Fantastic video, brilliantly edited, funny, informative. Your playing demonstrates the sounds well and the scrolling text is a great idea. It's practically a "how to" demonstration for the pedal. Nice work.
Basic difference is that with the Para Driver you have control over your mids, while with the Bass Driver you don´t have. But the Bass Driver has Blend knob, which mixes your clean sound with pedal sound and also Presence knob, which is control used in old all-tube amps and controls amount of upper harmonics in your sound. I would personally buy the Para Driver, because of that mid control...But you can´t go wrong with neither of them.
Agreed. I’ve always hated the bass driver DI on bass. It’s always sounded trashy to me (not in a good way). Obviously sounds like fake tube. Para driver has much better tone control and is able to accentuate or reduce the mids and ultimately save the tone.
The Bass Driver is a Di Preamp specially desgined for bass. The Para Driver is a more versitile unit, its layout is similar, but it includes a MidShift controller, allowing you to change the diseired Mid Frequency you want to boos or cut. This enables the unit to be used for Guitars, Mics, Drums and other instruments. (Kinda sad that you got your answer 8 years later)
@@FonchiCampomar The Para Driver also has higher gain than the Bass Driver, this was confirmed by reaching out directly to someone at Tech 21. (Kinda sad you're both getting responses 12 and three years later)
Yes we enjoy! Thanks for your demos! I was playing a PB (Japan Squier from goods 80's years) on a SWR Workingman's Twelve (quiet simple and neutral amp for bass) with a Boss Super Over Drive SD-1. According to what you play with a guitar and this demo...you will really like the SD-1 with a bass (if not tried already!). Boosting, creamy, etc.
Mr. Burgermann, I must sincerely compliment you on your vid. I wish you would do all product reviews. I often turn to RUclips for product reviews and have to needlessly parse through inane reviews that suck. Yours rocks. Thanks.
The problem with this review is that your clean tone without the effects sounds AMAZING, as if it's compressed and EQ'd to hell and back. I don't know what to think of this.
wow that thing sounds great! someone i know just uses this as a bass distorsion, but the DI part sounds fucking great, it sounds better then most standard bass DI's.
I play through an Ampeg SVT Classic with either 2 15's or an 8x10 live, so I'm not really looking for live sound. I am however looking to record my bass directly into the board next time we record. Do you think the Sans Amp would be better than just a direct signal sound after EQ-ing?
don't know about other people out there but i have never tried a preamp with a cab. usually i go to the bass->pedal->amp->cab->mixer or bass->pedal->mixer(through XLR) if you want to use the direct input.
good stuff burgerman! you're not crap by any standard. thanks for the video. its kindda expensive in india, but your video has helped me finalize this as my first bass pedal. lets hope i get some part of the sound you can get... cheers mate! thanks again!
@Burgerman666 - The Bass Driver DI has a huge mid-scoop at 750Hz, which has made it fall out of favour with more experienced bassists. You can blend back in the original tone, or cut the Bass & Treble to relatively increase the mids, but it's a little counter-intuitive. The VT Bass has dedicated mids & a Character control, and it does the original BDDI tone as well as plenty more.
I use the Bass driver DI for almost all my clips and I reckon it's one of the best units to emulate that valve SVT sound. The Paradriver you shown is very similar, I'd like to have one myself, it has features for other instruments that are really cool if you play many instruments at home. Thanks!
Thanks a lot for this demo, it showcases what I think most people look for in a review: the SOUNDs the unit can produce. Not loads of shit-chat and virtuosity, just simple, plain possibilities of sounds you can get with the equipment. Way to go!!!
I have a big important question what is the difference between the "Para Driver" and the "Bass Driver"? Please someone answer me, I'm about to buy one of those but i don't understand the difference!
@Burgerman666 They call it Para Driver b/c of the semi-parametric adjustable mids. If you ever played a regular Bass Driver, you'll find the mid control a joy.
@CowbellProfessional I couldnt agree more mate, That was a fantastic , well made video and so neatly done, plus yer daughter is a wee cutie and a consummate professional!
since its a DI, you put it at the end of a pedal board to get a balanced line out correct? is that what you do? ive seen many saet ups where its not at the end..........also, does it do the function of preamp?
