The Bass Blogger Blog

McHaven · #1 06-21-2008, 03:42 PM

So, I go to check the mail today and in the package compartment is a feisty little box, hopping all around. I figured this had to be the Bass Blogger.

When I brought it inside and opened the box, the Blogger leaped out of the box and began searching for a keyboard to blog at.

Unfortunately the first one it found happened to be the keyboard of a 1970s Baldwin Fun Machine. The blogger was confused to say the least.

I calmly collected the confused Blogger and led it to my computer, where it immediately sat down and began blogging.

Eventually, tired out from blogging, the Blogger passed out and allowed me to start writing this thread.
----------------------------------------------

So, I haven't actually had the chance to hear the blogger yet. I have rehearsal later tonight and I'll do it there.

I'll add in a real review when I get a chance, but here are my initial impressions.

Appearance The Blogger looks pretty cool. Its the same size, shape, etc as all the other XO pedals.

Controls: The Blogger has 3 knobs, and 1 switch. The knobs are Volume, Tone, and Drive. The switch changes from Fuzz and Drive. According to the EHX manual the knobs have the following functions:

Drive Knob: In both Drive and Fuzz modes, turning the drive knob clockwise will increase the amount of distortion or fuzz

Tone Knob: The tone knob rotates from left to right. As the knob is rotated the filter changes from dark to bright through a linear frequency range.This tone knob was designed to react with certain frequencies that are geared for bass and made to apply to both the fuzz and drive designs

Volume Knob: In the fuzz mode, this is a master volume control after the gain stages. In the drive mode, the volume is inactive and remains at unity gain for optimal performance.

The blogger has wet and dry outputs and mono input.

One possible problem: The pedal itself is labeled above the power jack with "Do not use daisy-chained power". The manual also suggests to not use the Blogger with anything but the battery, or with a dedicated power supply. Typical 9V center negative 200ma stuff.

I may try daisy chaining just to see if it really works, but I am scared of possibly blowing my brand new pedal. I may just run on battery for tonight.

I'll try and make some clips as soon as I can, as well as actually hear the pedal. I have no cables and no amp at my house, so I've just been sitting here looking at it. It's been fun to look at at least.

cheapbasslovin · #2 06-21-2008, 04:02 PM

I tell you what, ain't no pedal o' mine gonna dictate to me when I can or can't avoid practicing by playin' on my computer.

I think its about time you put that pedal in its place (attached to cables between your bass and an interface so you can post sound clips).

That'll teach him.....it......whatever.

OhThePeacock · #3 06-21-2008, 09:53 PM

It's nice how they thought of that volume thing for unity gain on the drive, and controll for the fuzz. Could've been a major problem with levels between the 2. Funny review by the way, looking forward to the impressions on its sound. Question for when you get back, is the drive side od or distortion or both?

Valerus · #4 06-21-2008, 09:55 PM

Can't wait to hear what you think of the pedal...once you turn it on.

**DosiYanarchy** · #5 06-22-2008, 05:35 AM

i got my bass blogger a few days ago, not tried it much (my amps at a mates, so im just using my line6 toneport GX for practice, and its not exactly 'representative' of your gear), the power supply issues pisses me off quite a bit, as i wasnt aware of it before the pedal came, its not only Daisy Chains that it cant use, but also some 'pedal power' type units, ive got a DC Brick clone and it wont work with it, so at the moment its just battery until i get my ehx adaptor back off my guitarist -hopefully it'll work with that, i mean they mentioned it with the MicroPOG, but it works regardless, altho i think the Steel leather has the same issues with power i seem to remember.

now i will say even on my limited experience with it, im seriously considering not buying the Bass Big Muff due to the fuzz setting on this thing, personally i prefer the Tone-down fuzz of the Muffs, and this seems to sound the same in that setting, although i will mention that the pedal does seem pretty noisy, altho maybe i fried some circuits with the power supply i used (altho everything still works fine)

the line6 can be pretty crap a gauging the actual responsiveness of an effects pedal, so take waht i say with a pinch of salt.

when you turn the drive control down in drive mode, ur left with clean tone, when u do it in fuzz mode, ur left without signal comming thru.

ill do some clips with my toneport and try and be as 'natural' with the tone as i can

Willem · #6 06-22-2008, 06:20 AM

Fuzz and overdrive in one sounds cool, but the power issue is a big turn off.

dancehallclasher · #7 06-22-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

i got my bass blogger a few days ago, not tried it much (my amps at a mates, so im just using my line6 toneport GX for practice, and its not exactly 'representative' of your gear), the power supply issues pisses me off quite a bit, as i wasnt aware of it before the pedal came, its not only Daisy Chains that it cant use, but also some 'pedal power' type units, ive got a DC Brick clone and it wont work with it, so at the moment its just battery until i get my ehx adaptor back off my guitarist -hopefully it'll work with that, i mean they mentioned it with the MicroPOG, but it works regardless, altho i think the Steel leather has the same issues with power i seem to remember.

