Review Demo - Tech 21 GED-2112 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp

Read the review: bit.ly/Tech21GeddyLee
There’s no shortage of companies out there making amp simulators, but Tech 21-with their proprietary SansAmp technology-is one of the originals, and their wares remain a must-have for many bassists. Part of the reason is SansAmp forgoes digital modeling, unlike many other products on the market, to achieve emulation with a completely analog signal chain. Bassist Geddy Lee happens to be a fan of SansAmp technology, and through a collaboration with Tech 21, the GED-2112 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp was born. Yes, it’s a signature model, but don’t rush (sorry) to judgment. Turns out this new model could be useful for a wide range of players in a variety of applications­-especially rock situations where amp-like color is desired.
Hemispheres
The GED-2112 is a single-rack-space unit with a minty green front panel sporting a little drawing of Geddy raising his eyebrow at you. (When I was trying to learn his bass parts, I got the feeling he was raising his eyebrow in judgment of my ability to replicate his bass lines, but you can decide what he’s saying to you.) The device is basically separated into two sections-a “drive” preamp section and a “deep” preamp section-that run parallel.
The drive section is based on the SansAmp RPM preamp and has dials for overdrive, bass, and treble, parametric midrange, and output level. There’s also a blend control, which allows you to blend-in the desired amount of unprocessed, clean tone. The deep section has an EQ curve preset to Geddy’s personal specs and only has two controls: saturation and output. In my opinion, the “deep” name might be a little misleading. While it sounds great, I didn’t find it all that deep sounding. To my ears, it had more of a midrange growl, which really complemented the drive section nicely.
There are two options for plugging in: either a single input on the front panel or the two on the back. You can switch between the two back-panel inputs with a button that’s located on the face of the box. It seems like it would be a nice option to be able to do this with a footswitch, but no such luck. The back-panel inputs have a -20 dB pad for receiving line-level signals.
Continue reading: bit.ly/Tech21GeddyLee

[@jorgeg.d.5983]

Well, that was tuffer to understand than trying to learn a Rush song.

[@bikerjones5618]

Okay I have this pre-amp and love it. A big mistake being made in this demo is that the Blend knob is used to blend direct instrument sound with the pre-amp color. Setting it all the way to the left is no sans amp, just bass through what ever amplification is being used. Setting blend full to the right is 100% sans amp. I use mine with a Crown stereo amp and and power two cabinets, each receiving its own color from the two GED 2112 signals. At gigs, I require 2 lines for the FOH. So far everywhere I have played has been able to accommodate me. There is a single unaffected out also, that could be used for FOH.

[@fonkamex]

I am also about to buy it to be used with my Crown XLS 1502. I have two cabinets one a 6x10 and the other a 1x15, it should be great I guess

[@thegamedwellers3140]

To anyone looking for this, you can combine both deep and drive to one of the output jacks by moving over one of the jumpers easily but that includes opening it up, voiding the warranty, but it’s easy and you can look up how to do it

[@lukasohlsson4120]

Steve's on fire today. Not his playing, but he can talk!

[@jamesha175]

ya he is practically flaming.

[@rand7317]

This guy can make anything sound crappy

[@louispontillo9467]

let's hear you demo it!

[@oh_look_bananas]

Makes your mom sound amazing tho

[@joekao192]

He is right, this channel demo is always useless....

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

​@@louispontillo9467mine sounds way better

[@gregrush1985]

I like pairing the RBI with the RPM. Sounds killer.

[@johnpeterson5354]

Do you plug the Drive or Deep output into the bass amp input? -20dB or 0dB?

[@mattbryant2447]

where are you sending the quarter inch outputs?

[@Thewiz666]

Would've preferred all Rush riffs so we'd know how close it can get ya on tone with more familiar tracks.

[@ianmacneil556]

Question......Could you run this as a "guitar" preamp as well? Would it work? Thanks!

[@josephfelice8308]

I run this preamp to my personal two channel QSC G5 power amp running a 4x10 and a 15 that are separately controlled because a 4x10 will always overpower a 15 if they are run 50/50. I use the two outs to the mixer because the sound you get on stage is rarely the same as how the PA will translate it to the crowd.This allows the sound man to adjust the mix of drive and deep for the subs and mains of the venue which will definitely handle it differently than your bass cabs on stage. If you don't have an extra channel on your mixer, you can run it to a stereo channel and just use the pan control to adjust it. My favorite part is that if monitors and PA are good, I don't even need the amp and cabs. I just bring the preamp and tuner in my 2u rack and send the signal to the board.