@Burgerman666 I want to buy the SansAmp Character Series-British, and connect it to my computer. What else do I need to buy? Love your demos, and great sound. Thanks!!
Great video! But I was just wondering, what bass are you playing? I know it's a precision bass but what manufacturer, because all of the Fender precision basses have only 20 frets, and your's has 21.
Hi, I have a quick question that hopefully you can answer. Can you plug your bass straight into the SansAmp and then straight into a cabinet and use it just play like that? Basically use it as an amp?
thank you so much for the demo video! it's really useful! Can I have a question? If just for bass sounds tuning and controlling in live performance, is it good to use "para driver" or "bass driver"? what differents between them?
Thanks, very nice review. I heard some distortion on the "Jaco" setting even though it looks like the Drive was all the way down. First, am I right that the distortion was coming from the pedal and not another component of your system? If so, was that from having the mids up so high or something? Basically I just want to know if this pedal can produce 100% clean tone in regular playing situations. Thanks.
Reluctant Dragon This pedal can definitely produce 100% clean tones. I have been using it for a long time now along with many other Tech21 products. I use mine for a distortion pedal because it is so good at it.
Yes, it really depends on the input gain being fed to it. Also, the blend is helpful for making it cleaner. Drive all the way down can still have a bit of soft clipping/compression with enough input gain.
Sorry, I'm an effects/ amp noob. If I were to use this and have it on, would I still be able to use my amp's settings? Like would the settings on my actual amplifier influence the sound at all?
Hey man, i bought this preamp, and love it, thanx to you! but i'm getting a constant buzz when plugged in to my 20 watt peavy amp, i'm using livewire instrument cables, help a brother troubleshoot, i'm getting a real amp (200 watt 15 inch) GK, this weekend.
So if I just bought a Ampeg SVT 7 Pro and the Ampeg 4x10 hlf cab to go with it do I still need to use this pedal if i'm not running it threw a p.a? What would you guy's do? Most shows we have been playing at the p.a sucks to begin with so we just normally end up using our own amps etc etc.
@jcarterize Yes, it is the best thing for a Geddy Lee sound. Couple it with a BOSS Bass Overdrive and BOSS Bass Chorus and you will have a very flexible setup.
hello i need help please i'm so confused about the xlr and how to connect it to the computer ^-^ i mean what kind of cable to use and where to stick it? is it very important to have the m-audio thing inb/w the xlr and the pc? or can i without it? also is it possible then to play through the computer using some sofware without delay in signal and no hiss ? (and i dont mean recording) but hearing while playin thanx everybody
@Burgerman666 hahaha wat to say.... everytime i get sth i get confused in sth else! i thought that para indicates multiple use (guitar,bass) and that sansamp bass driver di is only for bass! anyway i think its the same thing with the bddi in this case wat a cool pedal! thank u for the fast response!
I dont get all of this... lol... can any one tell me.. am I able to plug my Musicman Stingray 5 which has active pickups into this?.. I currently have a Zoom B2 IU and I was plugging my bass into that and using the three pronged outlet to go straight into the mixing desk.. but.. I'm not sure why but it was always peaking and I was unsure of a solution.. would somthing like this make a difference??
hey guys does some1 know if its posiible to use both outputs at once to go to 2 amps? 1 parralel clean and the other dirty and i dont mean the DI !!! thanx
@Burgerman666 haha you should probably change the strings. it will improve the bass tone 100%. I had strings that were a year and a half old, i put some bass boomers on, and it made a world of difference.
i got a question if i have a amp with a head already does using the pedal help or it doestn affect much or does it affect only with the small amp sir ?
Wow, sounds way more authentic sounding than the bass driver. Nice clarity. Nice job on the demo. Made up my mind
Fantastic video, brilliantly edited, funny, informative. Your playing demonstrates the sounds well and the scrolling text is a great idea. It's practically a "how to" demonstration for the pedal.
Nice work.
