Tech21 BDDI

[DBFIU]

Hey I was watching this video.

I love the sound coming out of this guys bass.



I just wanted to know, is he using some other signal conditioner (distortion or flange) to get that sound or is it all from the BDDI?

How did he get that sound? I am looking to invest in a pedal, I am a beginner and I think I like this Tech21 unit.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

 

[jez79]

Lots of people use sansamps, though many seem to be moving from the BDDIs to their newer models.
This pedal is great for use as a DI, put it last in your signal chain and the soundguys at gigs will love you.
The programmable version of this pedal lets your store three settings, so you can have clean and overdriven sounds easily. I use the third channel dialed for standup.
The BDDI is loved and criticized for its mid-scooping, built in countour from the bass/treble knobs.

 

[DBFIU]

is it worth the investment for a beginner? I just want a good sound, I have a bassman 60 watt amp and a rogue 5 string, the sound is kinda poopy and I just want something to give me a clear boost.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I run a BDDI deluxe on some gigs. It's a great unit.

From the sound of your complaint you probably need more rig first. A BDDI has many functions but fixing suck isn't one of them.

 

[DBFIU]

Well I dont have the money for a new rig, I dont mind the bandaid approach right now. The amp isnt a bad amp, the bass on the other hand could use some TLC. It isnt terrible, and for a beginner, it sounds better than I do. I just want something that can grow with me and the BDDI seems like it would as I get better equipment later on.

 

[Nev375]

There ain't no magic box that makes your mediocre rig sound awesome.

You start with good strings, Put them on a good bass, play through a good sounding amp. You don't need anything else.

The BDDI is for people who want to run a direct signal of their bass to the PA system to amplify rather than their own amp.
Some people use it as a pedal to provide distortion or coloring to their tone.

Do you need it? Probably not unless you are gigging. But if you want it in your signal chain to help get that sound who am I to tell you not to get it? Just don't expect it to change much if you are playing dead strings on a lifeless sounding bass.

 

[chargerbandit]

I bought the similar Behringer BDI-21 and I have to say it does make my rig sound so much better, also it is very very cheap so why not go for it.

 

[kenneffdupriest]

allot times these vids have a lot t do with what pickups are in the bass to begin with.

As for the sansamp, its a great investment and will change your sound accordingly. I have the programmable one. have one set for warm tube, one for slightly overdriven and one for slap. combined with a compressor I use no other pedals for normal playblity.

I highly recommend any of the sansamp drivers.

i'm just sayin

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

In the video he is using a nice Fender Jazz Bass. That has a whole lot to do with the sound.

I own a bunch of Tech 21 gear and love all of it. I have a LM300 head, 410 cab, Para driver, and the VT Deluxe. I use to own the Power Engine 60, and the BDDI.

That being said, I would suggest to start with a good solid bass and then focus on your rig. It will make learning so much more interesting and easy having a good bass.

However if you do decide to go for the BDDI, you will more than likely enjoy it. I did.

 

[fourstringdrums]

I used to use a BDDI with a Rogue practice amp and I felt it improved the tone. Not immensely as you can't polish a turd, but I preferred the tone with than without.

 

[Downunderwonder]

So much GAS. Save the money and upgrade the amp when you can. 5 string needs much more amp than your little combo.

Dead strings never hurt anyone.

 

[DBFIU]

It's not a bad amp, fender bassman 60 is not total crap, not the best but it can hold a decent tone. It's just the rogue bass that is a little rickety. I could get new strings, I just dont have the money for a new 400 dollar bass right now.

 

[bassmusic17]

A BDDI isn't gonna turn something sub par into a magical tone monster. If you don't like your rig, I would start there. Id hang on to that $200 bucks and put it towards something better. A BDDI might make it sound a little better to your ears but if you are playing with a band and a loud drummer, using that amp, no one is gonna hear you anyway.

 

[Downunderwonder]

A BDDI isn't gonna turn something sub par into a magical tone monster. If you don't like your rig, I would start there. Id hang on to that $200 bucks and put it towards something better. A BDDI might make it sound a little better to your ears but if you are playing with a band and a loud drummer, using that amp, no one is gonna hear you anyway.

