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Tech 21 appreciation thread

What do you think of Tech 21 products?

  • I'm in the wrong thread and hate them!

    Votes: 20 7.8%

  • They're okay, but where are the tubes damnit?

    Votes: 65 25.5%

  • My first child will be named SansAmp!

    Votes: 170 66.7%
  • Total voters
    255
#22
... urgh. Kate Bradley & band did an industry showcase gig last night, backline provided. There was supposed to be a GK 800RB head + 15" cab at our venue, but the place around the corner ended up using the rig. We got stuck with a H&K combo (what the hell kind of cheap-**** backline co. uses H&K?), so my LM300 head was a wasted load-in.

I did what I could with the sound, but it was nasty - next item on the agenda is a used BDDI, for those just-in-case situations.
 
#24
Hi, nobody using the PSA-1?

I´m running a two channel rig. Setup is: EBMM50 -> MXR-M80 -> 1st output to channel 1 of my poweramp -> 1x15 Mesa
-> 2nd output of M80 (clean sound) to Sansamp PSA-1 -> channel 2 of poweramp -> 4x10 Mesa.
In the effects chain of the PSA I use a Rocktron xpression for some chorus and delay once in a while.
By that I always have a clean sound on the 15", which never changes and gives me a good bottom end. With the Sansamp I´m able to change between clean slap sound to cranked SVT or Bassman (and differing effects) with just one step on the midi board.
I simply love the differing sounds this unit is able to provide.
 
#27
ihateusernames said:
Every time I sell a Sansamp product I end up buying another one. They make some wonderful tools for musicians.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm feeling the same way. I used to have a BDDI and a GT2 (used mainly for guitar but it sounded great on bass as well) and I'm finding that I miss them. So yeah, another round of Tech 21 stuff is in the cards, probably a Para Driver DI and a Trademark 30 guitar combo amp this time.
 
#28
I've had my RBI for 3 years and still have no gas for any other preamp or head.I had the BDDI for a couple years before that and loved it too.One of my buddys uses Eden heads and keeps on me to change but I have no desire to.I really like the direct out volume control on the front for live and recording.It's nice to be able to change your volume without affecting the direct out.
 
#29
I never tire of seeing the grateful grin spread across the face of any House Sound Engineer worth his salt when he discovers the SABDDI on my pedalboard. One less thing for HIM to worry about then. ;) ;) ;) ;) Incredibly, it still seems to be something of a rarity in the UK, or certainly at the sort of gigs we are playing.:D :D

I bought mine about 5 or 6 years ago and have NEVER gigged rehearsed or recorded without it since. I truly is the Swiss Army Knife for bass IMHO.

I can't believe that people are STILL complaining about the lack of Mid control. Surely, there can't be anyone on the planet who doesn't yet realise that all the controls are ACTIVEand that rolling back the Treble and/or Bass will effectively BOOST the mids - can there???:confused:
 
#31
I almost sold mine before I started playing bigger venues. I was playing really small clubs and only used it once in a while for @ home recordings.
Now I'm playing mid size venues it's almost indispensable. Like these guys are saying the sound guy loves it and the tone I get thru the house PA systems sounds so mammoth and sweet. It's the one of the best investments you'll make on a small piece of gear. And it really does sound sweet when used to record. I mic the cab and run a signal DI'd via the BDDI. Then have the engineer get a nice mix of the two. Mammoth! Gives a full layered tone. If you don't have one you need to get one. Small, runs on batteries, has the basic stuff you need to get a great bass tone. What more do you want?
 
#32
bassicinstinct said:
I never tire of seeing the grateful grin spread across the face of any House Sound Engineer worth his salt when he discovers the SABDDI on my pedalboard. One less thing for HIM to worry about then. ;) ;) ;) ;) Incredibly, it still seems to be something of a rarity in the UK, or certainly at the sort of gigs we are playing.:D :D

I bought mine about 5 or 6 years ago and have NEVER gigged rehearsed or recorded without it since. I truly is the Swiss Army Knife for bass IMHO.

