Tech 21's Studio 21 Tech Tip Tidbits: Best Way to Hookup Your SansAmp

Tim Starace and Andrew Barta discuss what Bruce from Amityville wants to know about the best way to hookup a SansAmp.
www.tech21nyc.com/

[@corpsekrusher]

I don’t understand a lot of this technical vocabulary but I am totally geeking out on it. This guys knowledge is incredible.

[@Metalbass1979]

I've played countless shows and been on so many recordings with the original Sansamp Bass Driver since 1998. It is the greatest bass pedal ever invented.

[@Tech21nyc]

Wow, thanks so much for saying that!

[@Metalbass1979]

@@Tech21nyc I speak only the truth. I won't play a show or record without it. 😉

[@bassyey]

BassDriver DI is just the best. Two things I need at a gig: Bass driver DI and a tuner pedal. That's it. No mumbo jumbo, no modern stuff, no trendy stuff. It just works.

[@homeworldmusic]

One thing I'm noticing now, tonight, that I didn't pay attention to back when I first bought the original decades ago, is I can back off my attack and it cleans up, and then dig in to make it go all badass. I loved it back then, am loving it again now that I've dug it out of storage. Great work folks, it needs a good demo video, because especially in the clean amp dipswitch setting, it is unbeatable.

[@brianpierce6877]

Thanks for adding your insights, Tim!

[@Dethcollectors]

I’ve played so many live shows with the XLR out on my sansamp Bass driver to the mixer and the other to the return loop on my amp or a power amp with only the sansamp as my preamp. I always get told by the sound guys that it has a hot signal out on the XLR and the tone is always great in the FOH monitors! It is really the only pedal I need for bass!

[@TJTynes]

Thanks for this guys! Loving my Ged DI 2112!

[@jamescoderre9595]

Very informative discussion, thanks !

[@kevon217]

Great discussion. Learned a lot.

[@zaxe63]

I use to play guitar more than bass so I had bought a mess boogie 20:20 and a marshal 9000 preamp. I mostly play bass now and run my main output from my bass driver with a y cable directly into my boogie. And the xlr to the PA if I need the extra volume. I love the feel and sound of my setup. I play a carvin bolt kit bass most of the time with passive pickups usually but sometimes use an active fender jazz bass as well.

[@jeffbass4]

I run my GED-2112 into the front of my SVT-VR as well. Together they sound just great!!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Andrew is a legend!

[@trer1969]

I've had a few Tech 21 units over the last ten-plus years...the Red Ripper bass distortion, the RBI rack unit, and the dUg Pinnick signature pedal...the RBI just keeps rising to the top for me. I love the nasty high-end growl I can get...it's not an overdriven SVT, it is not a bass distortion, and it is not a bi-amp sound, it's its own unique tone. I've played a number of shows after which the bass player of another band we played with that night came up and asked what was in my bass rig. I did recently try to replace the RBI in my live-rig with a new Boss GT-1000 Core I got, thinking I could use one of the baked-in bass models for my tone, and have some modulation effects on tap, all in one box...the bass amp tones are really good, but just lacked that something-extra that the RBI gives me. I feel like I've just found my "sound" with it, a Hartke LX8500 amp, Hartke HyDrive 4x10 cab, and my MusicMan Bongo 5. That is the sweet-spot for me.

[@RICKRATT1]

I completely bypass the preamp section of my Trace Elliot, plugging into the send input. Then DI out to the mixer. I just bought the Para Di, both are great products.

[@hekakain4108]

There are several Sansamps, mine is the GT2 and I play at home so direct to the front of my amp...great lil pedal though. I have many pedals that I'm putting on rotation, thing is they are all great pedals so I don't think I can settle on a permanent board. Love your content guys.

[@derwinmoss9485]

Thank You, Andrew and Tim! I’ve wondered about a few of the things you covered. Very informative!!! And Thanks, Andrew for all of your awesome products!

