BD21 Lite (Tech 21 SansAmp)

[NoSock]

So here it goes. I'm quite a begginner bassist, play in a Blues/Blues Rock/Psychedelic/Jazz/Fusion band and am searching for a light and smooth DIY bass drive. I don't have a lot of experience in DIY stompboxes (only have a Trotzky built), but I dislike the tones of most easy projects.

So I found this BD21 Lite, from which I only have the schematics: http://blog-imgs-35-origin.fc2.com/d/r/u/drugscore/09BD21lite.png

Does anyone have a clue if this is a good idea to build? What would be its aprox. power draw? Is it a 9v thing at all?

Sry for bad english and thanx for responses!

[GGBB]

Welcome to the forum.

The link does not work for me.

[anotherjim]

Yes it is 9volt. So is the Behringer V-tone clone of it (which is analog too, despite the V-tone name suggesting it is digital).
Given the low cost of the Behringer clone (BDI21), self build has no financial advantage.

Keep in mind that it also models a bass speaker cabinet response, so unless you have a full range amp/cab it might cause too much mid and high cut. It was originally designed as an amp simulator running into flat response studio gear.

I've experience of the Behringer clone, but find it too fizzy/mushy at highest gain - otherwise it does a creditable job as a direct injection box for studio work for "normal" bass styles just as the Tech21 original was intended for.

Look for bass friendly effects. For example, there is a version of the Big Muff that is known to suit bass (I forget which).

Picture link doesn't work for me either.

[NoSock]

Thanx for replies, the link doesn't work for me either, even though I can still open it from the bookmarks. Let's try it this way: http://postimg.org/image/elgiydlch/

The Muff isn't exactly what I want, it's too harsh and distortive, I would like more like a soft fuzz sound, though I heard that fuzz doesn't work well on bass. The original SansAmp sound would work great as well and I guess the speakersim thing is actually missing in the layout above.

Hope the link is working now 

P.S. Got how the images work here so here it is:



P.P.S. Of course it's simplified alot.

[PBE6]

Not directly related to the original post, but I've found that bass tends to lose the bottom end definition if the signal is too distorted. Lots of heavy pedals sound cool at home but get lost on-stage, including the standard Big Muff (although that also has a pronounced mid-scoop, which doesn't help matters).

I suggest that whatever overdrive/distortion type you settle on, it should include a blend control. The Deluxe Bass Big Muff for example has a blend knob and is a favourite of Tony Levin.

If you find something simple you like you can always mod it to include a blend, or build a separate blend pedal. A separate pedal is a handy device to have for all sorts of things too, and saves on drilling .

[anotherjim]

Interesting, I always thought all those RC networks distributed through the circuit in the BD21 were cab response networks. The only simplification in the Lite version I believe is the lack of balanced XLR output. It has a blend control, but I've only tried it as a DI and didn't like using the clean side in the blend (using passive bass, active bass might be different experience). With your "normal" sound already there with your bass rig, the blend should do the job of keeping the bottom end present.

But the only distortion mechanism I see in the Tech21 design is op-amp distortion - unless you overdrive your amp with it, in which case the blend is moot?

As PBE6 says, a proper distortion circuit with clean blend is the better way. Many players use another amp/cab to keep the bottom end solid under their various FX.