Behringer BDI 21 Bass Amp Modeler/ DI Guitar Effects Pedal
Product Description
Bass amp modeling, direct-recording preamp and DI box all rolled into one! So much more than a mere DI box, the BDI21 is also an analog modeling bass preamp/stompbox. We give you authentic V-TONE modeling technology capable of dialing up big vintage tube tones, funky slap sounds, crunchy distortions and everything in-between. You’ll get a truckload of great amps in a single stomp box-from traditional bass amps to modern overdriven amp tones that would typically require a multitude of effects units. Authentic tube emulation circuitry can be mixed with the direct bass signal via blend control. Use presence control for definition and upper harmonics or rely on an ultra-musical 2-band EQ specifically tuned for bass guitars. Use the BDI21 either for direct recording output with tube emulation or as a standard active direct injection box in bypass mode. The output is laid out on 1/4 inch TS or balanced, gold-plated XLR connectors. A ground lift switch eliminates typical ground loop problems, and it runs on a 9 V battery or a DC power supply (not included).
- Analogue-modelling bass preamp/stompbox
- 2-band EQ
I’ve been listening to a lot of music where the bassists have been adding punch to their sounds by using overdrive or distortion to their sound – this led me to looking for an effects unit to see if I could add colour to my 5-string bass playing.
Initial impressions using the BDI21 as an effects pedal (I’ve not used it as a DI box as yet) were positive: inline it does not colour your sound until the effect is enabled, then it can offer subtle boosts to your playing, EQ shaping through the Bass, Treble and Presence knobs and varying degrees off edge and dirt through the drive knob. Some noise does start to creep in with the drive above 3/4 but I had already found a bright and zingy tone with the drive and presence set in the middle of their ranges that was assertive but not overbearing. The change in tone was so good it was noticed by some members of my “audience”!
Well done Behringer for such a great little bit of kit!
Rating: 4 / 5
I have used one of these professionally for several years – it adds a DI box and a tone shaper to your gear. It works kind of like a Sansamp / POD in that it adds an amp & cabinet kind of sound to your bass to give you a more aggresive/more confident signal for both your amp and the DI. I used it primarily to fatten up and freshen my bass tone before going into my amp – it added some bass and treble, lot’s of punch and definetly improved my bass sound. It was cheap, durable and apart from a fiddly battery compartment was really easy to use. Admitedly my Sansamp is better – but this thing is £33 not £200 so you pays your money…
Rating: 4 / 5