Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver vs. Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ม.ค. 2020
- The Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver and Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra make up Match 1 of Round 1 in our 2020 DI Shootout. Comment your favorite below so it can move on to Round 2.
Featured Gear:
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver: amzn.to/2u4Atii
Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra: amzn.to/37NWGzW
Warwick Rockboard Power LT XL: amzn.to/2TJdT6P
Radial X-Amp: amzn.to/2JUlUBv
Follow us on the socials:
/ bassicgearreview
/ the_bass_channel
/ chris_caccamise
/ joshdubois8599
/ nmaffeibass
Contributors:
Jayme Lewis:
/ himynameisjayme
/ jaymelewis
thebassist.net
Johnnyboy:
/ v33punk
/ johnnyboy_music
Huge thank you to all of our Patreon supporters:
Patrick Hunter
Hayden Lanham
Rebecca Marie Graves
Andrew Hoernschemeyer
Fabian J Lelo
James Hutchens
Dylan Smith
Stephen Nichols
Greg Sturmon
Aynsley Agro
Matthew Fonner
William Malmberg
iwannadie
Chris Chilton
Evilyn, Destroyer of Worlds
Jordan
Louis Malagrino
Sebastian Muxeneder
Kai Peter Schellhase
Matthew Gennaro
Scott Nideffer
Connor Burleson
Matthew Wilson
Dave Dixon
David Leamy
Jordan Felipe
Joel
Esai Aviles
Graham Breed
Lachlan Boebel
June Knox
Susie Caccamise
Ryan
/ bassicgearreview
Follow us on the socials:
/ bassicgearreview
/ bassic_gear_review - เพลง
For a soloed bass, I really prefer the sansamp, which surprised me. It might be more useful to hear both in a mix/band context, though. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
So difficult! Love the natural bass tones of the Sans Amp, but that's Darkglass distortion can't be beat!
Except for the distortion comparison, SANSAMP all the way. The Darkglass overall sounds like it’s underwater. Just not as clean…
The Sansamp is just in a league of its own. It is the most essential part to my bass rig and tone. It's all you'll ever need.
I'm in love with Sansamp tone since 2005 or so when I was mesmerized with Nightwish bass tone on their album "Century Child". I saw that pedal in the Marko Hiettala live setup and since then I wanted one. I've been using a Bass Drive Deluxe for years. It's a great Preamp, a good overdrive and a DI. Usually I plug it straight FOH. Recently I wanted a diferent overdrive flavor, so I set good clean tone in the Sansamp and simply put a Boss ODB3 in front of it. It takes pedals very well.
As most of the comment section I'm very much surprised with the results but Sansamp definitely wins for me. I wonder how It would do against DG Vintage Ultra though.
Hands down the SansAmp. Every setting on the BK7 made it sound like Periphery.
Lol!
Lolll
and boy do i hate periphery
It works only with dingwall bass and sounds like periphery, with classic/vintages design basses this pedal is not working.
@@kost.9423 what ? From where did you find that information lol. I have try a B7k on a P bass it sound great (even if I do not like the B7k)
Really didn't think I'd say this going in, but I'm leaning toward the SansAmp on this one. The Darkglass gets a little tight and nasally. The SansAmp sounds a bit fuller. Just my personal preference though.
sansamp is goated, can't go wrong with it. also built like a tank
Get both 😉
The Darkglass shines when actually playing in a rock/metal band. If I have learned anything playing rock and metal, it's that the tone your bass has alone is not how it will sound playing behind a wall of distorted guitar. You really need a bit of kick to get a driven, articulated sound or you'll just drown in the mix as this warm hum.
Depends on the application always. This makes me sad to say since I own the B7K, but the Sansamp overall sounded better to me in this comparison. Gonna have to get one to add to my board
SansAmp hands down!
But the whole series is going to be extremely interesting. Can't wait for the next episode!
