Para Driver Di Power Amp

**jorgemg1984** · 02-24-2012, 07:15 PM

So I am going to get a Para Driver DI. This thing seems to good to be true... I play some acoustic gigs trough a PA and I have been very happy with my BBE Acoustimax - but it's only good for that use.

With the Para DI I wanted to get something to replace the BBE but also 1) use as EQ, boost and tube emulator with my solid state amps 2) all that but direct to PA 3) as a DI only for a very specific acoustic guitar I have with RMC pickups that I don't any circuit coloring but I don't like going direct to boards.

I have just remembered another possible use for the pedal: using it as pre for a power amp to go trough my cabinets - 1x12 EV 200w 8 ohms and 2x12 Tornados 200w 4 ohms. So anyone knows a good, transparent, small, cheap and solid state power amp to use with the Para DI? Power Ratings according with the cabs.

Thanks!

**oldane** · 02-26-2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

So anyone knows a good, transparent, small, cheap and solid state power amp to use with the Para DI? Power Ratings according with the cabs.

Try to hook up the ParaDriver DI to a decent powered PA speaker and see if you can dial in a good sound that way. Many ParaDriver users can. There are lots of second hand PA speakers out there to have for a reasonable price.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-26-2012, 08:29 AM

Hi Oldane - I have two powered speakers from my PA and I will try that just for fun. But my idea is to have a backup amp on my gigs - I have two Dr Z cabs these days to pair with my jazzmaster ultralight. Taking the Para DI and a small power amp with me I basically had a backup amp in a small format. I am considering turning the power amp of my Bandit 65 into a small box...

**jorgemg1984** · 02-27-2012, 06:17 PM

New idea: a Tube Works Mosvalve 962. If anyone know of a used one in Europe

Oh and if anyone has experience with this power amp please share it - but the guy who recommend me this one never gives bad advice.

**Frank67** · 03-05-2012, 03:34 PM

Hi paradriver owners ...

After reading more about this little box and hearing some samples I pulled the trigger to get one. Many uses come to mind including turning piezo sounds into usable sounds, warming up transistor amps, eliminate boomy bass notes, use it as a booster etc etc.

After playing with it for a few hours it the variety of sounds one can get out is really amazing. So, from my so far limited trying i would say that: a) i can eliminate boomy bass, b) the harshness in the piezos can be reduced and c) it gives nice, warm sounds. I tried it with a variety of archtops through a cube 80 which did sound better with it (on the JC channel of course) but the Henriksen did not profit much (it sounded great with or without the paradriver IMHO).

I was wondering if paradriver users would share their favorite settings for their archtop jazz sounds? The manual has a number of useful default settings but i am particularly interested in what you dial in with your archtops. Since the variety of possibilities is so large and the knobs react so sensitive i hope that starting from someones beloved settings would get me there much more quickly.

Thanks so much for your help!

**PTChristopher** · 03-05-2012, 03:48 PM

>>> Many uses come to mind including turning piezo sounds into usable sounds,

Har-har. I sometimes use it for exactly the opposite. I turn my archtop into a ugly piezo sound.

If I plug direct into a PA, this will be setup to deal with folk-strummers putting out a hideous piezo sound. So I end up sounding like a honking midrangey clogged mess.

So I use the PDDI to pre-condition the sound to deal with the PA EQ.

Chris

**Frank67** · 03-05-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

If I plug direct into a PA, this will be setup to deal with folk-strummers putting out a hideous piezo sound.

.... aaargghhhh

:-) :-)

**PTChristopher** · 03-05-2012, 04:02 PM

Well the PDDI has more than enough range to fix pretty much anything. Fantastic box for any type of playing in my opinion.

Chris

**jorgemg1984** · 03-05-2012, 05:55 PM

Hi frank, good to know, I am just selling a lot of stuff right now and then I will get one. I already got someone to make me a power amp that will fit my needs - I will report when I have everyhting set.

Funny, I would say that pedal would be perfect for an henriksen, the Fromel Shape EQ worked so good with that amp with the controls flat. Why didn't you liked it?

**Frank67** · 03-05-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Funny, I would say that pedal would be perfect for an henriksen, the Fromel Shape EQ worked so good with that amp with the controls flat. Why didn't you liked it?

Oh, i would not say that i did not like it - i just didn't find a tone that i liked much better than that of the plain amp (all amp controls set flat; to my ears at least, which are certainly less educated than yours). I would also not claim that i have conducted an exhaustive systematic search (hence my question to the forum members). I just like a lot how the Henricksen sounds.

But of course already eliminating the occasional boomy bass notes and having a decent tone from a piezo alone is already worth it. I was just curious what settings people dial in with their flatwound strung archtops on the paradriver. And do people leave the tone control on the guitar open then? There are just so many variables ....

