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Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig v2
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
Looking over the manual, it appears that the headphone button has been replaced by a "speaker simulation" function. From the manual:
"Speaker simulation is an integral part of the SansAmp circuitry. It is designed for a smooth, even response as would be achieved by a multiply-miked cabinet, without the peaks, valleys, and notches associated with single miking. The shape of the speaker curve will not adversely effect or interfere with the frequency response of your own cabinet. The speaker simulation works in tandem with the EQ controls to custom tailor the overall sound. The built-in speaker simulation can also be used independently from the SansAmp section. This enables you to run the Comp section, or an external pedal (OD, fuzz, distortion, etc.), through the speaker simulation. This is useful for running into a full range speaker system or recording interface. If desired, you can defeat the speaker simulation by disengaging the speaker switch (up position).
NOTE: The speaker simulation defeat function will only affect the 1/4” output."
I gotta be honest, I got lost about halfway through reading that. Can someone dumb it down for me?
"We like the speaker simulation. We think you can run it FOH or to your amp and still sound good. It works even if you turn the sansamp section off, like a seperate pedal at the end of the chain.
"If you don't like it push the speaker button to turn it off and the 1/4 jack wont use it. You don't get a choice on the xlr side."
This is how I read it.
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Tech 21's stock-in-trade is their speaker emulation. IOW, the component is designed to sound like a full-blown mic'd-up bass rig (SVT?) without the hassle of dragging around 200 lbs of gear...fair enough. The signal (...replete w/ cab emulation) is ever-present at the XLR / DI (FOH mixer) but defeatable at the 1/4" output (> amp). The speaker emulation may be used independently of the other BFR components (SansAmp, compressor, etc) which is handy for folks who kick these features in & out.
Riis
Thanks, that makes sense now. Not sure I see this feature as an improvement over having a headphone output, but I think other changes make the v2 look like a better design overall.
Clarification regarding the v1: the cab sim is full-time in the SansAmp section and can not be defeated. This has not been a problem for me.
Riis
I mean... If someone doesn't like the sound of the cab simulation, which is a major selling point of the Sansamp... then why buy a Sansamp? I just don't see the point in including the cab simulation defeat switch.
According to Tech21's comments on YouTube the often maligned Octa-filter-fuzz circuit is the same as version 1. That's disappointing.
Thanks for pointing to this. I found this comment you mentioned from the YouTube comments section and I have further thoughts.
"The often misunderstood Octafilter tracks fine when used properly. While analog octave dividers are inherently quirky, we chose that sound because it's a unique, distinctive, deep sound that cannot be achieved in any other way. With that being said, there is a slight learning curve and there are certain "dos and don'ts." We will be doing a Studio 21 Tech Tip Tidbit video in the next couple of weeks to shed some light and demonstrate how to get the best results."
I'm glad that they plan on creating a tidbit video considering that both the V1 and V2 manuals don't state the aforementioned "dos and don'ts". Unfortunately, many of the YouTube reviewers out there ended up twiddling the V1 Octafilter section knobs in confusion for a minute or two and may have unintentionally left an unfair impression of the Octafilter section in the minds of potential V1 customers. I don't own the V1 so I don't know, but I am very interested in the V2 and would love to see this upcoming tidbit video from Tech 21.
For those curious, in my opinion the most informative V1 overview I could find on YouTube is, "funkebass - Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig- Manual 'Presets' Demo", as he went through the V1 manual and presets, and he made small adjustments while talking through his findings for 30 minutes.
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That is good to hear. I ordered one of the V2 models recently, though the inclusion of the octave/fuzz/envelope filter/chorus effects were more of a "that's nice to have to mess around with for fun" feature. Mainly I'm interested in having the Sansamp with a channel switch, compressor, and tuner all in one unit. However, I will experiment with the effects end of the unit and I'll certainly keep my eyes peeled for the tech tips video.
I've been able to find a bunch of useful tones from the EFX section. Some good filter tones and the octave is useful, too.
Well now I have a decision to make as gigs (and therefore GAS) are coming back. I’m new to preamps and effects. I like simplicity and I’m not much of a tone chaser. I tend to dial in something I can work with quickly and use the tone and pickup pan knobs on my bass for on the fly adjustment.
For the last couple years I’ve been using the Tone Hammer DI with good results. What’s missing are compression, cab sim, and tuner/mute switch. The demo video for the BFR v2 sounds great. Don’t know what I would do with the effects but they sound fun.
So, buy the new thing? Or build a baby board with the TH DI?
