Talk me out of a Fly Rig v2

[Mastiff_5]

I understand that the Bass FlyRig is designed to encompass DI functionality within the group of tools that it offers for portability.
I also understand that there is, generally, something lost when one goes from an individual tool (a pre, an effect, etc) to a multi-effect or multi-function unit.
However, the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig V2 seems to be a strong contender for my needs:

I have recently started playing a worship gig, and I can simply run direct. I don’t have a discreet DI… I’ve been taking my subway D800 head and using its DI. I don’t want to continue to unhook it from my main rig at home and transport it every week. I do not care for it being on the floor, nor do I like cluttering the stage with something to set it on. So, I’m in the market for a DI. I was gonna do a stomp box preamp, as everyone - including Mesa - have offerings. I have no pedals right now, I cleaned house a while back; but I am considering a chorus pedal, and maybe an octaver/gentle synth, etc. in order to tastefully thicken up my tone. The lineup is: acoustic guitar, me, and sometimes a cahone, with a couple of ladies singing backup.

It seems the fly rig offers TWO preamp sections (three if we count my bassculture/delano3band), compression (be it ever-so-simple), a gain/fuzz section (if needed), octaving, and a chorus. I needn’t even bring my trusty and ubiquitous white tuning pedal to the gig.

I do like the sans amp sound well enough (I gigged an RBI-centered rack system for a decade), among many other great preamp sections I’ve used and loved (berg, genz, aggie, my beloved mesa, etc). So am I on the right track here?
Is the Fly Rig the way to go? Or should I be considering something else?

 

[Michael Vee]

One thought is that Tech 21 may have a Bass Fly Rig V3 in the works. This is NOT based on any insider information I have, by any means. However. the V2 has been out long enough that it is within the realm of possibility. I personally am lurking for a V3, if and when there is one announced.

 

[Bag of Lazers]

I’ve owned one. The Sansamp circuit is good. I found the octave a little weak on tracking upper register notes. I sold it b/c I just don’t use fx like that. If I did I probably would have kept it. It was also a little noisy but that may have been more due to the power supply than the unit, I’m not sure.

 

[ShawnG]

If it’s me, and I was happy with what I’m getting out of the D800, I’d get a Subway or Subway+ DI and add a couple of pedals later if needed.

 

[jimmydean]

Can't do it .........go buy one .

 

[Zooberwerx]

Can't do it .........go buy one .

Either a v1 or v2 will work nicely...I use the v1. I see them on occasion in the TB classifieds.

Riis

 

[klattman]

I’ve had both the v1 and v2.
The Sansamp section is solid. The compressor is not great and the octave/filer is almost impossible to dial in. I ended up using just the tuner and the amp section. The chorus is not terrible, so that got some use.

Knowing this I would have got a regular Sansamp DI (para driver, VT driver etc.) I could easily get by with a Sansamp VT or para driver plus an mxr poly blue octave (which can track my fretless flawlessly, and has usable modulation).

 

[_Some Dude]

I have a V1. The SansAmp and chorus are good. The Octafilter is good for that specific Moog sorta sound, but individually the fuzz, octave and envelope filter kinda suck.

Personally, I get more out of a BDDI and a TU-3 (and TU-3 is easier to read). I'd just add a couple Boss or MXR pedals if I wanted chorus and octave on a compact setup.

 

[Zarcsby]

I’ve had both the v1 and v2.
The Sansamp section is solid. The compressor is not great and the octave/filer is almost impossible to dial in. I ended up using just the tuner and the amp section. The chorus is not terrible, so that got some use.

Knowing this I would have got a regular Sansamp DI (para driver, VT driver etc.) I could easily get by with a Sansamp VT or para driver plus an mxr poly blue octave (which can track my fretless flawlessly, and has usable modulation).

In the Octafilter section, did you find that the Range knob on the V2 was easier to dial in than the Range knob on the V1?

