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Behringer V-Tone GDI 21
List: $75
The name Behringer would invoke a certain apprehension for those of us who have come across the manufacturer's pedal (plastic) offerings largely due to reliability issues. The GDI 21 isn't one in that league, despite featuring a plastic housing.
Before you dismiss this Amp Modeler/ Driver as a cheap, lightweight knock-off, do handle it in person. There is substantial mass to anchor it down as an effective stomp box in live situations namely due to its metal chassis. The excessive rubber padding (base) will further ensure this pedal stays put while in use. There are 4 rotary knobs & an equal number of slide switches in the DGI 21, the former set control the drive, EQ & output level while the latter control the amp simulator, gain types, microphone placement simulator & a ground lift feature.
Tone
In use, the drive offered by the drive type Calif/ Brit amp settings are rather restrained even at saturated levels. A drive injection is provided by the Hot/ Hi G gain features but the overall drive output remains rather polite. There is a need to turn up the amp's master volume to induce some adrenalin rush. The mic placement module on there hand offers a tonal variation, just like moving live microphones across the face of a speaker cab & it adds nothing to drive intensity. The ground lift switch has no effect if your set-up has no grounding issues which induce hum. The clean settings is perhaps the best voicing offered by the GDI 21; the Twed amp simulation offers an above average clean tone, impressive with single coils, particularly the neck unit.
After an initial audition, the GDI 21 sounds a little lacking on its own. Despite the trio of simulated amp voicing, it somehow sounds condensed & needed a critical injection- until an Ibanez Tubescreamer gets into the picture…This is when drive mongers would find the GDI 21 a good servant. Effectively, the GDI 21 acts as a boosted amp, output does increase along with the drive response & harmonics sensitivity. Predictably, background hissing on driven settings get amplified, no surprises there.
Last say
Conceptually, the GDI 21 isn’t an original; it is unashamedly mimicking the SANSAMP Triac unit. Unlike the latter, it isn’t programmable but the additional gain & mic placement modules mean the former is one up in the tone department, pertaining to diversity. Be informed that the GDI 21 has XLR access; it is console ready if not in use directly with a guitar. You’d invest in this wonderful unit if you are indifferent to what your amp has to offer, particularly if it is a mere practice unit. Do plug in a drive-type booster (the reviewer had great results with BOSS’ DS-1/ OD3/ BD2, CMATMOD's Tube Slammer & Digitech’s Bad Monkey, in addition to the above-mentioned Ibanez pedal) to really hear what the GDI 21 can do.
Rating: 7.5/ 10
Likes:
• Good tonal offerings
• Hatch-type battery access
• XLR ready
• Price
Dislikes:
• Small knobs/ slider switches/ LED
• No midrange control
• Drive intensity could have been better
Worthy contender:
• Tech 21: SANSAMP Triac