No need to apologize for your playing! That was a very effective demonstration of the capabilities of this little box.
Basic difference is that with the Para Driver you have control over your mids, while with the Bass Driver you don´t have. But the Bass Driver has Blend knob, which mixes your clean sound with pedal sound and also Presence knob, which is control used in old all-tube amps and controls amount of upper harmonics in your sound. I would personally buy the Para Driver, because of that mid control...But you can´t go wrong with neither of them.
Agreed. I’ve always hated the bass driver DI on bass. It’s always sounded trashy to me (not in a good way). Obviously sounds like fake tube. Para driver has much better tone control and is able to accentuate or reduce the mids and ultimately save the tone.
@@meedilyI like my bass driver v2 it just requires a lot of adjustment. Have you ever tried the para driver straight into amp input? Curious to try it
Para has blend too
What's the difference between the para driver DI and the Bass driver DI?
The Bass Driver is a Di Preamp specially desgined for bass. The Para Driver is a more versitile unit, its layout is similar, but it includes a MidShift controller, allowing you to change the diseired Mid Frequency you want to boos or cut. This enables the unit to be used for Guitars, Mics, Drums and other instruments.
(Kinda sad that you got your answer 8 years later)
@@FonchiCampomar The Para Driver also has higher gain than the Bass Driver, this was confirmed by reaching out directly to someone at Tech 21.
(Kinda sad you're both getting responses 12 and three years later)
Brett thanks for reviewing this box. I am sold on buying one.
Yes we enjoy! Thanks for your demos! I was playing a PB (Japan Squier from goods 80's years) on a SWR Workingman's Twelve (quiet simple and neutral amp for bass) with a Boss Super Over Drive SD-1.
According to what you play with a guitar and this demo...you will really like the SD-1 with a bass (if not tried already!). Boosting, creamy, etc.
Ok !! I'm gonna buy one !!! Thanks for this video ! You both made me change my mind !
Great demo!
I love the Heart of the Sunrise playing. Chris squire is an amazing bassist.
I agree!!!🤘🤘🤘
Mr. Burgermann, I must sincerely compliment you on your vid. I wish you would do all product reviews. I often turn to RUclips for product reviews and have to needlessly parse through inane reviews that suck. Yours rocks. Thanks.
The problem with this review is that your clean tone without the effects sounds AMAZING, as if it's compressed and EQ'd to hell and back. I don't know what to think of this.
wow that thing sounds great! someone i know just uses this as a bass distorsion, but the DI part sounds fucking great, it sounds better then most standard bass DI's.
Great demo mate. Congrats.
I play through an Ampeg SVT Classic with either 2 15's or an 8x10 live, so I'm not really looking for live sound. I am however looking to record my bass directly into the board next time we record. Do you think the Sans Amp would be better than just a direct signal sound after EQ-ing?
Yep, I run mine into the "Effects Return" on my head. You can also run it straight into the front if you feel like it.
this thing is awesome, i must get my hands on one. great demo!
You pretty much sold me on one of these, nice review man.
don't know about other people out there but i have never tried a preamp with a cab. usually i go to the bass->pedal->amp->cab->mixer or bass->pedal->mixer(through XLR) if you want to use the direct input.
good stuff burgerman! you're not crap by any standard. thanks for the video. its kindda expensive in india, but your video has helped me finalize this as my first bass pedal. lets hope i get some part of the sound you can get... cheers mate! thanks again!
Great demo keep up the goodwork
Cool vid, thanks for putting it out!
I hear some Yes.Awesome review. You helped Sans Amp sell me one.
Thanks, excellent demo.
They day i tried a SansAmp I felt like setting on fire my Boss Overdrive, my Time Machine delay, and my Fuzz... Such an amazing device.
@Burgerman666 - The Bass Driver DI has a huge mid-scoop at 750Hz, which has made it fall out of favour with more experienced bassists. You can blend back in the original tone, or cut the Bass & Treble to relatively increase the mids, but it's a little counter-intuitive. The VT Bass has dedicated mids & a Character control, and it does the original BDDI tone as well as plenty more.
thanks for this question, I was about to ask the same , cheers mate!!! Berh
Awesome review!