They are both great, but the Tech 21 sansamp just sounds better. This will be a great series!! Awesome job Chris. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Sansamp has been the rock bass guitarists choise for 40 years
I like both. I was surprised to be diggin' the Sansamp a bit more though. Great videos guys, you rock!
SansAmp!!! Thanks for helping with my decision as I was looking at both
I've never really been crazy about the sound of Darkglass stuff. But I always got love for companies that got love for bassists
That Sansamp is incredible! Thanks for sharing this.
I vote Sansamp.
The Darkglass has great clean and high gain sounds, but I prefer the Sansamp for low and mid gain sounds which I personally find more useful
I have both. I love the DGlass for recording multiple channels. I use it on the high band setting which is more subtle and blend that with an orange tube amp. Both are great pedals for different purposes. One is not better than the other.
the sansamp is clearly better in this demo
A note about this comparison, the Sansamp when "flat" has a pretty hefty mid cut and a nice high roll off baked in which is, IMHO, why it sounds immediately better in the intro comparison. The B7k is much flatter in it's frequency response but you can easily make it sound much more pleasant like the "flat" sansamp by cutting 500 or 750Hz to taste and rolling off the treble a little. Using the attack boost and lowering the drive a bit to compensate for the gain works well to bring back the presence like the Sansamp. I personally love both and the Sansamp has a character which I really like for low gain settings (it's an industry standard for so many years for a reason!), but you can make the clean sounds a LOT closer than is shown off in the intro.
Well said. I would also like to add that the two pedals aren't anywhere close when it comes to function, because the sansamp has a completely different cab sim tone. People are comparing them like one is trying to replace the other
@@ileutur6863Exactly!
Thank you for the comparison. I´ve been gravitating towards Sansamp for a while now and this confirmed my decision! It sounds so warm and growly, Darkglass sounds much more abrasive. Yes, I admit, I am not a fan of heavy distortion, so that may be the reason why just a little overdriven Sansamp wins for me.
Yeah you'll love it. The Sansamp is perfect IMO when the drive is set slightly before obvious distortion, but enough to add saturation. Then use the blend knob to keep some clarity. The B7K shines for really bright tones, and clarity with low tuning and heavy distortion.
'abrasive' is a nice adjective
SansAmp all the way for this one in each settings. But I guess that the Darkglass sounds awesome for contemporary metal.
Definitely the Sans Amp. It's a more subtle tone, and warmer feeling.
Would love to see another shoot out with Sansamp and the others that have come out in the last few years since this video. Cheers and thank you for the review/comparison!
The Sans Amp was more full sounding to me. The dark glass was cool but that new Tech21 Geddy Lee DI-2112 at NAMM sounded really bad ass.
That was a suprise! The Tech 21 for sure.
Tech 21 Sansamp.....More natural sounding.
Currently awaiting a B7K I recently ordered. I will be comparing it to a VT Bass DI which I what I normally use. Sansamp sounds better on most settings surprisingly.
I made my Darkglass 500 V1 head sound soooo much better by using my Sansamp! The two together are magic!
Just keep in mind that the Darkglass is twice as much as the Sansamp
lol
Darkglass for clarity, distortion and Iow tuned riffs, Sansamp for cleaner and warmer tones
This is the best answer tbh.
I was a massive fan of Darkglass for my low tuned riffa, but Sansamp is getting it right with everything else (highly distorted riffs sounds like bullcrap)
@@ethereal8655 I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but I think they really played much more into the Sansamp's strengths. I love the way it fills out the low end and adds subtle saturation (and compression it kinda sounds like? Really curious to know what goes on inside the thing) but as soon as it's really noticably breaking up it's in that "bullcrap" zone as you put it. Not terrible, but you can certainly do better for a distortion tone.
Darkglass, on the other hand, has their distortion and EQ dialed in perfectly to maintain clarity with high distortion, and/or low tuning, and sit well in a mix with distorted guitars. There are good low gain settings for it too, but that's its pretty much unrivaled specialty.
