Seems from the other posts so far, you've "called it"! The VTDI for the established pedals and the dUg DP3X from the recent releases. With possibly the VTDI edging it overall if folk had to choose just one.
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Seems from the other posts so far, you've "called it"! The VTDI for the established pedals and the dUg DP3X from the recent releases. With possibly the VTDI edging it overall if folk had to choose just one.
I own/have owned the following Tech 21 products:
BDDI (for decades!)
RBI, RPM, VT-RM
VT Deluxe
Oxford, Leeds
YYZ
DP-3X, SH-1
Right now my top three are DP-3X, SH-1, and Oxford.
If I had to pick just one... it would be the DP-3X. Its clangy dUgTone is incredible, and I can soften it for more traditional tones.
P.S. I've been really curious about the Red Ripper, seems like it can do some really cool things. I'm sure I'd like it but haven't heard any evidence that it would make it into my Top 3 so I won't hunt one down.
BDDI (for decades!)
RBI, RPM, VT-RM
VT Deluxe
Oxford, Leeds
YYZ
DP-3X, SH-1
Right now my top three are DP-3X, SH-1, and Oxford.
If I had to pick just one... it would be the DP-3X. Its clangy dUgTone is incredible, and I can soften it for more traditional tones.
P.S. I've been really curious about the Red Ripper, seems like it can do some really cool things. I'm sure I'd like it but haven't heard any evidence that it would make it into my Top 3 so I won't hunt one down.
Oh man, I can hear that tone right now in my head. Based on your settings, bone crunching goodness is happening. I usually run my highs up a little more than you and the bass lower than you, but the rest is nearly identical. Including the volume. This thing runs so well at very low volume. I have to turn the gain off to run the volume up or I start getting even more gainy goodness into my amp head. This little pedal puts out more power than anything else by a long shot.
Its probably easier to list iconic players that use Tech21nyc. And TBF, if you're thinking the DP-3X, GED-2112, YYZ, SH-1, Oxford, etc are supposed to sound like Ampeg simulators then I can see how your TB opinion would be skewed
their stuff has never done anything for me. And if having big players using your stuff was the metric for success then Boss would be the greatest pedal company in history. And they aren't - they just have a big marketing budget.
I've gone through the SABDDI, PSABDDI, and VT bass Deluxe. Sold them all. Now I have the DP-3X and it will always stay with me. Just love it. Steve Harris is why I played bass but I have no reason to buy his pedal since the Dug does everything I need it for (and I love the tone).
I was responding to your over-generalization about Tech21nyc being only Ampeg simulators. If you're under that impression, then you ought to look up them up. Some of their best pedals, imo, are not geared towards Ampeg
BDDI v2 is an amazing thing. Although I've enjoyed it, I never liked the v1 that much. But v2... oh, man. The mids control, the shifting mid and bass frequencies, and the much more musical presence control are spot on. I love this pedal, its sounds and its funcionalities are great. I can get a really nice palette of tones with it, specially with mi L2K.
Although I said I'm not an Ampeg guy, I've gotten some really good tones plugging other pedals into the original BDDI while going direct. That's the angle that piques my interest. I usually go amp/cab but I like to experiment sometimes.
Like this Mexi J w/stock Proco Rat2
Jam with my buddy on guitar/drums by Centaurus A
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That sounds great! It's funny, because I really like to use my MXR Bass Distortion in front of the BDDI.
Te BDDI it's not in my board, but I'm very happy with it when I'm not in the mood to carry all of my pedals and I just want to connect to one device; specially when practicing with headphones, since it can let you have a preamp, an EQ, some dirt and compression, and cab sim, all in one. And I really find v2 is far superior to v1. I also like it more than the VTDI; I find it more versatile and it has a fuller tone to it.
It brings me some mental peace to think that if my PB fries or gets stollen, I can take the BDDI from its shelf and still get some good tones that I like and enjoy.
I dig the Character series with the Leeds being my favorite followed by the Oxford.
Truth.
The SABBDI and VT were Ampeg-focused but the rest aren't. Oxford is Orange, Leeds is Hiwatt -- both work great for bass.
The DP-3X is for dUgTone and a whole lot more. YYZ is Geddy plus more. The SH-1 does Steve Harris but I have to say it's one of the most versatile dirt pedals I've owned.
Yep, you really need to try it before selling it to me for a good price. I miss mine a lot.
Always been a BDDI lover, but recently felt it wasn't quite the tone I'm in to at the moment. I have no doubt the VTBass DI is. It's a bit less coloured and overbearing IME, and a bit more open sounding, even against the BDDIv2 that i have.
To be fair though, we both have a Helix and you won't get better than that from a VTBDI.
@Al Krow will follow this thread and look up the suggestions. The Red Ripper looks interesting.
You said had one. Have you got some clips you can share?
What else is on your pedalboard that it will go with?
You said had one. Have you got some clips you can share?
What else is on your pedalboard that it will go with?
My pedal
My pedal boards are currently getting significantly re-jigged so they currently give the impression of being a building site. Originally I had everything set up on a large PT2 classic board.
But I'm in the process of migrating everything to two smaller boards: a Metro24 with Helix HX and Boss SY-1 as the 'core' units; and
a smaller Harley Benton 50 'budget' board, which I'm waiting delivery of. This will likely have a Zoom B1X-4 and Red Ripper as its two core pedals. And likely an LS2 also so that I can clean blend my Rat drive patch on the Zoom, which is great on bass other than it sucks out low end like a vampire on steroids!
So please bear with me in terms of sound clips. I think there are some decent ones on YouTube. What I would say is the Red Ripper is very versatile and I've been able to move on my Malekko Bitcrusher and Mastotron, which are both highly rated pedals, because the Ripper paired better with my filters (I've settled on a 3 Leaf GR2) and also an excellent a standalone fuzz with a broad tonal palette.
My pedal boards are currently getting significantly re-jigged so they currently give the impression of being a building site. Originally I had everything set up on a large PT2 classic board.
But I'm in the process of migrating everything to two smaller boards: a Metro24 with Helix HX and Boss SY-1 as the 'core' units; and
a smaller Harley Benton 50 'budget' board, which I'm waiting delivery of. This will likely have a Zoom B1X-4 and Red Ripper as its two core pedals. And likely an LS2 also so that I can clean blend my Rat drive patch on the Zoom, which is great on bass other than it sucks out low end like a vampire on steroids!
So please bear with me in terms of sound clips. I think there are some decent ones on YouTube. What I would say is the Red Ripper is very versatile and I've been able to move on my Malekko Bitcrusher and Mastotron, which are both highly rated pedals, because the Ripper paired better with my filters (I've settled on a 3 Leaf GR2) and also an excellent a standalone fuzz with a broad tonal palette.
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That definitely sounds like a lot of fun!
Are you migrating to 2 to make it easier to carry around, or for different types of music/different bands?
Would be good to see pictures
