Fender Downtown Express Pedal - The Best Bass Multi-FX We've Seen this Year?

[@garrettcarrigan2354]

I love you guys. Whoever does your editing needs a raise.

Man, the best intro ever! So much groove. Love it and finally someone placed a video of this preamp. Praise to you guys!

[@Blackbirddc]

This is seriously the best thing for bassists in a while. Grab this and a tuner and you're set for a quick gig.

[@jamesxlennon]

Just seems like every other preamp out there, except it doesn’t have a blend control so the distortion is a pretty unusable. I’d take a sansamp or a boss DI pedal over this any day.

[@Blackbirddc]

@@jamesxlennon I hear ya but this has separate footswitches for each. Also I haven't seen a compressor on a di. Blend on an overdrive? Also I just like the sound of the fender drives these days. I used to love the sansamp but it doesn't really work with my new sound. It really comes down to preference.

[@thenotsoguitarguy9429]

@@jamesxlennon you can take the DI out pre effects and get your OD blend between DI and amp, which is exactly how I tend to record OD bass anyway.

[@deviationblue]

And a Boss OC-2

[@StingBear]

Why is the bass volume so low? This is a bass video, but the guitar and voices are much louder?

[@Spaceman2921]

Guitar is cooler and more important.

[@kzos]

​@@Spaceman2921 Guitar is more important to hear on a **demo video for a bass pedal**?

[@Spaceman2921]

@@kzos Yes

[@beforetheburial5605]

Spaceman2921 Bass is always cooler mate

[@ez0rz]

@@Spaceman2921 more importanter

[@rabbirelax]

OMG! I'm only 45 seconds into this video, and I have to pause to say: THAT BASS PLAYING IS ABSOLUTELY KILLING!

[@theauthenticsteve]

I wouldn't call this a Multi FX, just a good preamp with all you need. In this video it doesn't really come across as a threat to Darkglass but much better value and being the tight arse I am I'd go for this.

[@quintonayaan4576]

You prolly dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can watch pretty much all of the latest series on instaflixxer. Been watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of months :)

[@huxleylian8853]

@Quinton Ayaan Yup, I've been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@joelsk7149]

Just got this beauty for Christmas, she’s an absolute beast, and perfect for playing on stage or in dark venues, definitely the new fave on the board! Great video to showcase it, thanks

[@adamarcadegames]

I love how Pete flips the compressor Overdrive directions switch a few times so that Lee can't tell that he's actually adjusting it to the proper position 🤣

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

Sounds great , Im so buying one of these . Thank you for demo-ing it with a Jazz Lee . I play J's as well .

[@howlin6521]

@5:45 according to your website it does take batteries FWIW. BTW, I'm guessing that the LED off switch would be to conserve battery power if running it that way, yes?

[@asherkirkpatrick5734]

can the overdrive work as a clean boost if you turn down the gain?

[@Lance37a]

Yes.

[@jameslewis2635]

This seems like the pre-amp section of the Fender Rumble amps with the addition of a compressor and a mute switch.

[@Icepacalapse]

I really like that wooden box the power supply is sitting on.

[@bthalko]

Nice! Been waiting for this one since it was mentioned by the Captain in the video on the other Fender pedals. I've already got The Pelt and it's MONSTROUS on bass, hopefully it plays nice with this little brown box!

[@ayeapprove]

Can you blend the distortion by running distortion into compressor?

[@bustedfender]

Never thought I’d see Pete in Downtown A/B. I’ll get my coat…

[@godififtyplus]

Perhaps a stupid question, is this multi-effect stompbox equal to a preamp? And if so, how does this compare with a SansAmp, MXR preamp, or other preamps…

[@aartaviavillalobos]

Hello, I have a question, do the two out outputs carry the same signal from the pedal or can one output be completely clean and the other carry the information that we have configured on the pedal? greetings from Costa Rica.

[@waltertav]

Do other people get a lof of noise when enabling the compressor? Mine adds so much background hiss, even before I start playing. Do think there is something faulty with mine?

[@ksump1]

Is it similar to TC SpectraDrive? That pedal is just great for the money!

[@davefontaine7615]

So they want at the end is a Tech 21 RK FlyRig for guitar. The Bass FlyRig is similar to this as well. Great job guys.