Have you ever tried the Sansamp by yourself ? Because I don't know why but every demo video I've seen of it make it sound like absolute shit for distorted tones (this video being thé only one that was close to good). But I own the Sansamp RBI (which is supposed to be the BDDI in a rack format) and it's absolutely killer, doesn't sound near as muddy !
Darkglass. But don't like the blend pot so high as shown in the playoff. The Sansamp did better tones in the demo, but the B7K can do great warm tones as well.
Thanks for this great shootout! I'd say the sansamp takes this round. It sounds fuller and rounder. The Darkglass has fantastic overdrive, but sounds thin to me. That's kind of its thing though. I may be a bit biased because I own a sansamp, however, I only use it as a pre-amp for my passive basses. I get my dirt elsewhere.
Love the sansamp as a preamp, as an always on pedal even though I use the B7K for my drive tones
As a slap player, I am very happy that you eventually showed these product under slap play. For slap, they both show equal, but amazing tone qualities.
I've got both. Either one will give you a great slap tone.
SansAmp. Thx for the vid. Next new pedal
Sansamp..I did a little research on both and for me cost helped push the Tech21 to the front at almost half the price. But as far as sound goes, the Sansamp has that sound I'm looking for.
6:07 That's the sound I have in my head when I think of a tube bass amp. Sounds like Rex Brown playing through his SVT.
Sansamp fo sho!!!! Punchy, round bottom end, warmth and body! The Darkglass doesnt come close!
Definitely a close one but I’m gonna have to go with the SansAmp on this.
darkglass stuff into Sansamp = Boom !! I like the setting on 6:48 but with a bit more drive..
I liked it
sansamp totally! darkglass is cool for metal , but sansamp has it all,
For the sound that I'm looking for, the Darkglass blew me away. I just wish their products weren't so damn expensive 😫 Which is why I'm sticking with the SansAmp
Sansamp plus ibanez ts9 👌
Exactly!
Wal Bass Walnut MK2 with Sans Amp Distortion and Ampeg PF500 or SVT Classic is the best combo for dirty tone
If you love thick heavy hitting bass get the dark glass . This video don’t impress me at all cause they don’t even know how use settings . It’s like having Maserati and only using 3 gears
The Tech 21 sounds more natural to me. Which is definitely a good thing,since they try to emulate real amps.
Finally TWO PEDDLES THAT DONT SUCK. haha you had me at the first 37 seconds of jamming as a Bassist myself I actually think there pretty even Stevens on where you can go with sound and tone control
Dang did not expect this video but I'm glad you guys made it! I always assumed I would have to upgrade to the B7K eventually but after hearing this I'm very happy with my Sansamp especially considering the B7K Ultra V2 is twice the price. However I will say that the Darkglass & Dingwall combo is killer. Excited for the full DI shootout!
I'm using both of them,sansamp for a clean and a b7k+b3k for a distortion. This is "THE SOUND" for me ,you should try it :)
@@MrHEEEE1 Ah yeah the Sansamp + B3K sounds like a killer combo! I was actually looking to upgrade my Sansamp DP-3X dUg Pinnick. That thing gets some gnarly tones.
@@MyBassistChris Yeah,thats a great pedal too,but im courious about the Tech21 SH1 now.It sounds sick :).But i dont prefer the "through" way with the sansamp and darkglass,i use two separate clean and distorted channel,and i blend it for my live and studio sound,cause there is no loss in any range.
This is the video I didnt know I needed
I own the DG B7K and I love it. The Sansamp stands the test of time. It's been link to a tons of styles of music. The DG is more for the Metal stuff but if dialed correctly it can do tons of great tones. It is really hard to pick one.
Am going with the DG just cause I like the overdrive a bit more and the pedal it self haves more option with the EQ.
Great video!