[@Eric1396]

You should have reviewed also the pedal version of the unit called DI-2112. It does the same thing but in a smaller package and it allows you to blend both channels internaly.

[@michaelregan2084]

do I need a mixing board to run both sides? im lost

[@Sundance4023]

Can I use a Peavey CS 800X to power preamp

[@jacoby75]

Yaaaaaasss! I could run that tone at 6:00 and 6:40 all day long. Beautiful.

[@beornthebear.8220]

I have a Tech 21 VY Bass Deluxe for years and it sounds great if I set it correctly. If I bump 1 knob, I set everything straight up and work from there. I usually use it through my guitar pedal board, but I've also run it into the inout of my bass amp. Tech 21 is good.

[@Robinallenyukon]

if you run the 2 outs into a rack mount mixer into your bass head will that allow you to run both channels ? TIA

[@GRANKOR]

Paul D Pearce yes. You could use an XLR splitter cable as well. Also there is an internal jumper that can be used to sum both preamps to one output.

[@johnswartz7285]

@@GRANKOR I do not believe and XLR splitter cable will work. Instead, if you don't want to do the internal jumper thing Tech21 recommends combining the channels with a 1/4" patch cable. What you do is connect the 1/4" "Deep" output to the Effects "Return" input and engage the "50/50" switch in the effects chain. This essentially puts the "Drive" and "Deep" sections in parallel and the "Drive" output becomes your pre-amp's output to go to a power amp/mixing board/etc. The "Drive" knob does NOT become your "Master Volume" as incorrectly stated in the video - The "Level" for the "Drive" section (aka "Level 1") is your "Master Volume" now. The "Level for the "Deep" section (aka "Level 2") now "blends" how much of the "Deep" channel is mixed with the "Drive" (all the way off = full "Drive" channel; all the way up = full "Deep" channel).

[@artriveros7659]

Is it possible to use a xlr male to dual female Y cable from both of the preamps in order to use as a DI for the PA system at a club and the same configuration using 1/4” Y splitter to one amp simultaneously?

[@johnswartz7285]

If your house sound guy will take 2 inputs for bass, yes run an xlr from each output ("Drive" and "Deep") to the PA and use the 1/4" outs for your amp - I don't believe a Y splitter will work however to combine the channels. What you want to do is get a short 1/4" patch cord and connect the 1/4" "Deep" output to the Effects "Return" input and engage the "50/50" switch in the effects chain. This essentially puts the "Drive" and "Deep" sections in parallel and the "Drive" output becomes your pre-amp's output to go to a power amp/mixing board/etc. The "Drive" knob does NOT become your "Master Volume" as incorrectly stated in the video - The "Level" for the "Drive" section (aka "Level 1") is your "Master Volume" now. The "Level for the "Deep" section (aka "Level 2") now "blends" how much of the "Deep" channel is mixed with the "Drive" (all the way off = full "Drive" channel; all the way up = full "Deep" channel). I use this set-up to gig all the time and it's very straightforward (although it took me a lot of words to explain it). If this is the way you want to use it permanently, there is an internal jumper that can be set, but I have a 2 channel power amp and 2 speaker cabs so in that case I'll typically run the "Drive" output to one and the "Deep" output to the other.

[@artriveros7659]

John Swartz THANKS for the response. Shortly after I left my question I did discover online about the internal jumper. So I decided to go that way.

[@johnswartz7285]

@@artriveros7659 Glad it worked for you. When this unit came out there seemed to be a lot of consternation on Talkbass.com about how to blend the channels and a Tech21 rep posted this patch cable solution. Many (like yourself) prefer the internal jumper solution - and if you plan on always running the rig that way it makes sense (less cabling to do). Also, the pedal version of this (YYZ, which came out like a year later) pretty much blends the two for you. Simplicity vs flexibility, but awesome tone either way.

[@96Decibels]

I run mine in a single channel setup...just run a 1/4" patch cable from the deep side Sansamp out, into the return of the effects loop with the 50/50 button depressed. No need to dick around with internal jumpers. The functionality of some of the knobs on the fascia changes, but by and large once you feel your way around these, it'll sound pretty much the same as going the two channel route into a console.