Thank you~! Merry Christmas =)
I use the Bass driver DI for almost all my clips and I reckon it's one of the best units to emulate that valve SVT sound. The Paradriver you shown is very similar, I'd like to have one myself, it has features for other instruments that are really cool if you play many instruments at home. Thanks!
What a positive and life-affirming comment of our friend Th4455. :)
Thanks a lot for this demo, it showcases what I think most people look for in a review: the SOUNDs the unit can produce. Not loads of shit-chat and virtuosity, just simple, plain possibilities of sounds you can get with the equipment. Way to go!!!
whats the difference between the Para Di and the regular bass driver Di
Can I stack this pedal's drive and amp's drive to get a heavier tone? Or it would sound muddy?
I have a big important question what is the difference between the "Para Driver" and the "Bass Driver"?
Please someone answer me, I'm about to buy one of those but i don't understand the difference!
@Burgerman666 They call it Para Driver b/c of the semi-parametric adjustable mids.
If you ever played a regular Bass Driver, you'll find the mid control a joy.
@CowbellProfessional I couldnt agree more mate, That was a fantastic , well made video and so neatly done, plus yer daughter is a wee cutie and a consummate professional!
like the Jaco bit, and the camera got a little fuzzy during that part. Was that just serendipity, or were you showing Jaco under the influence?
And now I want to buy this pedal! Only problem is I don't have the money for it..
@rud3m3chanical - oh, I see you covered the VT Bass too. It's worth mentioning the Deluxe versions have the DI output too.
This preamp is better than the bass driver di?
sounds great!
hi nice review mate... have you aver tried Sansamp bass driver?
Which one is better for you?
what is the differences between Tech 21 SansAmp programmable bass driver and Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI ?
since its a DI, you put it at the end of a pedal board to get a balanced line out correct? is that what you do? ive seen many saet ups where its not at the end..........also, does it do the function of preamp?
good review. Do you know if you can get a clean growly tone from the bass driver or para driver
would you reccomend this as a di for bass?
it also seems they (the mids) are less scooped than with BDDI. am i rigt or not?
is there any low end loss?
Good one!
@Burgerman666 I want to buy the SansAmp Character Series-British, and connect it to my computer. What else do I need to buy? Love your demos, and great sound. Thanks!!
Great video! But I was just wondering, what bass are you playing? I know it's a precision bass but what manufacturer, because all of the Fender precision basses have only 20 frets, and your's has 21.
Can i use this on my pedal board as an over drive for my bass? or would it kill my rigs bass tone and replace it with its own tone so to speak?
"appologies for my crap bass playing" nah man the playing was just fine :p
Hi, I have a quick question that hopefully you can answer. Can you plug your bass straight into the SansAmp and then straight into a cabinet and use it just play like that? Basically use it as an amp?
thank you so much for the demo video! it's really useful!
Can I have a question?
If just for bass sounds tuning and controlling in live performance, is it good to use "para driver" or "bass driver"? what differents between them?
Hi! What is the diference between para driver and bass driver?
for you the para driver is better than the bass driver? ( for the bass guitar )
would this be an ideal thing to buy and use live if u have to money to buy head,cabs etc?
what is the difference between the para driver di and the bass driver di?
Thanks, very nice review. I heard some distortion on the "Jaco" setting even though it looks like the Drive was all the way down. First, am I right that the distortion was coming from the pedal and not another component of your system? If so, was that from having the mids up so high or something?
Basically I just want to know if this pedal can produce 100% clean tone in regular playing situations. Thanks.
Reluctant Dragon This pedal can definitely produce 100% clean tones. I have been using it for a long time now along with many other Tech21 products. I use mine for a distortion pedal because it is so good at it.
Yes, it really depends on the input gain being fed to it.
Also, the blend is helpful for making it cleaner. Drive all the way down can still have a bit of soft clipping/compression with enough input gain.
so this works as a "amp" so to speak when you record, but also a normal distortionpedal like live and such?
