Low end cuts through amazing. So I've made it a point to use it when I play a mainly low end type bass line.. when mids and highs to really need to be noticed
VT bass is great pedal, I like the dirt on it. Its not too muddy but still cuts through very nice. And you don't loose the highs and mids.
VT bass is great pedal, I like the dirt on it. Its not too muddy but still cuts through very nice. And you don't loose the highs and mids.
+1
it would guess its pretty tough to get anything less than great tone with your current setup. but if your bandmates want you to have a sansamp.... tell them to take up a collection!
+1
I didn't like my SansAmp, I prefer the M80 I picked up.
I guess i'm lucky, cause both my guitarists talk to me about everything to do with our music... as well as the drummer.
hahaha i like that
ive been worried that it would color my tone too much, so thats a valid enough reason to not invest in one.
well thanks, i think thats settled. im getting that compressor!
Probably better off really, if you want overdrive find a decent overdrive, other then that the Sansamp's useless in your case if you ask me, especially if you really like the tone of your gear. If it was a case of just having the Sansamp and a poweramp then that'd be different, but there's no point in having 2 pres going at the same time. If you want a bit more of a Sansamp like shape to your tone try use a bit more of the VPL tone shape on your Markbass, and maybe a little more high mids or treble then usual.
I do quite like them in some situations to be honest, just not many. A New York Hardcore kinda style band I knows' bassist uses one with his stingray and his scooped as hell and really overdriven and compressed tone really suits them. Has plenty of depth now with his new Ampeg 410HLF so it doesn't sound as anaemic as some Sansamp tones come across and the guitars are really clear now but the bass is still nice and clear despite the massive scoop.
That's the main strength of the Sansamp, it gives people a scooped tone without sacrificing being heard, and overdrive that doesn't get mushy, everything alot of people want out of a bass tone for heavy music. I don't like ii in alot of contexts that it's used in but in the ones it does work in I think it's a great piece of equipment.
I do quite like them in some situations to be honest, just not many. A New York Hardcore kinda style band I knows' bassist uses one with his stingray and his scooped as hell and really overdriven and compressed tone really suits them. Has plenty of depth now with his new Ampeg 410HLF so it doesn't sound as anaemic as some Sansamp tones come across and the guitars are really clear now but the bass is still nice and clear despite the massive scoop.
That's the main strength of the Sansamp, it gives people a scooped tone without sacrificing being heard, and overdrive that doesn't get mushy, everything alot of people want out of a bass tone for heavy music. I don't like ii in alot of contexts that it's used in but in the ones it does work in I think it's a great piece of equipment.
I use the Sansamp vT bass with my Ampeg micro which is a bare bones mini set-up. It is great for coloring and distortion but with my big rigs I won't be using it...Just too much...but you never know. In your case you wont need it...
Hope this isn't too off topic....I'm curious if you ever plugged the VT pedal into the Micro VR Effects return jack....bypassing the amps preamp....and how that worked out and how it compares to the Ampeg preamp.
I tried the Micro twice and I'm liking it....probably going to pick one up in a few weeks.
I have a VT pedal and just reaquired a BDDI Programmable....after trying the Micro, I wonder if I'll have any need for the VT pedal? The BDDI is married to my Vintage Ampeg SS combo....I was using a Behringer BDI21 for the last few weeks....the BDDI is an improvement and I treat as a part of that particular amp.
I might as well glue the BDDI to the top of that amp....cuz it's twice the amp with it than without....another case of Tech 21turning an ordinary amp into a much more useful package.
But if you don't have an ordinary or less than inspring amp....then you don't "need" a VT pedal.....so far to me the Micro is anything but ordinary and doesn't need any help from a pedal. Using the Micro as an example that is.
Of course if your amp is not in the Ampeg tone range and you can bypass the preamp....for $150 you get at least 3 more amp sounds out of your current rig. Thats pretty darn cool
All of you seem to forget that the sansamp is also great to record, i usually record with a miced amp on one track and the sansamp on another track and mix both...
Its also good to use as a DI during gigs, i usually have my amp, and i use either the DI out from my amp or the DI from the sansamp to go to the PA depending on what kind of gig it is...
Its not only good to make crap amps sound good, i have a Mesa Walkabout stack and some nice basses love my sound without it but i still use it really often... ( i do have the programable though , set to one really boomy bassy sound, one clangy sound and one overdriven sound)
Its also good to use as a DI during gigs, i usually have my amp, and i use either the DI out from my amp or the DI from the sansamp to go to the PA depending on what kind of gig it is...
Its not only good to make crap amps sound good, i have a Mesa Walkabout stack and some nice basses love my sound without it but i still use it really often... ( i do have the programable though , set to one really boomy bassy sound, one clangy sound and one overdriven sound)
i love my BDDI, but it's not something you add to your bass rig, it pretty much is your bass rig. i use mine with various power amps into various bass cabinets, and it kills for that rock pick sound.
This has NOT been my experience. Bypassed it sounds... bypassed. It does however buffer the signal. I don't care for that. My thunderfunk sounds punchier and more open due to whatever input impendence it has going on without having the bypassed SABDDI ehf'ing it up. In other words, it still affects your signal some even when bypassed, but the effect isn't anything, IME, as drastic as a mid scoop.
To OP, take a pass on the SABDDI unless you just want it. Your current setup is decent gear and I don't see one adding anything to your tone unless you just secretly yearn for the ampeg sound. SABDDI's are great for ampless gigs and making cheap backlines sound less cheap. They are also great as a backup amp. Mine goes with me to every gig as a backup. As a regular pedal in front of a high dollar amp though, it's worse than pointless. It'll usually make you sound worse.
All my $.02, IMO, IME, blah blah blah.....
