Tech 21 Fly Rig 2 What are your thoughts?

[Thom Fioriglio]

Hi all, anyone have experience with the Tech 21 Fly Rig 2? What are your thoughts? Is it a solid multi effects unit that covers all your needs? Does it act as a DI as well? How is the compressor? I already have a Keeley Bassist comp. I like simplicity, how simple is this pedalboard to use? Thanks.

 

[Djadja]

I’m pretty much a Luddite so after trying a couple of different modelers, decided to try some analog multi effects with the Tech 21 Fly Rig 2 being the first. I was really disappointed with it. To my ears, the only thing it did well was the overdrive/distortion and clean sounds. The compressor was OK but the octave, envelope filter, and chorus all disappointed me. It went back within days. I tried one from one of the less expensive companies as well, I think the Valeton. To my ears, it worked as well as the Tech 21, but not well enough for me to keep it. I ended up putting together a small pedal board. More money in the end and still not completed, but it sounds much better.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hi all, anyone have experience with the Tech 21 Fly Rig 2? What are your thoughts? Is it a solid multi effects unit that covers all your needs? Does it act as a DI as well? How is the compressor? I already have a Keeley Bassist comp. I like simplicity, how simple is this pedalboard to use? Thanks.

I use the BFR v1. It's fine and designed to do what the name implies: a simple solution for those of us who've gotten lazy in our collective old age. I don't care for the OctaFilter...I want some money back. The comp and chorus are fine for one knobby-jobbies. Yes, it works as a DI, headphone amp, tuner. If you need more in terms of options, sound quality, etc., spend the extra coin and purchase a higher tier multi FX or dedicated pedals.

Riis

 

[MrLenny1]

I got one because I wanted a DI, Tuner, basic effects
& compressor to go ampless. Works fine for those needs.

 

[Rogulus]

Tuner, sansamp and chorus are the only things I like about mine, everything else is pretty crappy and doesn't get used or touched.

 

[logdrum]

Waste of money. Returned promptly. I have everything I need. NUX pre-amp + Ultrawave + a Gemini or my old Boss Chorus is more useful. And you can laugh at me - I use a clip-on tuner if I am too lazy to bring my TU-3 and I can still tune by ear as long as I get one good reference note

 

[pineweasel]

I loved the Fly Rig form factor but it’s badly let down by the hopeless Octafilter. I’ve ended up with a Valeton Bass Dapper for a fraction of the cost, which has a decent OC2 clone built in.
I wish MXR would build one of these things.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I think we've all conceded the OctaFilter leaves something to be desired. In all fairness, I had no clue nor anticipations as to what it was supposed to do...I purchased for the other functions. Unless you're really smitten by the v2's VT / BDDI options, I'd save some bucks and snag a used v1 as the compressor has a "Tone" control which is really useful when dialing-in or retaining some articulation. I believe this was omitted on the v2 for some inexplicable reason.

The challenge: if you've stumbled across a Filter setting that's halfway passable, please post your settings. I'd like to walk away thinking there's some redeeming quality which has eluded me to date.

Riis

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Thanks all for the reviews, feedback and comments. I appreciate the candor and real world experiences.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

If you're doing lots of fly dates...

 

[Zooberwerx]

If you're doing lots of fly dates...

...or metro-based...confronted w/ public transportation or limited parking...frequently faced w/ venue-provided unknown backlines, etc. It easily fits in an accessory compartment or gig bag with a 1-Spot and XLR cable.

Riis

 

[Smooth_bass88]

...or metro-based...confronted w/ public transportation or limited parking...frequently faced w/ venue-provided unknown backlines, etc. It easily fits in an accessory compartment or gig bag with a 1-Spot and XLR cable.

Riis

I'd love a Fly Rig. I've been playing Tech21 stuff since the late 90s. Great tones, always

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I'd love a Fly Rig. I've been playing Tech21 stuff since the late 90s. Great tones, always

I know the Sansamp has a great reputation. Is this unit a Sansamp plus some extra features?

 

[TheSpinDoctor]

For a reason too long to include, I have both version 1 and 2 of the BFR. Many, but not all features are the same.

