Tone Talk - SansAmp Para Driver DI Pedal Review

My review of the SansAmp Para Driver DI from Tech 21. A direct box, preamp, and stomp box all in one enclosure, the Para Driver DI is an excellent direct recording/direct injection preamp and active or passive direct box. A lot of my own recordings have been done using the Para Driver DI to record guitars and bass directly to the audio interface without the need for amps and cabinet micing.
From Tech 21:
"This floor version of our RPM rackmount provides the same detailed tone shaping possibilities for any signal source. It is particularly useful with acoustic, electric and bass guitars, and upright bass, either direct to a mixing console or with an instrument amplifier. The Para Driver DI gives your instrument a natural warmth and presence, as if miking it through a tube pre-amp. The SansAmp circuitry eliminates the harsh, unnatural harmonics of piezo pickups, while the Drive control offers some tasteful edge -- just a little or over-the-top.
Version 2 has exactly the same tonality and functionality with the addition of two new features: Rumble Filter and Air. The Rumble Filter removes unwanted sub-sonic frequencies that cause boominess and audible handling noises associated with acoustic guitars.The Air button adds top-end clarity and sparkle to acoustics." (source: tech21nyc.com)
PARA DRIVER DI FEATURES
-Active tone controls with 12dB of cut or boost
-Sweepable semi-parametric EQ
-1/4-inch 4.7 megOhm instrument level input
-1/4-inch and XLR outputs with selectable levels
-Parallel, uneffected output to run a dry signal to a separate channel
Additional info on this pedal:
www.tech21nyc.com
www.tech21nyc.c...
Video recorded and edited by Fern C.
Original theme song composed and performed by Fern C.

[@greendrinkguy1882]

That was perhaps the best pedal demo/explanation video I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you.

[@jasoncarrasco7682]

Most useful review Ive found. Thanks

[@robcarter6599]

Super thorough review, thank you! I actually have the pedal and the guitar! You got the trans black I wanted but I have the sunburst. I currently have GFS p90 size filtertrons in it. I like the Ratt! I play at a church with really old wiring. The ground lift really helps as does the -20db xlr.

[@SunTeleLeo]

I'm buying this thing tomorrow - holy shit! this is the secret!

[@MrKurdt1234]

Best review on KZbin. Thank you!

[@RolandZertuche]

you have the "blend" description wrong, this is direct from tech 21 ---->BLEND allows you to blend the direct instrument signal with SansAmp Tube/Microphone Emulation circuit- ry. In most cases, you will probably have this set at maximum (100% SansAmp). If you should want to hear some of the distinct timbre of a piezo pickup, or reduce the amount of “compression,” you can simply adjust accordingly by turning the Blend control counter clockwise. At minimum, the SansAmp circuitry is bypassed. However, all the other controls remain active.The unit then functions as a standard DI with EQ

[@ericportillo8277]

I like how its all black and yellow like a power tool or something lol

[@claessorensson225]

Great review!

[@gggdubbs]

Does this sound good with logic or amplitude amp sims? Or is it meant to be used without amp simulators.

[@rouxlaki]

HI , very nice video . Have you ever try to rec with this DI bass? I know tech 21 has DI for bass but is it ok and possible to rec a bass with this one?

[@fernfawkes]

It's very possible to record bass with this one, and I actually prefer it. The Bass Driver DI is just voiced to respond better to bass frequencies, while the Para Driver is more full-spectrum.

[@williambattline3420]

The manual has recommended settings for bass so I would think so. I just ordered one.

[@TheIsahn]

Hi man, if you could put another distortion pedal before the sansamp, to run the distorted signal through its preamp , would be great.

[@fernfawkes]

That's exactly how I use it. It's basically my amp proxy for certain situations, and sits in the same spot as an amp would doing the same function.

[@psychonaut9371]

But how does it sound with blend fully engaged and drive at zero.How clean and fat can it get before distortion sets in.This is the most important question, can make or break an amp.Is the drive needed to give the tone a minimum of volume, does it thin out when set to zero.

[@fernfawkes]

Sorry it's taken so long to reply. With the blend knob maxed, and Drive at 0, it's basically a super clean DI/Preamp with absolutely no breakup. I've yet to push it hard enough to get ANY breakup with the Drive knob at zero. The sound doesn't get thin at all with the drive lowered, and it never gets muddy with the drive maxed, even though the volume does get a wee bit louder.

[@chateautemp]

Did you get the endorsement? :) Great video, thanks!

[@fernfawkes]

I wish!

[@VinnieAbbot]

Hi @Fern Camacho, I've had this pedal for over 4 years now and still confused as to whether the blend knob is actually a cabinet simulation or not

[@fernfawkes]

+Patt Perez Hi! No, actually, it's exactly what it says--blend. With the blend knob you can go from full dry (no effect sound, basically bypassed) to full wet (100% of the signal is going through the SansAmp circuitry) and anything in between. For example, at noon, the unit is sending half the signal through the SansAmp circuits and half the signal is bypassed but blended back into the wet signal. I've never found much need for it, since I always use it at 100%, but with the Bass Driver DI I do use it a lot so I can blend the DI signal of the bass with the effected signal from the SansAmp.

