Tech 21 Club

[Nuisance]

Just moved to the dark side.

Been playing with various pedal based DI's (VT Bass, Mesa Subway DI, Trace Elliott Transit B, Markbass DI, etc.) for a long time, and recently got the itch to go with rack gear. So I purchased a three space rack, pitchblack tuner, new rack wireless, and a GED 2112 just based on all of the positive reviews.

I was initially concerned I wouldn't be able to dial in the GED to get just a touch of dirt, but that thing easily goes from totally clean to very mean......so no problem there. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I rarely used the footswitches on my pedalboard, so I'm happy to finally have the real estate between my feet and my mic stand clear again. So far it has been a great decision. The GED has been as good as any of my previous DI's. I'm now looking at my Mesa D800+ and wondering if I shouldn't just add a class D rackmount amp like the powerstage 700 as well (for the few times I actually play an amp on stage).

 

[paskisti]

Just moved to the dark side.

Been playing with various pedal based DI's (VT Bass, Mesa Subway DI, Trace Elliott Transit B, Markbass DI, etc.) for a long time, and recently got the itch to go with rack gear. So I purchased a three space rack, pitchblack tuner, new rack wireless, and a GED 2112 just based on all of the positive reviews.

I was initially concerned I wouldn't be able to dial in the GED to get just a touch of dirt, but that thing easily goes from totally clean to very mean......so no problem there. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I rarely used the footswitches on my pedalboard, so I'm happy to finally have the real estate between my feet and my mic stand clear again. So far it has been a great decision. The GED has been as good as any of my previous DI's. I'm now looking at my Mesa D800+ and wondering if I shouldn't just add a class D rackmount amp like the powerstage 700 as well (for the few times I actually play an amp on stage).

Did you set pre in series with jumper cable or do you run channels in parallel?

 

[Nuisance]

Did you set pre in series with jumper cable or do you run channels in parallel?

I run them in parallel to the board. When I get some time I'll try the tie jumper trick, but honestly I'm in no rush. We have plenty of free channels on the board.

 

[Nuisance]

What a sexy rig!

To keep the rack down to 3 spaces, I mounted the rack power module on the back side. This is my first go in years without a compressor. I found I was getting enough natural compression on the GED that I didn't really need a compressor anymore (hence the empty 1/2 rack of space on the bottom left).

 

[Riff Ranger]

I found I was getting enough natural compression on the GED that I didn't really need a compressor anymore

Same here with the YYZ and Para Driver. I remember reading in at least one of the manuals that it’s a likely outcome.

 

[paskisti]

I run them in parallel to the board. When I get some time I'll try the tie jumper trick, but honestly I'm in no rush. We have plenty of free channels on the board.

I'm running RBI/poweramp setting but would like to have better control over drive (wanting clean compressed low end). That's why I'm curious about using channels in series. New XB Driver would be perfect but I don't want pedal in my setting, and I already have DG B7K handling the drive side. Pure rack would be the easiest and the best for me. Maybe XB Driver will be in rack format some day.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Just moved to the dark side.

Been playing with various pedal based DI's (VT Bass, Mesa Subway DI, Trace Elliott Transit B, Markbass DI, etc.) for a long time, and recently got the itch to go with rack gear. So I purchased a three space rack, pitchblack tuner, new rack wireless, and a GED 2112 just based on all of the positive reviews.

I was initially concerned I wouldn't be able to dial in the GED to get just a touch of dirt, but that thing easily goes from totally clean to very mean......so no problem there. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I rarely used the footswitches on my pedalboard, so I'm happy to finally have the real estate between my feet and my mic stand clear again. So far it has been a great decision. The GED has been as good as any of my previous DI's. I'm now looking at my Mesa D800+ and wondering if I shouldn't just add a class D rackmount amp like the powerstage 700 as well (for the few times I actually play an amp on stage).

Right on!

I also use a GED-2112 in parallel. Although I’m running it into a Yamaha PX5 stereo power amp and into a pair of Mesa Powerhouse 212 cabinets.

I had never tried the Clean/Dirty setup until I bought the GED. My favorite way to describe the end result is “Earth Shattering”.

And I also enjoy how flexible the GED is tone wise. IMO, it also sounds great when I dial in cleaner settings from each channel.

 

[paskisti]

Right on!

I also use a GED-2112 in parallel. Although I’m running it into a Yamaha PX5 stereo power amp and into a pair of Mesa Powerhouse 212 cabinets.

I had never tried the Clean/Dirty setup until I bought the GED. My favorite way to describe the end result is “Earth Shattering”.

And I also enjoy how flexible the GED is tone wise. IMO, it also sounds great when I dial in cleaner settings from each channel.

Can you get the same clang as RBI can do? RPM did not make it no matter how I used para mid control.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Can you get the same clang as RBI can do? RPM did not make it no matter how I used para mid control.

