Behringer V-Tone GDI 21

[8livesleft]

Hey guys,

I got this as part of a deal for an Epiphone nighthawk. It was in the guitar case but I never used it till now - about 5 years after I got it lol



Right now, I have it hooked direct to my mixer and stereo setup.

Gotta say, it sounds pretty damn good! Lots of usable sounds and the controls are intuitive and versatile. Very easy to dial in the tone you want from very clean to metal.

The amp and mic options each give a very distinct tone that you can further shape with the type of clean or distortion sound you want.

I'm already using it more than my Orange Micro Dark Tube amp thru an 8in orange speaker. I just find the v-tone easier to dial in to get the sound I want depending on the situation. The Orange sounds good but it's quite a specific sound and sometimes I just want something different.

This is supposed to be a Sansamp Tech 21 clone but I haven't tried that. I'm very happy with this thing tho. I'm already using it for my home setup with the mixer - where my EDrums are connected.

Will be trying it out on my USB interface soon (also behringer - umc204hd - which I'm also happy with).

So far, as a forgotten freebie, it's been FANTASTIC. Would I have bought it when it was new? Knowing what it can do, DEFINITELY. It's a freaking steal at what they were selling it for back then. Now, they're even cheaper.

I also haven't heard any of the supposed clipping issues others have mentioned. But then I have just started using it. The previous owner had this on his pedalboard. He likely gigged with it and it still works now so I'm guessing it served him well enough.

Whether I lucked out or not, who can say? But as it is, I'm very happy with it.

Anyone else use these or still use them?

Cheers!

 

[littlebadboy]

I had the BDI 21 for bass. I was impressed with it that I bought the GDI21 for my daughter's first rig. It goes into an FRFR cab and it indeed does sound good!

 

[Diavolo]

Thats one of my fav pedals.
I have it and two of the tm300 versions.

@8livesleft glad you finally are enjoying forgotten gear.

 

[8livesleft]

I had the BDI 21 for bass. I was impressed with it that I bought the GDI21 for my daughter's first rig. It goes into an FRFR cab and it indeed does sound good!

Yeah, I'm now thinking of getting a BDI as well to pair with it. Bass amps are HEAVY haha

 

[8livesleft]

Thats one of my fav pedals.
I have it and two of the tm300 versions.

@8livesleft glad you finally are enjoying forgotten gear.

Thanks! I guess I just didn't bother since I already had amps so what do I need an emulator for?

But now I get it.

All I need is one more and the bass version and I'm set. It'll be way easier to set it all up since my drums are already plugged in the mixer.

I can easily do a live jam or maybe a full live recording session by just plugging the mixer to my interface...of course it would be best if all the instruments had their own tracks but unfortunately my interface can only do stereo or 2 at a time so it'll have to be via the mixer.

 

[Diavolo]

Thanks! I guess I just didn't bother since I already had amps so what do I need an emulator for?

But now I get it.

All I need is one more and the bass version and I'm set. It'll be way easier to set it all up since my drums are already plugged in the mixer.

I can easily do a live jam or maybe a full live recording session by just plugging the mixer to my interface...of course it would be best if all the instruments had their own tracks but unfortunately my interface can only do stereo or 2 at a time so it'll have to be via the mixer.

sounds like a cool set up. I just use the thing as a distortion pedal.

 

[8livesleft]

sounds like a cool set up. I just use the thing as a distortion pedal.

Ah yeah I guess it definitely works that way too. It's a very versatile distortion/OD setup especially with the mic options.

 

[DougMen]

I liked the Tech 21 version, the GT2, but the Behringer pedal version was terrible. I couldn't get a good sound from it and it was way too bright. This Behringer one must be a lot closer to the Tech 21.

 

[otma]

I've got a similar pedal in this one. The little foot switch (which is plastic, so I wouldn't step on it) turns the drive on and off, so it can be used as a clean amp without any of the drive options.

 

[8livesleft]

I liked the Tech 21 version, the GT2, but the Behringer pedal version was terrible. I couldn't get a good sound from it and it was way too bright. This Behringer one must be a lot closer to the Tech 21. View attachment 328805View attachment 328809

Bright? I didn't get that. Seems balanced in my setup. But there is an EQ

 

[DougMen]

Bright? I didn't get that. Seems balanced in my setup. But there is an EQ

Yes, the TM300 version was too bright and shrill with any of my Strats, even with the treble on it turned all the way down. The GDI21 may be a different animal entirely.

 

[littlebadboy]

Yes, the TM300 version was too bright and shrill with any of my Strats, even with the treble on it turned all the way down. The GDI21 may be a different animal entirely.

Yes, I tried both and the GDI21 was better than the TM300 to my ears.

