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Something cool for Sansamp RBI/RPM users...

My concern is that the signal out of the RPM will be substainally weaker than the RBI with the Level knobs in the same place, in which case the RBI will need to be lowered to match the actual audible levels, and therefore my overall volume would be less than what I can get with just a single, distorted RPM...

The RPM has more than enough output to drive a power amp with the Blend turned off. We're not quite sure what you are trying to accomplish. Do you want both sounds simultaneously or do you want to toggle between them. There is a way to chain two of our rack mount units together. This is illustrated in the manual. Basically, they are in series and when one unit is off the other is turned on. We recommend setting the levels to match.

You could possibly run the uneffected output to the British or another unit and feed that into the EFX return set to 50/50. It's hard to say how well it will work as EQ's tend to shift the phase which may not produce the results your looking for. Also if you want to bring the British in and out when you switch it off your straight signal will still be present. You could get around that by inserting a mute of some sort before the British.
 
The RPM has more than enough output to drive a power amp with the Blend turned off. We're not quite sure what you are trying to accomplish. Do you want both sounds simultaneously or do you want to toggle between them. There is a way to chain two of our rack mount units together. This is illustrated in the manual. Basically, they are in series and when one unit is off the other is turned on. We recommend setting the levels to match.

You could possibly run the uneffected output to the British or another unit and feed that into the EFX return set to 50/50. It's hard to say how well it will work as EQ's tend to shift the phase which may not produce the results your looking for. Also if you want to bring the British in and out when you switch it off your straight signal will still be present. You could get around that by inserting a mute of some sort before the British.
Thanks! Yes, I'm looking to do something as described in the second paragraph - have the RPM set for clean lows and the RBI or the British Pedal for distorted highs and then mixed together before it hits the power amp and cabinet... Sort of like your bi-amping feature in the manual but with one amp.

If I were to use the Effects Loop with the 50/50 switch engaged and muted the effect in the Loop (either with the British with a mute switch inline (like using a tuner) or the RBI disengaged by the foot-switch), would the muted signal still be present in 50% of the RPM's effect loop, or would the RPM act as if the cable was I unplugged from the RPM's Effect Send and the RPM would be 100% of the output?
 
If you're running say the British into the efx loop of the RPM and use a mute ahead of it there will be no signal to pass through. The foot switch/active function on the RBI/RPM/VT Bass Rack toggle between on and bypass just like on the pedal versions. I think possibly for what you want to do an ABY switcher might be your best bet. You would be able to select the RPM or British/RBI or both units together.

So basically if you want to just bring in the distortion channel via the efx loop you can do it without an ABY box. If you want to be able to use the distortion channel without the bypassed signal from the RPM the ABY box is probably the better bet. You can still try it without. It's possible that depending upon your settings the uneffected signal coming through may be at a low enough level that it won't make a difference. I would just experiment and see what works best.
 
If you're running say the British into the efx loop of the RPM and use a mute ahead of it there will be no signal to pass through. The foot switch/active function on the RBI/RPM/VT Bass Rack toggle between on and bypass just like on the pedal versions. I think possibly for what you want to do an ABY switcher might be your best bet. You would be able to select the RPM or British/RBI or both units together.

So basically if you want to just bring in the distortion channel via the efx loop you can do it without an ABY box. If you want to be able to use the distortion channel without the bypassed signal from the RPM the ABY box is probably the better bet. You can still try it without. It's possible that depending upon your settings the uneffected signal coming through may be at a low enough level that it won't make a difference. I would just experiment and see what works best.
Great! Thanks for your help!
 
this blending in parallel is fascinating
few questions:
could you do this with an rbi and paradriver di pedal
I understand the para has no loop so perhaps not
or
would this basically be comparable to say running the paradriver into the sidechain effects loop of an Eden navigator
trying to experiment with what I have
i do not own an rbi but am curious about clean/ dirty separate adjustments with one poweramp/ cab setup
thAnks
 
this blending in parallel is fascinating
few questions:
could you do this with an rbi and paradriver di pedal
I understand the para has no loop so perhaps not
or
would this basically be comparable to say running the paradriver into the sidechain effects loop of an Eden navigator
trying to experiment with what I have
i do not own an rbi but am curious about clean/ dirty separate adjustments with one poweramp/ cab setup
thAnks
If you had a RBI, you would plug your bass into the RBI's input. Then you run a cable from the RBI's unaffected output into the ParaDriver's input, and then another from the ParaDriver's output into the RBI's Effects Return. Use the 50/50 switch on the RBI to blend between the two in parallel.

