Tech 21 DP3X dUg Pinnick – Can it replace my B7K?

The dUg Pinnick signature bass preamp is extremely small and loud, but does it sound good?

Today we take a deep dive into the curious world of the worlds smallest dUg Pinnick signature unit, the DP3X all-in-one pedal by @Tech21nyc! The DP3X has a clean channel and a mix channel which has a distorted top end and a clean bass. There's also a tuner, a built-in compressor and you don't need any additional cabinet simulation with it.

Sounds like a tall order, let's see if they got it right!

0:00 Intro song
0:52 Meet the DP3X
1:53 Tone test 1: MoneytOne
2:22 Do you need a cab?
2:58 How's the clean channel?
3:23 Tone test 2: Well Yes, but no
3:54 How's the distortion channel?
6:05 Tone test 3: We're just happy to be here
6:25 Do the channels work together?
7:48 Tone test 4: Far Beyond Overdriven
8:10 I don't like the compressor
8:56 Secret tones Tech 21 doesn't want you to know about
9:25 Tone test 5: Get stOned
10:52 The importance of pre-gain EQ
11:19 Tone test 5: Trust me, I went to school for this
11:52 Using these secret tones
13:24 Honest opinions and deep analysis
15:20 Is it worth the money?
16:09 Summary and outro

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#tech21 #kingsx #bassplayer #ariaproii #dugpinnick #bassdistortion #flyrig

[ferox]

I was set on the Darkglass. Tried the dUg on a whim. Walked out with the dUg and it's been on my rig ever since. Couple of years now. I play everything from soul, to country, to rock. Great pedal.

[ObeseChess]

Great example of how subjective this all is - every single tone you demonstrated as being not very good sounded better to me than my B7K that I finally sold. Solid review. Cheers!

[marcavus]

Mix channel sounds great in the mix to my ears.

[nagchampa]

I have been using the actual Dug Ultra Bass 1000 amp since about 2017 and I bought the pedal when it came out with the thought it would be a perfect redundant back up however, the pedal doesn't come close to the actual amp and I sold the pedal. I think the key to the amp is the HPF and LPF on the separate channels. The top drive channel is useless on it's own, but it's purpose is to tweak the drive to lay on top of the clean low channel. Mixing both channels and increasing or decreasing the drive amount allows you to dial in nice clean tones if needed. I wish Tech21 would make a preamp only that was the exact preamp from the amp. I spoke to Tech21 directly about that and while that was discussed, as a company the decided to not do that, I guess because the DP3 was doing so well. I use IEM and go direct 99% of the time, so I'm basically carrying around a 1000 watt preamp! LOL

[souldustpro]

I am thinking about buying the Tech 21 dUG pedal and really I appreciate your honest review. I've been using the Bass Fly Rig V1 for awhile and love what it does, just looking for some new tones. I want to say that you are a great bass player, I dig your style... I also want to say that some of things you said you didn't like -- and then proceeded to demonstrate, are exactly what I DO like... I love the tones and so this review is incredibly helpful for me... Thank you!! 🤘

[iblisofficial]

I use this pedal about 2 years…IT IS THE BEST EVER. No Way!!! N.1

[bazZzment]

Wow, what a great demo! Thank you so much for this comprehensive take on one of my favorite pedals. It really is versatile, I actually use it a lot without distortion for a clean-ish P-Bass tone that cuts well in a pop situation. I wish I had two channels and a little more control on the mids, but I get far by reducing the lows and highs and using the comp only a bit. I have also had to tame the compressor by reducing my bass' output sometimes, but I still really like the comp for being able to REALLY limit and not just being too soft and transparent as many other devices do.

[flv]

I’m in love with my SH1 unit. Quite versatile and with two channels.

[Ruovikko]

Helevetin kovvaa kontenttia taas kerran! Täyttä asiaa rehdillä no bullshit -meiningillä.
Tech21:n purkeista kiinnostaisi tietää miksi esim. VT Bass Deluxen valmistus lopetettiin ja nyt yritetään työntää näitä hiivatin littanoita, todella spesifin soundin fly-rigejä tilalle.

[dumaflotchy]

This is the bed Bass Dist I’ve ever heard, including Origin Effects … great demo thank you .