And further, trying to keep up, particularly with 5 string, is only going to stress the speaker.

 

[DBFIU]

I know you guys are right. But I dont forsee I will have a grand to drop on a new amp and bass anytime soon. I understand the tech21 wont unlock magical unicorns inside my amp or bass, but like I said before, even if it improves it a little bit it can still grow with me when I do get the right stuff. I am such a beginner anyway, that even a new rig will still sound like poopie in my hands.

Do you guys have any other suggestions on other pedals or DI interfaces for my situation? Other then just getting a whole new rig which I cant afford?

 

[bassmusic17]

I wouldn't spend $200 bucks to try to improve something and still be unhappy. Yes there are cheaper alternatives. You might even be happy with something like a Boss ODB-3. Or that Hardwire someone mentioned earlier.

 

[AciDBatH666]

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I went on the rabbit trail of trying to find a little more grit to my tone. I tried the Boss OBD-3, and put it on Craigslist 3 days later. It didn't do what I wanted. Then I ordered a Sansamp BDDI. Came in, plugged it up, and I instantly loved the dirt grit that it added to my tone. It gave a little boost to my EQ that brought out certain aspects that I really dug.
My drummer at the time also mentioned that he heard me a little more clear after I got the pedal.

These guys are right. It won't make crap gear sound like a million bucks. But it will add an edge that I think you'll like. Some people are suggesting to just save your money and get better gear (i.e.- spend more money than you're planning later instead of a little now). My opinion, get the Sansamp, and then get new gear later. Even with a good rig, you still might find that the Sansamp is useful. You can use it to DI your chain later if you don't find yourself using it for tone.

My current gear is (well was) a Sansamp RBI (rack unit, same as pedal but with an XLR level and a mid control), into a Gallien Krueger 1001rbii. For several years, this was my tone. Then I found the MXR DI. It's got a clean boost and a distortion that the Sansamp doesn't. I find myself still using the Sansamp with the clean boost of the MXR pedal.

Fast forward to now, I've actually built a pedal board to get my tone now. And I'm planning on getting rid of my rack with the Sansamp. I've upgraded the Sansamp to a Darkglass B7K for most of my EQ and tone (I'd HIGHLY suggest this pedal instead, but it's nearly $400 new). So the chain goes MXR compressor->tuner->phaser->B7K->Wah->MXR DI, that in turn goes to my rack which is the Sansamp->GK amp.
I find myself liking certain combinations of B7K, MXR DI clean boost and Sansamp combined. I still haven't tinkered with it enough at a high enough practice volume to know what I want, but I wouldn't hesitate to swap my Sansamp rack unit for a pedal unit and possibly throw it in my chain later.


Cliff notes: I think you should get the Sansamp. I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you don't like it, you can probably sell it for nearly what you paid for it. And there's a good chance that you'll still use it down the road, even if it's just for a DI.
Just my opinion and my experience.

 

[johnk_10]

the BDDI didn't do it for me. I just foundd it too scooped at most settings and IMO, it's dirt sound is pretty bad (as in fizzy decay) and their paradriver was the same but had a bit better control over the mids.
IMO, there are a lot of other pedals that can enhance your tone better and have much better overdrive tones. YMMV

 

[Bassbubble11]

I use a BDDI as an always on pedal in my chain. I originally bought for distortion but discovered it has some great tube tones. I sounds great in front of my Hartke 3500 Solid State amp. It's "my sound". It's not just for a gigging musician at all. Sure it's also great as a DI for live situations but it's also great for recording direct. It does a lot (at least for me it does). It doesn't scoop mids, it just doesn't boost them. If you are not overboard with the bass and treble knobs you will have no problems. The BDDI is a solid investment. It does a lot and does it well.

 

[thebreakman]

My BDDI is always on. It enhances my other pedals. It has many more uses as Bassbubble mentions. It's a permanent part of my rig and tone.