Use the ParaDriver's level knob to adjust the Blend ratio, and use the RBI's level knob as a master volume.
 
If you had a RBI, you would plug your bass into the RBI's input. Then you run a cable from the RBI's unaffected output into the ParaDriver's input, and then another from the ParaDriver's output into the RBI's Effects Return. Use the 50/50 switch on the RBI to blend between the two in parallel.

Use the ParaDriver's level knob to adjust the Blend ratio, and use the RBI's level knob as a master volume.
I'm thinking about using an RPM with a VTDI; I assume they would work together in the same way?
 
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I'm thinking about using an RPM with a VTDI; I assume they would work together in the same way?
It seems like you could do this with any pedal into the RPM/RBI/VTRM's effect return with the 50/50 switch engaged and it should work in the same way.

I did do some testing regarding the Effect Return with the 50/50 switch engaged...

I plugged my bass into the RPM's input, and an electric guitar into the Effect Return. I muted the guitar (rolled the volume knob to 0) and played drone notes on the bass, as I pulled the guitar cable out of the Effect Return there was a spike in volume (I don't think it doubled necessarily, but it was substantial). What this means is that with the 50/50 switch engaged, the RPM's signal is dampened so that the external pedal's signal can be added to the RPM's signal without being too loud... What this also means is that if you want to mute the external pedal, you will experience a volume drop from when both devices are active, unless you pull the cable out of the RPM/RBI/VTRM's Effect Return.

After this, I ran a cable right from the RPM's Uneffected Output to the Effect Return to duplicate bypassing a pedal instead of muting it and the same thing happened - there was a volume drop that went away when I unplugged the cable from the Effect Return... I guess the uneffected output is a pretty low signal. I actually couldn't hear a difference in volume if I kept the cable plugged into the Effect Return and pulled the cable out of the Uneffected Output, but the volume drop was present the whole time.

... Mind you, this isn't an issue if you're looking for a great "always on" tone.

I thought I did too, but realized I'd much prefer a warmer tone with only a hint of overdrive, and then be able to blend it (via footswitch) with a signal comprising of distorted upper mids and highs.

There are a couple of ways to do this though:

(1) as Tech21 mentioned above, grab an ABY switch. Run the Uneffected Output into your distortion (or other effect pedals) to one channel, and run the Effect Send to a volume pedal (adjusted to correct for the volume drop) into the other channel, and then use the ABY footswitches to toggle between the two.

(2) in the RPM manual (Invalid Link Removed) there's a diagram that shows a way to connect an RPM and an RBI (or a VTRM or another RPM) in series, and using a footswitch to toggle between them. If you added another RPM/RBI/VTRM unit, you should be able to run it in parallel with one of the others and then you could use the footswitch to toggle between one unit just running a clean tone, and the other two units which are running parallel with each other in tandem.
 
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If you had a RBI, you would plug your bass into the RBI's input. Then you run a cable from the RBI's unaffected output into the ParaDriver's input, and then another from the ParaDriver's output into the RBI's Effects Return. Use the 50/50 switch on the RBI to blend between the two in parallel.

Use the ParaDriver's level knob to adjust the Blend ratio, and use the RBI's level knob as a master volume.
cheers man, that sounds great
 
It seems like you could do this with any pedal into the RPM/RBI/VTRM's effect return with the 50/50 switch engaged and it should work in the same way.

I did do some testing regarding the Effect Return with the 50/50 switch engaged...