[elStevobass]

I thought every setting you used in the video was great! Thats all the proof you need right there. Each audio example sat in the mix great and didn't get in the way of the guitars which is exactly what we're looking for. And what was it - half a dozen totally useful tones that are all vastly different? Great demo for any tool to shape bass tones.
I've had this pedal for a few years now in 2 different rigs - one in the loop of my Fractal rig and one on my pedalboard with an Xotic Blender pedal. In both instances I blend my own version of 'DuG Grind' in with my own sound and it is ridiculous. So good. On its own, yeah, I'll concede, its kinda the Bass version of dating a stripper - tricky to tame but really worth it.
I own it, I use it to great effect and I will immediately buy another one when it breaks.
My humble advice: Do not miss this gem of a pedal.

[stringKen]

This is my favorite pedal for hard rock and metal. I've had a few bandleaders compliment my 'clang'. On top of that, I highly recommend the following cool trick that I use to bring my tone from clang to purr and back: dial down the passive tone control on your bass (most of my active basses have a passive tone). Because this is a multiband pedal, rolling off highs removes the clang and much of the distortion. So, I can easily go from dUg/Tool to ZZ Top and back.

You do make valid points. I never use the clean channel for the reasons you mentioned - it's either dirty or bypassed. But I love the dirty tones so much I don't consider this a negative. Aside from that, it seems to me that you would prefer a traditional full range distortion, and that's fine. In fact I never recommend the DP3X without caveats because it's so unusual. But again, it's my favorite: makes my P-style basses sound like dUg (or ZZ Top or other), and my dual bucker Zon sound like Tool or Entwistle's Alembic.

[topcurve]

Besides the things you didn't like about the dUg Pinnick Tech 21 pedal....
It sounded absolutely amazing on my end....
Listening to your video with old school headphones....
Every example of this pedal came cut through the mix...
And really brought out the tone of your Bass! 👍

[poxcr]

4:09 It seems that you completely missed the point of this pedal. Why would you disparage a product just because it does EXACTLY what it was designed to do? Just get an XB Driver instead, it was designed to do everything you complained the DP3X can't do.

[mmachine]

I listened to the DUg pedal randomly cause my bass/brother/mentor loves DUg. The dp3 is the next addition to my rig, followed by building my own Baron-H clone.

[larsetom]

I would actually go further to say that it really has one channel. I never use the pedal out of the "mix" mode. I also think that versatility is not that important to me as I usually don't change the settings much once I've got my tone down. I think your criticisms are generally on the money. I do have a Darkglass Alpha/Omega, however, the DP-3 is on more than any other pedal I have. For all its weaknesses, the Dug delivers!

[markszabo]

I’ve had success making use of the analog mojo of this pedal. I set it right at the edge of breakup. For normal sound I just play consistently. For mellow I roll off treble on the bass. For the dUg grind I either dig in or use a pick. Once I got my right hand consistent this thing became way more versatile.

Love the reviews! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[granttaskerud]

Love it.. Two years live... But only with the mix button on. Lol
No separate level controls. I just equal the two channels as much as possible. Two different tones two different volumes is all that's possible. Tiny adjustments make a huge change in sound. So don't just crank an eq. Still i just leave mix on and only adjust the dist knob and chunk around 9pm until ozzy or other clanky need. Im going to just start using green only.. No mix. I think there are different outputs from the xlr vs the 1/4 in out puts. I wish it had dual out/parallel parts using both outputs simultaneously.

[dumaflotchy]

I will be respectful but also honest with you …. High quality but confusing demo .
I came here looking for a drive pedal for my bass rig .

- great bass player & music production
- diverse sounds in addition to “dUG”

You said it’s NOT diverse in sounds and yet YOU produced nice variety.
This is the best sounding bass drive pedal I’ve ever heard. The only thing I did NOT agree with was your opinion.
Place keep making great video production for bass.

[somebrains]

This pedal is growing on me. I never gave it a chance bc I didn’t like the Dug head.

That direction the head went reminds me of the Billy Sheehan Ampeg preamp or the Scrambler on full fizz.

This pedal sounds useable.