[@borisspopovski6908]

Dose the overdrive keep low end

[@WeZte]

does the DI out have an amp sim?

[@PingPongPix]

Superb video, covers everything. A pedal which has all I use, in 1 box! 😀

[@9999plato]

But you already have all of this and can mix and match seperate components, who needs this?

[@PingPongPix]

You are completely correct, I do have all of these 'effects' separately. For me it's appeal in the 1 unit, all with the DI.

[@fokacsbass]

Hi. Does this pedal has a cab sim on the DI output? i mean how could i use it straight to the PA if there is no cab sim?

[@carltoppin8231]

Would be cool to hear some small amount of overdrive. Would that overdrive not level in with the Master if they are two separate?

[@nolanpeters5462]

"I can never pronounce aluminum the way its written." Fuckin lol

[@gtrfxjunkie609]

Really good demo but no blend knob for the OD, only the Comp? Not very useful.

[@ksump1]

Nice review! Does it sound better than TC SpectraDrive? The SpectraDrive is smaller and sounds great.

[@franckpichon-buenaventura9519]

So no "blend" on the OD circuit means that you can't mix a clean botom, with a dirty Highend ???

[@WaghRules]

Yeah that is the only thing it's missing.... Superb pedal otherwise!

[@WaghRules]

you could use both outputs though to blend clean and od

[@emilfh]

Franck PICHON-BUENAVENTURA I have the pedal and I think and there must be some kind of automatic trimning on the Overdrive not to effect the bass to much. I am finding that it overdrives the high frequencies more, almost fuzz like. If you turn up the drive it came become messy, but I still think it is possible to retain some bass without it becoming mushy.

[@Ian_KH]

Two years and and I just bought a one of these. It was a toss up between the Downtown Express and the Ampeg SCR-Di Scrambler... The decider was the mute button.

[@noahorioles390]

Is there a battery slot for this?

[@mr.t382]

Grrrr8 demo!!! Love that thing - what strings are in that bass pls? Sounds like sm nice flats?!?! Thx

[@samueltk6495]

Thank you so much for the video, but I expected more of this pedal, there's space for two more knobs, and it is missing one more knob for mids (frequency or low mid and hi mids) and a blend for overdrive, I also didn't like the overdrive tone, it's too agressive, feels like distortion almost fuzz. The EHX Battalion seems way better, except for the compressor.

[@adozensparrows]

Your video comes at perfect timing! Dawn on East coast USA. Time for a bowl & enjoy the video. A great day to everyone in England! (PS: I have to buy one of your Sire acoustics; best I've heard.)

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Try a fuzz and an 7 band eq in front of this. Will give you all sorts of overdrive to fit the song.

[@Whiskel]

13:26 Pete is thinking about that Danish film, Festen. He loves Festen.

[@likeanuuk6612]

it only has overdrive, compressor, and eq? so its like....a bass amp...

[@rca3rd]

Pricey too for what it is.

[@9999plato]

@@rca3rd Not really. I spent more than this on a parametric eq alone. Not that I have any need for this. I learned my lesson, no more multi effects pedals for me.

[@Blackbirddc]

But it's better to have these things before modulation and other fx.

[@Blackbirddc]

@@robjobse8860 oh I hear yah. I don't like the sound of the Spectra drive. I do like the battalion but it's missing the switches to turn on and off the compressor and eq. Having to bend over mid song is annoying.

[@zr2700]

That’s because it’s not a multi-fx unit like a zoom b3n or boss gt1b. It’s a preamp/Di box like the aguilar tonehammer

[@ZeugmaP]

It would have been great with a blend knob for the overdrive

[@xsonicassassinx]

yea, that's kind of a deal breaker. when are they going to give us an option to pre-EQ our overdrive so we can drive the highs alone? darkglass can't be the only one who sees value in that.

[@emilfh]

I have the pedal, and it definitely overdrives the higher frequency more than the bass. Try it and see what you think. Blend would be great, but still sounds real good I think.

[@paulsummerside]

No blend on the OD for me would be a deal breaker. But was not overly taken by the tones. Mind you Fender Rumble amps I'm not taken by either, so perhaps the pedal might be more usable through a better amp.

[@ryanern18]

Fact: The health insurance the Capt offers his employees includes additional coverage for injuries sustained from excessive Bass Face.

[@Siebenstein83]

Sansamp, Spectadrive or this?