Awesome video OP, you should get commission from this video ... I just purchased a Para Driver after watching this video.
Does it need phonton power and 9v battery or just one of them?
Sorry, I'm an effects/ amp noob. If I were to use this and have it on, would I still be able to use my amp's settings? Like would the settings on my actual amplifier influence the sound at all?
Hey man, i bought this preamp, and love it, thanx to you! but i'm getting a constant buzz when plugged in to my 20 watt peavy amp, i'm using livewire instrument cables, help a brother troubleshoot, i'm getting a real amp (200 watt 15 inch) GK, this weekend.
So if I just bought a Ampeg SVT 7 Pro and the Ampeg 4x10 hlf cab to go with it do I still need to use this pedal if i'm not running it threw a p.a? What would you guy's do? Most shows we have been playing at the p.a sucks to begin with so we just normally end up using our own amps etc etc.
I use this box for recording Bass and in my opininion it's absolutely fantastic.
I am debating on Tech 21 SansAmp PARA DRIVER DI or the Tech21 RPM. any thoughts?
I have the RPM, and it's never let me down! I would go with it.
sansamp. no discussion at all.
Heart of the Sunrise!
Heart of the Sunrise... nice!
Say, they still make/sell these? Always wanted to check them out.
@jcarterize Yes, it is the best thing for a Geddy Lee sound. Couple it with a BOSS Bass Overdrive and BOSS Bass Chorus and you will have a very flexible setup.
hello
i need help please
i'm so confused about the xlr and how to connect it to the computer ^-^
i mean what kind of cable to use and where to stick it?
is it very important to have the m-audio thing inb/w the xlr and the pc? or can i without it?
also is it possible then to play through the computer using some sofware without delay in signal and no hiss ? (and i dont mean recording) but hearing while playin
thanx everybody
hola muy buena desmostracion .! amigo ese pre amp se puede usar como direct box?'..gracias!
Is this good for a geddy lee sound?
can this pedal be used live as part of a pedal board as well?
@Burgerman666
hahaha
wat to say....
everytime i get sth i get confused in sth else!
i thought that para indicates multiple use (guitar,bass)
and that sansamp bass driver di is only for bass!
anyway i think its the same thing with the bddi in this case
wat a cool pedal!
thank u for the fast response!
I dont get all of this... lol... can any one tell me.. am I able to plug my Musicman Stingray 5 which has active pickups into this?.. I currently have a Zoom B2 IU and I was plugging my bass into that and using the three pronged outlet to go straight into the mixing desk.. but.. I'm not sure why but it was always peaking and I was unsure of a solution.. would somthing like this make a difference??
hey guys does some1 know if its posiible to use both outputs at once to go to 2 amps?
1 parralel clean
and the other dirty
and i dont mean the DI !!!
thanx
Is this good for a geddy lee sound
@Burgerman666 haha you should probably change the strings. it will improve the bass tone 100%. I had strings that were a year and a half old, i put some bass boomers on, and it made a world of difference.
i got a question if i have a amp with a head already does using the pedal help or it doestn affect much or does it affect only with the small amp sir ?
Thank you very much
i got this pedal....its a magic box!!!
can you plug this into a cab without a head
What strings are u using on that bass?
does this have true by-pass?
Friend, I got a question, I can use the sansamps with a active bass?
Much better results with this: A BK Butler Tube driver with a good hybrid tube amp, say an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro.
Heyy Can i ask how much this was?
LOL.. I did not see that introduction coming :)
Good video, but too bad we can't see your right hand. Technique shapes the sound a lot, so it's difficult to tell exactly how the pedal behaves.
@Timpala44 I think microphone would be the best for all-tube amp..nothing can take that sound better than mic
This pedal seems to blow the MXR Bass DI out of the water. It has so much more depth to it.
Name of a track in the begining please
yeah it has 1/4 in cable outlet too
aww if she isn't the cutest thing!
1:44 - 1:47 ...that would be a cool ringtone.
@MANGOROCKN use the svt setup is on the manual
Cool!
sansamp is the solution
A little bit of that Buffalo '66