Tech 21 VT Bass DI + Compression

[Kro]

"Modeling" is reserved for digital. One could make the argument that it's all modeling, but the industry has decided to use "modeling" for digital and "emulation" for analog.

Thanks Jimmy, looks like I was off base.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks Jimmy, looks like I was off base.

I wouldn't say that, Kro. You and I didn't create these distinctions without much of a difference

 

[woodyng2]

There is no "modeling" in the VT Bass or any of our SansAmp products. We use actual analog circuits. On our DI's with Blend, your signal pans from the unaltered sound of your Bass to the SansAmp emulation. The "Blend" function on our DI's is based on a commonly used studio technique for recording bass guitar with an amp. They mic the amp and also DI the bass directly and mix or "blend" the signals for a composite sound. The amp gives you the character while the DI signal adds definition.

I’m really liking the blend option on my vtdi. It lets me retain some of the markbass amp sound.

 

[tech21nyc]

Analog modeling is still modeling isn't it? Many of the Tech 21 products emulate elements of full, mic'd up rigs.

I know that there is a distinction to be made between simulation and emulation, and Tech 21 seems to fall on the emulation side, but unless I'm misunderstanding it does all seem like modeling to me.

Modeling is in the digital domain. It's a 'recreation" of a sound. In analog we are emulating what a tube amp does with an actual physical circuit vs an algorithm of one.

And thank God you make the blending optional. Never saw a blend knob on a tube amp

Correct, no blend on a tube amp. The concept though was to offer a DI that would allow you to achieve a mix of the DI as well as amp emulated sound. It's rare that live they will mic and DI an amp. Usually it's just that dry DI sound.

Unfortunately there are an overwhelming number of players that have probably never gigged with an actual tube amp (Jimmy excluded). I use tube guitar amps all the time and have been playing longer than most and I can't even remember the last time I played with a bass player that used a tube amp. I was at a blues festival a few years ago and the backline amp was a full SVT stack. Hearing one opened up in that environment was really a treat. Probably a bit overkill to play in your local bistro or cocktail set at a wedding.

 

[AndyLES]

Heh, I worked sound for a band that was playing a Persian Bar Mitzvah - bass player brought in a full blown SVT stack.

Needless to say, he couldn't turn it up above, like, 3 before it got stupid.

 

[klokker]

I run a compressor in front of my VT Deluxe (Boss BX-1x). I find that it "widens" the tone somewhat, taking out some of the roundedness of the tone that is there without it. I like it bright and clangy, a little dirty, and just a tad of warmth, so I prefer that. But it's pretty subtle and different compressors would have different results I suppose.

I guess my point is that my compressor has added a little flavor to my VT tone. I've not tried putting it after the VT.

 

[Jeff O'Connor]

Same klokker!
I have my Spectracomp in front....and adjust my VTDI accordingly....I've had the VTDI off my board for a bit, because of my wandering eye/ear. and just like that, after cruisin' around TB.
I NEED IT BACK ON THE BOARD!
I must always have some Tech 21 in my arsenal! I can totally feel the "heft" and that lovely "push" on the VTDI.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I run a compressor in front of my VT Deluxe (Boss BX-1x). I find that it "widens" the tone somewhat, taking out some of the roundedness of the tone that is there without it. I like it bright and clangy, a little dirty, and just a tad of warmth, so I prefer that. But it's pretty subtle and different compressors would have different results I suppose.

I guess my point is that my compressor has added a little flavor to my VT tone. I've not tried putting it after the VT.

I recently acquired a VT Deluxe and I do detect some compression in the signal but I've been wondering about adding a compressor in front anyways. I like the Boss offering because of the metering and the reviews are favorable. Are you still digging this combo? Do you have anything else on your board and where do you have it? The only other thing I have right now is my SA Manta Bass Filter that I use in front of the the VT.

 

[klokker]

I recently acquired a VT Deluxe and I do detect some compression in the signal but I've been wondering about adding a compressor in front anyways. I like the Boss offering because of the metering and the reviews are favorable. Are you still digging this combo? Do you have anything else on your board and where do you have it? The only other thing I have right now is my SA Manta Bass Filter that I use in front of the the VT.

Yes, I still use it and don't plan on changing it at this point.. Boss BC-1x into a VT Deluxe on a little pedal board. No other pedals except a tuner. The VT sound I'm after is probably closer to the Flip Top style factory setting than anything else. The BC-1X setttings are like 9:00 release, 11:00 ratio, 1:00 threshold kinda sorta. I play a G&L L2500 with pretty hot pickups and set the gain to match.

I use DR lo rider SS strings. The VT just a has a nice complex sound with it, just a little dirt but lots of things going on throughout the frequency range. I especially like that Ampegy clang thing. What the Boss pedal does sort of widens the tone. It's not at all "round". It seems to even out the frequencies so that everything is the same. This can make it sound like you are losing low end, but it's not true....there's plenty. I don't add any bass and use a small lo mid bump on my amp but that's it. Lot's of low end in the mix.

But in the process it brings out a kind of "shine" to the tone. I like to say it does for your tone what a wax job does for your car. It is a brighter pedal than say that MXR pedal that a lot of people like. Very clean and no noise.

I played through a bunch of compressors at a music store and just chose from those. Still feel like I sort of lucked out given how well it all worked out.

Again, it is a brighter pedal, and that might not be what some want. But it works really well for me. I play in a classic rock band with horns and it cuts through well. I like it, and don't plan on changing anything.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Yes, I still use it and don't plan on changing it at this point.. Boss BC-1x into a VT Deluxe on a little pedal board. No other pedals except a tuner. The VT sound I'm after is probably closer to the Flip Top style factory setting than anything else. The BC-1X setttings are like 9:00 release, 11:00 ratio, 1:00 threshold kinda sorta. I play a G&L L2500 with pretty hot pickups and set the gain to match.

I use DR lo rider SS strings. The VT just a has a nice complex sound with it, just a little dirt but lots of things going on throughout the frequency range. I especially like that Ampegy clang thing. What the Boss pedal does sort of widens the tone. It's not at all "round". It seems to even out the frequencies so that everything is the same. This can make it sound like you are losing low end, but it's not true....there's plenty. I don't add any bass and use a small lo mid bump on my amp but that's it. Lot's of low end in the mix.

But in the process it brings out a kind of "shine" to the tone. I like to say it does for your tone what a wax job does for your car. It is a brighter pedal than say that MXR pedal that a lot of people like. Very clean and no noise.

I played through a bunch of compressors at a music store and just chose from those. Still feel like I sort of lucked out given how well it all worked out.

Again, it is a brighter pedal, and that might not be what some want. But it works really well for me. I play in a classic rock band with horns and it cuts through well. I like it, and don't plan on changing anything.

I use La Bella tapes on a Stingray. Definitely on the brighter side of dark tone but still dark. If the Boss brightens and tightens then that might be just the trick. Thanks!