The same features include:
Tuner – Accurate but slow
Chorus
XLR output for DI use
Octafilter fuzz, Range, Q, and Mix
Sansamp Low and High
Bite
Compressor Level and Compression
10dB PAD

Different features include:
Version 1
Headphone - for practice without an amp
Octafilter Octave - sub-octave effect
Sansamp
Mid - ± 12dB at 1 KHz
Drive - adjusts gain and level
Character - boosts high frequencies and gain
Boost - level and pre versus post Sansamp EQ
Compressor Tone - adds high mids for clarity
Version2
Effects Send and Return - for insertion of effect pedal into signal path
Octafilter Octave - higher octaves effect
Sansamp
Mid – - 12dB at 1 KHz, + 12 dB at 2 KHz
Level 1 - sets Channel 1 output level when Sansamp on
Level 2 - sets Channel 2 output level when Sansamp on
Drive 1 - sets Channel 1 gain when Sansamp on
Drive 2 - sets Channel 2 gain when Sansamp on
Compressor - no Tone control

I primarily use the Tuner, Sansamp, and Compressor effects. The Chorus effect is only useful when it is just guitar solo, bass, and drums to add fullness. The Octave and Fuzz highly interact, so finding a pleasing sound is difficult. The envelop filter is reminiscent of a Mu-Tron III, just not appropriate for the music I play now. The Channel selection does allow finer control of gain and EQ versus an overall boost function. Trial and error is required to find the best settings. The Compressor Tone does not add much. I would prefer a control for the Compressor attack. The buttons are close together, so it requires attention to where you place your foot.

Overall, a very useful unit for adding multiple effects rather than adding multiple pedals and a pedal board. I always use one. My preference is for the Version 1 to have a headphone output and simple boost.

 

[mazdah]

I have V1 and I can take it instead of my rig and pedalboard whenever I need to.

I use Ampeg SVT-III with SVT-410HE (200W version), I have vintage Boss CS-2 and OC-2, Xotic Bass BB Preamp, old vintage Satronik Fuzz, CEB-3 or CE-2B chorus along with Peterson tuner and Fly Rig V1 totally covers my sound good enough:

Clean Ampeg with compression
Light Overdrive (with boost on) + Chorus
Fuzz
Octave + Fuzz

That's all I need and I'm very happy with Fly Rig whenever I can't take my rig.
Nobody cares if I use compression from Sansamp or my precious vintage CS-2. The same with CEB-3 or CE-2B analog chorus instead of Tech21. Fuzz is fuzz, octave is octave. The amp thing is easier, because with my rig I HAVE to have a microphone instead of DI - with Fly Rig I have instant sound straight from DI.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I know the Sansamp has a great reputation. Is this unit a Sansamp plus some extra features?

It's definitely a SansAmp but painting with a wide brush as it denotes any number of products. Generally speaking, they (per copy) are designed to emulate a mic'd-up SVT rig...that point is largely arguable. I'd used the BDDI previously so upgrading to an extended feature BFR v1 (...actually embraces the "VT" platform) made perfect sense. Guess I should step-up to the v2 but I think I've reached the point of diminishing return. It would be nice to have the BDDI voicing available, though. The convenience factor does have it's trade-offs and detractors. Okay, I'll concede the comp doesn't match my $200+ Niche and the chorus doesn't have the shimmer of my DigiTech Mult-Voice but, when schlugging along at gig volumes, nobody will know the difference. If dissecting / A-B'ing in a sterile controlled environment, yeah it's a different story. If looking for something that goes head-to-head with dedicated FX, extra dough will put you in a higher tier multi FX units accompanied by normal programming headaches and some loss of "on the fly" tweakability. Did I mention I like knobs?

Riis

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

It's definitely a SansAmp but painting with a wide brush as it denotes any number of products. Generally speaking, they (per copy) are designed to emulate a mic'd-up SVT rig...that point is largely arguable. I'd used the BDDI previously so upgrading to an extended feature BFR v1 (...actually embraces the "VT" platform) made perfect sense. Guess I should step-up to the v2 but I think I've reached the point of diminishing return. It would be nice to have the BDDI voicing available, though. The convenience factor does have it's trade-offs and detractors. Okay, I'll concede the comp doesn't match my $200+ Niche and the chorus doesn't have the shimmer of my DigiTech Mult-Voice but, when schlugging along at gig volumes, nobody will know the difference. If dissecting / A-B'ing in a sterile controlled environment, yeah it's a different story. If looking for something that goes head-to-head with dedicated FX, extra dough will put you in a higher tier multi FX units accompanied by normal programming headaches and some loss of "on the fly" tweakability. Did I mention I like knobs?

