Behringer BDI21 saves the world!

[gruffers]

Just a vote of adulation for this 30 quid box.

The other week my band did an Oxjam gig. Organiser's heart was in the right place but lacked experience planning events.

Against my better judgement I arrived as advised without a bass amp, as it would be provided. Unfortunately no bass amp arrived, so out comes the Ghetto BDI21.

All 6 bands bassists did the entire gig sans backline.

Straight into the PA with monitor support. PA was a bit of a beast though which helped.

What a hero of a stomp box for 30 pounds.

After reading a lot of do's and dont's about this box on the net. If like me you've not got/want to spend the spare cash for the Tech21. Well you know the rest...

Edited November 8, 2013 by gruffers

[gruffers]

[quote name='gruffers' timestamp='1383953511' post='2271349']
Just a vote of adulation for this 30 quid box.

The other week my band did an Oxjam gig. Organiser's heart was in the right place but lacked experience planning events.

Against my better judgement I arrived as advised without a bass amp, as it would be provided. Unfortunately no bass amp arrived, so out comes the Ghetto BDI21.

All 6 bands did the entire gig sans backline.

Straight into the PA with monitor support. PA was a bit of a beast though which helped.

What a hero of a stomp box for 30 pounds.

After reading a lot of do's and dont's about this box on the net. If like me you've not got/want to spend the spare cash for the Tech21. Well you know the rest...
[/quote]Probably wrong forum. Sorry.

[Silvia Bluejay]

Moved under Effects

[Truckstop]

I literally just put up a wanted ad for a SansAmp and I don't know why I bothered as I already have a BDI-21 that I'd completely forgotten about!!

I used to use it every week in place of a backline and it sounded awesome and, provided you don't actually use it as a stompbox, will last ages.

Truckstop

[rOB]

Great thing to have around just in case. Well worth the tiny cost.

[Beer of the Bass]

I also did an Oxjam gig a few weeks ago where the promised bass amp didn't materialise! It seems to be endemic to that sort of gig. Fortunately, I was playing guitar for that one, and our bassist had his Markbass combo in the car.

[paul_5]

A BDI21 saves the day? What, again?! About the best use of £30 you could think of.

[bassninja]

All of the above.

I keep one handy just in case, and its earned its money several times over.

[Muzz]

Yep, I'm sorry I sold mine, I should really pick up another as a backup. As long as you don't actually stomp on them much, they're fantastic.

[Conan]

I used to use mine just on the odd track as an effect. But now I'm finding that I like the sound so much that I pretty much leave it on all the time!

I don't use much "drive" on it, and yes, it does scoop the mids a bit - but it just adds a lovely smooth zinginess which I like.

Great unit and not as flimsy as some people say. Although it depends on what you are used to I suppose.

For around £20 (the price of a modest set of strings) you just can't go wrong.

Which reminds me, I need to change the battery before tomorrow's rehearsal!

[discreet]

If you have it in front of a 'normal' amp with EQ you can easily add mids to combat the mid-scoop. I'm using a VT Bass, but would be just as happy using a BDI21 if I had to, and indeed it was my only box for a long time. Very reliable. I have one on standby. My boxes get velcro'd to the top of my rack and are in the signal chain permanently, so the question of flimsiness doesn't arise. I use mains power too. Any Boss-type 9V centre negative supply will do. Would be a great box at four times the price.

Edited November 9, 2013 by discreet

[Mog]

Took a punt on one a few weeks ago and haven't looked back. Great piece of kit. Depping tonight in the local for some mates. Gonna be VMJ>Mammoth Clone>BDI21>PA. Great tone doesn't have to come at a huge cost.

[M@23]

[quote name='gruffers' timestamp='1383953511' post='2271349']
Just a vote of adulation for this 30 quid box.

The other week my band did an Oxjam gig. Organiser's heart was in the right place but lacked experience planning events.

Against my better judgement I arrived as advised without a bass amp, as it would be provided. Unfortunately no bass amp arrived, so out comes the Ghetto BDI21.

All 6 bands bassists did the entire gig sans backline.

Straight into the PA with monitor support.
[/quote]

A bit off topic, but I just had to check your location as I had the same experience at a different Oxjam gig last week!

[dave_bass5]

Another big yes for this champ box.
I too got one for a gig that was not going to have any back line for me. It was a strange one for me but I kept hold of the box and after a few false starts one night it just clicked and I've never looked back. Well, actually I use a BDDI now but do keep my BDI21 as a back up, and do actually prefer the tone of it, I just prefer the look and form factor of the BDDI

[Lozz196]

I lent a mate of mine a Sansamp and a BDI21, he preferred the BDI21. Great little boxes of noise.

[Monckyman]

Mine stopped working on mains, so I gave it away.
Looking for a sansamp or tech 21 at mo but keep thinking just get another one,sounded great.

[dave_bass5]

I prefer the brighter tone of the BDI21. It has a nice fizz that the BDDI can't achieve. I never use the Presence knob but the BDI21 just seems more open.
I do however prefer the look and functions of the BDDI, especially the phantom powering, and do like the warmth of the BDDI live.

[LiamPodmore]

I loved mine, it's dead now (just before we start to track an EP, typical) which is annoying and i can't find any reason for it, but i'm going to pick up another as the tone was just right.

Liam

[dave_bass5]

Liam, if you want to borrow mine for a few weeks let me know.

[Maude]

Before I ditched individual pedals for my X3 Live I used to use two BDI21s, one always on for 'my sound' and the other to kick in more dirt, they're brilliant.
Unfortunately one will only run on batteries now and the other has packed up completely, but they did get used a lot.

[Stan_da_man]

Have used my BDI21 also for when arriving at a venue and finding the promised back line to not exist. Good pedal but the build quality lets it down. I now use an MXR M80 and the clean signal on that is great.

[BassTractor]

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1384040528' post='2272303']
Looking for a sansamp or tech 21 at mo
[/quote]

Man, I wish you the best of luck with choosing between them...

[bengreen49]

I killed mine. Plugged the wrong power supply into it... Smoke was pissing out the GND lift switch hole like a little chimney

[paul_5]

[quote name='bengreen49' timestamp='1384360309' post='2275691']
I killed mine. Plugged the wrong power supply into it... Smoke was pissing out the GND lift switch hole like a little chimney
[/quote]

[i]Another[/i] similarity with the Sansamp then…

[bassmachine2112]

Unsung heroe of a pedal and doubles as a DI box as well.
I,ve used mine for years ,got it s/h as well for a song.
Very user friendly and just does a good job.
Get,s my vote
Never leave home without one.