The RBI was my favorite Tech 21 rack pre (I also owned the RPM and VT-RM). That Presence control is magic, probably because it's part of the drive circuit.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Can you get the same clang as RBI can do? RPM did not make it no matter how I used para mid control.

I haven’t played through an RBI, -yet.
But I’m going to order one in the next few days.

 

[Kro]

Reporting in with a web single that just dropped yesterday!





I used my VTRM as the sole tone-shaper for this one, just my EMG GZR loaded Precision strung up with Chromes into the VTRM, and right into the interface.

Gratuitous shot of my VTRM below, and I'm also excited to share that as of earlier this month I've finally been able to secure a backup VTRM - those things are rare as hens' teeth these days!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Reporting in with a web single that just dropped yesterday!





I used my VTRM as the sole tone-shaper for this one, just my EMG GZR loaded Precision strung up with Chromes into the VTRM, and right into the interface.

Gratuitous shot of my VTRM below, and I'm also excited to share that as of earlier this month I've finally been able to secure a backup VTRM - those things are rare as hens' teeth these days!

View attachment 7003199

Cool tune and killer rig, Kro!

I totally agree with you on the scarcity of the VTRM. Sadly for me, I came “Late to the Party” to Sansamp products. And I really regret that I didn’t buy a VTRM while they were still being manufactured.

 

[Kro]

Sadly for me, I came “Late to the Party” to Sansamp products. And I really regret that I didn’t buy a VTRM while they were still being manufactured.

There is always the VTDI (and I own two of those as well )! But I'm a rack user, so I prefer having my gear nicely in the rack with my amp and tuner. So glad I was able to nab a second one!

 

[vlad_drac]

Reporting in with a web single that just dropped yesterday!





I used my VTRM as the sole tone-shaper for this one, just my EMG GZR loaded Precision strung up with Chromes into the VTRM, and right into the interface.

Gratuitous shot of my VTRM below, and I'm also excited to share that as of earlier this month I've finally been able to secure a backup VTRM - those things are rare as hens' teeth these days!

View attachment 7003199

I run a similar setup as of late, granted with the VT DI. Hondo Professional loaded with EMG GZR pups, D'Addario Nickel Rounds... And the Boss BC-1X makes it all sing .

 

[jcburn]

I'm also a relatively latecomer to Tech 21. Tried the BDDI in the early 2000s, but didn't understand how to use is some fir the next 20 years did the rounds of just about every other well known preamp!

I few years ago I used another players pedal board at a festival show that ended up being my EMG GZR PJ bass (with Roto nickel rounds) into his VT Deluxe into FOH. Simply sounded huge!

So I nabbed myself a VT Deluxe, but into my amp it had a kinda high-mid tone I didn't like. I sold it and grabbed a VTDI, but somehow I just didn't find the magic in that box. Sold it and grabbed an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI and to be honest that is a great preamp.

But I then got to thinking again about the multiple channels available on the VT Deluxe. I really liked the idea of having a preset finger P pickup\fingers, P pickup\pick and then a setting for PJ.

I grabbed another VT Deluxe - but again that high mid sound was present that I didn't like. As luck would have it a Programmable BDDI came up for trade so even though I remember not digging the BDDI years ago I nabbed it.

If you've read this far....short version is I wish I had tried this years ago. The secret is the blend - I only let a little bit of Sansamp through, but what it does I've not found another pedal to do. And I have my 3 presets.....P fingers, P pick and PJ.

These settings give me a very punchy, relatively clean but slightly driven amp tone I'm stoked with.

 

[Michael Vee]

The 30th Anniversary Bass Driver DIs are now available, for however long. Hopefully Tech 21 built more of these than the MP40s. Sweetwater link

What do you fellow Tech 21 owners think about the collectibility of these? I have not followed the MP40s on Reverb and elsewhere- are those selling for a considerable premium over the original retail?

I already own a V2 Bass Driver DI. As much as I like the looks of the 30th Anniversary release, the fact that is exactly the same as the V2 with different cosmetics and sells for $50 more is making me doubt that I need to pick up one, except maybe as an investment piece.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I’m woefully low tech. My employer gives me “Atta Boys” to an account, which I’ve never accessed, so I finally asked my daughter to help me order a Sansamp RBI. It should arrive later this week.

Look out, neighbors!!!

 

[Al Kraft]

Congratulations Arthur! That is one fine piece of gear that has stood the test of time and is still revered as top tier equipment.

 

[crguti]

How come tech21 is using such an ugly big front font for the RBI?

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

How come tech21 is using such an ugly big front font for the RBI?

I believe this is their original logo. I agree with you; I very much prefer their smaller logo on the previous units, but for me it’s not a deal breaker.