 

[DougMen]

I've got a similar pedal in this one. The little foot switch (which is plastic, so I wouldn't step on it) turns the drive on and off, so it can be used as a clean amp without any of the drive options.

View attachment 328811View attachment 328813View attachment 328815

I had a couple of Eleca pedals that i liked. I still have the California series overdrive, and the Dinosaur TS style overdrive, which was also sold under the Aria label. I also had their California distortion, which i wish i still had The one i most wish i had still was the overdrive with the clean control that mixed the clean back in with the dirty sound
It was their version of the Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive

 

[DougMen]

Eleca also had a distortion with a 12AX7 in it which I never tried
Eleca had some cool stuff. I wish they were still around. Voodoo Labs doesn't make the Sparkle Drive anymore, only the Sparkle Drive Mod, which doesn't sound as good to me (I had both)
Nux also had the Drive Core overdrive with a clean control, and i kinda wish i still had it too They now have the Drive Core Deluxe with a "more bass" button
They also have the Drive Core Deluxe MKII, which has a rotary switch to do a lot of well known overdrive and distortion sounds, similar to the JHS Bonzai. i might have to try it sometime.

It does the OG Nux, the TS808, TS9, Boss OD1 (the first modern overdrive, before the TS, like an SD1 with no tone control), the Nobels ODR1, the MXR Dist+ and a couple others that I'm not sure what they are.

 

[8livesleft]

Yes, the TM300 version was too bright and shrill with any of my Strats, even with the treble on it turned all the way down. The GDI21 may be a different animal entirely.

Generally, I would rather have more brightness or treble because I'm thinking it's easier to lessen it than add it in but that's crazy bright

 

[8livesleft]

Eleca also had a distortion with a 12AX7 in it which I never tried View attachment 328839
Eleca had some cool stuff. I wish they were still around. Voodoo Labs doesn't make the Sparkle Drive anymore, only the Sparkle Drive Mod, which doesn't sound as good to me (I had both) View attachment 328841
Nux also had the Drive Core overdrive with a clean control, and i kinda wish i still had it too They now have the Drive Core Deluxe with a "more bass" button View attachment 328843
They also have the Drive Core Deluxe MKII, which has a rotary switch to do a lot of well known overdrive and distortion sounds, similar to the JHS Bonzai. i might have to try it sometime.
View attachment 328853
It does the OG Nux, the TS808, TS9, Boss OD1 (the first modern overdrive, before the TS, like an SD1 with no tone control), the Nobels ODR1, the MXR Dist+ and a couple others that I'm not sure what they are.

That looks cool but I prefer separate high, low controls vs a single tone control. If they can add a separate mid control, then better.

 

[grizzlewulf]

Eleca also had a distortion with a 12AX7 in it which I never tried View attachment 328839
Eleca had some cool stuff. I wish they were still around. Voodoo Labs doesn't make the Sparkle Drive anymore, only the Sparkle Drive Mod, which doesn't sound as good to me (I had both) View attachment 328841
Nux also had the Drive Core overdrive with a clean control, and i kinda wish i still had it too They now have the Drive Core Deluxe with a "more bass" button View attachment 328843
They also have the Drive Core Deluxe MKII, which has a rotary switch to do a lot of well known overdrive and distortion sounds, similar to the JHS Bonzai. i might have to try it sometime.
View attachment 328853
It does the OG Nux, the TS808, TS9, Boss OD1 (the first modern overdrive, before the TS, like an SD1 with no tone control), the Nobels ODR1, the MXR Dist+ and a couple others that I'm not sure what they are.

Is the R.Dirt mode supposed to be a Rat, perhaps?

 

[DougMen]

Is the R.Dirt mode supposed to be a Rat, perhaps?

It's the Keeley Red Dirt, and the Boss OD1 is the OD1X, not the OG OD1

 

[Eddie]

I have to agree with the OP. I picked up the Behringer awhile and was very excited to test out all the amp options. They all sounded like crud.

The reality is that there's no way to mimic a $3000 tube amp from a $15 pedal. I wish life were that easy.

 

[8livesleft]

I have to agree with the OP. I picked up the Behringer awhile and was very excited to test out all the amp options. They all sounded like crud.

The reality is that there's no way to mimic a $3000 tube amp from a $15 pedal. I wish life were that easy.

I don't think anybody's expecting that at this price.

I think the main function is to have something that approximates a particular tone well enough to get by. Maybe 70-80%.

In other words, something for a less discerning crowd - not something for seasoned gearheads who probably spend $15 on a single capacitor for their guitars.

Personally, I don't even go that far. I just dial in the sound I want based on my setup and don't even think about trying to copy a specific amp.