looking to get a go to bass rig for silent recording....

melovine · May 18th, 2012, 03:16 PM

ok so im pretty happy with my guitar tone (mesa dual recto out of the fx send into my interface with impulses) and im using SD2.0 for drums, but i am not a big fan of the bass tone im getting (running straight into the D.I. on my chameleon labs 7602 MKII)

a good buddy of mine is selling a Sansamp RBI for $250 and im considering picking it up but im just looking for a few second opinions to see if there is another route i should investigate. whether it be a better DI or amp sim plugins (i hear amplitube and softube are nice for bass) any ideas?

C-Martin · May 18th, 2012, 04:17 PM

If i was in your situation i would grab that RBI. If it's in good condition you'll have everything you need to get some solid bass tones out of it. It's basically a rackmount version of the BDDI pedal and it's pretty much a standard for Bass, many people use and will recommend it.

DanLights · May 18th, 2012, 04:58 PM

I agree, it's a good price for the RBI, you could split your signal with a DI and record both clean and RBI signals which should be a good basis for mixing. Other than that, there are many pedals that works as a tone shaping preamp for bass, like the Sansamp VT bass to simulate a tube type of tone, an MXR M80 Bass DI+ which is especially good for distorted tones, I've never tried but heard good stuff about the aguilar tone hammer as well.

Plugin-wise, I love Ongel's sim of the BDDI, I've used it several times and it always find its place in a mix, be it the main track or at least a mid-centered track blended in with other stuff. I also have Ampeg SVX and it can be nice depending on what you're aiming for, but in my experience it can be quite lacking, flashy graphics and names but I can't seem to get the Ampeg goodness out of it.

JonWormwood · May 18th, 2012, 05:25 PM

I'd get a BDDI and then use something else for lots of dist. I'm using amplitube.

Scottxx · May 18th, 2012, 05:49 PM

Audiffex' Gallien-Krueger Amplification 2: Bass amps simulation is really great.

melovine · May 18th, 2012, 05:58 PM

thanks for the suggestions! so between the rbi and the mxr which would be the wiser choice?

DanLights · May 18th, 2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melovine

thanks for the suggestions! so between the rbi and the mxr which would be the wiser choice?

depends, check youtube videos of both and compare the tone to what you want, they're quite different.

LoftMusicRob · May 18th, 2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanLights

I also have Ampeg SVX and it can be nice depending on what you're aiming for, but in my experience it can be quite lacking, flashy graphics and names but I can't seem to get the Ampeg goodness out of it.

Any tube based DI or preamp before the Ampeg is a really good combo. That is my pre-pro tracking setup before I actually mic up a bass rig.

TheUnknown · May 18th, 2012, 07:11 PM

Wait so you guys are saying you use the BDDI on the main track then another plug or what have you on another track for the distortion? I thought the BDDI was the one being used on the distortion track.

I'm in the same situation melovine...so I just wanted to clarify, don't mean to hijack.

melovine · May 18th, 2012, 07:27 PM

what you suggest for decent priced tube di? also what would be the main audible difference between a regular di and a tube di?

C-Martin · May 18th, 2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheUnknown

Wait so you guys are saying you use the BDDI on the main track then another plug or what have you on another track for the distortion? I thought the BDDI was the one being used on the distortion track.

I'm in the same situation melovine...so I just wanted to clarify, don't mean to hijack.

You can do it however you want or sounds good to you. Me personally, i do what DanLights suggested. With the DI you'd be able to mix it up however you want. If the initial setting don't work so well in the mix, all you have to do is re-run it through the RBI.

BLUElightCory · May 19th, 2012, 12:46 AM

How's your bass? If your bass sucks then upgrading your recording chain isn't going to help much. If it's a good bass with new strings I'd grab a Sansamp Bass Driver pedal (for some reason I like it better than the rack version).

melovine · May 19th, 2012, 12:51 AM

ive got a pretty killer MIM Fender P bass, great tone, what would you say the main sound difference is between the pedal and the rack?

mva801 · May 19th, 2012, 09:49 AM

I've found that pretty much no matter what, a good bass tone is all in the fingers and the guitar. If you can play and your bass is awesome, then you should be able to just plug straight in and get a heavy tone already. Watch Ola's tutorial thing. He just copies the di track and distorts one all to hell for blending.

