Tech 21 SansAmp V1

Welcome aboard!!
I have a couple of cheap SansAmp clones that I really like. I’ve gone ampless to a few smaller/tight gigs where I’ve just gone into DI box, then XLR out to board-
Sound is great- you can get that SVT grunt and depth without hauling a refrigerator around....it certainly also helps color your tone even going into an amp as well, and you have the XLR out into board as well! Best of both!
I have both the Behringer BDI 21, and the Caline “Wine Cellar”. Same circuit as the SansAmp at only $30 USD for either one. you may want to try one of these first, then flip it if you like it and want to “step up” to the SansAmp 21, or just keep it if it wor ks out for you!

 

Behringer user here too it does a good job of emulating the original. If i ever start gigging again i might grab a v2...

anyway. Top tips that no one told me:

blend control = mid control. The Sansamp sound is naturally mid-scooped. using the blend to dial in some clean tone helps bring back your mids without losing the Sansamp growl. Noon to 3 o clock is good for me.

Presence = dial this back to tame the fizz (if you need to) and get a more amp-like sound. 9 or 10 o clock for me.

Bass/treble controls - I would go easy on these. If they are both cranked, you’re back in scoopsville. A small bump in the bass is usually all i need.

 

I got mine to add some ‘character’ going from an all-tube rig to SWR decades ago. It works well and adds quite a bit. All of the knobs are analog interactive and there is a lot to play with. IME, the blend knob on the box works real well into the front of the amp rather than through the effects loop, as it interacts with a tube preamp causing some rich complex tones. That scoop is just under 800 hz (below). Your EQ can compensate, if that’s what you want. Have fun! YMMV

 

Yeah, I copied it from here on TB... some of these guys are brilliant.

 

Thanks for posting that blend response graph! Nice to “see” what you are hearing!!