CalDeep Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Hi guys, Im looking into kind of preamp-y drive pedals. Im after something which will just give a really creamy valve drive sound. Im torn between the Darkglass B7K and the Sansamp Bass Driver DI. B7K on sound itself but Bass driver for its legendary status. Anyone got any opinions on this? Or any other pedal suggestions. Any input much appreciated! Cheers Cal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 If you are after a creamy valve drive, the B7K won't be for you. The Vintage Microtubes Deluxe would be more up your street I would think, far less aggressive than the B7K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byo Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Kev is right. The B7K will be too aggressive in comparison to the BDDI. The Vintage is a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhythmbug Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 I prefer the Tech 21 Bass VT over the BDDI, more mid control and sounds more warm and natural. To my ears the BDDI was a bit clanky and metallic. Just my 2p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster135 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 (edited) Defo agree with rhythmbug, for your purposes I think the Sansamp VT Bass would be a lot more appropriate. The B3K and BDDI have a similar gnarly, quite scooped character to the grind sound. The Darkglass Vintage is popular around here as a drive pedal (I hate it personally), but I'm not sure how well the Deluxe version fares as a preamp pedal. Have a listen to the VT Bass demos on YouTube, obviously it does a pretty good imitation of Ampeg Flat-tops and SVTs which is about as good as you can get for a creamy valve drive sound IMO! Plus it's a LOT cheaper than a DG Vintage Deluxe... This is a pretty good start: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKxMaWSKuU"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKxMaWSKuU[/url] Edited January 10, 2015 by bakerster135 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 [quote name='rhythmbug' timestamp='1420809061' post='2653690'] I prefer the Tech 21 Bass VT over the BDDI, more mid control and sounds more warm and natural. To my ears the BDDI was a bit clanky and metallic. Just my 2p [/quote] Yup. I have a B7K and the VT Bass DI and the latter would be far more suited to you Cal from what you are saying. However, if you fancy a bit of Darkglass thunder then the VMT Deluxe would be an ace choice too. You get what you pay for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 [quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1420910863' post='2654946'] Defo agree with rhythmbug, for your purposes I think the Sansamp VT Bass would be a lot more appropriate. The B3K and BDDI have a similar gnarly, quite scooped character to the grind sound. The Darkglass Vintage is popular around here as a drive pedal (I hate it personally), but I'm not sure how well the Deluxe version fares as a preamp pedal. [/quote] The EQ does the world of good to the VMT sound. I hated the original VMT too, however the EQ really brings it to life, very interactive with the Era control. I sold it as I just prefer the B3K/B7K voicing, so I have one of each of those instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalDeep Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 Thanks guys! Much appreciated, any experience with the new VTbass DI too. Swinging toward a VT bass. Just want to make sure I can get tasty grindy tones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalDeep Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 Also if anyone is selling any of this gear let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinness21 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1420911474' post='2654965'] I have a B7K and the VT Bass DI and the latter would be far more suited to you Cal from what you are saying. However, if you fancy a bit of Darkglass thunder then the VMT Deluxe would be an ace choice too. You get what you pay for [/quote] Nice - looking to get these two at some point (when I have the money!). I'm planning on using the vt di for amp emulation/ a slightly warm sound, then the b7k for all-out drive. How do you use them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 [quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1420934680' post='2655349'] Nice - looking to get these two at some point (when I have the money!). I'm planning on using the vt di for amp emulation/ a slightly warm sound, then the b7k for all-out drive. How do you use them? [/quote] Almost like that I use the VT Bass DI as an almost always-on Ampeg sim and a tiny weenie bit of grind, keeping the drive at about 9o'clock. I use the B7K after this for a heavier drive sound. I run the B3K in-between them at a high gain setting for a heavy, aggressive distortion. Nothing quite like stacking Darkglass Pedals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinness21 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Nice. That's essentially how I'd use them, only without the b3k. I've got pedal envy hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 [quote name='rhythmbug' timestamp='1420809061' post='2653690'] I prefer the Tech 21 Bass VT over the BDDI, more mid control and sounds more warm and natural. To my ears the BDDI was a bit clanky and metallic. Just my 2p [/quote] Same here. The VT DI is a great pedal, our producer, who is Ampeg nuts couldn`t stop raving about it when he heard mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalDeep Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 Im going to end up buying both aren't I... haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I've tried VMT and B3k and tech21 sansamp bd. Of the three id buy the programmable sansamp bass driver. The flexibility of saving settings was a massive advantage for me. Each person will have an opinion on this, but whilst Im currently using a behringer bd121 to see how it fares I'd recommend the tech 21 over darkglass if I was shopping again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjelkeman Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 And I the exact opposite. All depends on the sound you are looking for I think. I really didn't like the BDDI but the B7K never leaves my sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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