I guess that's kinda like the method I've been using for a while which roughly speaking is to copy the bass part to another track, use a low pass to keep low/low mids end on one track and use high pass on the other and add some distortion then blend the two. I've no idea if this is a good idea but seems to work ok.
Is it best to use xlr from sansamp to s card and just keep the octa capture preamp set to zero?

i would go directly from the xlr to the soundcard.
 
but having a 'parallel' track, versus a copied track that gets clownphucked, is WAY better,
and gives you a much wider range of frequency to work with..
 
the idea is, the sansamp gives you the 'amp and speaker' emulation, and you put your drive characteristics on that....
 
then the 'unaffected' xlr out, gives you a pure bass tone (a typical direct injection sound) and THAT is what you run into your octo capture, and keep it clean, but if you have an outboard compressor, it's here that you would use that, to control the 'form' of the bass capture
 
 
then, with that full bandwidth clean capture, mixed in with the grunt from the sansamp sound of your choosing,
you get a really nice pair of tones to then tweak on mixdown

Thanks bats brew, appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'm really looking forward to trying this out. Is it worth using with my fender tele too?

sure,,,,,,,
whynot?
 
i've run guitars thru the sansamp, and split the signal the same way, running the 'unaffected' signal thru my pedal chain and into a Palmer pdi-09, and into a mic pre......
didn't get what i wanted, but it did work.
infinitely variable

DeeringAmps
I use the UA LA-610, but it is NOT a "budget" item.

 
Tom

This ^^^^^ and.... I use my dbx 266xs compressor as I like it better than the LA-610 compressor for my bazz.

bapu

 
This ^^^^^ and.... I use my dbx 266xs compressor as I like it better than the LA-610 compressor for my bazz.

For the OP:
The compressor in the LA-610 is based on a LA-2A (which is a slower/gentler) type compressor.
Smooth and transparent...
If you want to "clamp down" or sound more aggressive, something like an 1176 would be a good choice.
 
You can get the same 610 pre-amp (sans dynamics processor) for ~$1000
 
Also in the high-dollar solutions:
Kemper Profiling Amp with a good set of Ampeg profiles.
Makes recording bass (and guitar) an absolute breeze...