[@ZaryaMain]

Don't forget the Ampeg SCR-DI, that would be my suggestion

[@Siebenstein83]

@@ZaryaMain Thanks, will check it out.

[@LovelyLadySnowblood]

EBS MicroBass is also really good.

[@matteomantovani4459]

that output thing, can be used with headphones too maybe? woulb be awesome to study at home!

[@stevehillock3162]

Should have put a blend for the overdrive. Only 3 band EQ (not even semi parametric). No tuner. No battery option and i guess no phantom power option either? I'll pass. Good points for the DI Signal choice, comp/overdrive order and the LED on/off option though. Still decent for the price

[@bottomsupbass]

It's the all new deluxe doesn't do much but must do something and it sounds quite nice. It has most features found on most amps but without the power or speaker section so when you put all this together you've got fukall

[@nooneassuch]

The TC SpectraDrive is a similar price - Brilliant pedal

[@marnuswessels1]

Love this. Can you guys please do a video about the Ashdown OriginAL Valve DI Preamp :) I have one and love it. Just want your opinion on it

[@rajievetanck1831]

I have sansamp bass driver deluxe. can i use this with it?

[@vunguyen-jy8ii]

Can i use it as a bass pream, bro?

[@owengonzales53]

Yeah

[@AirborneSubmariner]

for a new bass player > what other pedals would you use along with the Fender Downtown Express Pedal

[@tompoynton]

an octave pedal

[@guyfromnj]

Does anyone know what model strat Pete had there??

[@chrishopkins209]

What mic are you using on the Rumble?

[@ogchawat]

Liking this duo

[@zr2700]

I wouldn’t call it a Multi-FX... cos it’s not! It’s much more a preamp/DI box. I much rather it than the aguilar tonehammer DI. It’s easier to use, includes a few extra features that are really useful. If you’re after a Preamp/DI box for bass look no further!

[@godififtyplus]

How does it compare to other preamps? SansAmp, MXR,…

[@RodrickLodowica]

I was planning on getting the Tech 21 Sansamp but this...

[@megatyaesree]

Please review the Zoom B1 Four

[@schizoinstereo]

Slappa da BASS mon!

[@lavadoraautomatica1]

activate the eq and crank the treble thats exactly what every bass player wants.

[@9999plato]

All the stuff I already have. I guess somebody will buy it, not sure who.

[@Lord_UND_Himself]

Let this be a lesson: mic the amp for bass distortion demos

[@peppmache]

Well they did though, together with D.I.

[@ricarcorpse]

Man! Couldn't help but move my feet! You got it like the plague!

[@Sebasstian86]

Turn that overdrive tone down! It's a bass! The pedal seems cool though. My MXR M-80 has hit the crapper, so this seems like a good option. I've never really understood compression, but it on this pedal it sounds like it works wonders, especially with the included blend. My thinking has always been that compression ruins dynamics, but it's one of those effects that probably works really well in the mix with a full band.

[@ltlauch]

6:26 ***swallowing intensifies***

[@j.lerner5766]

EHX Battalion? Its Cheaper

[@PingPongPix]

Louis Lerner The EHX is a very good alternative. Compressor, eq, distortion, DI, all for around the 130 mark. Although this pedal is available on other websites for 148.

[@AMBowers29]

Try plugging a guitar into one of these?

[@nimrodescojedo1408]

Looks good to use for my bass pedal. Better put in on a checklist so I can buy this one. By the way, that was a really great performance, Sir. This fender downtown express really packs a unique sound. By the way, Is the fender downtown express is only $250 or $300? Please leave a comment for this. Thanks. 😊

[@theauthenticsteve]

The best you've seen this year or the best released this year that you have seen? The best you've seen this year would probably be the best you have ever seen.

[@tortillaman2491]

Just a 3-way EQ?

[@minglyu3895]

Finally

[@manny75586]

Would have been nice to hear an actual bass eq rather than a guitar eq on a bass but it otherwise sounds great.

[@pauldershem]

I would love to have heard an unaffected bass sound EQ'd to sound great when played fingerstyle. Unfortunately, the guy twiddling the knobs never achieved such a tone.

[@Bass_Baer_Extraordinaire]

UH-LOO-MINUM 🤣

[@aidanf2643]

Bass is too low in the mix

[@lenbalasa9492]

Lead bass guitar player and more slap. So far every demo I’ve heard is slap style as if bass runs with bottom is no longer needed.