That said, you can't go wrong with the BDDI pedal. I've never tried the rack version though... You'd just use the parallel output on it. That comes out clean, then the output on the other side would be distorted. Record both, blend/ compress/ limit to taste

melovine · May 19th, 2012, 10:17 AM

Thanks guys I'm thinking im going to go with the Sansamp BDDI rack unit, I figure it's a good deal for the price. And I agree about the bass being 95% of the tone, I AB'd two basses I have (a warwick 5 string and the MIM fender p bass) and surprisingly the fender blew the Warwick out of the water. I'll post some clips as soon as I grab the Sansamp. Again thanks guys!

jeid · May 19th, 2012, 11:22 AM

I've got the RBI, I bought it to replace the pedal as it was neater and I think it sounds better. It's great. I DI the bass and split it into the RBI. It handles all my grit and the DI does the low end stuff. If I want some drive in there, I copy my DI track and distort it with an ampsim.

LoftMusicRob · May 19th, 2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melovine

what you suggest for decent priced tube di? also what would be the main audible difference between a regular di and a tube di?

A tube DI will color the sound by exciting harmonics. It will generally give it a much fatter sound. There are advantages to either type of DI based on what the song (or the rest of your processing chain) needs.

They are going to be more expensive than your average DI, but I think it is a good thing to have one around the studio.

Demeter makes good ones at the best price range ($400-$500). You can find the REDDI by A Designs which is a really good one on Amazon for the best price on one of those. Stay away from Art and Presonus tube DI units as there is a serious difference (lack) in quality.

My advice is if you can, save up for a used Avalon 737 because it is DI/Mic Pre/EQ/Compressor and is a really handy piece of gear to have in the studio. It really allows you to shape the DI tone how you want it. Then, you can also use it for vocals or anything else that need a warmer tube sound to it.

mva801 · May 19th, 2012, 04:14 PM

^^ Love the Avalon for DI. I use their DI only thing a lot, but I never really use the 737 we have in the studio... Not that it's bad, it's just that I go to the neve's and API's first usually...

Charlie E. · May 20th, 2012, 12:25 AM

I was just gonna ask this. I used to be happy with my Pod preset but not anymore. Was able to get a better sound with a DI and the logic bass simulator.
I take it the Sansamp pedal would yield better results? I'm eyeing a used one on craigslist for 90 bucks. Should I go for it?

DanLights · May 20th, 2012, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie E.

I was just gonna ask this. I used to be happy with my Pod preset but not anymore. Was able to get a better sound with a DI and the logic bass simulator.
I take it the Sansamp pedal would yield better results? I'm eyeing a used one on craigslist for 90 bucks. Should I go for it?

90$?? It's like 300 new so I say go for it and see if it's to your liking, and seeing how 80% of the population loves it and the rest think its good but not great, you'll probably keep it.

jeid · May 20th, 2012, 12:33 PM

How is the Bass Terror?

Charlie E. · May 20th, 2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanLights

90$?? It's like 300 new so I say go for it and see if it's to your liking, and seeing how 80% of the population loves it and the rest think its good but not great, you'll probably keep it.

Are you sure about that price? Sweetwater sells them new for $190. Unless you thought I meant the rack version which is $329.
Still half price isn't bad. I'm probably gonna get it. Thanks for the feedback guys.

greyskull · May 21st, 2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeid

How is the Bass Terror?

For the money? disgustingly good.

May 18th, 2012, 03:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
melovine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	looking to get a go to bass rig for silent recording.... ok so im pretty happy with my guitar tone (mesa dual recto out of the fx send into my interface with impulses) and im using SD2.0 for drums, but i am not a big fan of the bass tone im getting (running straight into the D.I. on my chameleon labs 7602 MKII) a good buddy of mine is selling a Sansamp RBI for $250 and im considering picking it up but im just looking for a few second opinions to see if there is another route i should investigate. whether it be a better DI or amp sim plugins (i hear amplitube and softube are nice for bass) any ideas? Last edited by melovine : May 18th, 2012 at 03:39 PM.