For the last couple years I’ve been using the Tone Hammer DI with good results. What’s missing are compression, cab sim, and tuner/mute switch. The demo video for the BFR v2 sounds great. Don’t know what I would do with the effects but they sound fun.
So, buy the new thing? Or build a baby board with the TH DI?
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I don't know what they mean by saying that the lousy tracking of the octave section is due to misusing it. I've used many analogue octaves and I know that you'll get better tracking with a clean technique, muting the other strings, using it on the higher register. But no matter how I've tried to use the octave in the BFR v1 it simply was the worst tracking one I've ever tried and I've used quite a few... And the filter was also unusable on its own.
To me the Octafilter was the worst part of the pedal and I hoped they had listenned to what the costumers said and updated that section but from what you've written above I guess it is a perfectly designed section and it was all our fault if the sound was sh...y because we just didn't know how to use it...
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Just got notified that Sweetwater has the Fly Rig v2 in stock, the one I ordered a couple of weeks ago is on its way to me. I will post again with my thoughts on it once I get it and have a chance to play around with it.
I recently picked up BFR2 and I'm very impressed. I'm using a EMG equipped Fender American Elite Jazz Bass or a Passive Squier CV bass. I mounted it on a Pedal Train Nano and am powering it with a larger Anker battery going into a VHT Vooster 9v converter. I like being able to not be tied down to a power adaptor and I can get days and days worth of juice from the Anker. It packs nicely into my Mono Tick bag.
Just a touch of the comp is all I need to smooth things out. It's easy to dial.
I like the Sansamp options, very flexible with the character switch and nice to have a grindy option with a touch more volume. The controls are very wide ranging, and it took a while to get used to the adjustability. I can get a nice SVT tone and beyond. This is the best part of the pedal. Very useful, versatile and solid option.
I see a lot of folks complaining about the Octafilter. It's not that bad, especially with the compressor engaged. I'm discovering plenty of usable tones. Tracking is as stable as an analog unit can be with an accurate touch and clean playing style. The fuzz is nasty and sustains forever.
The tuner is working fine for my 4 string, not too much bouncing around and easy to see in low light. I have not tried tuning a 5 string.
I'm not a big chorus guy, but if I ever need it it's there and useable.
I can take or leave the speaker sim when I'm just running it through my amp. Direct to my DAW it sounds balanced and natural. Super low noise floor. I haven't had a chance to use it in a gig situation yet, but venues are starting to open and I look forward to booking some shows and putting it through its paces live.
As a reference point, my old board was loaded with a BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft tuner, Strymon OB-1 compressor (bass mod version), Darkglass Vintage Microtubes, EHX Bass Microsynth, Death By Audio Fuzz War, and a Noble Preamp DI. It sounded great, but was big to haul around and too much for gig applications.
Just a touch of the comp is all I need to smooth things out. It's easy to dial.
I like the Sansamp options, very flexible with the character switch and nice to have a grindy option with a touch more volume. The controls are very wide ranging, and it took a while to get used to the adjustability. I can get a nice SVT tone and beyond. This is the best part of the pedal. Very useful, versatile and solid option.
I see a lot of folks complaining about the Octafilter. It's not that bad, especially with the compressor engaged. I'm discovering plenty of usable tones. Tracking is as stable as an analog unit can be with an accurate touch and clean playing style. The fuzz is nasty and sustains forever.
The tuner is working fine for my 4 string, not too much bouncing around and easy to see in low light. I have not tried tuning a 5 string.
I'm not a big chorus guy, but if I ever need it it's there and useable.
I can take or leave the speaker sim when I'm just running it through my amp. Direct to my DAW it sounds balanced and natural. Super low noise floor. I haven't had a chance to use it in a gig situation yet, but venues are starting to open and I look forward to booking some shows and putting it through its paces live.
As a reference point, my old board was loaded with a BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft tuner, Strymon OB-1 compressor (bass mod version), Darkglass Vintage Microtubes, EHX Bass Microsynth, Death By Audio Fuzz War, and a Noble Preamp DI. It sounded great, but was big to haul around and too much for gig applications.
That was hard to watch. I have a hard time believing that all the people who struggled with the octafilter are unaware of how an octave divider works best, but maybe I'm mistaken.
Agreed. I think Tech 21 misses the mark regarding what most players want out of a fuzz, octave, and filter. I guess it's great if you're going for the "monophonic Moog tones" or whatever they called it. I just want a usable fuzz, a usable octave, and a usable filter.