[@RolandZertuche]

From Tech 21: BLEND allows you to blend the direct instrument signal with SansAmp Tube/Microphone Emulation circuit- ry. In most cases, you will probably have this set at maximum (100% SansAmp). If you should want to hear some of the distinct timbre of a piezo pickup, or reduce the amount of “compression,” you can simply adjust accordingly by turning the Blend control counter clockwise. At minimum, the SansAmp circuitry is bypassed. However, all the other controls remain active.The unit then functions as a standard DI with EQ

[@FullTekAuto]

I don't have any amplifiers. Is this the same kind of thing as the GT2? I want a good Amp simulation pedal. This is my hypothetical rig My guitar - SansAmp - Behringer UM22 - computer or an audio recorder

[@fernfawkes]

Sorry it's taken so long to reply. It's almost exactly like a GT2; it's the same circuitry. The biggest difference is that the GT2 has specific switches for mic, amp type, and amp "mod" (variation) and very basic parametric EQ. The Para-Driver does all that with sweepable knobs and very fine-tunable three band parametric EQ with mid-shift knob (freq. center sweep) and other switches like "Air" and "Rumble Filter." You can get pretty much identical sounds from either unit, except the Para Driver is much more sensitive and requires some patience dialing in sounds, where as the GT2 has switches that get you specific combinations of factors to give you a specific sound with little monkeying around with the controls. It really is a good amp-sim pedal, but without the cabinet emulation or specific impulse responses some of the newer (arguably better) amp sims out there now. The BIGGEST advantage is that it has emulated XLR *and* 1/4" outputs so in a pinch you could run it directly into a FOH console or interface without the need for DI boxes. It's essentially an "emergency backup amp in a box."

[@tortillaman2491]

Can you get a 100% clean sound out of it?

[@almostliterally593]

Yes

[@tortillaman2491]

@@almostliterally593 Ended up going with the Victory Amp Copper pedal.

[@almostliterally593]

@@tortillaman2491 how do you like it?

[@tortillaman2491]

@@almostliterally593 For the price, the Copper should come with some kid of amp simulation switch like the SansAmp. Also, you can't use it as a stand-alone if you want distortion. Other than that, it sounds like a real tube amp for direct recording long as you put an amp simulator after it. Guitar is not my main instrument so I was hesitant on spending that mush on the Victory Amp pedal. But I've been thru a bunch of pedals and software trying to get a good direct sound. I can't mike up an amp in my apartment so recording direct, and getting a good amp sound, has been a challenge.

[@fernfawkes]

Oh absolutely. You can even turn the preamp section completely off and have it be a normal clean DI box.

[@mecoate]

bass drive or para drive for 5 strings bass ?

[@fernfawkes]

Either one would work, but I do think the bass driver DI is better voiced for bass

[@psychonaut9371]

Are you Jesse Plemons???Exact same voice!

[@fernfawkes]

+Psychonaut Lol no. I'm me. :)

[@b.0.z.nightcore519]

Can guitar pedals be used infront of the sans amp and still get a good sound out?

[@fernfawkes]

Yes, as a matter of fact, almost ALL of my recordings have been done that way, with my pedalboard run straight into the SansAmp (two, in stereo) as an amp/speaker proxy. I think it sounds great. If you want to hear some examples of what this sounds like, check out my tracks at www.reverbnation.com/facingthefuries

[@Kammoflars]

More Ratt riffs

[@simplecountrydrummer]

The 1/4 output is unbalanced NOT balanced. Only the XLR out is balanced. Check your specs.

[@evandijk1983]

Dont freakin blow in ur mic so much ....!!! Fot the rest amazing review !

[@tunesmith7437]

I don't know about these gizmos...most of the settings sound like goose farts......WTF???? This does not seem the Holy Grail for those who like to play CLEAN.

[@fernfawkes]

You can actually clean them up VERY well. I just didn't do it because MY style doens't call for it, but it can definitely cover it. Considering your assessment of "goose farts," I'm guessing you don't particularly embrace dirty guitar tones.

[@larrydering1598]

@@fernfawkes I agree that the so called dirty tone is crap. I have this pedal and have yet to find a good use for it. The center frequency is lousy. Must be very narrow. There is better parametric eq pedals available.

[@fernfawkes]

@@larrydering1598 It's actually not crap. I've been using this pedal and what it is is VERY sensitive--it has such a huge sweep that tiny adjustments make a huge change. That is often perceived as extreme or crappy tone. You just have to be patient and dial in the gain knob to work with the actual frequency knob. It's tricky, but when you dial it in, it's also very very cool and amp-like.