As I understand it, the DC Brick IS essentially a daisy chain. Not the same thing as a Pedal Power.

by the way this pedal has the stupidest name ever. Hope it sounds good enough to make up for it.

**DosiYanarchy** · #8 06-22-2008, 01:05 PM

cool cool, that'll teach me for getting cheap power supplies (well kinda, they're cheap but they work, leaves me more cash to buy pedals)

i had another play with it today, i cant decide what setting i really like, i think both FUZZ and DRIVE are pretty useable, but FUZZ is alot more aggressive with the tone up, and obviously the functioning volume control allows for a boost if needed (sometimes fuzzes have to be louder in a dense band mix than they do on their own, IMO)

when im at practice next ill give all the settings a go and see if theres any low end-loss

+1 worst name for a pedal....ever. i mean i thought the holy stain and the steel leather were bad, this is much worse

RCCollins · #9 06-22-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

+1 worst name for a pedal....ever. i mean i thought the holy stain and the steel leather were bad, this is much worse

Steel leather would be a good name for a metal overdrive or something, but not that pedal. Which is EXTREMELY enderrated, by the way.

Blogger is an execusably bad misnomer and I pray they don't make a demo vid for it featuring the electric mistress sisters. But I want one.

Willem · #10 06-22-2008, 02:33 PM

so the pedal would work with a powerbrick that has isolated outputs?

Valerus · #11 06-22-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willem

so the pedal would work with a powerbrick that has isolated outputs?

like my Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2+?

Willem · #12 06-22-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

One possible problem: The pedal itself is labeled above the power jack with "Do not use daisy-chained power". The manual also suggests to not use the Blogger with anything but the battery, or with a dedicated power supply. Typical 9V center negative 200ma stuff.

200mA? That seems a lot... is that about the adaptor? Or does that pedal require that many mA?

markjazzbassist · #13 06-22-2008, 07:29 PM

soundclips asap please

kevteop · #14 06-22-2008, 07:45 PM

I'm not buying this even if it's the best sounding pedal I've ever heard. Blogger? Pfft!

Maybe I could scratch some paint off and call mine a Flogger.

Ryan Mohr · #15 06-22-2008, 07:55 PM

It is up on the Tone Factor site, but it isn't available for purchase just yet - http://tonefactor.com/proddetail.php?prod=Blogger
[EDIT] Nevermind, it is available for purchase

JanusZarate · #16 06-23-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willem

so the pedal would work with a powerbrick that has isolated outputs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

like my Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2+?

Yep.

Valerus · #17 06-23-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Yep.

I just realized that I wasn't actually asking if mine would work. I just kinda threw that ? in there for kicks.

JanusZarate · #18 06-23-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

I just realized that I wasn't actually asking if mine would work. I just kinda threw that ? in there for kicks.

McHaven · #19 06-23-2008, 10:16 AM

So, I've rehearsed and gigged with the Blogger now. At first I was a little underwhelmed with it. When I was practicing around before rehearsal started, it seemed to lack any and all balls. However, once you get the amp volume up, the balls were very pronounced.

The Fuzz circuit seems to be the Muff circuit, since I was able to dial in the exact same tones on the Blogger and my Muff. The OD has a nice edge, but I think I may not be too big a fan of OD since my favorite setting is having the drive and tone cranked. The Tone knob really changes this pedal's sound, the filter it goes through is huge, so you can get a lot of different OD sounds.

It sounds great as an OD, preferably at high volumes, so it has more cajones. I'll try and do some clips, although it'll probably be a youtube video, so don't expect the best sound.

CamiloDíaz · #20 06-23-2008, 10:32 AM

I beg to differ

I like the name of the thing... just do, don't know why.

I hate EHX when I remember all the stupid crap about power. Can they just make them reliable, user friendly in that department? Or do they have commercial intrests in the battery business? Wy do they great such great pedals soundwise and go piss all over them when they design powering? just a big "argh"

And the spanish word for balls, amongst others, is "cojones". Cajones means "drawers", as in "my desk has drawers".

all in all, a fuzz o/d all in one is far too tempting to pass. Looking forward to the clips. Wanna hear it!!