VT Bass V2

[Musicman20]

I am finally breaking down to the awesome tone this pedal produces.

I doubt id use the Deluxe version as much as the cost would justify, although I would like it!

The standard VT is now in V2 and has a speaker sim defeat...

Anyone seen these yet? Apparently they are shipping now.

[EssentialTension]

It's certainly on the Tech 21 website with 'This is Version 2 which features a speaker sim defeat switch.'

[Musicman20]

Tech 21 replied very quickly to my email. Great service! I'll wait for V2 before ordering. Here is the response:

Thanks for your inquiry.  The speaker simulation mostly eliminates the "fizz" you get from high-gain settings of a tube amp (which the VT will emulates).  When recording or playing through a PA system, instead of the "flat", lifeless tone of just a preamp, it offers a more natural mic'd cabinet tone.

I should say that it seems that guitar players are a bit more fanatical about not adding our speaker emulation (which merely adds the "focused", studio quality tone of a multiply-mic'ed cabinet) to their guitar speakers (which they may have spent a good amount of time choosing according to personal preference), before even hearing it.  But we've never heard from bass players who decided they couldn't possibly use our products because the speaker emulation wasn't defeatable.  There probably aren't that many different models of bass speakers to begin with, anyway.  But at least the switch offers the option of using it or not.  Either way, you've still got the active EQ to help you arrive at your tone. 

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1196127' date='Apr 11 2011, 07:43 PM']Tech 21 replied very quickly to my email. Great service! I'll wait for V2 before ordering. Here is the response:

Thanks for your inquiry.  The speaker simulation mostly eliminates the "fizz" you get from high-gain settings of a tube amp (which the VT will emulates).  When recording or playing through a PA system, instead of the "flat", lifeless tone of just a preamp, it offers a more natural mic'd cabinet tone.

I should say that it seems that guitar players are a bit more fanatical about not adding our speaker emulation (which merely adds the "focused", studio quality tone of a multiply-mic'ed cabinet) to their guitar speakers (which they may have spent a good amount of time choosing according to personal preference), before even hearing it.  But we've never heard from bass players who decided they couldn't possibly use our products because the speaker emulation wasn't defeatable.  There probably aren't that many different models of bass speakers to begin with, anyway.  But at least the switch offers the option of using it or not.  Either way, you've still got the active EQ to help you arrive at your tone. [/quote]
Interesting reply. My version 1 sounds great.

[DanOwens]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1196127' date='Apr 11 2011, 07:43 PM']I should say that it seems that guitar players are a bit more fanatical about not adding our speaker emulation ... to their guitar speakers (which they may have spent a good amount of time choosing according to personal preference).[/quote]

Is that because us bass players are famously apathetic about our speaker choice? Come on Tech 21, we all like options so why pin it on picky guitarists?

[son of frog]

hi guys,
Ive been thinking about getting one of these...

Not sure which, i'm thinking maybe spend the extra £60 on the Deluxe, as i really like the subtle overdrives but would definitely like to have a clean and a really heavy overdrive through it too.

I was just wondering, Is this the kind of pedal that needs to go after your bass but before your Amp? It just seems, because its a Preamp Emulator that maybe it should go before everything else?

You see i was thinking about adding it to my pedalboard (In an FX Loop) But will it work better before the amp?

Cheers

[Wally]

[quote name='son of frog' post='1200193' date='Apr 15 2011, 02:23 AM']hi guys,
Ive been thinking about getting one of these...

Not sure which, i'm thinking maybe spend the extra £60 on the Deluxe, as i really like the subtle overdrives but would definitely like to have a clean and a really heavy overdrive through it too.

I was just wondering, Is this the kind of pedal that needs to go after your bass but before your Amp? It just seems, because its a Preamp Emulator that maybe it should go before everything else?

You see i was thinking about adding it to my pedalboard (In an FX Loop) But will it work better before the amp?

Cheers[/quote]

This should help: from the manual.

WITH BASS AMP: Run the 1/4” output of the SansAmp directly into the input of the
power amp input, a.k.a.“effects return” (if applicable), of an amp.This will bypass the tone coloring
section of the pre-amp and will defeat the amp’s master volume.
NOTE: BE SURE the BASS GUITAR VOLUME is OFF --BEFORE you turn on
the amp.
Or, you can run the SansAmp into the front input of an amp. Be sure to keep the Level of
SansAmp close to unity gain, so as not to overload the amp’s input, which could result in undesirable distortion.
Tips for setting up your amp when using front input:
1. Plug into low gain channel or input.
2. Turn off Bright switch.
3. Turn presence control (if applicable) to 12 o’clock or below.
4. Set tone controls as flat as possible.

