4ms Nocto Loco

TheWoodShed · #1 12-07-2009, 10:58 PM

I know where one of these are, and it seems inexpensive price wise so I am considering it.

I have been spending some time in the forums using the search function to research this and also at the 4ms site. I have been listening to chronicle;s clips as well. I have a few questions...

Is this a DIY pedal? If so, how can I tell a kit pedal from one premade? I ask becasue I am hesitant to buy a pedal used from an unknown maker.

How well does it work with active basses?

Thanks!

bobinverted · #2 12-07-2009, 11:07 PM

4ms Has been around for ever. You can trust them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWoodShed

I know where one of these are, and it seems inexpensive price wise so I am considering it.

I have been spending some time in the forums using the search function to research this and also at the 4ms site. I have been listening to chronicle;s clips as well. I have a few questions...

Is this a DIY pedal? If so, how can I tell a kit pedal from one premade? I ask becasue I am hesitant to buy a pedal used from an unknown maker.

How well does it work with active basses?

Thanks!

dannybuoy · #3 12-08-2009, 12:39 AM

You can buy them pre-built or in kit form. The kits come with an unpainted enclosure standard bu you can pay extra for a painted one. Unless it has an unpainted enclosure, I'm not sure if there's any way to tell who built it unless you ask 4ms if there's any clues to look for.

JimmyM · #4 12-08-2009, 01:06 AM

The Nocto Loco is my favorite pedal that I have absolutely no use for.

Grimoire · #5 12-08-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWoodShed

How well does it work with active basses?

Just adjust the internal trimpots, and you'll be fine. I use mine with a Bongo6, very hot output, no problems. Lunatic pedal, but whack it through a good filter and all of a sudden it makes sense...

TheWoodShed · #6 12-08-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimoire

Just adjust the internal trimpots, and you'll be fine. I use mine with a Bongo6, very hot output, no problems. Lunatic pedal, but whack it through a good filter and all of a sudden it makes sense...

What do the trimpots do?

TheWoodShed · #7 12-09-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWoodShed

What do the trimpots do?

Never mind, I found out.

Quote:

The trim pots are noise gates.

To set the trim pot marked “sane” (100k), put the pedal in sane mode (green LED). Play a very soft sound on the input as you turn the trim pot slowly. At either extreme you should hear nothing. At at certain point towards the middle you’ll start to hear something, and as you continue to turn it, a soft pop can be heard even when you’re not playing. Set the trim pot slightly past or slightly before this “pop” point. Now play the pedal. If you get a lot of noise at the end of the decays, then you need to turn the trim pot farther from the “pop” point. If you have to hit the notes hard to hear the nocto, then turn the trim pot closer to the “pop” point.

The same procedure applies to the Loco trim pot (500k), but do it in loco mode (red LED). Usually you’ll hear a howling noise at fully counter-clockwise, which will disappear as towards the middle of the range. Usually I set it a tiny bit past where the howling disappears.

Source

bobinverted · #8 12-09-2009, 10:48 AM

I don't think you should be concerned about the build quality, but understand what 4ms is all about. If you are concerned just buy a kit and build it yourself. I bought one of their components kits and built a Noise Swash years ago. It was pretty easy.