VT Bass Mod (w/pics)

[JimmyM]

i really liked that blonde clip. i thought both the shuttle di and mike's added di sound killer as well, but i'm just not into untreated tones from a di anymore.

 

[Bassist4Life]

thanks for posting all those clips. your sound is very different from mine and i'm using the VT bass. i'm doing the p-bass with flats thing.

if i get some time in the near future, i will post some clips. i have a handful of gigs coming up, but i would love to share the sound of my bass. i couldn't be happier with it.

sometimes i think the sound of the bass through DI sounds a bit sterile. i like a blend of the DI with a mic'd cabinet. i think bass sounds better with a little more low end and a touch of drive/fuzz.

peace & music,
joe

 

[Jarrett]

I wish Tech21 (or anyone) would make a DI pedal that sounded more modern. Like a nice head going through a good 4x10 cab sound. That's really all I'm looking for. I really do like the Blonde for guitar though. The Lenny clip really surprised me, its going to work well for that.

 

[PutnamGuitars]

This XLR OUT mod looks great. I'm in! However, I'd be even more in if I could get a clean blend installed too. Basically, I want the functionality of the Bass Driver DI. Is this mod possible?

My distortions and micro synth get the high-end sizzle toned down a bit much with the VT after them. I just did a quick test using an LS-2 to add a clean blend to the VT with the Micro Synth being fed into that (the "clean" being the micro synth not being effected by the VT), and it only takes a little bit of blend to bring back some sizzle. A clean blend knob would do such a prettier job though- I already have 2 LS-2s on board.

Yes the Blend Knob Mod is possible.
The knob placement would be similar to the added knob on the "Jimmy" Mod shown in previous posts.

 

[Jarrett]

Not sure if this is interesting to anyone here, but I did a couple more overdriven guitar clips with the Blonde and the M13. I used the Line6 Drive and Digital Delay from the M13 on this one with the Blonde set at a fairly clean setting.

Link Removed - This was just a first pass deal to get levels and stuff
Link Removed - I tweaked this one a little and tried rolling back the volume to see how it cleaned up.
Link Removed - This is just the intro to one of our old songs

 

[bassnyc1]

Hi all,

I've had my VT pedal for a while now and agree that the original DI mod is a great idea and Tech 21 should have made the pedal like that in the first place. I've just read this entire thread and I think the other mod ideas are also very cool! Hats off to Mike Putnam for offering super work along with great prices!

I'm not a noob but I've got a couple of noob questions....
(be nice!) )

I run my VT pedal into the front of my GB Shuttle 9.0 using the direct out, post EQ. Most agree that the 9.0 has a top notch DI so if my 9.0 is set flat, wouldn't that be the same as having a DI on the pedal? The reason for my question is that I like to have the same sound on stage as the sound that goes into the board.

What is "Phantom Power?"

Thanks in advance for any and all replies

 

[Jarrett]

Which input do you go into from the VT Bass to the Shuttle 9.0? The front panel input, Aux in, or Effects Loop Return/Receive? The input point on the amp will determine the amount of color the Shuttle 9.0 imparts on the signal. For example, going into the front input will pass the signal through the tube preamp and EQ and color the sound more than the rear inputs. The Effects Loop Receive jack inserts the signal "right before the Master Volume control and is also intended as a Power Amp In connection" will would be the same as plugging your VT Bass pedal directly into a stand alone power amp.

Phantom Power means the XLR cable from the house board can supply power to your VT Bass pedal if its been modded to accept it and the board is capable. That way you don't need a 9V battery or external power cable to power the pedal.

 

[bassnyc1]

Thanks for the answers Jarrett! I plug my VT bass pedal directly in front because I've found that I can get the most flexability that way by having the gain, channel volume and master volume to work with. Of course that means that the 9.0's preamp is also coloring the sound, I guess but I actually like that combination the best so far. I'll try the other ways again.

 

[JimmyM]

I wish Tech21 (or anyone) would make a DI pedal that sounded more modern. Like a nice head going through a good 4x10 cab sound.

you can get that out of any other di.

 

[Jarrett]

you can get that out of any other di.

I've tried several, which one would you suggest?

 

[JimmyM]

pretty much every di i've ever used besides tech 21, dude almost all of them have full range from 20-20k. i don't know...maybe i'm understanding you wrong. what aren't you getting out of a di that you get from a 410?

 

[Jarrett]

Yeah, the sound that comes from a pumping 4x10 cab is a little different from that of a direct bass guitar.

 

[JimmyM]

well slap a good mic in front of the cab then. that's what i do for my cabs. works out wonderfully.

ok, the over/under on some pantywaist nerd coming in to tell me you should never mic cabs is 45 minutes. i don't think it';ll take even that long, so i'm taking the under. but just bear in mind that if you do try to tell us that, i will think of you as a pantywaist nerd, plus i will have a huge list of reasons why you're 100% wrong, so think before you stink.

 

[Jarrett]

well slap a good mic in front of the cab then. that's what i do for my cabs. works out wonderfully

Yeah I would do that if every band I gig with allowed for a pumping 4x10 on the stage... but they don't. Hence the reason for this thread, these mods, etc. The desire to have a way of emulating a certain rig to FOH or even to lay down tracks was what started this whole thing. I just wish there was was one that emulated what a lot of players are using these days, a modern bass head going through a 4x10 cab. The Fractal Axe-FX does this, but its $1500 to get into that game. Would be nice if there was a cheaper option.

 

[JimmyM]

doesn't have to be loud to be effective. i'm probably the quietest bassist on here and i do it.

 

[Jarrett]

I'm not sure if I'm not being clear or you are just messing with me But there are gigs that I (and others) have where no amps are allowed. Meaning I can't have a 4x10 at the gig. I'm not sure if I can make that any clearer

 

[optikhog]

Jarrett, I've gone amp-less a few times via a BDDI and was able to dial in a sound very similar to the sound I get from my Carvin 410 rig - use the gain/presence/blend sparingly and it can sound more like an SS amplifier with lots of groovy thump.

 

[robgo]

You should never mic cabs you know.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm not sure if I'm not being clear or you are just messing with me But there are gigs that I (and others) have where no amps are allowed. Meaning I can't have a 4x10 at the gig. I'm not sure if I can make that any clearer

clear as mud? maybe if you said, "i do a lot of gigs where no amp is allowed" before this post, i would have understood a little better.

 

[amfmsb]

This XLR OUT mod looks great. I'm in! However, I'd be even more in if I could get a clean blend installed too. Basically, I want the functionality of the Bass Driver DI. Is this mod possible?

My distortions and micro synth get the high-end sizzle toned down a bit much with the VT after them. I just did a quick test using an LS-2 to add a clean blend to the VT with the Micro Synth being fed into that (the "clean" being the micro synth not being effected by the VT), and it only takes a little bit of blend to bring back some sizzle. A clean blend knob would do such a prettier job though- I already have 2 LS-2s on board.

Turns our it is possible and I'll probably be sending it to Mike this weekend. What a helpful professional guy! I'm getting the XLR out mod with phantom power and ground lift switch, as well as the clean blend knob installed. I'll post a pick when I get it back.