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So now I've got myself a SansAmp

L

LoveMyBass

Aug 18, 2009
16
0
#1
Well hello!

I recently bought myself a SansAmp Programmable Bass DI box. Neat little thing, I must say, but I tend to get on edge a bit when trying to get my sound right...

The case is the following: I play a Schecter Damien-IV, double EMG humbucker and EMG preamp (a guitar that's well worth its money!). I tend to hook it up to an Ahsdown MAG 300watt 4x10 + 1x15 stack. Pretty neat too. But as soon as I include the SansAmp in my chain (it's actually my only effects pedal, besides the built-in effects on the amp), my sound gets all messy and screwed. I don't really understand this, since I thought (like a lot of people on this forum) that the SansAmp would actually increase the quality of the sound of a metal bassplayer like me..... I tend to get really demotivated when my sound just isn't the way I like it. I tried every possible set-up (SansAmp in front of the Ahsdown's preamp, in effects loop, without the Ahsdown preamp turned on etc), but my sound just thins out, that's what happens. The natural sound of the bass (with some added high and lows dialled in from the on-board preamp) sounds SO much richer! I tried to fiddle around with every possible setting on the SansAmp (also tried the presets in the manual, ofcourse) but it still couldn't live up to the natural sound of the bass. I'm getting really frustrated, since that little box did set me back more then 200 bucks... Does anyone know how to get this to work straight? I'm really like trying to get a little bit more punch and grind (the David Ellefson-way, yaknow?)

Thanks a lot! =)
 
#4
I use the same unit into my markbass F500. I can't live without it. My main sound is the standard tube setup with all knobs at noon excep precense at about 8. I also use the blend all the way over. I really find this sound very punchy and my sound guy does as well. I use the middle setting for my passive bass to bring it up to a level with my Steinberger and then the third setting for me is a very bright sound sort of like Joe Jacksons Sunday papers album etc. Anyway I have loved these units for as long as they have been out. I also read recently here that if you turn the blend all the way off you can defeat the sansamp dreaded mid cut.

Here is a great site for settings...http://ericandchar.com/sansampbass/
 
#6
I have the same SansAmp that you do.

The advice given above is absolutely correct, a little bit goes a long way.

I am not familiar with your amplifier. However, because it has built in effects, this means that all of your effects come after the SansAmp. This may or may not be a good thing. I have found that my SansAmp works best as one of the last effects in the chain. I use only and envelope filter after it. Read your manual for more details.

I suggest turning off all of your other effects. Adjust the Sansamp to taste. Then add an effect. Adjust the effect to taste. Add another effect... adjust... and so on.

For what it is worth the "Crimson" and "Kings X" settings in the manual are really great for metal bass. The presets in that manual are a fantastic place to start. I use two of them, the SVT and FAT TUBE all the time. The third channel is my own recipe.

Hope this helps.

G

EDIT/Correction: I thought your amp had onboard effects. Re-reading your post I realize that it does not. However, same advice applies. Turn your preamps down and the SansAmp up. Adjust to taste little by little.

Try this: Plug your bass into the SansAmp and the SansAmp directly into the FX Return. This will bypass the amplifers preamp section. You can dial in a good tone on the SansAmp and then go back and add the preamp.

The preamp on your bass should be turned off, or way down. Add a little (very little) as needed. I bump my Fender Jag into active mode only when I need a little extra low end or little more mids.
 
#7
GreggBummer said:
I have the same SansAmp that you do.

The advice given above is absolutely correct, a little bit goes a long way.

I suggest turning off all of your other effects. Adjust the Sansamp to taste. Then add an effect. Adjust the effect to taste. Add another effect... adjust... and so on.

Try this: Plug your bass into the SansAmp and the SansAmp directly into the FX Return. This will bypass the amplifers preamp section. You can dial in a good tone on the SansAmp and then go back and add the preamp.

The preamp on your bass should be turned off, or way down. Add a little (very little) as needed. I bump my Fender Jag into active mode only when I need a little extra low end or little more mids.
Click to expand...

I agree and run my amp pretty much flat as well, I roll off some lows and punch the mids a bit for my FOH guy. I start the night flat on the bass (I have the same setup as you, dual emg's with BT pre amp). I only run one effect which is an octave box and I run that first, then the Sans Amp. I don't look at the sans amp as an effect, to me it is my main pre amp so again keep all of your other [reamps flat to start with. enjoy
 
#8
It took me a few years to start using my Behringer BDI21. Every time i tired i felt it just was too much.
I gave it another go earlier this year after a long break and i was knocked out by how good it made me sound. So good that i went and got a BDDI.

At fist i used the BDI21 with the blend full up but since i got the BDDI ive been using it with the blend on no more than around 10 o'clock for gigs, although full up when using it in to my PC.
I find my bass looses a bit of its character when the blend is full up so i like to get a nice mix of both. Sometimes ill turn the blend right off and just use the EQ section.

Even though ive gigged the same rigs for a few years i now cant gig without it.

Once you find its sweet spot for your tone you will then understand what its all about.
 

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