Sansamp Bass Driver
Sansamp Bass Driver
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 Tech 21 Bass Driver Deluxe  US $269.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI Bass Guitar Stomp box Pedal NEW US $199.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe DI Effects Pedal NEW US $269.00
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 NEW Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI Pre Amp Direct Box US $199.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI US $199.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI Bass Guitar Stompbox Pedal FREE 10 Cable NEW US $199.00
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 New Tech21 Bass Driver DI W Power supply Free Ship US $189.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI Effect Pedal US $199.00
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 Tech 21 Bass Driver DI Bass Guitar Effects Pedal US $199.00
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 Zoom B2 Bass Effects Pedal B 2 Multi FX Bass Pedal US $99.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI FREE SH US $209.00
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 Tech 21 SansAmp Para Driver DI Instrument Preamp Pedal US $209.00
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 Tech 21 Bass Driver Deluxe 3 channel Pre Amp Pedal US $269.00
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 Tech 21 Sans Amp programmable bass driver DI great condition w box and manual US $93.99
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What bass processing box should one use to record and play through?
What I mean by this is that I want a bass effect processor that does some effects and EQ, but most importantly is able to record when plugged into an audio program (ex. Jokosher, Audacity, GarageBand). Also, I want this processor to be able to be used live somewhat and to be used just for practicing to play around with different tones and effects such as distortion. I am hoping that somebody will be able to give me an accurate description of what exactly a bass DI is, and how that is different from a modeling effects processor, and how the term pre-amp mixes into this mess. I am asking this mostly because I am wondering if it would be better to buy the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI or DigiTech BP90 Bass Modeling Effects Proccessor. I would also like to know what features I should look for when buying an item of this sort. Thanks!
P.S.: I am the typical musician, meaning I am not exactly loaded with money, so if anything for $200 or less could be suggested, please do.
Great question.
First, some terminology.
Electrical audio signals have three main properties: bandwidth (in octaves), level (in volts), and impedance (in ohms). Bandwidth is simply the (useful) frequency range occupied by the signal; a bass typically starts around 40 Hz (if in standard tuning) and goes up from there, probably dying out around 8 kHz. Level is simply "loudness". Impedance is a bit more tricky. Think of riding a bike: you can go at a certain speed provided you pedal hard enough AND you're in the right gear. Impedance is kind of like the gear-switching thing, in that if you pedal really hard but you're in 5th gear, you can forget about getting up that hill; whereas if you pedal really hard and you're in 1st gear and you're on a downhill slope, you'll probably lose control and crash.
So connecting one device to another isn't as simple as "connect output to input", because if the impedances are not correct then you'll either get almost no signal, or everything will distort to hell - regardless of how loud the signal is.
There are three main signal types we work with in music:
- mic level: this is VERY low level, and is low impedance.
- instrument level: this is higher than mic level but only by a bit. It is high impedance.
- line level: everything except mics and instruments use this. It is low impedance.
So you can't just plug an instrument-level bass output into a line-level mixer input. This is what a DI is for: it changes the low-level, high impedance bass signal into a high-level, low impedance signal that the mixer (or audio interface) can use.
In a similar vein, a preamp is simply a thing that amplifies a signal to a usable level. These devices are usually used for mics, which need a lot of boosting to get to line level. But in guitar and bass amps, you have a preamp section, which contains the tone controls, and a power amp section, which amplifies the signal and pushes it through the speaker. So usually something like a "bass preamp" just means a set of tone controls intended for a bass guitar. But anything that needs to treat a signal in any way usually has a preamp built in. It's a very confusing term that marketing people love to throw around because people think "preamp = good tone".
The Bass Driver can't do anything except EQ your sound and give you distortion. However, it does this BRILLIANTLY. My band's bassist has one and it just delivers absolutely killer tone. By contrast, the DigiTech will be able to flange, phase, wah, fuzz, and generally mutilate your signal, but I don't expect it'll be of as good quality as the Bass Driver.
Because the Bass Driver has a built-in DI, you can use it in live situations to play straight into the PA system without needing an amp. Similarly, you can use it when recording to plug straight into a computer audio interface. (You can even just grab a guitar cable, connect it from the DI out into the line in on your PC - done, instant recording setup.)
Sansamp bass driver DI BDDI demo