I can't believe that people are STILL complaining about the lack of Mid control. Surely, there can't be anyone on the planet who doesn't yet realise that all the controls are ACTIVEand that rolling back the Treble and/or Bass will effectively BOOST the mids - can there???:confused:
Click to expand...
I noticed that too, with the old band i used to play with, the practice room was in a recording studio run by a sound guy, he came in one time and was like, wooaaahh these things are great! and we had a nice chat about how ace sansamps are :cool:
 
#33
I'm waiting on my first BDDI to be delivered. Will take a couple of weeks as it's out of stock.......:mad:

I'm not sure if I'll be using it as a main preamp or in front of a head yet. Depends on what comes up on Ebay!
I hope it's even half as good as you guys say. Have heard some negative reports about it being too 'sterile'.
 
#36
Mine bailed me out of a rough spot 1st time I hit the stage with it. I simply wired something wrong in my haste, before a show, but nontheless, it demonstrated just how much of a life-saver the SABDDI really is. When I didn't get a signal to the backline, I simply let the signal go direct to the board and got through the set. Totally fell in love with the tone. 2nd set all was corrected and I haven't been on stage, studio or rehearsal with out it. Best piece of electronics I've spent my money on yet. Since getting my Lakland 5502, I don't run the blend all the way up as I did with my Fender P or Lakland 4401. With the pre in the 55-02, I only need about 50-60% and a little presence and bang, I'm in the sweet spot.
 
#37
nippes said:
Hi, nobody using the PSA-1?

I´m running a two channel rig. Setup is: EBMM50 -> MXR-M80 -> 1st output to channel 1 of my poweramp -> 1x15 Mesa
-> 2nd output of M80 (clean sound) to Sansamp PSA-1 -> channel 2 of poweramp -> 4x10 Mesa.
In the effects chain of the PSA I use a Rocktron xpression for some chorus and delay once in a while.
By that I always have a clean sound on the 15", which never changes and gives me a good bottom end. With the Sansamp I´m able to change between clean slap sound to cranked SVT or Bassman (and differing effects) with just one step on the midi board.
I simply love the differing sounds this unit is able to provide.
Click to expand...

I'm running the PSA 1.1 into my GK 800RB/Ampeg 412HLF setup. I use the Tech 21 MIDI Mouse pedal to change programs on the PSA. Great setup and great sounds. I like that with the PSA you can select a stomp box type distortion (like a Big Muff) and then adjust the bass knob to really give it some burls.

I also own the BDDI and use it in my studio for a DI on most bass players that come through. It consistently sounds great.
 
#38
btsabq said:
I'm running the PSA 1.1 into my GK 800RB/Ampeg 412HLF setup. I use the Tech 21 MIDI Mouse pedal to change programs on the PSA. Great setup and great sounds. I like that with the PSA you can select a stomp box type distortion (like a Big Muff) and then adjust the bass knob to really give it some burls.
Click to expand...

I'm still struggling with getting that perfect distortion for my rig - I've used a Boss MT-2, an op-amp Big Muff pi and an Ibanez FC-10 (ProCo Rat clone). Even with the RBIs fx loop on Blend, and eq to compensate on my Quadraverb, I cannot maintain bottom end with any of those distortions. My Warwick's basic clean tone has so much punch that I miss it when I kick in the dirt. I'm gunning for a PSA, big time :)

Also: bump!
 
#40
Had to chime in here. I've been using the BDDI since it first came out. To me there are three generations. The first had all controls inside and didn't have a 1/4 inch out. Great unit. The second added contorls on outside and the 1/4 inch out. Yowza, heavens door. The new one comes with more controls on it and can either be bought as a single unit or the 3 unit in one box. Now I have owned them all but had sell off the new generation as it added so much gain to my Jazz with EMG PUPS that I lost my mind and $$$. I kept thinking my noise issue was elsewhere... amps, PUPS what ever. Went through tons of dough on new gear and guitars. Then I bought a second generation on Ebay. I had sold mine when I wnt to 3rd generation. Bingo that was the issue. So I bought a second on ebay as backup and sold my new ones. So this is not a bash. I love the DI, basically I run it flat for tone and and run the balance all the way to the right. But the new ones are to hot. I did try the rack mpount unit but couldn't dial it in and returned it. Cheers Chris PP
 

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