[@virgilrytaar9083]

My Sansamp goes everywhere with me, sometimes I use an am on stage, sometimes not, always a great sound

[@MyVideos-fm7ug]

The EFX loop is how I’ve always done it. The best part is that, at least with my SVT-7, it has an EFX loop level knob. So that, along with the paradriver BLEND control, the two work in tandem to ensure a good balance of sansamp and bass amp sound I’ve found that this application is important at higher gain levels, like the overdriven bass pre setting that can be found in the paradriver manual. All sansamps tend to generate a lot of noise under high gain parameters. That’s when the blend and EFX loop controls come into play to cancel out some of that noise. I also have a built in compressor control on my amp that helps with this as we l

[@beno.6933]

As a sound man - I like 2 to 4 channels from my bassist. At least one of those channels is a sans amp full blend. Second channel - Q strip.

[@almostliterally593]

Even just one bass channel is great with a sansamp

[@guitaramigo]

technologically significant more than ever.

[@ronniemwagner]

This tech dude is incredibly knowledgeable and clear in his explanations!

[@Tech21nyc]

Thanks so much for the kind words! BTW, that “tech dude” is Andrew Barta, inventor of the SansAmp and president of the company. 😁

[@ronniemwagner]

@@Tech21nyc 😆 Well thank you Andrew Barta!! 🤩 Extremely helpful as I am figuring out how to use this rig! The Chorus sounds amazing!! I’m using the FlyRig in place of the pedalboard I built. It has everything except Echo. But it’s got it’s own effects loop! I was frustrated at first bc my initial impression was the FlyRig has fuzz/overdrive that I won’t use. And the compressor is sort of a preset. But with the help of the KZbin tutorials, I am really getting into the vast possibilities. I have loved my sound without effects - MusicMan basses & Mesa Subway amp & cabinet. The FlyRig is truly expanding my musical range- challenging, and exciting!

[@Tech21nyc]

@@ronniemwagner That’s great to hear. Double thanks! Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance. We’re always happy to help: [e-mail]

[@sbentsen2714]

Yes, Andrew is a saint in the bass gear world 🙏🏼😁

[@vindrum]

Cool shirt!

[@joenardulli6685]

Great stuff guys...Thanks! I've had tremendous success no matter how I plug in my original SansAmp pedal, but I will say that direct into the FX return is awesome, as is direct into a mixer channel! Question: As someone who's always excited about your new product announcements, how long until we hear about anything new coming out from Tech 21?!

[@Tech21nyc]

Soooooon!

[@jeddak]

We recommend using audio cables. Strings of Christmas tree lights just don't work as well.

[@jackshittle]

After seeing this, I'm going to try plugging my VT Bass w/ speaker simulation (non DI version) into the FX loop on my SWR SM400S amp. I'm curious how it's going to differ then going through the front of the SWR.

[@poxcr]

9:50 What feature is Tim talking about? How do you combine the channels? As far as I understand, the drive and deep channels are always on separate outputs on these units.

[@radzloko]

Great! How about the Sansamp Tri Ac? I would appreciate some information about how the circuit works!

[@steverherb]

I have a Tri AC. I'd say it's a slightly stripped down version of the GT2. You can save three completely different presets and tweak them on the fly if necessary

[@BobGuido]

I don't design audio equipment but the rack unit RBI sounds infinitely better than the Bass Driver Pedals V1 & V2. I think it comes down to power source. 120V AC is a lot more power to work with which gives you the higher headroom Andrew Barta was talking about in the video here. 9 volt pedal power isn't going allow for circuitry to work as efficiently. It seems pretty simple. In the studio, the RBI going XLR into the front end of a really great mic preamp, like an API 512c and then into a compressor like a Urei 1176 produces a far more professional sounding recording than any of the SansAmp pedals. This has been my experience as a SansAmp user for a number of years.

[@toneranger]

Gents, I love Tech21👍🏻 , can you tell me plz if the new V2 pedals : RK5 V2 etc with the built in XLR, does the jack out still have cab sim as I want to add external stereo reverb and FX pedals before the mixer ? So I can still run those in the follow order FLY RIG v2 (jack out w/cab sim) > External Pedals > External DI (e/ground lift) > MIXER, so into an external DI to balance the signal going into the mixer ? Thank you 👍🏻

[@Tech21nyc]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes it does, as long as the SansAmp section is engaged.