[@johnswartz7285]

YES! Very easy to blend both channels with a jumper, and unfortunately the reviewer gets it WRONG as to how the controls change. The "Drive" control does NOT become the Master Volume - the "Level 1" becomes Master Volume -- this came about because when they put out how to blend the channels with a patch cable, they noted that the drive level becomes the master volume - but they didn't mean the "Drive" control, they meant the "Level" control of the "Drive" channel (which is the "Level 1" control). The "Level 2" control (aka the "Level" control of the "Deep" channel) becomes a "Blend" of the two channels (Drive and Deep). Very simple and I've used it many times (although I have a dual-channel PA amp (Peavey IPR 3000) that I also used to run the channels separately into separate cabinets as well). This unit works great, and while giving you the ability to "sound like Geddy" is obviously a selling point, it can produce a wide range of tones.

[@mosh-riff]

Nice to see Geddy has his own amp.

[@marshallross3373]

Well, I trust Geddy. We'll see how it sounds in person.

[@gab.lab.martins]

Cool, now Geddy can use his own amp in all the future tours to come... right? haha

[@BeardedDanishViking]

Except Rush has retired from touring.

[@bigolemonkey2898]

BeardedDanishViking r/woosh

[@JamesOhGoodie]

*sobs*

[@JLP-ORIGINALS]

Love this preamp but I found that most sound guys dont want to mess with 2 channels. Unless you're using the same sound guy everywhere. I jumped the 2 channels and its fine. However I later bought the basic sans amp unit and run it on my pedalboard..and it seems to do slightly better? Matter of opinion I suppose. Lol

[@bikesnbeerz]

Can you get this sound from an AXE FX III?

[@IBJ57]

Yes.

[@TexasEdition]

What bass is that?

[@joevalente8451]

Why the heck would they not include a combined output??

[@johnswartz7285]

Seems strange for some, but it's easy enough to get a combined output with a 1/4" patch cable. What you do is connect the 1/4" "Deep" output to the Effects "Return" input and engage the "50/50" switch in the effects chain. This essentially puts the "Drive" and "Deep" sections in parallel and the "Drive" output becomes your pre-amp's output to go to a power amp/mixing board/etc. The "Drive" knob does NOT become your "Master Volume" as incorrectly stated in the video - The "Level" for the "Drive" section (aka "Level 1") is your "Master Volume" now. The "Level for the "Deep" section (aka "Level 2") now "blends" how much of the "Deep" channel is mixed with the "Drive" (all the way off = full "Drive" channel; all the way up = full "Deep" channel). I use this set-up to gig all the time and it's very straightforward. If this is the way you want to use it permanently, there is an internal jumper that can be set, but I have a 2 channel power amp and 2 speaker cabs so in that case I'll typically run the "Drive" output to one and the "Deep" output to the other.

[@johnswartz7285]

Also, the "Blend" switch was mis-represented in this video. The Blend control mixes the amount of dry signal from your bass with that of the Sansamp tube emulation circuitry of the "Drive" preamp section (note: manual recommends blend set at maximum = 100% SansAmp, although I think that can get a bit harsh). Even when the Blend is at minimum, the Bass, Mid, and Treble controls still work.

[@evankeal]

Too complicated for me. Why not run the two outs to a console as he mentions and you should be able to pull off a you tube review at least. Impressive input and output array.

[@cromag31]

he was on qualudes!

[@babayaga1767]

i'd like to have it footswitchable. i don't want the drive on every song

[@joevalente8451]

The pedal is footswitchable, I believe...

[@mannishboy1]

Very strange set-up. I'd like to see a "sum out", xlr and 1/4", as well as the drive & deep outputs. Not everybody runs two amps, cabs, etc... But hey, this is designed for Geddy! I'll stick with my Shaw Audio Tube Injection Preamp or Ashly BP41.

[@andrewmelchers2733]

Jon Rochner there’s an internal jumper that will sum the outputs.

[@mannishboy1]

What's weird is I just watched the TECH21/Geddy interview (again), and this brand new review popped up on my feed (I follow PG.) I recommend you watch the afore mentioned TECH21 video. Geddy nails Geddy's tone!(?) LOL! I especially like him dialing in a Yes/Rickenbacker tone with his '62 J Bass. Or maybe Geddy's sound in his hands, head, and heart (The 3 H's) and has less to do with his gear...

