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Tech 21 VT Bass

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#181
Juniorkimbrough said:
is anyone using one of these just for tube fatness with no overdrive at all?

I'm currently using a RBI but as well all know once you start cranking that blend knob it starts sucking the mids......was thinking about adding one of these between my bass and RBI or maybe just taking out the RBI completely.

Also wondering how big the pedal is since there aren't any dimensions listed?


Thanks!
Click to expand...
That's part of what I'll be using mine for; as a preamp/amp simulation whem I'm running DI at church. I'll put up a quick review once I get it and am able to give it a whirl.
 
#182
Juniorkimbrough said:
is anyone using one of these just for tube fatness with no overdrive at all?

I'm currently using a RBI but as well all know once you start cranking that blend knob it starts sucking the mids......was thinking about adding one of these between my bass and RBI or maybe just taking out the RBI completely.

Also wondering how big the pedal is since there aren't any dimensions listed?


Thanks!
Click to expand...

Dimensions approximately 4.67 x 3.67 inches.

I'm still getting the feel for it, but the overdrive is determined by the interaction of the Character and Drive controls. Pre-noon on the Character control gives a fatter sound and you can adjust the Drive to give you clean, warmth or grind.
 
#183
KPJ said:
Dimensions approximately 4.67 x 3.67 inches.

I'm still getting the feel for it, but the overdrive is determined by the interaction of the Character and Drive controls. Pre-noon on the Character control gives a fatter sound and you can adjust the Drive to give you clean, warmth or grind.
Click to expand...

When I read this post it reminded me of a review of the VT Bass I read in Bass Player magazine a couple of months ago. In fact this article is what "got my attention" about this pedal.

Anyway, the review described the relationship between the Character control and Drive control.

Don't know if this will help much, but, here is the link:

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/tech-21-sansamp/apr-08/34859
 
#184
One thing I'm finding out about this pedal is that a little drive goes a long way. I had the drive to where I could barely tell it was on by itself, like 9:00, but in a band context it adds a noticeable layer of "wooliness." The Markbass head by itself and the VT had the same sound otherwise, and it was night and day even though it hardly made a difference without a band.
 
#186
From the manual:

Place the following effects BEFORE the VT:

Booster, compression, fuzz, phaser/vibe, overdrive, wah

Place the following effects AFTER the VT:

Delay, EQ, flanger, phaser, pitch shifter, reverb
 
#187
I've just been having some fun DI'ing the VT and trying to emulate the tones of some recordings I've done with mic'ed cabs. The key to emulating them seems to be in the drive knob. I've actually been able to churn out pretty convincing mic'ed cab sounds by adding a little extra drive to get some of what sounds like air movement across a mic diaphragm. I think I'd rather mic in a studio, but it isn't a bad simulation at all for live.
 
#188
Yes, hence this is going to be my new signal chain:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Because the SMMH processes left and right signals separately, this lets me just use the VT on the DI signal and put a clean signal through to a regular amp if I want. If I want to use a power amp or go into the FX return I can use the pass through signal from the DI.

When putting other effects after the VT Bass it means I cannot crank the volume on it to drive a power amp (it'll distort the SMMH input). I don't use a power amp, but if I ever do I'll need a boost pedal like the Catalinbread Serrano Picoso to get my signal level up!
 
#191
LuvMusic said:
When I read this post it reminded me of a review of the VT Bass I read in Bass Player magazine a couple of months ago. In fact this article is what "got my attention" about this pedal.

Anyway, the review described the relationship between the Character control and Drive control.

Don't know if this will help much, but, here is the link:

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/tech-21-sansamp/apr-08/34859
Click to expand...

That review pretty much nails what I have observed so far.
 
#192
I'm impressed with the VT sounds I've heard...

However, I've been able to tweak some sounds on my zoom B2.1u that rival anything I've heard on the VT (in fact, some of the best models the zoom has to serve up live in the SVT sim driver)...so for me, this box is a bit redundant...

nevertheless, a very nice piece-o-kit for sure...
 
#193
PilbaraBass said:
I'm impressed with the VT sounds I've heard...

However, I've been able to tweak some sounds on my zoom B2.1u that rival anything I've heard on the VT (in fact, some of the best models the zoom has to serve up live in the SVT sim driver)...so for me, this box is a bit redundant...

nevertheless, a very nice piece-o-kit for sure...
Click to expand...

while i share your love for the zoom, i'd have to try the vt side by side to make a statement so bold. i do believe the zoom sounds everybit the same and better than a bddi - recorded and through headphones. i still don't care for either (zoom/bddi) through a bass amp or clean power amp and bass cab so for now i'm sticking to an rpm. gotta try a vt soon....
 
#194
ive been doing some recording with the VT as wel and it does sound damn good. i think your right about the drive JimmyM, its sensitive as hell and it helps a lot while recording. the VT sounds great direct or mic'd through my cab. jimmyM, what settings did you think got you the best B15 sounds? i could only find settings for the svt in your tests. (which are great btw)
 
#195
jpark369 said:
ive been doing some recording with the VT as wel and it does sound damn good. i think your right about the drive JimmyM, its sensitive as hell and it helps a lot while recording. the VT sounds great direct or mic'd through my cab. jimmyM, what settings did you think got you the best B15 sounds? i could only find settings for the svt in your tests. (which are great btw)
Click to expand...
I'm doing this from memory, but I think the best B-15 tone I got was character at 11:00, mids at about 2:00, lows slightly rolled off below noon, highs at about 9 or 10:00, drive at about 9:00.
 
#196
ihateusernames said:
while i share your love for the zoom, i'd have to try the vt side by side to make a statement so bold. i do believe the zoom sounds everybit the same and better than a bddi - recorded and through headphones. i still don't care for either (zoom/bddi) through a bass amp or clean power amp and bass cab so for now i'm sticking to an rpm. gotta try a vt soon....
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean...i've been using my zoom for 2 years...and am just NOW (last couple of months) really learning how to use it.

I'm basing my comparisons from recorded tones on the VT of course (I've heard quite of few)...but, I am quite happy with the tones that the zoom is dishing out for me...

what I've found with the zoom, a little too much = too much, period

analog devices are a bit more "forgiving"

when using the zoom in front of an amp...it is really important to not overcook the sound, otherwise the amp can sound really "odd" or "fake"

I don't know...I can't explain it better than that...
 
#197
Well, modeling is getting better and better from every company. I just read in BP that Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots is using a Pod XT to simulate his studio sound with a 61 Bassman. So I wouldn't be surprised to see other companies finally coming up with emulators that actually emulate. But this VT is the first one I've heard that nails Ampeg exactly.

BTW, overcooking is a definite possibility with the VT.
 
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