[@SarahJonesBass]

Great info, thanks guys. I have a question: Is there a difference between the stand-alone SansAmp unit and the SansAmp stage of the Tech21 Bass Flyrig? And if so, what is the difference?

[@Tech21nyc]

The Bass Fly Rig SansAmp section is more similar to the VT Bass DI rather than the SansAmp Bass Driver DI.

[@rootberg]

Thinking of getting this for my keyboard/synth rig, but I get confused about one thing. I have a reamp placed first on the fx send of my line mixer, the reason is to convert the signal to high impedance suitable for guitar pedals. But the sansamp paradriver out would output a low impedence signal, so placing it after the reamp would defeat the purpose of the reamp? Yet in the manual it is suggested to place the paradriver first in the effect chain. Will not the low impedence signal make the sound duller further down the chain of fx pedals? Any thoughts on this?

[@Tech21nyc]

Most guitar pedals have high impedance inputs. In most cases you can run a low impedance signal into a high impedance input and maintain signal integrity. What you don't want to do is run a high impedance signal into a low impedance input. Like running a passive bass guitar directly into a mixer. This is why we have direct boxes. For reamping a line output into a guitar pedal the most important thing is the signal level. Most guitar pedals are expecting an instrument level signal. A line level signal may overload the pedal. Please contact our customer support [e-mail] if you have any additional questions.

[@itsgmani]

I’ve used plugins for a while. Got the SANsamp RBI RACK TODAY. it beats the plugins hands down for recording and jamming.

[@Tech21nyc]

😮 Really appreciate hearing that!

[@PeteBartel]

Hey T21 guys, I have a Fly Rig 5 v2 and I find the XLR output is just too hot to go straight into the sound desk. The sound guy always tells me to turn my output down until I'm almost at zero. So I find it's better to go via a DI and use one of the DI's -20dB pads. But this introduces more junk in the signal path. Is there anything else I can do to avoid using the DI?

[@Tech21nyc]

For the best tech advice, please email us directly: [e-mail]

[@60degreelobwedge82]

I recently picked up a used sansamp di version 2. I love the way it sounds solo but I find I get lost in the mix when jamming with 2 guitar players and a drummer. I would normally adjust the EQ until I cut through (usually boosting the low mids works). What's the best way to do this with a sansamp plugged into the effects return?

[@Tech21nyc]

We're happy to hear you like the pedal. Please contact our customer support department. ([e-mail]) There is no simple answer to your question that we can provide without more detailed information regarding your equipment and playing situation.

[@mauriciomarchant8206]

Dumb question here: I am looking to get my first pedal. I think the first one should be a preamp, which Tech21 Sansamp would you recommend to someone just starting to play bass? I was looking into the PDDI and then I saw the programmable preamps. I know it depends but if you can, just give a recommendation. I am trying to get to play RHCP, Rush and Yes...of course! haha Thank you

[@TimStarace]

The tried and true, industry standard, and Swiss Army knife of bass tone would be the SansAmp Bass Driver. The ParaDriver offers more control over your mids. The Programmable expands your "Tone Pallete" with three options. I'm sure you will achieve what you are looking for with any of these. Have fun, and keep me posted!

[@roughtraange0123]

There are Geddy Lee signature series providing inner parallel processing，you can choose from rack preamp，di box or pedal

[@uslawman1983]

After a ton of research, I finally gave in and purchased the Tech21 SansAmp which is also my first preamp. I have a Keeley Bassist Compressor on my pedalboard and I'm wondering if I even need it anymore? Or can I run both?

[@Tech21nyc]

Yes you can run the compressor into the SansAmp. Whether you "need" it or not is up to you. The tube amp emulation will naturally compress your signal as the Drive control is increased just like a vintage tube amp. Experiment and see what works best.

[@jeddak]

Serious question: What's the most unusual. most bizarre way you've seen a SansAmp used (in a serious, musical audio situation)? I have heard of one case where a recording engineer used it on vocals.