PLACEMENT ORDER OF OTHER EFFECTS
In most cases, your bass should be plugged directly into the SansAmp.We
suggest experimenting to find the order that’s best for you.As a general guide, we recommend:
Place the following effects BEFORE the SansAmp VT Bass:
Wah-Wah, Pre-Amp, Compressor, Fuzz Box, Envelope Follower.
Place the following in the FX loop or AFTER SansAmp VT Bass: Chorus, Delay,
EQ, Pitch Shifter, Reverb.

Full manual (deluxe) is: [url="http://www.tech21nyc.com/support/manuals/sansamp/CharacSeries-VT_DLX-OM.pdf"]http://www.tech21nyc.com/support/manuals/s...s-VT_DLX-OM.pdf[/url]

P.s I have one - its great

[son of frog]

[quote name='Wally' post='1201264' date='Apr 15 2011, 10:24 PM']This should help: from the manual.

WITH BASS AMP: Run the 1/4” output of the SansAmp directly into the input of the
power amp input, a.k.a.“effects return”[/quote]

I swear it just contradicted itself? Directly into the powe amp input? then it says, Effects return? huhhh

[quote name='Wally' post='1201264' date='Apr 15 2011, 10:24 PM']PLACEMENT ORDER OF OTHER EFFECTS
In most cases, your bass should be plugged directly into the SansAmp.

we recommend:
Place the following effects BEFORE the SansAmp VT Bass:
Wah-Wah, Pre-Amp, Compressor, Fuzz Box, Envelope Follower.
Place the following in the FX loop or AFTER SansAmp VT Bass: Chorus, Delay,
EQ, Pitch Shifter, Reverb.[/quote]

And again, it says Bass should be inputted into the effect, but this cant be done in an FX loop, but then they give a list of FX that should come before it?

I would guess that in a live situation through an amp it would be best to assume it should go into an FX loop. haha
from what i can gather anyway.

Thanks for digging this out, i might be mistaken, but maybe this is slightly misleading?

Edited April 18, 2011 by son of frog

[DanOwens]

Yes, it is confusing but I think it's saying anything will work.

As an aside, the amp signal flow is usually input>preamp>fx loop>power amp>speaker. As such, by plugging into the fx return you bypass the preamp and plug straight into the power amp.

Dan

[son of frog]

[quote name='DanOwens' post='1204257' date='Apr 18 2011, 10:57 PM']Yes, it is confusing but I think it's saying anything will work.

As an aside, the amp signal flow is usually input>preamp>fx loop>power amp>speaker. As such, by plugging into the fx return you bypass the preamp and plug straight into the power amp.

Dan[/quote]


ahh yeah, cheers, thats always where i get mixed up... Preamps... Poweamps...

[danbowskill]

i have the vt and always have it on (oi loves it )be interested to know what this new version sounds like with the amp sim off?
could be great as an overdrive for me(behind my old 1)

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='danbowskill' post='1209513' date='Apr 23 2011, 08:45 PM']i have the vt and always have it on (oi loves it )be interested to know what this new version sounds like with the amp sim off?
could be great as an overdrive for me(behind my old 1)[/quote]

I'fguess it sounds more like if you run a distortion into a cab with a tweeter, unless your cab doesn't have a tweeter.

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='Wally' post='1201264' date='Apr 15 2011, 10:24 PM']This should help: from the manual.

WITH BASS AMP: Run the 1/4” output of the SansAmp directly into the input of the
power amp input, a.k.a.“effects return” (if applicable), of an amp.This will bypass the tone coloring
section of the pre-amp [b]and will defeat the amp’s master volume[/b].
NOTE: BE SURE the BASS GUITAR VOLUME is OFF --BEFORE you turn on
the amp.
Or, you can run the SansAmp into the front input of an amp. Be sure to keep the Level of
SansAmp close to unity gain, so as not to overload the amp’s input, which could result in undesirable distortion.
Tips for setting up your amp when using front input:
1. Plug into low gain channel or input.
2. Turn off Bright switch.
3. Turn presence control (if applicable) to 12 o’clock or below.
4. Set tone controls as flat as possible.

PLACEMENT ORDER OF OTHER EFFECTS
In most cases, your bass should be plugged directly into the SansAmp.We
suggest experimenting to find the order that’s best for you.As a general guide, we recommend:
Place the following effects BEFORE the SansAmp VT Bass:
Wah-Wah, Pre-Amp, Compressor, Fuzz Box, Envelope Follower.
Place the following in the FX loop or AFTER SansAmp VT Bass: Chorus, Delay,
EQ, Pitch Shifter, Reverb.

