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Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig v2

#61
Gravedigger Dav said:
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.
Click to expand...

The board is a Pedaltrain Nano. It comes with a carry case, but I use the Mono Classic Tick Accessory Case 2.0 because it attaches to my Mono gig bag.

The battery is an Anker A1271012 PowerCore 20100.

The 9v converter is a VHT Amplification Vooster Voltage Booster.
 
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#62
Having played a little more with the Fly Rig, I have some updated thoughts on how to get the most out of this pedal.

1) The compressor seems to offer a little bit of grit when it’s turned up high. It also gives a bit of a volume boost when the comp knob is turned up, so be careful and use the level knob to compensate. I initially had it dialed in around noon, but I’ve scaled it back to about 9:00 and I think it sounds nice without being too squishy.

2) The Sansamp section is very versatile, between the EQ and drive settings, the ability to switch channels, add “bite” and swap between Bass Driver DI and VT modes. I prefer the sound of the VT character with bite turned on, but you can get a LOT of different sounds using just this section.

3) Octafilter… let’s just say that this part of it is not nearly as user friendly as the other features of the pedal. It’s not bad, but it takes some getting used to. As a lot of users noted from the v1 of this pedal, the octaver by itself is not very good. Tracking is off, doesn’t sound great. If you just want an octave divider, get a separate pedal. However, when it’s blended in with the fuzz and envelope filter it does make a nice moog synth tone. Fuzz and envelope filter features both sound decent soloed, but switching between the different modes is finicky so don’t expect to be able to use more than one setting for a single set. Pick your favorite mode for this section, dial it in, and that’s what it will do.

4) One of the minor differences between v1 and v2 is that the headphone out switch was removed and replaced by a button to defeat cab simulation. I’ve played around with this a bit, honestly the difference is so slight to my ears that I really don’t see the point. I’d rather have a headphone output.

5) The chorus effect is pretty well designed and straightforward. Tuner works quite well and is easy to turn on and off.

My preferred settings on this are a little bit of compression, VT character and bite on the Sansamp, channel 1 with a little bit of drive and channel 2 with drive at about 12:00. Octafilter section is set to an aggressive fuzz tone so I can switch between clean (Sansamp off), dusty (Sansamp channel 1) dirty (channel 2), filthy (channel 2 + fuzz) or mud-caked (filthy + chorus). Most of the time I expect I will stick with the “dusty” mode, as a baseline it has a really nice tone and I’m excited to see how it plays in the mix with a band.
 
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#63
I was super stoked to see a BFR2 was released.

I was super bummed to read the octafilter is the same. It’s not that I couldn’t get it to do the Moog thing, it’s that I don’t need a Moog thing and would prefer something more useful… like a dedicated fuzz/distortion that doesn’t sound like crap on its own.

Colour me disappointed.
 
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#64
What they need to do is have a signature bassist make a signature flyrig. They have two guitarist flyrigs - Ritchie Kotzen and Paul Landers. Get a bassist in there that plays bass-specific effects sounds to put his or her spin on it. I bet the Octo-Filter would go away.

Hell, I'll be an endorser @tech21nyc

Same footprint
Take the compressor off of the footswitch and make it a button so it could be always on.
Boost as the first button.
SansAmp as the second button.
Fuzz/Distortion as the third button.
Fourth and Fifth buttons are custom and interchangeable via identical rotary buttons that can select any phaser, flanger, chorus, filter, etc....and if not too much to ask...delay.

I'd play that all day.
 
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#65
Mo'Phat said:
What they need to do is have a signature bassist make a signature flyrig. They have two guitarist flyrigs - Ritchie Kotzen and Paul Landers. Get a bassist in there that plays bass-specific effects sounds to put his or her spin on it. I bet the Octo-Filter would go away.

Hell, I'll be an endorser @tech21nyc

Same footprint
Take the compressor off of the footswitch and make it a button so it could be always on.
Boost as the first button.
SansAmp as the second button.
Fuzz/Distortion as the third button.
Fourth and Fifth buttons are custom and interchangeable via identical rotary buttons that can select any phaser, flanger, chorus, filter, etc....and if not too much to ask...delay.

I'd play that all day.
Click to expand...

It's not as full featured, but they do have a Steve Harris box. Invalid Link Removed
 
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#67
Zooberwerx said:
Strange. My v1 has the "headphone" icon / control which boosts the output when using headphones (duh!) or feeding a conventional power amp...feature appears to be missing on the v2 or am I missing something? Appreciate the update and hope things get straightened out!