Riis

Thanks! I like knobs too.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks! I like knobs too.

I'm gonna defer to @TheSpinDoctor as he owns and uses both. If he says the v2 refinements are a plus, I'd go on a little faith and drop the extra coin.

Riis

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

For a reason too long to include, I have both version 1 and 2 of the BFR. Many, but not all features are the same.

The same features include:
Tuner – Accurate but slow
Chorus
XLR output for DI use
Octafilter fuzz, Range, Q, and Mix
Sansamp Low and High
Bite
Compressor Level and Compression
10dB PAD

Different features include:
Version 1
Headphone - for practice without an amp
Octafilter Octave - sub-octave effect
Sansamp
Mid - ± 12dB at 1 KHz
Drive - adjusts gain and level
Character - boosts high frequencies and gain
Boost - level and pre versus post Sansamp EQ
Compressor Tone - adds high mids for clarity
Version2
Effects Send and Return - for insertion of effect pedal into signal path
Octafilter Octave - higher octaves effect
Sansamp
Mid – - 12dB at 1 KHz, + 12 dB at 2 KHz
Level 1 - sets Channel 1 output level when Sansamp on
Level 2 - sets Channel 2 output level when Sansamp on
Drive 1 - sets Channel 1 gain when Sansamp on
Drive 2 - sets Channel 2 gain when Sansamp on
Compressor - no Tone control

I primarily use the Tuner, Sansamp, and Compressor effects. The Chorus effect is only useful when it is just guitar solo, bass, and drums to add fullness. The Octave and Fuzz highly interact, so finding a pleasing sound is difficult. The envelop filter is reminiscent of a Mu-Tron III, just not appropriate for the music I play now. The Channel selection does allow finer control of gain and EQ versus an overall boost function. Trial and error is required to find the best settings. The Compressor Tone does not add much. I would prefer a control for the Compressor attack. The buttons are close together, so it requires attention to where you place your foot.

Overall, a very useful unit for adding multiple effects rather than adding multiple pedals and a pedal board. I always use one. My preference is for the Version 1 to have a headphone output and simple boost.

Very helpful info. Thanks.

 

[Zooberwerx]

For a reason too long to include, I have both version 1 and 2 of the BFR. Many, but not all features are the same.

The same features include:
Tuner – Accurate but slow
Chorus
XLR output for DI use
Octafilter fuzz, Range, Q, and Mix
Sansamp Low and High
Bite
Compressor Level and Compression
10dB PAD

Different features include:
Version 1
Headphone - for practice without an amp
Octafilter Octave - sub-octave effect
Sansamp
Mid - ± 12dB at 1 KHz
Drive - adjusts gain and level
Character - boosts high frequencies and gain
Boost - level and pre versus post Sansamp EQ
Compressor Tone - adds high mids for clarity
Version2
Effects Send and Return - for insertion of effect pedal into signal path
Octafilter Octave - higher octaves effect
Sansamp
Mid – - 12dB at 1 KHz, + 12 dB at 2 KHz
Level 1 - sets Channel 1 output level when Sansamp on
Level 2 - sets Channel 2 output level when Sansamp on
Drive 1 - sets Channel 1 gain when Sansamp on
Drive 2 - sets Channel 2 gain when Sansamp on
Compressor - no Tone control

I primarily use the Tuner, Sansamp, and Compressor effects. The Chorus effect is only useful when it is just guitar solo, bass, and drums to add fullness. The Octave and Fuzz highly interact, so finding a pleasing sound is difficult. The envelop filter is reminiscent of a Mu-Tron III, just not appropriate for the music I play now. The Channel selection does allow finer control of gain and EQ versus an overall boost function. Trial and error is required to find the best settings. The Compressor Tone does not add much. I would prefer a control for the Compressor attack. The buttons are close together, so it requires attention to where you place your foot.

Overall, a very useful unit for adding multiple effects rather than adding multiple pedals and a pedal board. I always use one. My preference is for the Version 1 to have a headphone output and simple boost.

Thank you! I agree the comp attack is a little too quick but passable if kept will-below 12:00. I prefer the "Boost" assigned to pre-SansAmp whick kicks-up the OD a bit but, again, some prefer it POST when extra volume is desired.

Riis