Bass demos / Gear review / Lessons and Commentary for bassists especially for the Rock and Metal Bass community.
I'm a teacher and clinician, as well as the Vocalist / Bassist for Voice Of Dissent and Touring Bassist for Murashita. Subscribe for new and updated content about bass, new lessons and the latest gear!
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Amazing but of course there's one glaring flaw: theres only *one* output. I was so close to preordering this but now I'm going to stick with my original plan of getting a DI2112.
I have a 7 String Ibanez bass, I found it very liberating. I was using it in a 3 piece band. It was a good instrument for playing solos when there was not a part was required. I also tuned like a 7 String Guitar
Can someone explain me the difference between the "Drive" knob and the "Saturation" knob ? For me the drive knob sounds more like an overdrive pedal as the saturation knob sounds more as the gain knob of an all tube amp (like an Orange AD200)
Rodney, killer video as usual man… thank you so much for putting together such a well thought out and in-depth video for low-enders…. as always man the studio’s gothic backdrop and lines are inspiring as hell. Thanks again
Hey Rodney, hope you're doing well man! Popping in to say I've learned more from your channel over the past couple years than any other source on RU-vid. It's because of your video that I don't use tabs anymore. Now I learn almost always by ear. I can now read sheet music and am slowly learning to sight read. I couldn't do that a year ago. One of the most important lessons about musicianship I've learned from you throughout your videos is to be self-reliant. To take the time to cultivate the skills to be self-reliant; as aposed to looking for a quick fix or a special gadget that will create that special sound. What I learned from you is to train my ear and learn to create what I want with what I currently have. Thank you for the excellent videos Rodney! You've been a great teacher to me. Cheers! :)
Wow! I'm blown away. Comments like yours keep me motivated to do these videos, and i'm so glad it's had such value for you. All the best for you and your playing. Proud of ya!
I switched from pick to fingerstyle a couple months ago, maybe 2 or 3?. I started off playing bass straight away with a pick because i thought playin with fingers is hard. Played bass for about 2 years soon to be 3 and eventually i got bored of bass. I didnt enjoy playing bass as much as i did back then, the answer was playing with a pick. It wasnt the songs i played or anything, its just that when you play with a pick, you cant headbang, enjoy yourself and yk have fun, to me atleast. Imo playing with a pick is awkward. Fingers gave me freedom, more control and allowed me to move my bass up to my head without messing up a single not. Pick how ever, really made bass boring imo. I stopped playing for 3 months cause of it, and when i switched my god it felt amazing. The sound, the click from the fingers, the feel, the control. Imo its fun and it sounds amazing
People tend to forget these things are called instruments for a reason, They are there to use in whatever manner you need to have the expression and experience you want and is specific to you. When it feels right and you're doing your thing, screw everyone else! Glad you found your path.
@@RodneyMcG thank you so much Mr. Rodney, this video taught me how to really attack the strings without needing a pick, love your videos!! Always helpful :)
As for me, the bass sounds amazing despite (or not) it is passive. But the upper knob (blend, I guess) will spoil your right hand moving while you're playing with a pick. Was it too complicated to place all the levers not to disappoint picker bassists as I sometimes am?
Super informative video. I have a DP-3X that I love but my issue is; I've been playing 33 years but when it comes to EQ, tone shaping, frequencies I'm a Simple Jack. I don't really know squat about it. My whole life I'd just get a pedal, start with the settings at neutral, then manipulate the 3-5 knobs until it sounds cool. This XB driver seems like the controls to the B-2 Stealth Bomber to me. I guess I could just get one & turn knobs until it sounds right to my ears - but there's no way I have the know how & skill to go into it like Rodney did where he understands freqs & knows right off the bat how to start adjusting the knobs, as he's not just randomly turning knobs like I would have to.
I like metal, though I am not much of a metal player. But this video was the most relatable explanation of bass compression that I found. Glad it showed up as a recommendation.
Every bass I've had with those Schaller bridges on just absolutely kick butt. My very first bass was a Carvin LB90. Neck through, solid maple body and neck, ebony board and the Schaller bridge. Ric is now using the Schaller on their 5 string basses and what a difference they make! I've bought one to retrofit onto one of my Ibanez basses. I have one on a custom made Tele bass I have. I think they're amazing.
I've recently adopted a floating/sliding thumb to mute unused strings. But I notice that my pinky finger curls in and occasionally snags strings. More practice needed.
@@RodneyMcG I have the same pedal and added Ampeg compressor in front of BC-1 .. and Spector Euro 4 lx with haz lab clone pre .. I was able to get pretty close with it to get Eddie’s tone .. at least 80% of what I can hear
As a session player I often end up on gigs where I need clean compressed sounds, light drive, and face melting distortion all in the same gig. With my old Tech 21VT I always needed at least one other drive and one other compressor to get that versatility. This looks cool because you can get all the sounds you need out of one pedal.
Thanks Rodney very happy to see another video from you!!( It's been a minute) I love the quote "I am trying to destroy the guitar player will to live"😂😂 great review. I am definitely picking this up. Great review as always!! Have a wonderful day!
I am on vacation. Bought a very interesting book to read within the days. Know what? I haven't finished a chapter, because I am watching the channel videos one after another)
Fantastic review, Rodney! I’m super low-tech, but I was actually able to make sense of the XB’s operation, -with your help here. I dig the tones, I’m definitely considering buying one. I already use a GED-2112/Stereo Power amp/separate cabinets setup, but it’s sometimes too much gear for certain rooms. Will the XB drive a stereo power amp? I’m thinking about an XB/power amp/single cabinet setup for smaller rooms, provided the XB can serve as a preamp. If not, I’ll be buying a Sansamp RBI. Thanks again for the excellent review, Best Regards!!!
« I like to destroy the guitarist’s will to live »… I just LOVE it! As always, great advices! With your thought process in this video, it really helped me to set my own tone with my own rig and my own ears! Thank you so much for this wonderful post!
I appreciate the work you put into this review. But to my ears the final tone sounded horrible. And it seems like the nuances you described when shaping the tone would be almost inaudible in a band mix. The more gear reviews I watch, especially of preamps/DI, the more it reminds me of hi-fi reviews where reviewers justify spending BIG money on equipment to hear the most subtle differences. In a bass context, shifting the position on the string could have a more dramatic difference. But again, maybe I just don't have great ears
Very sad to hear! (I'm new to the great channel and have just discovered the video.) Hoping for a wonder and your rehabilitation. Unfortunately, i don't have a possibility to donate, since the wire transfers are prohibited from my county now (I'm in Russia). Tons of your useful content is valuable 'footprint' from you, Rodney, in this world for many of us.
Finally, one Sansamp to rule them all! Don't see myself needing the DP-3X, Gedal, or VT after this comes out. Really liked the step by step tone shaping Rodney, there's a lot of knobs on this thing and some subtle interactions and it's great to have a tutorial like this.
Finally! Someone breaking it down. I've watched this video about 8-10x. I'm so much closer to the tone I've been hearing in my head for so long. I don't have the 2nd compressor for the output... yet. I've been tweaking the input compressor, EQ, drive, and blend. It's getting sooo close. I think just a little compression on the back side could lock it in.