[@MountainMistWanderer]

Why let a guitarist adjust knobs for bass equipment. Dude was afraid to bring that low end up.

[@IngBass]

Обзоры на Fender Downtown Express попадаются только британские. А я почти не понимаю британский акцент...

[@jasonstone8587]

Some of his Bass Playing reminds me of Jaco Pastorius....I would recommend any Beginner Bass players to watch the Jaco Pastorius DVD...simple called "Jaco"....Robert Trujillo presents....he was the Jimi Hendrix of the Bass world....I play Guitar but even if Could appreciate what Jaco did for the Bass world....but also what he did for music in general....a much missed talent in the music world just like Jimi Hendrix is.....

[@SV-Valhalla]

Since aluminum was first discovered at the National Accelerator Facility in Newport News Virginia, we say it correctly in the United States

[@Ivaneve66]

output too low you have to keep the master almost at maximum and you will hear humming hum

[@MrGul]

Anything with Danish Pete is an instant downvote.

[@mentiras_xoxo]

👏 collab 👏 with 👏 davie504 👏

[@mentiras_xoxo]

Please

[@mentiras_xoxo]

👏

[@stevesmith3990]

STILL no fishing tips...

[@gonzalogomez8508]

Aluminio

[@djwilson303]

Thanks for not having that other fella on these video's his playing is fantastic but his knowledge and lack of insight is embarrassing

[@Lance37a]

Probably because he's really a guitar player.

[@emilfh]

No, the other bass player, and I agree.

[@fueu2617]

Aluminum ;)

[@angeloblasi4243]

❤

[@davidhughes6172]

Sounds like a big waste of money..I can get better tones and sounds running straight into my amp..

[@quinnluxford]

Blend on a compressor. I'll never understand why anyone thinks it is a good idea... Fender obviously paid for this review. Utter shit

[@noisecode5867]

For the record, (Al You Min Eee Um) is not how its pronounced... or spelled even. Silly Brits putting imaginary vowels in words LOL. Great video guys. Thanks!

[@johncyberskip6498]

Sorry Noise code, you are dead wrong. Get your facts right first. It was the Yanks who changed the spelling.The original IS Aluminium. Also solder, NOT sodder. But Americans think the world stops at their borders. :)

[@noisecode5867]

@@johncyberskip6498: Easy killer. Just making a harmless joke. No need to go making generalizations about all Americans.

[@ThiagoConsentini]

What funk this incompressible and lasy pronounced accent!

[@alvinhendricks8746]

not very practicle

[@elenefraltechhiarkim573]

Talk less..do more

[@toddflowers8052]

There is no i in the last syllable of aluminum , just sayin' ! ;-)

[@jamesxlennon]

There is if you’re anything other than American or Canadian. It was discovered in Europe, and named by Europeans. No idea why Americans feel the need to spell it differently. You guys don’t call helium helum or francium francum or magnesium magenesum.... could go on.

[@toddflowers8052]

@@jamesxlennon Look at the spelling it is not al umin e um it is alu min um. That is the i that I'm talking about not the first one.

[@anttimaasalmi6918]

Todd Flowers, Still the previous comment is valid, spelling is different depending on the continent. Like color vs colour. Not saying which is correct but the name of the language is a hint. You short-cutting, lazy spellers :)

[@toddflowers8052]

@@anttimaasalmi6918 Got it ,we are all free to say it the way we want that is why there was a wink at the end of my original post ,not trying to be the grammar police.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Leave the noise to guitars. Bass guits should worry about be the bottom end.

[@rkharper]

Hows life in your narrow minded world? Seems fun!.... .... Not.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

@@rkharper Truth hurts Rafi I know but if you want to make noise take up guitar as bass playing is a very responsible job and only a fool doesn't acknowledge that.

[@rkharper]

@@Neil-Aspinall then I'll gladly be your fool.

[@jamesxlennon]

That’s why Lemmy and Cliff Burton and John Entwistle and Geddy Lee and Jack Bruce and Timmy C and Justin Chancellor are universally despised, obviously.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

@@jamesxlennon Lemmy and Burton 'thought' they were playing normal guitars. Entwistle was a genius so he can do what he wants. The others, never heard of them.