Tech 21 Brings SansAmp Into the Digital Era With the Programmable Bass Driver ELITE
Tech 21 revealed the Geddy Lee Amalgamation chorus pedal at NAMM this year, but that wasn’t all they had up their sleeve. They also unveiled the SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver ELITE, a new offering that brings their SansAmp line into the digital domain. It’s the second digital pedal the company has ever made.
“Just as the original SansAmp was a personal mission to encapsulate tube amplifier sounds in a compact, portable pedal, inventor Andrew Barta has long been on a quest to do the same in the digital domain,” the company shares. “Never one to jump on a bandwagon, Barta wouldn’t ‘go digital’ until he found a way to replicate the dynamics, responsiveness, and fluidity of its analog counterpart.”
The pedal has Drive, Presence, Blend, Compressor, and Level controls as well as a three-band EQ. It operates in either Performance mode, which centers on your three main presets, or Studio mode, which features up to 128 locations for custom presets. An additional “Red” mode changes the control functions to include Preamp, Filter, Frequency, Q, Ambiance, Ratio, and Chorus.
MIDI capability allows you to connect to software for deep editing of amp settings, blendable IRs, effects and EQ.
“The IR section includes a SansAmp IR, a curated collection of modifiable IRs, the ability to custom blend them, as well as upload your favorite external IRs,” the company explains. “Clear, uncomplicated graphics, and intuitive controls provide ease of use to achieve your desired tones.”
The Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver ELITE pedal will be shipping this spring for $299.
Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver ELITE Features:
| Controls: Drive, 3-band EQ, Presence, Comp, Blend |
| Performance and Studio Modes |
| Chromatic tuner |
| Effect loop |
| MIDI interface |
| 1/4-inch 1megOhm input |
| Low impedance XLR output with Ground Lift to go direct to a PA desk or studio board |
| 1/4-inch low impedance output with Level Selector switch |
| Rugged, all-metal housing and jacks |
| Silent-switching, custom metal footswitch actuators |
| Measures: 7.5”l x 5.25”w x 2.0”h |
| Weight: 24 oz. |
| Utilizes included 9V DC Universal Power Supply: Model #DC9. |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