[@mannishboy1]

Andrew M --- Thanks, man! Maybe PG should've read the manual...

[@evankeal]

Its similar to Chris Squires concept of having two outputs on his bass and each never is intended to touch each others signal chain and speaker chain. They only come together at Front of house.

[@johnswartz7285]

@@andrewmelchers2733 Or you can do it externally with a 1/4" patch cable. What you do is connect the 1/4" "Deep" output to the Effects "Return" input and engage the "50/50" switch in the effects chain. This essentially puts the "Drive" and "Deep" sections in parallel and the "Drive" output becomes your pre-amp's output to go to a power amp/mixing board/etc. The "Drive" knob does NOT become your "Master Volume" as incorrectly stated in the video - The "Level" for the "Drive" section (aka "Level 1") is your "Master Volume" now. The "Level for the "Deep" section (aka "Level 2") now "blends" how much of the "Deep" channel is mixed with the "Drive" (all the way off = full "Drive" channel; all the way up = full "Deep" channel). Note: this is how Tech21 recommends you do it.

[@DavePeters1]

The manner in which the preamp was configured for this demo was unnecessarily obfuscated. It would have been logical to pair this with a 2-channel power amp (e.g., a Crown, QSC, or Behringer), sending the Drive output to one channel, and the Deep to the other. Straightforward. Easy Peasy. Or, send the Drive and Deep outputs to separate inputs of an audio interface. That would have made sense. Having this preamp in a rack with a 2-channel amp, then to cabs would work for gigging. (Or, one could use it to DI to house amps, theoretically.)

[@EdBocchino]

Seems like an unnecessarily convoluted way to demo this unit. You couldn't have run each output to a channel of a two channel power amp with each channel driving a cab?

[@willisingo]

Being a huge Geddy fan for 35 years, not a big fan of his later sound. I love the sound of the drive but I hate the bwaaah attack on the notes.

[@MichaelSmith-rq7hd]

Blend control and drive are not explained correctly John Belanger would never make this mistake 🎶

[@marcelocoip7275]

Confusing explanation.

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

Yeah, I might as well bring my bass to a music store some morning and figure this out for myself.

[@joevalente8451]

It's a confusing setup. Two non-combinable outputs makes this essentially unusable for any gigging bassist who doesn't run two amps -- unless you use his confusing cludge.

[@johnswartz7285]

@@joevalente8451 The cludge is NOT particularly confusing, but he explained it WRONG in the video. What you do is connect the 1/4" "Deep" output to the Effects "Return" input and engage the "50/50" switch in the effects chain. This essentially puts the "Drive" and "Deep" sections in parallel and the "Drive" output becomes your pre-amp's output to go to a power amp/mixing board/etc. The "Drive" knob does NOT become your "Master Volume" as incorrectly stated in the video - The "Level" for the "Drive" section (aka "Level 1") is your "Master Volume" now. The "Level for the "Deep" section (aka "Level 2") now "blends" how much of the "Deep" channel is mixed with the "Drive" (all the way off = full "Drive" channel; all the way up = full "Deep" channel). I use this set-up to gig all the time and it's very straightforward. If this is the way you want to use it permanently, there is an internal jumper that can be set, but I have a 2 channel power amp and 2 speaker cabs so in that case I'll typically run the "Drive" output to one and the "Deep" output to the other.

[@bkdexter79]

I wish I would have read this earlier. That is a confusing setup for a non-sound board guy like myself.

[@jamesha175]

it's not a space ship so it should not cost as much as one.

[@luisdado4140]

not quite of a gear review, makes you think twice to get this gear...

[@RCPLANET1962]

5 minutes in ....yawn

[@Bcwilderness]

wtf is he on

[@Peter-qd2wp]

Bla bla.

[@MichaelSmith-rq7hd]

He has the blend and drive control mixed up the blend control is not a drive learn about the unit before you review it you guys are better than this

[@bertg5294]

nice introduction to '' how to ruin a sound.''.

[@anonymousguy7723]

No thanks buddy.... I’ll stick with my Aguilar DB 751...!!!

[@frostbeam7095]

so, impractical for literally everyone not named Geddy Lee. I'll pass.