One funny thing with the paradriver (that others have mentioned as well) is that it changes the tone even when it is not engaged (meaning you run your guitar through it to the amp while it is in off position). Actually for the better, it makes it warmer and fatter

**jorgemg1984** · 03-05-2012, 07:38 PM

"i just didn't find a tone that i liked much better than that of the plain amp (all amp controls set flat; to my ears at least, which are certainly less educated than yours)"

Hi frank, my ears are not more educated that yours, we just have different taste

I can really imagine people loving Henriksen's sound stock, to me it just sounded much better with a different speaker and a eq pedal. I am really curious to hear the Para DI with one!

"But of course already eliminating the occasional boomy bass notes and having a decent tone from a piezo alone is already worth it"

These are two of the reaons I want one (as I said on the OP), really glad to know it works well for that purpose.

"One funny thing with the paradriver (that others have mentioned as well) is that it changes the tone even when it is not engaged (meaning you run your guitar through it to the amp while it is in off position). Actually for the better, it makes it warmer and fatter"

As long as it's for the best! I am also curious about it's use with archtops but with rounds

**papaj77** · 03-05-2012, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

One funny thing with the paradriver (that others have mentioned as well) is that it changes the tone even when it is not engaged (meaning you run your guitar through it to the amp while it is in off position). Actually for the better, it makes it warmer and fatter

When in bypass mode it works as a DI BOX, to switch it off you have to take the jack out of input.

**keith** · 03-05-2012, 08:35 PM

I have an Eastman 805CE and have used the PDDI with both flat and presently round wounds. I've been setting the guitar tone knob about halfway and the amp settings even and controlled everything else, tonewise, through the box ( except for reverb). I'd be curious to hear more about the tube amp simulation that's been mentioned through the box which I'm assuming is just through using the drive knob. I use very little of this( mainly EQ with signal boost ). The biggest changes in the sound that I've noticed is through midrange parametric EQ. This along with the blend feature which blends original signal with the box adjustment signal seem to be where the tone is effected most. I agree that it can really reduce the piezo sound on an acoustic and can help control the boom of the bass especially with the flatwounds. The signal is improved even when not engaged as it lowers the impedance.( I use it with an xlr cable to power it ) I've been using it in basically 2 ways; one being as a signal boost for soloing in a group( stompbox boost to avoid the volume adjustment on the guitar) and also just to improve signal and tone always being engaged. There are so many variables in communicating about sound and it's very subjective so you really need to go through it and find what you're looking for. When adjusting it though do it one variable at a time otherwise you'll spend hours chasing your tail. It's important to really get to understand it as once you change rooms, amps, PA's, guitars etc you'll need to go through it again.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-05-2012, 09:47 PM

Great to know all this stuff, you are really lifting my expectations!

**jorgemg1984** · 03-06-2012, 08:03 AM

By the way, the bass is great to tame boomy sounds, the mids are versatile and what about the treble? Can you make the upper register of the guitar sweeter? Thanks!

**oldane** · 03-06-2012, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by keith

I'd be curious to hear more about the tube amp simulation that's been mentioned through the box which I'm assuming is just through using the drive knob.

Yes. I have the drive knob set at about 10:30 - 11:00. Enough to fatten the tone up a bit but not enough to make the sound break up audibly. Of course, if you turn the drive knob all the way to 5 o'clock, you will get a wild distortion that should satisfy a hard core death metal freak.

The biggest changes in the sound that I've noticed is through midrange parametric EQ.

I agree. I too find that this is the very core of this pedal. A very small adjustment of the mid range knob and its center frequency knob can mean a very clear difference in tone. What can be done with this goes far beyond what can be done with a normal mid range knob in a standard tone stack.

**oldane** · 03-06-2012, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

By the way, the bass is great to tame boomy sounds, the mids are versatile and what about the treble? Can you make the upper register of the guitar sweeter? Thanks!

Yes, but maybe not more than with a traditonal treble tone control with a center frequency in the 3-4kHz range, and likely not more than with the low pass filter = the treble roll off knob on your guitar. Like I wrote just above, what makes this pedal special is the semiparametric midrange control which only few other pedals have. This is the "secret" of the immense tone shaping potential. Apart from this, the center frequencies of the bass and treble controls are well chosen for guitar (unlike on some amps as we have discussed earlier).

