A big Bass Synth Debate (Chunk/etc)

[jucas]

So, I've always loved messing around with synthy bass sounds. I kinda miss it lately and its been a while since I really had much of a setup for it. And, I've always thought that a synthy second board would be worth putting together on a PT mini (or Jr at biggest).

Its probably going to be like 90% for fun and living room use for a year or two minimum... so this might be a rediculous waste of space but I'm going to start a thread anyway.

I've been craving an octavius squeezer lately. Even just for the fuzz/filter setup with ASDR and lots of routing options. To those that own one, does the oscilator/octave seriously track a bit worse than an OC-2? And, how usefull do you find the ASDR for the VCA? Is it wierd playing bass with controls over attack/decay/release?

My alternative is to go the usuall fuzz/octave/filter route. But, if I do that I would like to go big and put together an ASDR/envelope box to send a CV signal to my Frostwave resonator. An LFO/S&H and a CV switcher/router would be the next to follow. So, With a good fuzz and octave I'd have tonnes of filter controlling options and I think it'd be a pretty solid setup. Maybe include a VCA for ASDR controls as well, but by the time that happens things are starting to get a little out of control and I'm bordering on having a pale imitation of a modular synth.

So, I like that the squeezer is compact, has presets to scroll through, and would be about 17 times more likely to leave the house if there was a song or two that called for it. But, the DIY'd patch cable setup wouldn't be monophonic, has no tracking issues, and is kind of appealing because of the physical patching and CV routing. But, I'm stupidly busy with school and it'll probably be a while by the time I put any CV pedals together so the OS would be instant gratification (and yeah, I know its anything but by the time you tweak even one preset)

I'm torn... so if anyone actually read this far, what do you figure? What would you do? Am I going to buy the chunk anyway and probably build the other for something to do later?

Alternatives plans or comments on why I should/shouldn't buy an OS are appreciated.

[rottenramone]

i have a unit. first and foremost, the tracking for the VCO isn't fantastic.

but if you're willing to spend some time with it, take it out to movies and perhaps a dinner date or 2, u'll be able to understand its functions better. its really a tweaker's delight more than a stomp and go kinda pedal.

i have some OS clips on my soundclick page if u wanna listen.

[jucas]

I'd definately be interested in some more clips... I've looked through a few of the big threads about the OS here and found a couple pages, but I might've missed yours.

So, what would you compare the VCO tracking too? If its in the OC2 range I think I could be satisfied with it, but if it gets much worse I don't see the VCO being that usefull too me.

Thanks for the thoughts though... I'm expecting a long adjustment time to get used to the thing if I go that way.

[bassbmx]

I have both the OC-2 and an Octavius Squeezer and...

I really dig the tracking on the OC-2. It will track down to the low F#. Not absolutely perfectly but not badly at all.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something of it's that I just haven't set up the 'sensitivity' of the tracking on the OS but its tracking is absolute rubbish. It seems the octave up tracking works better for some reason. Octave down either over tracks everything and gets glitchy or cuts out too quickly and gets glitchy

I've been thinking about selling it because the VCO is so average but...

The fuzz and envelope filter are super cool and the ADSR section is awesome! I can't think of any other pedals that have that level of tweakability. The bass Micro Synth has an ADSR style filter section but nothing like the OS.

There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to the OS but I think I'll be keeping it. I'll just be running the OC-2 in front instead of using the OS onboard VCOs.

Blah, blah, blah...

In summary: DO NOT buy the Octavius Squeezer for the octaves but go for it it you dig the Brown Dog fuzz and 00Funk filter and want a really decent ADSR filter section!

[jucas]

Originally Posted by bassbmx

In summary: DO NOT buy the Octavius Squeezer for the octaves but go for it it you dig the Brown Dog fuzz and 00Funk filter and want a really decent ADSR filter section!

Thats pretty much the impression I got from the big threads about it. I've been thinking the fuzz/filter section sounds like its worth it, and the chance that the VCO is actually usable for a setting or two is just a bonus.

Thanks for the direct comparison with the octaver though... that really helps.

[Gashaponcito]

Originally Posted by bassbmx

In summary: DO NOT buy the Octavius Squeezer for the octaves but go for it it you dig the Brown Dog fuzz and 00Funk filter and want a really decent ADSR filter section!

+1 pretty good summary just one thing to add, if I get it right the "tracking" is somekind of algorithm so it can be upgraded in the future also there are plans of making it expression pedal controllable

[icarussmicarus]

Here's is a question then.

If it sounds good but its octave isn't strong - how does it function with say an OC-2 running into it? Can the fuzz/filter/adsr handle an external octave signal run into it?

[rottenramone]

the only problem is when? i remember chunk systems talking about this back in the day, but still nothing.

