I liked the explanation. Now I know what the goals were and I can decide if they are a fit for mine.
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Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig v2
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
I am probably an outlier as I've never been a pedal user in all my years of playing bass. I ordered the BFR2 since I wanted the Sansamp, compressor and tuner, and I consider the chorus and Octafilter extras that will be fun to play with (and probably convince me I need more pedals, because I know how this kind of thing goes). I have no idea how they're supposed to work so this was useful information for me, but again, I am probably an outlier.
I'm not against the idea of a video to teach how to use them, but this product has been around the block a few years with a ton of experienced effects users saying it's really hard to use and get good sounds out of. The stuff they described are the same things you'll use to get good tracking out of an OC2 or an octave multiplexor, and experienced effects users know how to use those.
I admittedly have yet to use the v2, so maybe it's working better now, but it's issues aren't ALL user error.
Another decision to make and rabbit hole to research. BFRv2 or digital multi like the Line 6 POD Go? Comp, preamps/EQ, cab sim, and tuner are my main wants. The amp models in the POD Go look intriguing but the intuitive layout of the BFRv2 speaks to me. Will it be worth my time and frustration to get the POD Go dialed in?
I did my research and concluded that the BFR2 was most likely the right option for me. I am not tossing any of the packaging though, at least until I'm certain I like the way it works and sounds. I may end up returning it and get a Bass Driver DI + MXR compressor + clip on tuner instead, though that will be considerably more expensive than the Fly Rig.
Your mileage may vary. I really like the sound of the Sansamp, but if that's not for you then a different setup might be appropriate.
My replacement unit is on the way from Sweetwater. Not due to arrive in time for my weekend gigs, so I'll use my v1 for those.
I’m getting to know mine.
I dig both of the channels, the chorus, compressor and tuner.
The controls and eq are pretty sensitive and interactive. The gain has a wide range, but it’s easy to dial in.
I wish it had the saturation control from the GED2112 for a beefier bottom end, and I’d gladly trade the less than impressive octafilter section for a good phaser.
I’ll reserve final judgment until I have tried it out at a rehearsal and a gig, but I think it’s a keeper.
I dig both of the channels, the chorus, compressor and tuner.
The controls and eq are pretty sensitive and interactive. The gain has a wide range, but it’s easy to dial in.
I wish it had the saturation control from the GED2112 for a beefier bottom end, and I’d gladly trade the less than impressive octafilter section for a good phaser.
I’ll reserve final judgment until I have tried it out at a rehearsal and a gig, but I think it’s a keeper.
Question for those who have had a chance to play with the unit. I understand it is only powered by a 9v power cable, no option for battery or phantom power. How long is the cord that comes with it? I am wondering if I'll need to pack a spare extension cord in my gig bag.
FedEx wasn't supposed to deliver this until Tuesday, but I guess it's my lucky day. I've only had about half an hour to play with it, so I'll share a full review later, but a few initial thoughts:
1) Build quality is superb, this feels very solidly constructed. I was actually surprised at how small it is, even having watched some demo videos it's quite compact. The metal tin it comes in is nice too, I doubt I will use it for storage but I will try to find some other use for it rather than throwing it away.
2) Fiddling with the knobs a bit and I can say they are quite sensitive. A little goes a long way here.
3) Compression sounds nice. I haven't played with the full range yet but dialed in at 12:00 it does exactly what I want it to.
4) Sansamp is the star of the show here. I will need to do a lot more fiddling with this but I dialed in a few of the recommended settings from the manual, and it sounds fantastic, especially using the compressor.
5) Octafilter section definitely has a steep learning curve. I got some fun tones out of it but haven't found anything I would want to use in an actual live setting yet. I know some folks have said that the tracking on the octaver is kind of shagy, I found that to be the case with some settings but not others. I feel that more experiments are needed before I can say whether I like this section or not.
6) Chorus is pretty straightforward and sounds nice. The tuner works great. I played with the cab simulation off/on and... I can't really tell a difference.
7) Overall, I'm pretty happy. I wanted a Sansamp, a compressor, and a quick and easy tuner. I got all that for $300, plus some other tools to fiddle with. Maybe I'll use them, maybe I won't, but I am happy with this purchase.
1) Build quality is superb, this feels very solidly constructed. I was actually surprised at how small it is, even having watched some demo videos it's quite compact. The metal tin it comes in is nice too, I doubt I will use it for storage but I will try to find some other use for it rather than throwing it away.
2) Fiddling with the knobs a bit and I can say they are quite sensitive. A little goes a long way here.
3) Compression sounds nice. I haven't played with the full range yet but dialed in at 12:00 it does exactly what I want it to.
4) Sansamp is the star of the show here. I will need to do a lot more fiddling with this but I dialed in a few of the recommended settings from the manual, and it sounds fantastic, especially using the compressor.
5) Octafilter section definitely has a steep learning curve. I got some fun tones out of it but haven't found anything I would want to use in an actual live setting yet. I know some folks have said that the tracking on the octaver is kind of shagy, I found that to be the case with some settings but not others. I feel that more experiments are needed before I can say whether I like this section or not.
6) Chorus is pretty straightforward and sounds nice. The tuner works great. I played with the cab simulation off/on and... I can't really tell a difference.
7) Overall, I'm pretty happy. I wanted a Sansamp, a compressor, and a quick and easy tuner. I got all that for $300, plus some other tools to fiddle with. Maybe I'll use them, maybe I won't, but I am happy with this purchase.
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Still playing around with it, but at the moment I really like how punchy the VT character is. I sort of wish I had the option to set a character mode for each channel, so I could switch back and forth easily.
That's my wish for v3. I keep my BDDI alongside the BFRv1 on my board in case I need THAT tone. A v2 may allow me leave the BDDI in the studio, but I’d still have to fiddle between songs to swap tones.
Speaking of fiddling, I get a decent MuTron-style filter sound from the OctaFilter section, and just leave it set there. I can’t easily change settings mid-gig (or mid-song in some cases), so I still use separate pedals for octave (OC-2) and fuzz (Big Muff “green Russian”). Not that the OctaFilter was an equal substitute for those pedals, but for a live scenario the best expectation is for the OctaFilter is to do one thing, not three.
Getting the VT sound and 2 channels plus a loop makes this thing terribly attractive.
Are the settings saveable like the old 3-channel PBDDI ? Manual doesn't seem to address this.
Are the settings saveable like the old 3-channel PBDDI ? Manual doesn't seem to address this.
Yeah, I came to the same conclusion. There are a few useful tones you can get from that section, but it's finicky enough to dial in that the reasonable thing to do is pick one sound you want the Octoftilter to make, and set it to do that. I think the envelope filter is a lot of fun when it's set up right, so that's probably what I'll do with it.
Everything else on this pedal is very intuitive and easy to figure out. Not sure why the Octafilter has to be such an enigma, but it is what it is.
This doesn't have a looper built in. Also no way to save settings, you'll have to twist the knobs every time you want to go back.
I just realized you probably meant an effects loop. It does have that.
Just got my replacement unit in and it works perfectly. Having 4 options between Bass Driver and VT is awesome.
I really like this setup. Can you please tell me the make/model for the board, the bag, and the power supply you are using? I would appreciate it. I just ordered a v2 and this looks like how I want to set it up.