May 18th, 2012, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
C-Martin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 344	If i was in your situation i would grab that RBI. If it's in good condition you'll have everything you need to get some solid bass tones out of it. It's basically a rackmount version of the BDDI pedal and it's pretty much a standard for Bass, many people use and will recommend it. __________________

May 18th, 2012, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
DanLights A Venezuelan in Europe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A Coruña, Spain Posts: 6,659	I agree, it's a good price for the RBI, you could split your signal with a DI and record both clean and RBI signals which should be a good basis for mixing. Other than that, there are many pedals that works as a tone shaping preamp for bass, like the Sansamp VT bass to simulate a tube type of tone, an MXR M80 Bass DI+ which is especially good for distorted tones, I've never tried but heard good stuff about the aguilar tone hammer as well. Plugin-wise, I love Ongel's sim of the BDDI, I've used it several times and it always find its place in a mix, be it the main track or at least a mid-centered track blended in with other stuff. I also have Ampeg SVX and it can be nice depending on what you're aiming for, but in my experience it can be quite lacking, flashy graphics and names but I can't seem to get the Ampeg goodness out of it. __________________ http://www.facebook.com/adintra Weekly Favorites - Currently Listening

May 18th, 2012, 05:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
JonWormwood Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jax, Fl Posts: 3,599	I'd get a BDDI and then use something else for lots of dist. I'm using amplitube. __________________ http://wormwoodprophecy.bandcamp.com/

May 18th, 2012, 05:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scottxx Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 551	Audiffex' Gallien-Krueger Amplification 2: Bass amps simulation is really great. __________________ You made a mistake too... it's not Mustaine, it's God Mustaine.

May 18th, 2012, 05:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
melovine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	thanks for the suggestions! so between the rbi and the mxr which would be the wiser choice?

May 18th, 2012, 07:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
TheUnknown Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 68	Wait so you guys are saying you use the BDDI on the main track then another plug or what have you on another track for the distortion? I thought the BDDI was the one being used on the distortion track. I'm in the same situation melovine...so I just wanted to clarify, don't mean to hijack.

May 18th, 2012, 07:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
melovine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	what you suggest for decent priced tube di? also what would be the main audible difference between a regular di and a tube di?

May 19th, 2012, 12:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
BLUElightCory Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,421	How's your bass? If your bass sucks then upgrading your recording chain isn't going to help much. If it's a good bass with new strings I'd grab a Sansamp Bass Driver pedal (for some reason I like it better than the rack version). __________________ Cory Spotts / BLUElight Audio Media www.coryspotts.com bluelightaudio@cox.net www.facebook.com/bluelightaudiomedia

May 19th, 2012, 12:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
melovine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	ive got a pretty killer MIM Fender P bass, great tone, what would you say the main sound difference is between the pedal and the rack?

May 19th, 2012, 10:17 AM	#15 (permalink)
melovine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 144	Thanks guys I'm thinking im going to go with the Sansamp BDDI rack unit, I figure it's a good deal for the price. And I agree about the bass being 95% of the tone, I AB'd two basses I have (a warwick 5 string and the MIM fender p bass) and surprisingly the fender blew the Warwick out of the water. I'll post some clips as soon as I grab the Sansamp. Again thanks guys!

May 19th, 2012, 11:22 AM	#16 (permalink)
jeid Terribad Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,651	I've got the RBI, I bought it to replace the pedal as it was neater and I think it sounds better. It's great. I DI the bass and split it into the RBI. It handles all my grit and the DI does the low end stuff. If I want some drive in there, I copy my DI track and distort it with an ampsim. __________________ Why did the compressor fall over? Because it had a soft knee.

May 20th, 2012, 12:25 AM	#19 (permalink)
Charlie E. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,060	I was just gonna ask this. I used to be happy with my Pod preset but not anymore. Was able to get a better sound with a DI and the logic bass simulator. I take it the Sansamp pedal would yield better results? I'm eyeing a used one on craigslist for 90 bucks. Should I go for it? __________________ Mendacity

May 20th, 2012, 12:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
jeid Terribad Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,651	How is the Bass Terror? __________________ Why did the compressor fall over? Because it had a soft knee.