I plugged my bass into the RPM's input, and an electric guitar into the Effect Return. I muted the guitar (rolled the volume knob to 0) and played drone notes on the bass, as I pulled the guitar cable out of the Effect Return there was a spike in volume (I don't think it doubled necessarily, but it was substantial). What this means is that with the 50/50 switch engaged, the RPM's signal is dampened so that the external pedal's signal can be added to the RPM's signal without being too loud... What this also means is that if you want to mute the external pedal, you will experience a volume drop from when both devices are active, unless you pull the cable out of the RPM/RBI/VTRM's Effect Return.

After this, I ran a cable right from the RPM's Uneffected Output to the Effect Return to duplicate bypassing a pedal instead of muting it and the same thing happened - there was a volume drop that went away when I unplugged the cable from the Effect Return... I guess the uneffected output is a pretty low signal. I actually couldn't hear a difference in volume if I kept the cable plugged into the Effect Return and pulled the cable out of the Uneffected Output, but the volume drop was present the whole time.

... Mind you, this isn't an issue if you're looking for a great "always on" tone.

I thought I did too, but realized I'd much prefer a warmer tone with only a hint of overdrive, and then be able to blend it (via footswitch) with a signal comprising of distorted upper mids and highs.

There a couple of ways to do this though:
(1) as Tech21 mentioned above, grab an ABY switch. Run the Uneffected Output into your distortion (or other effect pedals) to one channel, and run the Effect Send to a volume pedal adjusted to correct for the volume drop into the other channel, and then use the ABY footswitches to toggle between the two.

(2) in the RPM manual (Invalid Link Removed) there's a diagram that shows a way to connect an RPM and an RBI (or a VTRM or another RPM) in series, and using a footswitch to toggle between them. If you added another RPM/RBI/VTRM unit, you should be able to run it in parallel with one of the others and then you could use the footswitch to toggle between one unit just running a clean tone, and the other two units which are running parallel with each other in tandem.
Thanks alot, that's good to know!
 
ok so would you think a psa1 would work with another clean pedal like paradriver for some sort of blend
I've heard of the PSA, but I've never paid much attention to it until now... I just checked out the manual, and it does not have an Uneffected Output, so you could use it to blend with other effects, but the signal you'll be working with will have to be from the Effect Send (which is likely after the PSA's EQ and tone controls).

I'm not sure if you can toggle between it and another unit in series by using the footswitch either. The manual doesn't show it like it does with the RPM/RBI/VTRM's.
 
I've heard of the PSA, but I've never paid much attention to it until now... I just checked out the manual, and it does not have an Uneffected Output, so you could use it to blend with other effects, but the signal you'll be working with will have to be from the Effect Send (which is likely after the PSA's EQ and tone controls).

I'm not sure if you can toggle between it and another unit in series by using the footswitch either. The manual doesn't show it like it does with the RPM/RBI/VTRM's.

interesting
i would figure this would b the most ideal way to run the psa1-- with a clean blend in parallel
hummm, probably best used in an A/B rig clean/ dirt

perhaps this is why a pedal like the darkglass b7k ultra is so popular for distorted tonrs with clean blend and independent switching
 
interesting
i would figure this would b the most ideal way to run the psa1-- with a clean blend in parallel
hummm, probably best used in an A/B rig clean/ dirt

perhaps this is why a pedal like the darkglass b7k ultra is so popular for distorted tonrs with clean blend and independent switching
Yeah, I was looking at the B7K Ultra too, but for what I'm looking to do, I really want separate EQ's for the clean channel and dirty channel... Also, its drive doesn't seem to enhance the EQ's settings - instead, the distortion seems to have a baked in tone in itself, separate from the EQ, which seems like an odd (and unfavourable) choice to me.

The Two Notes Le Bass preamp is very close to what I want, but I have pretty specific goals, and not having a mid control on Channel A would prevent me from doing exactly what I want.

The Source Audio Aftershock pedal in two channel/parallel mode is very close as well, but seems to have a high end roll off between 3-5k depending on the drive emulation used, which is too low for me...

