Best Bass Synth Pedal

Reikuu · #1 07-20-2008, 07:57 PM

Hey all,

I've recently been looking into synth pedals (band wants to take a stab at electro/punk stuff) and can't find alot of information comparing them.

From what I've seen I am looking at either the Boss SYB-3/5, Digitech Synth Wah or the Ibanez SB7.

unfortunately the Electro-Harmonix micro synth is a little out of my price range.

I found another thread on here but it seemed a little dated (posts starting in 2000!) and was hoping that someone could shed a little light on this topic for me.

personal experiences, pros and cons, anything will help.

thanks in advance

bassbmx · #2 07-20-2008, 08:03 PM

From everything I've heard, the Boss synth pedals are average at best. Go for the Digitech or Ibanez if the EHX is too pricey for you.

Reikuu · #3 07-20-2008, 08:15 PM

yeah i read on a few accounts that the boss ones have major tracking issues.

Any word on a price of the new Chunk Systems OS?

Jared Lash · #4 07-20-2008, 08:50 PM

The Chunk Synth (Octavius Squeezer) is going to be about $600, well out of your price range if the Microsynth is too much. A used Deep Impact will run you about the same.

There is a new XO version of the EHX Micro Synth which is definitely smaller, but I'm not sure if it's any cheaper.

I actually like the sounds of the Boss synth, it's just that it tracks so horrendously that I would never consider it.

Unfortunately there just aren't too many viable options for a bass synth pedal.

JanusZarate · #5 07-20-2008, 08:50 PM

Do a search for "Synthesizer Megathread", and it'll give you a TON of info on the more expensive synthesizer pedals, along with some info on the cheaper ones.

If price is an issue, definitely check out both the Ibanez SB7 and Digitech BSW - both are popular here for good reasons.

Reikuu · #6 07-20-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

The Chunk Synth (Octavius Squeezer) is going to be about $600, well out of your price range if the Microsynth is too much.

hmm ok, whats the price on the micro synth, maybe i was looking at the wrong price. . .

Jared Lash · #7 07-20-2008, 09:16 PM

The new smaller one seems to be about $250 based on this link.

The older, larger one is around $275-280 but it looks like it's being discontinued for the new XO version.

Then again, with the new one on the market I bet you could find one of the bigger versions used at a relatively cheap price.

Reikuu · #8 07-20-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

The new smaller one seems to be about $250 based on this link.

The older, larger one is around $275-280 but it looks like it's being discontinued for the new XO version.

Then again, with the new one on the market I bet you could find one of the bigger versions used at a relatively cheap price.

hmm ok are these two the same product?
Vintage Sound

BMusic

if so why the huge difference in price? all the Australian stores im looking at are priced at around the $800-$1000AUD mark, when the American/UK ones are ~ $200-$300AUD. With the current exchange rates, even including postage its nearly 3x as expensive to buy from an Aus store?!?!?!

KarateKid25 · #9 07-20-2008, 09:42 PM

Mate, never buy from an Australian store unless you really have to have something immediately. We get majorly ripped off here.

Bask in the goodness that is out Aussie Dollar at the moment and buy from the states. At worst, you need to buy new power adapters if the item you buy comes with one. Other than that, its all good.

I have about 30 effects, 5 basses, 2 cabs and an eden head. Only the cabs and 1 bass have been purchased in Australia.

Use your local music stores to try gear out, then go home and buy it online

wdinc01 · #10 07-20-2008, 09:46 PM

Well, the first one is the newer, smaller XO version. So that there may make a price difference (I'm not sure). However, I don't think it'd be a HUGE difference. Without looking at the exchange rate, the reason why the one in the Australian store is much more expensive is probably because they have to import it from America.

Edit: Shoot, Karatekid beat me to it!

Reikuu · #11 07-20-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarateKid25

. . . We get majorly ripped off here. . .

Use your local music stores to try gear out, then go home and buy it online

Sigh, scaled economies.