Riis
Click to expand...
Has been replaced and is covered in the Youtube vid apparently this was what caused most user issues(?)
 
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#68
Mine's headed back to the dealer tomorrow. What a disappointment - the Octafilter tracks worse than any octaver I've ever tried, the chorus turns on for a full second before the tuner engages so you'd better make sure you've muted the strings before you hit the tuner (they should have made chorus activate on short-press switch release), and the thing clips WAY too easily with all my basses (all passive). The gain knobs go into an extreme setting at about 10:30 on the knob, so there's no sweet tubey overdrive.

I was so hoping this would replace my VT Bass DI + separate pedals, but every aspect of this device is considerably worse.

I've also owned the DUG which didn't have these problems.
 
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#69
Got a Bass Fly rig a month ago and have used it at rehearsals and gigs.
I like everthing about it except for the popping sound I get when I switch
from mute/tuner to live. I tell the FOH in advance where it's coming from.
Seems as if this could have been rectified before selling them.
For example my Line 6 G10 makes no popping noise when I remove it
when the axe is live.
 
#70
MrLenny1 said:
Got a Bass Fly rig a month ago and have used it at rehearsals and gigs.
I like everthing about it except for the popping sound I get when I switch
from mute/tuner to live. I tell the FOH in advance where it's coming from.
Seems as if this could have been rectified before selling them.
For example my Line 6 G10 makes no popping noise when I remove it
when the axe is live.
Click to expand...

That's odd, I don't get the pop noise when I switch between my tuner and instrument. Maybe reach out to tech 21 and see if you have a defective unit?
 
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#72
Mine just got in today, getting in some play time on the lunch hour. Been a few years since I'd been looking forward to get a pedal, need to spend some time with it before final judgement, but first impression is damn good ! Got it because it offered VT sounds, in 2 channels and that itself was good enough to pull the trigger.

EDIT: haven't tried it on the gigging board yet, but this should simplify my set up: I'll be taking out Tuner, Bass Clone and BSW and be adding an MS60B in the loop (reverb).

Current board:
IMG_E1496.JPG
 
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#73
Bassmike62 said:
Mine just got in today, getting in some play time on the lunch hour. Been a few years since I'd been looking forward to get a pedal, need to spend some time with it before final judgement, but first impression is damn good ! Got it because it offered VT sounds, in 2 channels and that itself was good enough to pull the trigger.
Click to expand...

Yes, I really appreciate the ability to switch channels. You can either set it up as a boost, with similar gain levels but higher output on channel 2, or a clean/dirty switch. I personally like my channel 1 setting with the gain at about 9:00, that's mostly clean unless I really dig in and then I get a little grit. Channel 2 is around 12:00 which is dirty but not overpowering. I use the fuzz switch for when I want to get really dirty.
 
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#74
The more I read about the Bass Fly Rig, the more interested I get. I currently use three ODs, an octave, a chorus, and a compressor on my board, plus a BDDI for going going direct to the board, so this looks like a great fit for me.

Not sure it would replace my board since I have a few other utility pedals on it that I don't want to give up, plus my octave and chorus have features I really like. But, my board is quite a bit bigger than the BFR so this might be a good option for when we're playing in a really tight area as well as for rehearsals. I'll have to give it some serious consideration.
 
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#75
dave64o said:
The more I read about the Bass Fly Rig, the more interested I get. I currently use three ODs, an octave, a chorus, and a compressor on my board, plus a BDDI for going going direct to the board, so this looks like a great fit for me.

Not sure it would replace my board since I have a few other utility pedals on it that I don't want to give up, plus my octave and chorus have features I really like. But, my board is quite a bit bigger than the BFR so this might be a good option for when we're playing in a really tight area as well as for rehearsals. I'll have to give it some serious consideration.
Click to expand...

With the effects loop you can use the BFR as the main part of your board. It's a pretty flexible tool.
 
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#76
dave64o said:
The more I read about the Bass Fly Rig, the more interested I get. I currently use three ODs, an octave, a chorus, and a compressor on my board, plus a BDDI for going going direct to the board, so this looks like a great fit for me.

Not sure it would replace my board since I have a few other utility pedals on it that I don't want to give up, plus my octave and chorus have features I really like. But, my board is quite a bit bigger than the BFR so this might be a good option for when we're playing in a really tight area as well as for rehearsals. I'll have to give it some serious consideration.
Click to expand...

The guitarists in my band are all jealous when they drag in their big heavy boards to rehearsal and have to search for a free outlet to plug in. I just whip out the BFR from my gig bag, connect the battery pack that's mounted on my Nano pedal board and I'm good to go ;)
 
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