Tech 21 noted that the taper on the Range knob was adjusted on the V2 to make it more forgiving instead of being incredibly touchy like it is on the V1 where tiny micro adjustments around the 3-quaters-turn mark made huge differences in the tone. I'm curious if you found the V2 to be much easier throughout your experiences with both pedals.

 

[klattman]

In the Octafilter section, did you find that the Range knob on the V2 was easier to dial in than the Range knob on the V1?

Tech 21 noted that the taper on the Range knob was adjusted on the V2 to make it more forgiving instead of being incredibly touchy like it is on the V1 where tiny micro adjustments around the 3-quaters-turn mark made huge differences in the tone. I'm curious if you found the V2 to be much easier throughout your experiences with both pedals.

The octave on the v1 was worse but I still was never able to have much success with the filter or octave section on the v2 either. When I did get it to work ok, I wasn’t happy with the sound anyway and went back to drive only Sansamps before switching to more specialized drive pedals altogether and sometimes an HX stomp (also frustrating and more expensive but I managed to force through the learning curve.)

 

[Azari]

Just get a regular sansamp pedal

 

[mikewalker]

Have you checked out the TRACE ELLIOT Transit B ? It comes to mind as a fly rig contender...

 

[Bag of Lazers]

Have you checked out the TRACE ELLIOT Transit B ? It comes to mind as a fly rig contender...

Those seem pretty good on their own, but they are much larger, have a plastic top, and lack the FX that OP said he wants.

 

[mellobud]

I understand that the Bass FlyRig is designed to encompass DI functionality within the group of tools that it offers for portability.
I also understand that there is, generally, something lost when one goes from an individual tool (a pre, an effect, etc) to a multi-effect or multi-function unit.
However, the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig V2 seems to be a strong contender for my needs:

I have recently started playing a worship gig, and I can simply run direct. I don’t have a discreet DI… I’ve been taking my subway D800 head and using its DI. I don’t want to continue to unhook it from my main rig at home and transport it every week. I do not care for it being on the floor, nor do I like cluttering the stage with something to set it on. So, I’m in the market for a DI. I was gonna do a stomp box preamp, as everyone - including Mesa - have offerings. I have no pedals right now, I cleaned house a while back; but I am considering a chorus pedal, and maybe an octaver/gentle synth, etc. in order to tastefully thicken up my tone. The lineup is: acoustic guitar, me, and sometimes a cahone, with a couple of ladies singing backup.

It seems the fly rig offers TWO preamp sections (three if we count my bassculture/delano3band), compression (be it ever-so-simple), a gain/fuzz section (if needed), octaving, and a chorus. I needn’t even bring my trusty and ubiquitous white tuning pedal to the gig.

I do like the sans amp sound well enough (I gigged an RBI-centered rack system for a decade), among many other great preamp sections I’ve used and loved (berg, genz, aggie, my beloved mesa, etc). So am I on the right track here?
Is the Fly Rig the way to go? Or should I be considering something else?

I use one for my worship gig. It’s built solid. It is also very hot on the gain. You need to get everything tamed to unity and then find your sound. I almost returned mine thinking I had a defective unit with too much gain. I made a thread here and tech21 responded with tips. I had to dedicate some time to give it another whirl. After those growing pains, it works great. I like blending the straight signal with the fuzz (not in worship). I’m not ecstatic on the drive as you have to dance between the level and drive knobs to keep from having too much gain/signal. Also, a little compression goes a long way but it’s usable.

After all that and finding “your sound” with your preferred settings, it’s great. It’s been nice to shed some weight from my pedal setup for church.

Side note: I believe these are made or at least assembled in USA

 

[scowboy]

I used the v1 BFR (this is before there was a v2) for a couple years in a worship setting and it worked fantastic.

 

[N Scott Shaw]

Also, a little compression goes a long way but it’s usable.

Engaging the pad even on a passive bass keeps the input from slamming the compression giving you more range. At least, that's my experience.