TECH 21 2112 GEDDY LEE PEDAL/PREAMP | REVIEW

Tech 21 Geddy Lee DI-2112 Signature SansAmp
MSRP: £375 (UK) $329 (US)

In an attempt to streamline his gear for new projects, Geddy initially partnered with the good people at Tech 21 to design a Signature SansAmp, the GED-2112. Following the unit's success, the challenge then became to engineer a smaller, portable version that could run on two nine-volt batteries, providing a feature-rich solution that is "grab-and-go" easy. So, does it provide all the features of the rack-mount preamp and more importantly, preserve all the tonal goodness of its fraternal twin? Rodney McG tells us more as he reviews the Tech 21 Geddy Lee DI-2112 Signature SansAmp.

With the DI-2112, Tech 21 brings us the third generation of its units based around the Geddy Lee signature tone engine. The DI-2112 is essentially the same as the original rack-mount GED-2112, sacrificing only the effects loop to be made into a smaller desktop package that is more portable. It could easily be mounted on a pedalboard if needed.

Not only does the DI-2112 feature the same dual engine design consisting of level, blend, mid, mid-shift, treble, Bass, and drive for the main unit. It also contains the secondary subchannel with its level and saturation bringing a bi-amp approach to tone shaping.

Also on board are the punch buttons that allow for the unit to be used in tight mode. This gives the sound more bite and aggression in the upper mids and imitates the sound of a player digging in or playing aggressively, but at all dynamic levels. The routing is complete with balanced and quarter-inch outputs for both sections. The balance is carried via xlr.

If you want to simplify the routing of the DI-2112, this can be done by using a single output when configured properly. The unit's manual describes how to marry both outputs into a single connection for ease of use. The DI-2112 packs an impressive set of options, tonal variation, and major connectivity in a desktop package that could be compared to many slightly larger sized effects pedals on the market.

Make no mistake; although it's a Geddy Lee signature device, it's capable of far more. Unlike many gimmick signature pieces of gear, you can get Geddy's distinct sound and tone combination, but there are a huge number of other sounds and settings that are not only usable but truly different and interesting without being reminiscent of the unit's namesake.

It's clearly made in the heritage of the RBI and other classic SansAmp units, but with distinct changes to the eq stack and the particular colour and feel of the drive.

With the DI-2112 bringing this signature unit into a small and portable package that sacrifices almost no features, it's a must-have for any fan of the classic SansAmp series, and some final touches are given to us by the tone of a true bass legend.

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