Yeah I've never actually bought anything from an online store in Aus before, my local store was always happy to match most prices.

Thanks for the heads up mate, much appreciated

KarateKid25 · #12 07-20-2008, 09:55 PM

No worries

Yes it sucks.. I would much rather support my local businesses, but unfortunately, you would have to be a sucker to buy here.

Also, when I say buy online, I mean from the states. Sometimes Ebay isn't too bad for new items in Australia, but still, America wins

KarateKid25 · #13 07-20-2008, 09:59 PM

Just as another point... Even with shipping from the US, items are so much cheaper to buy there. Normally about 1/2 price. Warranty may be an issue, but once you have bought a few things, your so far in front that if something does go 'belly up', your still a winner.

idoru · #14 07-21-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reikuu

yeah i read on a few accounts that the boss ones have major tracking issues.

I've said this a dozen times here: neck pickup, roll off some treble and use a compressor. Still doesn't track _fast_ but it's much better.

c-

gibsualdo · #15 07-21-2008, 09:37 AM

I've only had experience with the Digitech BSW, of which I didn't like the synth modes. Great sub-octave pedal, but the synth sounds were just too "all over the place", for lack of a better expression (yes I know synth is meant to sound a bit weird). The effect just didn't seem to flow with anything I played. Most reviews/experiences seem to be similar to mine, so I don't think it's just me being inexperienced with synths.

As far as cheap synth pedals go, the Boss pedals seem to be mostly regarded as mediocre, but the Ibanez SB7 gets a lot of praise around these parts. I definitely plan on picking one up eventually, once I have all my more vital effects.

SpankyPants · #16 07-21-2008, 12:04 PM

Try the Micro Korg. No tracking issues whatsoever.

Planet Boulder · #17 07-21-2008, 01:20 PM

Tried all three (in the original post) and owned two: the Digitech and the Ibanez, both of which i still own, along with an Akai Deep Impact (which is the best I've ever used).

The Digitech and Ibanez and great deals, but are different animals. The Digitech has nice "true" synthy sounds while the Ibanez is really more of a strict envelope pedal with variable settings to emulate synth tones. For me, there are more usable sounds on the Digitech, but the Ibanez has a couple of sounds that are quite good and which i can't get with my other synth pedals, thus my desire to keep all three.

The Digitech allows for a nice octave/envelope sound, which allows me to get a nice Claypool vibe (in cnjunction with a delay) during solos.

kevteop · #18 07-21-2008, 07:11 PM

The EHX Bass Micro Synth does impressive noises and you should go try one to see if they're the sort of noises you're looking for.

If you like Moog-ey, funky bass synth noises, that's what the BMS does. Obviously it won't cover all those old classic bass synth noises, but it does what it does do really well, and what it does is immensely musical and useful.

People will tell you it's just an octaver and a fuzz and a filter and they can get the same results from three pedals - I bet they can't. And if they can, they spent a lot more getting a good match of those three pedals and can still only cop a fraction of the musical noises you can get from a BMS. It really is a great unit.

Top tip: Feed it into a Bassballs. You get awesomely throaty filter croaks and grunts on top of awesome synth noises.

JanusZarate · #19 07-21-2008, 07:23 PM

Actually, it's an analog sub-octave/octave-up/fuzz/volume swell/up-or-down resonant filter with the ability to narrowly tailor the filter to a specific range of frequencies.

It'll take at least four pedals, and the filter section is the hardest one to match. The BMS is likely cheaper than such an endeavor, and definitely a lot more convenient and compact.

Reikuu · #20 07-21-2008, 09:38 PM

Awesome thanks for the advise guys, definitely leaning towards the BMS.

My only concern is the lack of presets/programmability. I suppose that's the price you pay for a fully analogue pedal.

How suitable is it for live gigs? How easy is it to find those sweet tones you had the other night?

I assume its just a learning curve, but still any personal opinions will be greatly appreciated.

R.