Why does one need a Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver?

[Exemonium]

So, I did some research and everyone seems to Live or die by their Bass driver (or similar). My question is why? I can completely understand it with a passive bass, I get that. But why would one want to use it with an active? I must be missing something somewhere. I picked one up to try it out and I'm not noticing anything huge ...yet. I'm hoping there's something I'm overlooking or missing somewhere.

I'm just starting to build my first pedal board, I have a few pedals in transit, and saw this so I thought I'd pick it up and check it out. Maybe it's a tad better with more effects rolling, I don't know. Now, what I'm using it for would be mostly live settings.

Why do you all like yours? Or whatever pedal you may use that's similar? What does it bring to your sound that maybe I should shoot for on this one?

I run a Musicman Reflex with a Little Mark Tube 800. I love versatility, that's one reason I thought to try this pedal out.

Like I said, this is my first venture into bass pedal world. I know what sounds I want and will use, but which brands is going to be the pain. The sansamp was just cause I see tons of people using things like that and wanted to see what all the fuss was about

All opinions welcomed

 

[spaz21387]

I would get one for its tone shaping abilities and as a di. For recording or plugging straight into the pa its great. I had one I loved I plan to get the new vt bass di when it comes out at the end of the month.

 

[RickenBoogie]

It's a preamp and DI box. If you need either or both, it's useful.

 

[FaithNoMan]

So, I did some research and everyone seems to Live or die by their Bass driver (or similar). My question is why? I can completely understand it with a passive bass, I get that. But why would one want to use it with an active?

Some people's active basses when recording direct do not contain an Ampeg SVT inside of them.

 

[ntxbass]

It's the tone, the tone shaping, the DI, the ability to add a little grit. It is the one pedal that will nail that Geddy Lee tone if that's your thing. I haven't played a gig without mine in over 12 years. Including front ending tube amps.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If nothing else it can save your show if your amp dies.

 

[Exemonium]

Some good points for sure. So it's not exactly a necessity for my rig, but it's surely handy for some stuff. I do like the tone shaping with my passive basses a lot, so there's a plus.

More insight please. These are things I hadn't thought of, thank you.

 

[waynobass]

On doesn't.

 

[ShowKing]

DI is handy for live and recording situations but it just sounds great for tone shaping, adding character to your sound.

 

[rokkitt]

I have the rack unit. I might get the pedal just as a backup. It is very good, and you can get great tone out of it.....easy, with just a few twists of the knobs.

it is very easy to dail in. and the DI as an amp backup when going live is key

 

[G3Mitch]

i absolutely love my BDDI. Just gives my tone an awesome presence and adds great clarity for note definition. It also has the ability to make other pedals, mainly dirt pedals, sound better.

The thing that sold me on it over the other Sansamp products is the blend function, so you can mix the BDDI tone with your amps tone.

Great pedal.

 

[aaronsdunn]

I wouldn't use it with a bass like the Reflex, but if you're running something like a Stingray or Fender Deluxe it's more practical. With a Reflex you can pretty much just plug into the system.

 

[chaosMK]

There are a few amps I've tried/owned that the BDDI doesnt do much on. For some amps- dark ones especially it can really brighten up the presence. I'd use mine on the front end of any Ampeg/Ampeg-style amp.

I never use it as a DI. My head has a badass DI and I use it for the tone it gives me... BDDI alone sounds pretty plinky IMO unless it's dialed in specifcally for DI and not interacting with your amp.

I use mine blended in the FX loop of a Mesa Bass 400 at Line level (to slam the power section with a huge clean boost). I run some hair in the 400's preamp and some light BDDI fuzz in the FX loop and the power section pretty saturated. It's magic to me- touch sensitive OD that retains detail, power section compression.

 

[cavedweller]

I have one mainly as a back up but do use it with my LMiii to get a little grit when needed. I also have used it in the studio for recording.

 

[xshawnxearthx]

Had one, thought I didn't need it, so I sold it. Few years later and I bought another one at almost double the price. Since purchasing the second time, it hasn't left my side. Every road trip, every tour, ever gig, every session. It does everything I need and then some.

 

[Exemonium]

I also just use the DI on my LM Tube 800. So It's looking like this could be a purchase further down the line and I should maybe use that money for something else first while I build up my pedal board. I'll find out when my comp and fuzz get here.

 

[walterw]

the BDDI does a specific job; if you don't know why you'd need one, then you don't need one.

me, it's the backbone of my sound! i run my passive bass into it, set it for a nice grindy but clear SVT sort of sound, send the 1/4" out to a power amp to run my bass cabs and send the XLR out to the PA.

who needs a "bass amp"?

 

[Crabby]

I think if I played a P-bass, I would use one all the time but I have owned this pedal a few times and never liked what it did to my Stingray's tone. Too scooped in the mids no matter what for my tastes.

 

[fraublugher]

There are also other units out there that do the same for more money and less .
mxr , darkglass, rusty box , verellen ......

 

[Grissle]

I think if I played a P-bass, I would use one all the time but I have owned this pedal a few times and never liked what it did to my Stingray's tone. Too scooped in the mids no matter what for my tastes.

The VT Bass isn't scooped like the BDDI.