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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
#41
Love my Programmable so much, I decided to go with it as my main preamp. I also love the portability. I just bring it and my bass to rehearsal. The only thing that sucks is now I want to run it to my cabs for my on-stage monitor at gigs as well and use a power amp. But they dont have anything small to keep my portability thing going. I think the next thing Tech21 should make is a small lightweight power amp. I would love to not have to lug a head or huge poweramp around to gigs.
 
#43
I tried a BDDI in a shop the other day. It was instant bliss. I had a hard time finding a tone I DIDN"T like. I probably should have taken in my own bass, since the closest thing they had to my MIM Fender Jazz was the Squier version. Nonetheless, this box made that Squier sound especially nice. I would have bought the unit on the spot if I had the dough for it, but I tell you now: I WILL own one of those units.
 
#45
johnnycat42 said:
Love my Programmable so much, I decided to go with it as my main preamp. I also love the portability. I just bring it and my bass to rehearsal. The only thing that sucks is now I want to run it to my cabs for my on-stage monitor at gigs as well and use a power amp. But they dont have anything small to keep my portability thing going. I think the next thing Tech21 should make is a small lightweight power amp. I would love to not have to lug a head or huge poweramp around to gigs.
Click to expand...

Check out the Bass Power Engine 60 my friend.:hyper:
B
 
#47
I've got an RBI & an RPM. I play through the RPM more. The RBI is on loan to one of my friends at the moment, but the RPM comes with me to Chicago. If i am doing a recording session on electric-the RPM automatically comes along with me unless if i know it's going to be in an actual studio vs. a guy's apartment.

I also dig the tone of the RPM for upright bass. I highly doubt that i'll ever get rid of these 2 preamps.
 
#50
I use an RBI for a preamp in my rig and I think it's absolutely great. We did a fair gig a few weeks ago and numerous people came up to the soundman during the show and complimented on how good the bass sounded. Several guys asked me what I was using after the show and I told them, my old Carvin LB90 bass, Sansamp RBI, EBS MultiComp compressor(in the effects loop of RBI), Crown Macrotech 1200 amp and an EA NL-210 cabinet, nothing very fancy.

The RBI took me a little while to get really figured out too. For me the best settings are pre 50%, Blend 100%, Bass 50%, Mid 35%, Trebble 35%, Presence 0%, Level 70%.

Also, I found it better to run my Crown amp using the XLR output from the RBI(quieter) and then I use a Radial DI box to feed the PA from the normal Sansamp output.

I've used this thing for over 2 years now with no problems what so ever but my question still is, HOW DOES THIS THING WORK? How does it do what it does? Ever look inside of the RBI? There isn't much of anything in there!
 
#51
I have and use an RBI . . . and like DaveM above, it took me a longtime to figure it out. So, after reading many, many threads here on TB, I finally figured the thing out. I was almost ready to pitch it in the trash . . . but no way now!

The keys are the hookup, the settings on your amp, and the final settings on the RBI . . .

Thanks to everyone who submitted suggestions on other threads here!!!
 
#53
I've been using two SansAmps for awhile: RBI and RPM. Might as well add a pic!

l_54a058db2a51dc5eb3d1c8e49a00502c.png


I use two racks because the CA9 is so freakin' heavvvvy.
 
#54
Fuzzbass said:
I've been using two SansAmps for awhile: RBI and RPM. Might as well add a pic!

l_54a058db2a51dc5eb3d1c8e49a00502c.png


I use two racks because the CA9 is so freakin' heavvvvy.
Click to expand...

what happened to your stewart's? i know you are somewhat weight sensitive so that ca9 must really slam to justify carrying it!

JR
 
#56
JGR said:
what happened to your stewart's? i know you are somewhat weight sensitive so that ca9 must really slam to justify carrying it!

JR
Click to expand...

Stupidly I donated one of my Stewarts to a band I play in when their monitor amp failed, and a few months ago I lost one channel on my other one. I finished the gig just fine on channel B, but replaced it with the CA9 until the Stew is repaired (haven't gotten around to it yet).

The CA9 really does slam, it's more powerful than the Stew 2.1, but once the Stew is fully operational I'll put all my gear back in one rack. The CA9 alone weighs more than my entire 6 space Stewart rack rig.

Weight is just one of the nice features of the SansAmp products: the RBI and RPM together weigh no more than the average all-tube preamp.
 
#58
johnnycat42 said:
I think the next thing Tech21 should make is a small lightweight power amp. I would love to not have to lug a head or huge poweramp around to gigs.
Click to expand...

Ever try one of the Eden heads? They light, small, incredibly powerful and sound great. Next time I make an addition to my amp collection, it'll be an Eden head & cabinet.

Also, Crate made a 150 watt amp that is the size of a small paperback book. They called it the "powerblock".
One of the guitar players in a band I used to play for had one. I tried it. It was pretty transparent sounding. They go for about $150-$200 on Ebay.
 
#59
I opted for a Sansamp PSA-1 because I prefer recallable presets rather then dialing the amp or EQ onboard a bass.

I had the PSA-1 for one gig and promptly sold my Bmax-T which I had been in love with prior to the PSA. Another gig later and I ordered a new PSA 1.1 for it's additional functions and sold my PSA-1.


I'm very happy with what I can do with it sound wise, programmability wise, etc. And their people ahve been very responsive and helpful to any questions I've had.

And a pay-off gear shot...
Invalid Link Removed
 
#60
I run a BDDI into my SVT-4 into a 810 and everyone complements me on my tone. It took about 2 years to figure out how to work the thing, but now its with me everywhere I go.

I just purchased a RPM and it's not really what I was looking for. I'm undecided whether to sell the RPM and buy the RBI, or just save up so i can run them both.
 

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