[@charlieh1727]

damn that's crazy dude

[@1tufgun]

at what eq setting should I set my rumble 100 amp when using the sansamp 21 driver with my active p bass? thanks Avi

[@Tech21nyc]

Thanks for asking. For the best advice, please email us directly: [e-mail].

[@xvii8693]

I have a sansamp bass driver v1 connected into the return effects plugin of my Traynor small block 500H head with a TC410 cab. I can't seem to get something right with the sound/tone. All I get when i adjust the pedal is my bass sounding louder and bassier.. im trying to get that grindy tone similar to Hysteria from Muse. Any tips/advice on what to do? I've plugged it into the active slot and the send but i just the same result. I was thinking of getting a speakon to 1/4 cable and connect the pedal directly from there but not to sure

[@Tech21nyc]

There are too many variables to address that here. Please contact our support department and they will help you. [e-mail]

[@fabiandistrkt7353]

I have the SansAmp GT2, I love the sound but is very very noisy as soon as I combine volume and drive, is it anything wrong with my pedal or it's just a noisy pedal?

[@Tech21nyc]

The GT2 like all of our SansAmp products have very low self noise levels. They are analog circuits and behave like vintage tube amps. Sometimes a noise issue can be caused by improper gain staging or other factors. It's best to contact our customer support team to help you. [e-mail]

[@fabiandistrkt7353]

@@Tech21nyc Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it. I will contact them.

[@kevinnicholas8067]

Question for anyone out there who can help. I bought the YYZ Sansamp for my son and a Fender Jazz bass with active pickups. Is there any advice on how he should set up the active bass controls to work best with the Sansamp?

[@Tech21nyc]

Usually with active EQ controls you have the ability to cut and boost those frequencies. There is usually a center detent on those types of controls. We recommend setting those controls at the flat (center detent) setting and adjusting your pedal (and amp) first. Once you are close to the sound you want you can tweak or fine tune a bit more with the active EQ if you feel it's needed.

[@tzmathew]

What about into an IR Loader ? Can I run a tech 21 Liverpool v2 into an IR Loading box ? Would it be ideal to turn off the speaker emulation on the pedal ?

[@Tech21nyc]

The unit's speaker sim utilizes a smooth EQ curve that works well into a traditional guitar speaker as well as into a mixer/recording interface. On the v2 Liverpool, the speaker sim button removes the speaker sim but adds a low pass filter in its place. You are better off keeping the speaker sim engaged but you are always free to experiment.

[@peterheinzelmann3335]

What about the sansamp classic? Didn't you announce that they will be sent out by the end of march?

[@Tech21nyc]

There was a massive delay getting one last part... But we finally received the shipment and we are building them right this minute.

[@davidfox3177]

Do you run effects like chorus before the sansamp so the FOH gets the chorus sound as well?

[@Tech21nyc]

You can run the chorus in front of the SansAmp if desired. It depends what you are trying to do. Effects can be run after the SansAmp as well but you would need to make sure they are properly buffered if going into a mixer. An XLR connection is not "necessary" but if you need that type of connection and a subsequent effect has a 1/4" output you would need an additional inexpensive DI to make it work.

[@rubensbsn]

Dear Tech 21 team, I need to adapt my set up for live shows without amp. SO I decide to add my GT2 to the set up. I was considering to have my pedal board > GT2 (set as clean amp profile) > Direct box > PA. would this connection may deliver good guitar sound? shall I use DI after GT2 to send the line to mixer? could you share your thoughts?

[@Tech21nyc]

The SansAmp GT2 was designed to deliver vintage amp tones directly to a mixer/interface. The GT2 has a buffered low impedance output and can be connected easily to most mixers or recording interfaces. In some circumstances a snake will be provided for the musicians to plug into. The sound company should provide a DI box to provide the 1/4" to XLR connection.

[@mr.d.572]

Would a Sansamp be useful in the effects loop of a solid state amp?

[@Tech21nyc]

Absolutely! Thanks for asking.

[@nikoallard4618]

Perhaps a stupid question 😆 does al this explanation also apply to the paul landers fly rig? He says that connecting it to an amp will probably make it worse (but he also admits that he got no experience in that regard)

[@Tech21nyc]

As with all SansAmps, the Paul Landers PL1 Fly Rig works just fine plugged into an amp. You just want to have the amp set to be clean.

