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Tech 21 VT Bass DI

#101
Not really sure but if this mod makes the VTDI sound the same as V2 with the speaker sim disabled, I'm willing to give it a try for a cheap capacitor install. I don't mind the lows with the speaker sim defeated, there is still just something different about it from what I remember on V2. I'm not gonna make the mistake & sell this one only to find I miss it & buy one again in the future, I'm hoping this will get me V2 speaker sim off tone with the blend nob which is all I was really hoping for.
 
#104
GLEN18INCHSPICA said:
Not really sure but if this mod makes the VTDI sound the same as V2 with the speaker sim disabled, I'm willing to give it a try for a cheap capacitor install. I don't mind the lows with the speaker sim defeated, there is still just something different about it from what I remember on V2. I'm not gonna make the mistake & sell this one only to find I miss it & buy one again in the future, I'm hoping this will get me V2 speaker sim off tone with the blend nob which is all I was really hoping for.
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Are you running the pedal into an amp? The speaker sim defeat switch on the VT Bass bypasses the speaker emulation circuit but adds a a 6dB per octave high end roll off. The purpose of this was to make the pedal easier to use into an amp with its high end emphasized. Having this high end roll off is really only an advantage when running into an amp.

On the VT Bass DI the speaker sim defeat removes the speaker emulation with out the added high end roll off as that feature will not be beneficial when using the pedal to the board.

Basically we are giving the pedal a more "full range" tonal option. That can be beneficial if you are running the pedal fairly clean for some mild tube warmth. If you start using distortion then you will want to engage the speaker sim and bite otherwise the sound will be too brash and muddy in the low end.
 
#105
I have used them both ways, I generally prefer just using the VT bass as a preamp directly into the fx return of my amp. As for the bite switch I don't see ever using that engaged, even in slightly overdriven settings it brings out a harsh sounding peak in the high mids, 1 to 2k I'm guessing that I find less than musical. Like the amp this pedal is inspired by I don't want extended highs or lows, so I am willing to try the cap mod. worst case If I don't prefer it, I'll remove it.
 
#106
What type of amp and cab are you using and how are the VT's controls normally set? I'm curious, as usually when players bypass their amp's preamp section the brightness is rarely a problem.
 
#107
Currently using a GK Backline 600 previously a Tubeworks RT3300 both used directly into the FX return. Cabinet is a Tubeworks 410 ported cab with tweeter off. VT Bass is set 12 oclock or less on all eq including character & drive, bite always off, speaker sim usually off. I don't think the highs are the troublesome frequency, I really try & tame the high mid nature of the pedal without losing too much definition. Manual states mids are centered at 500 hz but that's definitely not the case, I would guess they are centered at 1k or just above.
 
#108
You know, I never got the brightness complaints about the VT. Certainly the potential is there, but I've always been able to control it. And Glenn, you're right...that was always a misprint...the mids are at 1k.
 
#109
You know, I never got the brightness complaints about the VT
Click to expand...

It's not a problem with passive fenders...these pedals were specifically tuned for passive fenders.

The VT pedals make my Sadowsky sound like a harsh toy unless I majorly scoop the mids and turn the character down. Then, I'm totally lost in the mix.

If you have a passive Fender, they actually sound amazing. MUCH MUCH less so with other basses.
 
#110
Yeah my v1 VT Bass did not play nice with my active Stingray. Way too much top end and to me did not sound like an Ampeg. The speaker sim switch in V2 probably would've made a difference but by the time that came out I was over it. The Darkglass Vintage Microtubes replaces it and did exactly what I wanted.

However I now find myself looking for a pre amp/di that I can use to go direct to the PA for gigs without an amp. Has anyone tried the new VT DI with a Stingray or any active bass?
 
#111
The VT has a natural scoop around 1k, but I think the mid control is probably centered around 500hz. Therein is the issue for some folks. You can never remove that mid scoop...a long time complaint with most all Tech21 products for those of us who want a more flat sound. I hate to sound like a broken record, but that's my issue with this new pedal. I want it to sound vintage but be flat otherwise. So I want the low end and high end roll-off, but flat inbetween those two so that I can control it. Not possible with the VT DI.

I'll shutup now.
 
#115
Down_Low said:
Then I'm confused as to why the Tech 21 pedals all have a mid scoop?
Click to expand...
I think it's common to run SVT's with a scoop toned, particularly in the rock genres. The thing is...the SVT is capable of so much more and the VT pedals doesn't cover all that nor should anyone really expect it to.

But...it would be nice if you could pull off all those really warm tones with the VT pedal. Some of them you can, some you can't.
 
#116
Been playing around with mine some more today, I like the way it sounds through my 15" Tubeworks cabinet, warmer at least than the 410. The VT pedals always sounded very 1k forward in mids to me, well this version has a blend. I turned the blend all the way off as well as drive, now when I boost the Mids or Character it sounds like the 500 hz that it is supposedly tuned to. Turning up the Blend or Drive moves the mid frequency up which to me can get ugly/less warm old school bass tone.
 
#117
I just got mine today, and ran direct this evening.

My first impression is very favorable. I feel like I can get any sound I would want out of it. I was using an active Carvin bass. Ran the EQ on the bass flat.

This unit is a improvement on the BDDI, that's for sure. Another winner for Tech21.

Buy American.
 
#118
spego said:
Those were graphed with pink noise going through the pedal......should I have used something else?
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Eublet said:
Yes, you want to do a frequency sweep using a sine wave.
Click to expand...


How are you folks doing this frequency plot analysis? I'd like to do some myself. I had been firing pink noise through the device, recording the result in my daw, and analyzing the recording in Har-Bal mastering software. There's probably a better way.
 
#119
I know at least 2 others have posted graphs of the 1st VT bass here on TB. It would be cool to see this version graphed with the blend full CCW then gradually turned up. The mids do sound like the 500hz in the manual up until the blend starts getting past 9 oclock. The character works in tandem with the mids eq they're tuned the same, but obviously the character does more than the mids nob in different positions. Using the blend nob just below 9 0clock has opened up the possibilities for me, I can push the drive higher & could even see a use for the bite switch being on.
 

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