[fightthepower]

Originally Posted by jucas

So, I like that the squeezer is compact, has presets to scroll through, and would be about 17 times more likely to leave the house if there was a song or two that called for it. But, the DIY'd patch cable setup wouldn't be monophonic, has no tracking issues, and is kind of appealing because of the physical patching and CV routing. But, I'm stupidly busy with school and it'll probably be a while by the time I put any CV pedals together so the OS would be instant gratification (and yeah, I know its anything but by the time you tweak even one preset)

Regarding the polyphony, I take it you would be using a microPOG or similar as your octaver if you went the diy route?

Originally Posted by jucas

So, what would you compare the VCO tracking too? If its in the OC2 range I think I could be satisfied with it, but if it gets much worse I don't see the VCO being that usefull too me.

The VCO is no where near OC-2 tracking, and the OS's suboctave doesn't track as well as the OC-2 either, though the difference between the octaves is less significant. Im a big fan of the Freqbox and have dialed it in so that the tracking is pretty damn good (still not quite OC-2 good though), but I didn't have as much luck with the OS's VCO; that said, I was still pretty new at this stuff when I had the OS, so I wouldn't write it off altogether until I have a chance to play with it again.

Originally Posted by icarussmicarus

Here's is a question then.

If it sounds good but its octave isn't strong - how does it function with say an OC-2 running into it? Can the fuzz/filter/adsr handle an external octave signal run into it?

Yes, replacing the OS's octave with an OC-2 was the best thing I ever did for it's tracking and tone.

In the OS's presets, there are two similar consecutive presets, with the first being Octave+fuzz+filter, and the second being just Fuzz+filter; iirc it was 6 and 7 or close. A good way to test the OC-2 with the OS is the play that first preset with just your clean bass, and then feed the next preset a wet -1oct from the OC-2; going back and forth between these two will give you an idea of now the OS reacts to it and what it does for the tone and tracking (generally you wouldn't want to run the OC-2 into a preset/patch that already uses a suboctave, unless you edit the suboctave out).

[bassbmx]

Originally Posted by Gashaponcito

+1 pretty good summary just one thing to add, if I get it right the "tracking" is somekind of algorithm so it can be upgraded in the future also there are plans of making it expression pedal controllable

Yeah, I think the octave is digital so an updated version of the firmware may make a difference to the tracking. You can run a compressor before it to help the tracking a little but then you lose some of the dynamics of the filter - unless it's set to ADSR.

I really hope that it doesn't take too much longer before another version of the firmware is released with the expression control like was mentioned.

[jucas]

Originally Posted by fightthepower

Regarding the polyphony, I take it you would be using a microPOG or similar as your octaver if you went the diy route?

Yeah, I'm still debating what octave, but a micropog is a possibility. I know its a terrible comparison but I was actually kinda thinking the fuzz/filter setup vs. The chunks VCO. Doesn't really make sense, but part of the reason I haven't just ordered a chunk yet is that I know it'd bug me at least a little to have the bad tracking even if I wasn't using it much... I guess I'd have a hard time just not touching the VCO section.

As for the updates... that does sound great, and I'd love the enhanced tracking and software patch editor they talk about, but its been a while so I have a hard time with the idea of buying a chunk on the assumption it'll happen. If I'm going to buy onbe, it needs to be worthwhile now, with any upgrades being a bonus.

Also, the freqbox is something I was considering as an alternative, so thanks for mentioning that as well.

[fightthepower]

Originally Posted by bassbmx

Yeah, I think the octave is digital so an updated version of the firmware may make a difference to the tracking. You can run a compressor before it to help the tracking a little but then you lose some of the dynamics of the filter - unless it's set to ADSR.

I really hope that it doesn't take too much longer before another version of the firmware is released with the expression control like was mentioned.

The octaver is an analog VCO.

Speaking of ADSR, check out this thread on the Moog MP201 firmware release coming out- can't wait! End of page 3 and into page 4 specifically:

http://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewt...=7047&start=45

[jucas]

Chunk's website says digital tracking in the features list, but I would assume the actuall oscillator is analog.

That 201 update looks good, but I imagine I'd need something to get an envelope, gate or trigger signal to it, and by that point things are back towards out of control for me. As always, there's too many subtly different options.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by jucas

I've been craving an octavius squeezer lately. Even just for the fuzz/filter setup with ASDR and lots of routing options. To those that own one, does the oscilator/octave seriously track a bit worse than an OC-2? And, how usefull do you find the ASDR for the VCA? Is it wierd playing bass with controls over attack/decay/release?

It's been a while since I plugged into the O.S. but IIRC the VCA only works on the VCO - it doesn't affect your input signal. And the release phase is fairly useless because when you mute the string you're playing, the note will track slightly sharp, so with a release time set you'll get an out-of-tune note sustained!

As others have said it's a good pedal if you want a super-flexible filter with patch memory plus a great gated fuzz, but don't hold your breath for firmware updates to make the VCO useful. I've had mine since March and there's been no updates in that time.

[rottenramone]

shd we all drop a collective email to richard cartwright?