Wow... why can’t all pedal shootout videos be like this? Usually they just fiddle around with both pedals aimlessly, but you have an excellent system here. Playing each with the same knob configurations shows the character differences and trying to match the tone of the other shows which one is more versatile
I stack my sansamp with my b3k...and now with my x7 ultra. They sound dope af when dialed in together. Best of both worlds
Hey there, you work your Bk3 as a distortion effect I guess, I am interested to buy a bk3 for this reason, but wondering if is worth the money
This is a hard one to pick I love both of them. Tho I'll have to go with sans amp
The SansAmp sounds wayyyyyy better. The notes, and the initial attack have way more definition.
The attack is thing you usually need a DI blend for, so to be the amp side of that blend, you might want the tube type shaved transients. Not putting my opinion here, but just applying logic.
too twangy
How did you get that killer punchy tone, especially with the Geddy Jazz bass? Is there a compressor downstream of the pedals? Curious (more like jealous) of your signal chain!
Amazing ideia and amazing channel, i know both pedals very well, i pic Microtubes for the drive tone and for the clean tone Tech 21.
Much to my surprise, SansAmp in this round.
Sansamp pretty easily! Helps I played one for years and years right into the board.
I have both on my board, depending upon which bass I am using. But if I had to use just one it would be the Tech 21.
Sans Amp, interesting faces starting at 3:00 minutes
I’m looking to achieve a Jason Newsted AJFA tone. From what I’ve heard, the SansAmp is an important element to achieving that. I play an Ibanez soundgear with an active on board 3 band eq. Before I spend the $250, will I achieve the tone I’m looking for and is it necessary to buy?
I vote SansAmp and I need to get one for sure! For me it's already a winner
I use the Hartke Bass attack I, going into the DGBK to cover ALL the Basses. I dial in the "tube warmth" & high end attack with the Hartke & the "modern grit" & punch of the DG. Boom Son. Cool vid guys! (Actually did an A/B with the HBA-I &the SansAmp a few years back....my boy with the SA.....actually liked the HBA-I better)
Sansamp for me. Enjoyed the video!
Can you di/xlr out to the return of your amp. Or can you only 1/4 inch jack it.
Sansamp. Also, this dude knows how to make a bass sound gnarly before processing without using a pick.
Does the dark glass have a fuzz circuit it seems to suck the low end,
I was busy finishing up with cooking during the first half of the video, so I was just listening to the sound. And in each round I liked SansAmp more. It has a brighter tone to my taste and I think it is more versatile. Stoked to check out next videos!
excellent video guys. this proves that sansamp is master race!
The BK7 sounded initially like it had more gain and trebble leading yo a livlier sound. I think that would make it a great fit for metal styles. Having said that the SansAmp had an almost fuzz type overdrive when turned up high. I guess it depends on what kind of sound you are after.
If using the sans amp for direct recording what’s a good bass compressor to put in front of it?
I’ve owned both. I’ve used Sans Amp since the late 80s. Sans Amp is great if you are in a vintage metal cover band or you think bass tone peaked in 1994. Which isn’t a slam, it is a thing for some people.
The darkglass is hyper modern (almost to a fault) but it is fantastic and cuts through the mix FAR better.
That said, if you want a clean tone, the darkglass kinda on.y gets to “a little grit” and no cleaner. But virtually any non-jazz band today wants a little bit of grime in the bass.
I find myself using the darkglass way more.
Those guy don't play vintage metal and he definitely get a thick and clanky tone out of his gear. Only an LTD or ESP PJ/Forest and a Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver there
Same for me, best of both world with a IR as a bonus!
Hi just wondering if im using active bass guitar do i need pre amp pedal?
I love the Sanamp But Whenever I see it online. I have the same SanAmp however.... I never gotten those tones... So WTF??? how do I get that kind of tone?? and it was fresh out of the box too. Am I missing something? I also have the Darkglass and I gotten those tones just well, but the Sanamp I only hear it sound GREAT! but only on youtube. not in person. is it plug into a mixture or something???
