Moos3h Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Hi all, I've just bought a Spectradrive which I use straight into our PA and I'm a little disappointed, perhaps. However I think it's my lack of understanding at fault... I was expecting the pedal to simulate a good DI/Preamp so I could plug in and hear (through IEMs) natural sounding bass, but I think maybe what I actually need is an amp/cab SIM and not a preamp/DI? If I run it into an amp it sounds great but into the desk (or my interface) and it sounds flat and lifeless. Can anyone recommend a simple to use plug and play pedal/box that basically just works without too much fiddling? I appreciate tone is subjective etc but I think I'm after a good approximation of that classic Trace Elliot sort of tone, chunky and authoritative but with real presence and bite? I know this post is frustratingly vague but I suspect it's entirely my fault I don't like the Spectradrive and thus some knowledge from you chaps would doubtless help! Thanks in advance, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Sansamp Para Driver is worth checking out, more versatile than the Bass Driver as it has sweepable adjustable mids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver/Para Driver is about as simple as gets in terms of operation for an ‘amp in a box’ sound. if you want more flexibility and have a bigger budget there is Darkglass with the B7K or Vintage Deluxe/Ultra. Aguilar Tone Hammer as well. EBS Microbass too. Very much personal taste though. If you have literally just got the Spectradrive I would maybe try some different settings. Also consider that a different pedal stacked in front or behind the Spectradrive might bring your sound to life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Ashdown OrignAL has blown my mind in lockdown. Beautiful clear clean preamp, which adds life where needed through a 5 band EQ. And a bloody great filth valve overdrive too, which is a lot more controllable than it first appears. Clean and effect output channels, DI is effected only. Aux in and headphone out. Bloody marvellous. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stofferson Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Another plus for the Sansamp pedal from me. I have the bass driver V2 with mids. Sounds great straight in. Easy to dial in and very responsive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Stofferson said: Another plus for the Sansamp pedal from me. I have the bass driver V2 with mids. Sounds great straight in. Easy to dial in and very responsive V2 worth the upgrade with the mids? I have had the V1 for over ten years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Sansamp for me, with a Behringer BD121 Sansamp copy for a spare. Both will give you great amp tones and a good DI. Also worth a look is the Tech 21 VT Bass DI. More controls than the standard Sansamp. I know you said you were looking for TE tones, but they may be had from this versatile pedal despite having an obvious Ampeg slant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 (edited) I think the best pedal you could buy is the the Two Notes Torpedo C.A.B. This first version will do what you're looking for and even more : https://m.thomann.de/gb/two_notes_torpedo_cab.htm Damian Erskine is swearing by this for exactly the same reasons as you, but don't watch his "demo" video as he recognises himself that he's a newbee about technology and explaining it... And it turned into a total mess. Edited August 8, 2020 by Hellzero Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Helix stomp has almost everything you could think of. Failing that, the vt bass is very good. Or how about a trace rack preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Helix Stomp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Merton beat me to it with the Ashdown OriginAL. Exceptional sound from the DI and a valve overdrive that can add some lovely warmth or some nasty grit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 The Tech21 Q-Strip is a handy tool - might be worth a look given what you’re trying to achieve. Para Driver is also a good shout. I’ve never actually owned the pedal but I use the rack version of it - the RPM - pretty much every day when I’m sat playing along to Spotify and it sounds great. Not as good at overdriven sounds as the BDDI/RBI or VTDI/VTRM, mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stofferson Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 On 08/08/2020 at 00:03, thodrik said: V2 worth the upgrade with the mids? I have had the V1 for over ten years. I'd say so, I've had the v1,the programmable, the deluxe, the VT deluxe etc. Same solid sound, more tweakable. Has a button to switch mid freq as well as the bass freq too for 5 stringers/down tuners 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 Problem sorted! Dug out my old Bass V-Amp Pro and it's instantly a million times better. Done! Spectracomp going back 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 21 minutes ago, Moos3h said: Problem sorted! Dug out my old Bass V-Amp Pro and it's instantly a million times better. Done! Spectracomp going back Just think how good a modern modeller is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Stofferson said: I'd say so, I've had the v1,the programmable, the deluxe, the VT deluxe etc. Same solid sound, more tweakable. Has a button to switch mid freq as well as the bass freq too for 5 stringers/down tuners Hmm tempting! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 23 minutes ago, fretmeister said: Just think how good a modern modeller is! Very true...I'm out of the loop, what's the nearest equivalent that won't require me to re-mortgage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 Just now, Moos3h said: Very true...I'm out of the loop, what's the nearest equivalent that won't require me to re-mortgage? Nothing wrong with what you have if you like the sound of it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 6 minutes ago, Moos3h said: Very true...I'm out of the loop, what's the nearest equivalent that won't require me to re-mortgage? Helix Stomp. Loads of demos on YouTube, and there’s a dedicated bass group on Facebook for all the helix stuff. Good website Here too http://drtonelab.com/ with patches and videos. But as Ped says, if you like what you have... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 38 minutes ago, ped said: Nothing wrong with what you have if you like the sound of it. Burn the heretic!!!! 😄 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 The Trickfish Minnow is great, versatile with not a bad tone to be had! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 On 08/08/2020 at 00:03, thodrik said: V2 worth the upgrade with the mids? I have had the V1 for over ten years. VERY much so. There are other pedals out there too, but if you love the SansAmp tone, the addition of mids is really something else! Eude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 23 hours ago, Moos3h said: Problem sorted! Dug out my old Bass V-Amp Pro and it's instantly a million times better. Done! Spectracomp going back There you go. Problem, as you say, solved. I recently got the Behringer BD I 21 which I think does a very similar job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 14 hours ago, eude said: VERY much so. There are other pedals out there too, but if you love the SansAmp tone, the addition of mids is really something else! Eude Couldn’t agree more. As much as i love the old BDDI (ive had two, and still have the programable version), the V2 is more refined. Other than the new EQ options, IIR the Presence knob is wired differently as well. Makes it a bit more versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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