Full manual (deluxe) is: [url="http://www.tech21nyc.com/support/manuals/sansamp/CharacSeries-VT_DLX-OM.pdf"]http://www.tech21nyc.com/support/manuals/s...s-VT_DLX-OM.pdf[/url]

P.s I have one - its great[/quote]

I think they meant " this will defeat the amp's pre-amp gain pot"... The master volume will always work regardless of where you plug in your signal... or have i been using weird amps?!!
A very big mistake from their side!

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' post='1213738' date='Apr 28 2011, 12:32 PM']I think they meant " this will defeat the amp's pre-amp gain pot"... The master volume will always work regardless of where you plug in your signal... or have i been using weird amps?!!
A very big mistake from their side![/quote]

Some master volumes are defeated, I think phase inverter master volumes (Marshalls?) won't be, but those are a bit specialist.

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1214708' date='Apr 29 2011, 11:07 AM']Some master volumes are defeated, I think phase inverter master volumes (Marshalls?) won't be, but those are a bit specialist.[/quote]

I don't understand! Every amp i know has it's Master Volume in the end of the signal path just before it enters the power amp section (hope i'm not talking sh***) and the FX Loop comes before that knob so it won't be able to afect it! On the other side if it would indeed defeat the Master Volume if we were using simple stompboxes how would we balance the amp's volume??? I know i can control the volume of every amp i've owned with FX units connected on the loop!

Or am i generating a big confusion here and the truth is that what you (and they) are calling Master Volume i usualy call Gain?!! For me Master Volume is the volume of the power amp and i refer to the pre-amp's volume as Gain!!!

Cheers

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' post='1214788' date='Apr 29 2011, 12:37 PM']I don't understand! Every amp i know has it's Master Volume in the end of the signal path just before it enters the power amp section (hope i'm not talking sh***) and the FX Loop comes before that knob so it won't be able to afect it! On the other side if it would indeed defeat the Master Volume if we were using simple stompboxes how would we balance the amp's volume??? I know i can control the volume of every amp i've owned with FX units connected on the loop!

Or am i generating a big confusion here and the truth is that what you (and they) are calling Master Volume i usualy call Gain?!! For me Master Volume is the volume of the power amp and i refer to the pre-amp's volume as Gain!!!

Cheers[/quote]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3730"]See here.[/url]

Basically, everything is gain, hardly anything is master volume. The power section basically set at volume, and you only control volume at preamp level, before it gets to them. Last thing I had with an FX loop I used to bypass the preamp was an Ashdown combo, and the 'master' volume was bypassed.

[Tech21NYC]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1214795' date='Apr 29 2011, 07:45 AM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3730"]See here.[/url]

Basically, everything is gain, hardly anything is master volume. The power section basically set at volume, and you only control volume at preamp level, before it gets to them. Last thing I had with an FX loop I used to bypass the preamp was an Ashdown combo, and the 'master' volume was bypassed.[/quote]

Not all amps are set up the same but on many if you plug into the efx return the master volume will be bypassed. It's better to be safe than sorry.

In regard to the speaker sim bypass on the V2 Vt Bass pedals, it enables the pedal to be used into the front end of an amp that has its high end emphasized. Most guitar and bass amplifiers are not flat response. When you plug one of our SansAmp products into a mixing console for direct use that is a flat response setting. If you were to go into a mixing console and say bump up the highs and bass and cut the mids the response would no longer be flat obviously (much like an amp) and you would have to compensate for this with different EQ settings on the VT Bass.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' post='1214788' date='Apr 29 2011, 12:37 PM']I don't understand! Every amp i know has it's Master Volume in the end of the signal path just before it enters the power amp section (hope i'm not talking sh***) and the FX Loop comes before that knob so it won't be able to afect it! On the other side if it would indeed defeat the Master Volume if we were using simple stompboxes how would we balance the amp's volume??? I know i can control the volume of every amp i've owned with FX units connected on the loop!

Or am i generating a big confusion here and the truth is that what you (and they) are calling Master Volume i usualy call Gain?!! For me Master Volume is the volume of the power amp and i refer to the pre-amp's volume as Gain!!!

Cheers[/quote]

If you put the VT bass in the fx loop of the amp, rather than just plugging it direct into the FX return, the master volume will still be active, but mostly, this is about going bass to Sansamp to FX return, so the Sansamp knobs replace the bass amps ones.

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1215178' date='Apr 29 2011, 06:13 PM']If you put the VT bass in the fx loop of the amp, rather than just plugging it direct into the FX return, the master volume will still be active, but mostly, this is about going bass to Sansamp to FX return, so the Sansamp knobs replace the bass amps ones.[/quote]

I see your point, i didn't know some amps did that. The ones i had tried hooking directly to the FX return had a working volume pot. I've read your link, it's very useful. Thanks