+1 for the SansAmp. Had mine for 20 years. Love it!
I used to own the Sansamp with 3 presets, I really regret getting rid off it. I later bought a Darkglass, and while it did its purpose in the projects I played in, I really miss the Sansamp. 😭
You Sir, should get just another one. Life is short.
As a lot of beginners starting to use the sansamp, you tried to turn the presence knob without the blend... And it doesn't work. The knot is only in use with the gain setting so you have to at least use a little of blend to hear a difference👌
I'd go for the Sansamp. The Darkglass has a lot going for it, but it has that distinctive sheen. The Sansamp has chunkier, more integrated tones.
stupid question: why it stayed with distortion enabled even while playing with clean tone? What if the distortion is disabled? does it remain clean with preamp disabled (or enabled) ?
I wonder which one did Josh actually liked more and why ? Cheers Josh, you re a beast !
Bass Driver DI, I have an earlier version I've been using since the 90's. I do hear that the Dark Glass would have advantages for metal and slap but it's a bit harsh, in any setting for my ears. I also have an Ampeg Bass Scrambler DI.
Man that's a tough one love the sansamp traditional tone but the b7k sounds like the winner for me
To my ears I have to give it to the Sansamp. I'd really like to hear a comparison between the Darkglass and the Tech21 dUg Pinnick signature pedal.
Hey Bass Channel Guys! This shootout just kind of ended when COVID hit. Is their any chance you will reboot this shootout now that things are starting to get back to normal?
Can you take the drive of the Darkglass to the bass amp? I mean I’d like to get drive sound from my amp
Surprised how much more I really liked the sansamp, considering how popular the Darkglass is.
SansAmp.But I have SansAmp and B3K on my pedalboard and they sound great together.
Nice comparison guys
Sansamp has the “feel”.. it responds to your hands in a good way
Sansamp
Are the following DI’s in the battle?
Noble DI
Aguilar tone hammer
Fender Downtown Express
Simplifier Bass Station
Sadowsky SBP 1
Palmer bass pocket amp
EBS Micro Bass 3
Marleaux Tonwork bass preamp
Mesa Boogie Subway plus
Basswitch IQ DI
Radial Bassbone OD
Harley Benton Custom line bass DI expander
I A/B'd the B7K ultra with the DP-3X (the Pinnick pedal). I was set on the Darkglass, but wound up walking out with the Pinnick.
The baked in mid boost of the Darkglass helps to cut through when playing live. The Sansamp blends into the mix and definitely has a more traditional sound that works great in the studio. The Darkglass crunch reigns supreme.
I'm getting BOTH!!!
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver is a killer at clean tones!
Sansamp sounds thick and smooth. What a bass should be.
"what a bass should be"
you sound like a quality guitar player
Sansamp +1. For what it's worth, the Darkglass sounded great overdriven but the Sansamp sounds sooooo cool to me in those blended clean/driven riffs
The cheaper B7K without cab sim into the Sansamp sounds insane as well.
For the first time ever, I prefered the Sansamp.
It sounds much better in this demo, but I don’t know how they compare in a mix
Excellent video I can't wait to see the rest I think the sansamp sounds better
The Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra is the clear tone champ by my ear.
Can never go wrong with the sansamp
Gonna have to go with Tech 21 here.
yes, but with the Darkglass you have the Clean Preamp and a Distortion Pedal and a really good CabSim imo. So for mir +1 for Darkglass
Has anyone tried the Tech 21 Q-Strip on Bass? The tone-shaping possibilities look incredible. I preferred the SansAmp = seemed to-be more versatile
Thanks for the video Chris I just have to say this. Physically matching the knobs on both units obviously creates two totally different sounds. Don't know if that was fair? Having said that, sansamp blows away the dark glass. Can't believe that thing sounded so bad.
Did we have a winner pedal in this whole series?