New bass DI -- MXR content

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey

Darkness on the edge of Tone
My trusty SansAmp Bass driver, which has served me well over the past 2+ decades, has finally laid itself down to rest. I plan on sending it to Tech21 for repair, but in the interim am about to start reamping bass tracks and needed a workable solution.

I first started using a combination of CLA Bass and Two Notes bass IRs, but quite franky, do not love that for my primary bass sound.

So, I went down to Ludlow Guitars and did a bass pedal shoot out.

The contenders were:
SansAmp VT Bass
MXR Bass Preamp
MXR Bass DI+
Aguilar Tone Hammer

The first thing I noticed is how similar the basic premise and sound is from one DI to the next. Since I will have the SansAmp back at one point, I was looking for two things: first, a useable bass DI with a midrange control and second, a useable bass distortion tone.

The MXR Bass DI+ was the winner in that battle, and was also the least expensive, so it was a double bonus! :)

The Bass DI joins my growing MXR pedal collection (Script Phase 90, Micro Flange, Distortion+).
 
Re: New bass DI -- MXR content

I went with MXR over the bass driver too. I ended up picking a para driver along the way too, but it didn't replace the MXR by a long shot. I use both on my board. If I had to keep one though, it would be the MXR.

The trigger is also used as a dynamic threshold as,well as a noise gate. So you can get overdrive sounds that respond to your pick attack by cranking the trigger, lowering the gain, and rolling back the blend a little bit.

And theres this weird myth that it doesn't have a tubelike warmth to it? The color button literally does almost exactly what turning the blend knob all the way up on the bass driver does. Shifts the highs and lows up while rounding out the extremes, narrowly scoops the midrange between 500-600hz. So all it really needs is a compressor. The distortion is a little more in your face, but softer all around. You can actually control the texture of the distortion pretty will with the treble knob.
 
Re: New bass DI -- MXR content

Nice details, thanks.

I will be tracking a 'clean' track and a 100% distorted track and blending them at mixing, so I am not worried about the distortion's character, actually. I thought it sounded fine for my bass and what I am going to do with it. I could even see adding a track with the SansAmp as well, and blending them ALL together. I find the MXR's disortion/gain to be less growly and splatty and more crunchy/smooth, as you said. It also has a buffered output, which is instantly noticeable, and I quite like the sound.

I was not in love with the Color control, but I really didn't use it enough to write it off.

My favourite compressor for bass is the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone, and I print compression right on the track when I record.
 
Re: New bass DI -- MXR content

Although this is for bass DI/reamping, it needs to go over to our new pedal forum. I wish more guys would post bass pedal threads... :fingersx:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top