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Tech 21 pedals - if you could have only one?

#163
Al Krow said:
Would you describe it as being tonally similar?
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johnk_10 said:
not really.
Click to expand...

You can get the VTDI to sound very close to the YYZ if you push the character to 3 o'clock and back off the blend to around 9-10 o'clock (depending on your gain level), and boost the bass a bit.

But at higher volume levels you can really hear the increased low end thump of the YYZ due to it's pseudo-crossover setup. I did prefer the VTDI at first, but now leaning towards the YYZ!

I think the VTDI is more versatile though, particularly if you want more vintage tones, e.g. a Motown sound.
 
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#164
@Zbysek - thanks for clarifying. Yup not really looked at the Tech21 rack mounts, will have to admit!

On an unexpected note my Ripper could be for the chop - at least from my spaced-out little board for now. I've just been offered a used Emma Octo Nojs which should get close to the Ripper's fuzz capability and throw in a decent analogue octaver which will be a really nice combination to have, all in a package that is identical in size to the Ripper.
 
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#165
dannybuoy said:
You can get the VTDI to sound very close to the YYZ if you push the character to 3 o'clock and back off the blend to around 9-10 o'clock (depending on your gain level), and boost the bass a bit.

But at higher volume levels you can really hear the increased low end thump of the YYZ due to it's pseudo-crossover setup. I did prefer the VTDI at first, but now leaning towards the YYZ!

I think the VTDI is more versatile though, particularly if you want more vintage tones, e.g. a Motown sound.
Click to expand...
That's really helpful thanks db! And the VTDI does allow you to (and indeed can often benefit from) dialling up its bass EQ to ensure you're not losing low end. I think you've persuaded me to stick with the VTDI for its versatility rather than splash out the used YYZ which just came up for sale. Often better to stick with the "devil" (aka pedal) you know eh, at least until you've got to know it well...
 
#166
Also, you know how the VT character control boosts high mids before the distortion... the YYZ mid control is similar but the frequency is a bit lower, so it's a bit more 'grunt' rather than 'clang'.

And the VT doesn't extend into the deep lows as much as the YYZ's 'clean' channel does. It has a bit of a low end rolloff, I guess to simulate an 8x10 cab. Not necessarily a bad thing though, to much low end can be a problem at times!
 
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#167
dannybuoy said:
Also, you know how the VT character control boosts high mids before the distortion... the YYZ mid control is similar but the frequency is a bit lower, so it's a bit more 'grunt' rather than 'clang'.
Click to expand...
When you say "character", I'm guessing this = "Bite" i.e. presence boost on the VTDI? FWIW the Bite really is the magic sauce in the VTDI, as far as I'm concerned, and is always on.
 
#172
dannybuoy said:
Also, you know how the VT character control boosts high mids before the distortion... the YYZ mid control is similar but the frequency is a bit lower, so it's a bit more 'grunt' rather than 'clang'.
Click to expand...

When I first got my VT, I couldn't stand the feel of playing with Character below noon - it just felt "sluggish". But I kept using higher character levels and then needing to dial back in a bunch of lows as you mentioned.

Then at one point I pulled out some mixes of mine and removed the bass so I could do some tone exploration in context. What I found is that lower character settings (9:00-10:00), EQ'd as necessary with less bass, actually sounded surprisingly great in my mixes.

I've come to appreciate/love that pre-drive scoop on its own now.
 
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#175
Kro said:
When I first got my VT, I couldn't stand the feel of playing with Character below noon - it just felt "sluggish". But I kept using higher character levels and then needing to dial back in a bunch of lows as you mentioned.

Then at one point I pulled out some mixes of mine and removed the bass so I could do some tone exploration in context. What I found is that lower character settings (9:00-10:00), EQ'd as necessary with less bass, actually sounded surprisingly great in my mixes.

I've come to appreciate/love that pre-drive scoop on its own now.
Click to expand...

I've found exactly the same with the DP3X. Mother of all mid-scoops, but it sounds glorious in the mix. And that compressor has some serious punch to it. I love the more middy tones I'm getting from the VTDI/YYZ, but mix it in with heavy distorted guitars and vocals all battling for the same sonic space and it's fatiguing on the ears.
 
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#177
Al Krow said:
When you say "character", I'm guessing this = "Bite" i.e. presence boost on the VTDI? FWIW the Bite really is the magic sauce in the VTDI, as far as I'm concerned, and is always on.
Click to expand...

The Bite control is not part of the Character control. From the manual:

Engaged (in position), Bite activates a presence boost and subsonic filter. This tightens up the sound when you are in distorted settings and adds definition to your notes when playing in clean settings.
Click to expand...

The Bite engaged is the stock VT Bass tone.
 
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