**Frank67** · 03-06-2012, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

Like I wrote just above, what makes this pedal special is the semiparametric midrange control which only few other pedals have. This is the "secret" of the immense tone shaping potential. Apart from this, the center frequencies of the bass and treble controls are well chosen for guitar

Dear Oldane, what is your favorite setting for the midshift and balance knobs? It is true that this pedal is amazingly sensitive to even small adjustments.
To take the drive knob right before it audibly breaks up is also a great suggestions.

**oldane** · 03-06-2012, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

Dear Oldane, what is your favorite setting for the midshift and balance knobs? It is true that this pedal is amazingly sensitive to even small adjustments.
To take the drive knob right before it audibly breaks up is also a great suggestions.

I have the mid range knob set to around 11:30 and the mid range center frequency set to around 1100-1200 Hz. That is with an AI amp head and its three tone controls set flat (but the low cut filter activated) and with a Redstone RE-10ER cabinet. The effect is dialed in 100% on the small blend knob.

Please bear in mind that these settings may have to be different with other guitars and PUs and with other amps and cabinets in order to get the same sound. It also depends on your personal taste. You may not want the same sound as I do. The picture of the Paradriver DI / AI amp / Buscarino cabinet setup on the Benedetto website shows other settings on the Paradriver DI than mine.

**keith** · 03-06-2012, 12:19 PM

Please bear in mind that these settings may have to be different with other guitars and PUs and with other amps and cabinets in order to get the same sound. It also depends on your personal taste. You may not want the same sound as I do.

I couldn't agree more with this! This is the rap and the virtue of any pedal I think as you want the sound that's in your head and at least for me I don't wish to spend my days playing with knobs to get it but in doing so you learn and focus your preferences and also your playing.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-06-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by oldane

Yes, but maybe not more than with a traditonal treble tone control with a center frequency in the 3-4kHz range, and likely not more than with the low pass filter = the treble roll off knob on your guitar. Like I wrote just above, what makes this pedal special is the semiparametric midrange control which only few other pedals have. This is the "secret" of the immense tone shaping potential. Apart from this, the center frequencies of the bass and treble controls are well chosen for guitar (unlike on some amps as we have discussed earlier).

Thanks (again) oldane!

**Rustic** · 03-07-2012, 08:22 AM

Go for it Jorge! I love my ParaDriver.

In response to your question, I don't think it boosts those sparkling 'guitaristic' highs you seem to be alluding to. I don't remember the cut off for the treble control but I don't think it's high enough.

A few things I love about this pedal:

- it works on phantom power (I use it with an Acoustic Image which provides it)
- it is killer with my nylon (which has an undersaddle pickup)
- it can definitely warm up your sound in a pleasant, subtle way
- you can set the midrange EQ point

Keys in terms of settings:
- the tone controls (especially the midrange) interact with the boost/tube emulation control so set this first. Anything more than 10:30 or 11:00 and you'll start getting into distorted territory
- midrange EQ point set at about 750HZ seems optimum for a jazz box
- the controls are very sensitive and it is definitely better to CUT frequencies rather than boost them...

It's a great piece of equipment.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-07-2012, 08:36 AM

Hi Rustic, there's a store here that has one in Porto, they will bring it to Lisbon so I can try it - I will go there on Friday. I will buy it ONLY when I sell some stuff but I almost sure I will buy it, it will serve me for a LOT of things that I need.

Thanks for all those tips, I will mainly use it to CUT not to boost (EQs are usally better for cut than boost in my experience),

"In response to your question, I don't think it boosts those sparkling 'guitaristic' highs you seem to be alluding to. I don't remember the cut off for the treble control but I don't think it's high enough."

This is the only thing that worries me in the pedal, I am affraid the treble is too low (3k). With my Shape EQ (4.5k) I can attenauate the treble so it's still there but softer. I am affraid that with the Para DI when I cut the treble it cuts too much and sounds becomes dull... but nothing like trying!

**oldane** · 03-07-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rustic

- midrange EQ point set at about 750HZ seems optimum for a jazz box

Well, I have mine set around 1100-1200Hz (incidently, I later heard that this is where the Fender amps also have their mid range center freq). But that is entirely a matter of personal taste.

- the controls are very sensitive and it is definitely better to CUT frequencies rather than boost them...

Agree. I have treble set to between 10 and 12 o'clock, mid to around 11 to 12 o'clock and bass to 10 o'clock. ( I have the low cut filter activated on my AI head and control the boominess with that). Those settings will vary depending of the acousticks of the room I'm playing in.

It's a great piece of equipment.

Yes!

**Klatu** · 03-07-2012, 11:44 AM

Can anyone compare the Sansamp Para Driver DI to the Empress ParaEq?

On paper, it looks as though the Empress can do everything the Sansamp can do with added versatility. I don't have experience with either, but I would like to get some sort of tone shaping device to use with my solid state amps.