So, yeah, I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point... Hopefully, you're not as picky as me.

... Thinking about it some more, the B7K Ultra or the Vintage Ultra may not be that bad as long as the baked in distortion tone matches what I'd be looking for. I'd just need to set up the EQ for the clean tone I'm looking for... I do wish there was some tone control for the distortion though.
 
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Yeah, I was looking at the B7K Ultra too, but for what I'm looking to do, I really want separate EQ's for the clean channel and dirty channel... Also, it's drive doesn't seem to enhance the EQ's settings - instead, the distortion seems to have a baked in tone in itself, separate from the EQ, which seems like an odd (and unfavourable) choice to me.

The Two Notes Le Bass preamp is very close to what I want, but I have pretty specific goals, and not having a mid control on Channel A would prevent me from doing exactly what I want.

The Source Audio Aftershock pedal in two channel/parallel mode is very close as well, but seems to have a high end roll off between 3-5k depending on the drive emulation used, which is too low for me...

So, yeah, I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point... Hopefully, you're not as picky as me.

nothing wrong with that

i seem to agree that separate eq for each is essential
having a dirt rig and a clean rig is the way to go
but thats alot of cabinet
i have a bassman 100t with channel switching
this is most likely the closest way to have a clean channel one and a dirty with blend channel two
all in one amp/ one cab setup
i was curious about the psa1 with paradriver to have a solid state alternative
what about an eden navigator preamp with psa1 in the side chain effects
just thinking out loud
 
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nothing wrong with that

i seem to agree that separate eq for each is essential
having a dirt rig and a clean rig is the way to go
but thats alot of cabinet
i have a bassman 100t with channel switching
this is most likely the closest way to have a clean channel one and a dirty with blend channel two
all in one amp/ one cab setup
i was curious about the psa1 with paradriver to have a solid state alternative
what about an eden navigator preamp with psa1 in the side chain effects
just thinking out loud
Not too sure about the Eden navigator preamp. It looks interesting, but I'm not sure if the side chain blends into the signal though (I couldn't find a manual), but maybe the Aux In would work if you could get a duplicate signal from the bass into it... If the side chain send is before the EQ and such then maybe that would work.

Also I was thinking about the B7K/Vintage Ultra some more and remembered the Grunt/Attack switches which are for the distortion side, so maybe I can use those to get the distortion tone I'm looking for... I'll need to re-watch some videos of the two to see if either will work for me now that I understand how use the EQ (I watched the videos thinking the EQ effected the distortion, so my opinion was a bit skewed).
 
Yeah, I was looking at the B7K Ultra too, but for what I'm looking to do, I really want separate EQ's for the clean channel and dirty channel... Also, its drive doesn't seem to enhance the EQ's settings - instead, the distortion seems to have a baked in tone in itself, separate from the EQ, which seems like an odd (and unfavourable) choice to me.

The Two Notes Le Bass preamp is very close to what I want, but I have pretty specific goals, and not having a mid control on Channel A would prevent me from doing exactly what I want.

The Source Audio Aftershock pedal in two channel/parallel mode is very close as well, but seems to have a high end roll off between 3-5k depending on the drive emulation used, which is too low for me...

So, yeah, I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point... Hopefully, you're not as picky as me.

... Thinking about it some more, the B7K Ultra or the Vintage Ultra may not be that bad as long as the baked in distortion tone matches what I'd be looking for. I'd just need to set up the EQ for the clean tone I'm looking for... I do wish there was some tone control for the distortion though.
There's a lot of ways to skin a cat (or so I'm told).
You could get a head that has two preamp channels like the EA Doubler: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Or you could get something like the Empress ParaEq to run inline with the pedal of choice: ParaEq
I haven't really used pedals, so I'm just grasping at straws - for me, I suspect the RPM by itself might cover what I'd like to do, but I'm tempted by the VTDI buzz.
A digital modeler would work, one of my band's lead guitarists uses the latest, greatest Axe Fx, then there's Line 6 or the Kemper Profiler.