[@garnarnold1924]

Hey Tim, I have a paradriver. If I turn the treble past 12:00 I get a ton of noise. And if I put my output switch to Line instead of Inst, the buzz is even worse. That really sucks because I like the sound much better when its switched to Line. I also have a MultComp right before my Paradriver. If I turn it on, the buzz is even worse yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@TimStarace]

Hi Garn. Can you tell me your whole signal chain? From bass to amp/interface, thank you.

[@garnarnold1924]

@@TimStarace Yes, that basically is my chain. I have a tuner but I took it out just to test things. So it goes from my bass to the multi comp, to the paradriver, then to my amp.

[@TimStarace]

@@garnarnold1924 Hi again Garn! Ensure that you have everything set to unity gain, especially from the Multicomp. I keep my level from the compressor around 8 or 9 oclock. LMK how it goes. ps, I messaged you on FB as well. Have a great day.

[@waynegram8907]

TECH21nyc, Can you make a new mini version of the Sansamp Classic and also make the output jack interface with NON-flat preamp EQ setting. Since all tube amplifiers EQ setting are different to get a FLAT response the Sansamp Classic will only interface correcting with the guitar preamp EQ is FLAT response because the Samsamp Classic output jack is designed to only interface with an EQ flat response or the amplifiers Effects loop Return Port. If you redesign the output section so it can interface with Non-Flat EQ response and the guitars tube input preamp section. Nirvana used the Sansamp Classic as a distortion Mid boost pedal it seems but there should be a SECONDED#2 channel footswitch to get Clean Tones to be able to use the Sansamp classic as a Clean tone booster with dipswitches to get those Trademark Sansamp classic clean tones. EXAMPLE: if you turn the sansamp classic DRIVE all the way down or use it from 0 to 3 or 5 its going to be used as a Clean boost plug the Dipswitch setting. The output of the Sansamp classic will have a clean tones that can interface correctly with a Boss DS-1 to overdrive the Sansamp classic clean tones plus dipswitch settings. You want to put the Boss DS-1 AFTER the Sansamp classic and use the sansamp classic as a clean booster plus dipswitch settings and to use the Boss DS-1 to overdrive the sansamp clean processed tones. If you can make a very small nano version of this pedal having the Boss DS-1 circuit built in that you can configure AFTER the sansamp circuit to interface correctly. The Interfacing is the hardest job to get the impedances right and it will work correctly from output to input.

[@jakespencer431]

My one is about to rock up today, I’ve got a new blues jnr 4 should I get a ds2 with it? Got a mxr distortion + will that work well, looking for in utero nirvana tone

[@Tech21nyc]

Having the Classic will be a great way to start. Our suggestion is to spend a little time with just the Classic and the amp. Trying to incorporate multiple effects at once makes things more confusing. Playing like Kurt will get you a good way there. Enjoy.

[@jakespencer431]

@@Tech21nyc thanks mate 😀👌

[@oossyy]

Just wandering, when you connect the Sansamp in the Fx loop of an amp, do you plug the input of the SansAmp into the send and the output of the SansAmp into the return and the Bass is plugged into the input on the front of amp?

[@Tech21nyc]

You plug your bass into the SansAmp input and the SansAmp output into the effects return of the amp. This will bypass the pre-amp section of the amp and get its juice from the power amp section.

[@oossyy]

@@Tech21nyc Great, thank you so much for clarifying that for me, much appreciate it 🙂

[@maxlauzon2169]

What about having Sansamp input go into the Send on the loop and the output go into the Return? Bass then goes into amp input.

[@joaodias4239]

hey. i have a "tech" question. I have a tech 21 sansamp bass driver DI programable, but i cant use it anymore, cause it seems that the "memory" of it keeps "reseting" (or something like that.) the stored sounds are still there, but randomly, the sound changes (and i need to change the stored efect, then return to the one I was playing... but it wont take much to happen again. any clue of what might be? the power is all OK, its just this "(un)storing" problem that makes it impossible to use it i am no expert, but already fixed several electronic stuff by myself, and cant afford to send it to some "expert" that might might charge me more than a "Newer pedal", without the warranty that he's gonna fix it... and some times its just replacing some cheap electronic component... i would love some tips of what might be the problem... i miss playing with it... love to have it back to "Live"

[@Tech21nyc]

Sorry to hear you're having issues. Typically, the first step is to do a global reset. If that doesn't work, you'll get the best advice by emailing us directly: [e-mail]. Might take a few rounds to sort it out.

[@brianramirez9499]

Why is the Bass Driver DI V1 with Line / Instrument switches so much louder than the original Bass Driver DI without Line / Instrument switches?

[@Tech21nyc]

Heard this was handled via email, but for the benefit of others who may be wondering, the original SansAmp Bass Driver (with only one switch) has a dedicated 20dB pad on the output. If you turn the 1/4" boost off on the later version (with 3 switches), you should be able to match the volume levels of the two pedals.

[@gram440a]

3:00 Anyone know how to find the "flat" sweet spot on a JCM800? Reissue?

[@Tech21nyc]

It's really hard to say for sure without doing an actual measurement or having a schematic. To look it up, we'd need the actual full model number, since there's over 25 of them! It's typically best if you use the effect return. And easier. 😀

[@itsgmani]

Guys I have a question about hum/noise. I have an RBI I got second hand. Output XLR Sansamp to my DAW. Input 1/4 inch from the back. I’m getting allot of hum / noise. I thought it was the cable got a new one still the same. If I roll my guitars tone knob to zero the hum goes away. Is the noise normal or should it be pretty silent? Just trynna figure out if it’s my bass or the sansamp.

[@Tech21nyc]

Thanks for choosing the SansAmp RBI! And you are correct, it should be pretty silent. Typically hum/noise is caused by an outside source. To narrow it down, please contact us directly to sort it out. Please include the gear you're using and the order in which it is connected: [e-mail]

[@itsgmani]

@@Tech21nyc thank you I just sent an email

[@stuartanguish5111]

I have a question, I play a active Warwick and this may sound daft but what would the sansamp give me ?

[@Tech21nyc]

Your question is surprising, but certainly not daft. :-) SansAmps are used for their tone shaping and tube amplifier emulation capabilities. Instead of the boring sound of your pickups being sent to the FOH, SansAmps provide a tube and microphone emulated output. You can also run the pedal directly into your bass amplifier as a tone modifier. And it works wonders with a backline amp that you don't like. Best thing to do is try one, such as the SansAmp Bass Driver DI.

[@stuartanguish5111]

@@Tech21nyc well I’ve just ordered one so I’m all in now 😊😊

[@simonduncanau]

at 8.13 what were you referring by that?

[@Tech21nyc]

When setting the pedal up for unity gain an active bass with an 18 volt system may overload the input to the SansAmp. We recommend turning down the volume on the bass to better work with the pedal. With most active systems this shouldn't affect the tone of the pickups.

[@chroyLee]

I bought a geddy lee ged 2121 sansamp. Played it twice and stopped working mid set. This happen yesterday.

[@Tech21nyc]

Very sorry to hear that. Please email us directly to sort out the problem: [e-mail].

[@chroyLee]

@@Tech21nyc thank you I did. Funny thing is it comes on for a few minutes then turns off. I'll wait for email reply thank you very much.

[@waitin4winter]

The GT2 should’ve had an XLR out.

[@Tech21nyc]

The GT2 ( like all of our SansAmp products ) has a buffered low impedance output that can be connected directly to a guitar amp or mixer/interface. An XLR connection is not required to connect to a mixer/interface. If for some reason you need to connect to an XLR input at a show, any professional sound company will have a DI box that can be used.

[@Hamrhed545]

Hello all- is it possible to use the OG Sansamp or the SH Sansamp as a headphone amp?

[@Tech21nyc]

OG? The SH1 cannot be used as a headphone. Some of our products do have the headphone option like the DP-3X but you're better off getting a dedicated headphone amp.

[@almostliterally593]

Best way to hook up a GT2 Is into a Q-Strip!