Blend pedal vs. on-board "effect level" controls

Noshtero · #1 03-24-2011, 08:46 AM

Hey all. I searched around but couldn't find this question.

I have a Boss GT-10B. Since it's a multi-effect unit, I have the option to control an "effect level" on each and every effect.

However.... It doesn't seem to do what I would expect. So my question is, am I expecting too much? Or is it just that an on-board wet/dry is not really blending my wet/dry but instead adjusting how much dry is applied to the effect?

Here's what I'm going for: Chris Wolstenholme's wonderful duplexed bass sound that he achieves by running parallel amp/stacks, one with a completely clean signal and one with his wet signal. I love how no matter what effect he's using, you still hear a solid back line of dry bass. I'm not buying two amp/stacks though

So I played with the "effect level" setting on the GT-10B. As I said, however, it seems to just change how much signal is applied to the effect. So for effects that are very signal hungry like fuzzes and filters, it sort of stifles the effect.

Is this just how it is? Or would I be able to get what I'm looking for by getting a separate blend pedal and running the GT-10B at full signal? Then setting the blender to mix a truly dry signal with a fully wet signal from the GT-10B?

Thanks!

Bob C · #2 03-24-2011, 09:33 AM

I've never used that unit, but lots of folks here have. If you don't get responses, you should change the title or start a new thread with Boss GT-10B in the title.

Does messing with the "effect level" add dry signal? If not, it is not a blend feature at all - rather, a volume level for the effect only. If so, maybe the "stifling" you refer to is the nature of the beast.

A blend pedal will give similar results. Adding dry will subtract effect.

A mixer (several active mini units are available) will allow you to control the wet and dry volumes separately. But it can change your overall volume too (which may not be a big deal).

SteveC · #3 03-24-2011, 09:42 AM

This is a really nice blending pedal:

Xotic Effects X-Blender Demo Page

Noshtero · #4 03-24-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Does messing with the "effect level" add dry signal? If not, it is not a blend feature at all - rather, a volume level for the effect only. If so, maybe the "stifling" you refer to is the nature of the beast.

It's hard to explain. You know how when you're using a filter, there is a big difference between reducing your volume at the bass versus at the amp? Reducing volume at the bass reduces how much sound is available for the filter, and gives you a much more subdued filter effect. So if you want big filter sound, but lower volume, you give it full blast from the bass and turn it down at the amp.

I think the effect level on the GT-10B is similar to that. If I'm using a filter, and set the effect level to half, I don't seem to have a full range filter at 50% volume mixed with a full bass at 50% volume. I instead seem to have 50% filter at full volume.... if that makes any sense. It doesn't lower the volume or anything.

NicJimBass · #5 03-24-2011, 10:23 AM

I just got a Boss LS-2 Line Selector the other day to use as a blend for my Line 6 M9... so far, it's making everything more useful, especially the distortions... I can have it EQ'd and effected all I want and not loose any low end. It's an inexpensive alterntive to pretty much everything out there.

Noshtero · #6 03-24-2011, 10:25 AM

I guess if I had to make an analogy I would go with this:

Imagine making some food, and you're adding pepper.
My GT-10B effect is habanero pepper

I want less burn in my food. So I turn down my effect level expecting it to reduce how much habanero is added.

But instead of reducing the habanero, it's just slowly trading it out for jalapeno. So it's reducing the overall burn, but it's doing it by weakening the pepper, not by reducing the amount.

So my question is, would leaving the effect level at 100%, and blending my dry signal with an x-blender, give me the ability to control my burn while still maintaining the full flavor of habanero?

Ya... I bet that didn't help. Someone please understand what I'm trying to ask before my brain explodes

Thanks guys.

NicJimBass · #7 03-24-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noshtero

I guess if I had to make an analogy I would go with this:

Imagine making some food, and you're adding pepper.
My GT-10B effect is habanero pepper

I want less burn in my food. So I turn down my effect level expecting it to reduce how much habanero is added.

But instead of reducing the habanero, it's just slowly trading it out for jalapeno. So it's reducing the overall burn, but it's doing it by weakening the pepper, not by reducing the amount.

So my question is, would leaving the effect level at 100%, and blending my dry signal with an x-blender, give me the ability to control my burn while still maintaining the full flavor of habanero?

Ya... I bet that didn't help. Someone please understand what I'm trying to ask before my brain explodes

Thanks guys.

I understand, and, yes, a blend pedal will allow you to tweak your effects while leaving your low end unaffected.

Bob C · #8 03-24-2011, 10:40 AM

I still don't know whether your adjustments on the GT-10B are adding or subtracting any clean signal.

I suspect that the answer is "No", and turning up the effect level only intensifies the effect - makes it "wetter", so to speak. You could call or email Boss support for more anwsers. They also have forums.

If this is the case, adding a blend pedal to your setup is the way to go.

L-A · #9 03-24-2011, 10:47 AM

I think the effects' level act as an input, or input gain knob. Do you have a patch-level mix adjustment? It sounds more like what you're looking for.

guppy270 · #10 03-24-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

I just got a Boss LS-2 Line Selector the other day to use as a blend for my Line 6 M9... so far, it's making everything more useful, especially the distortions... I can have it EQ'd and effected all I want and not loose any low end. It's an inexpensive alterntive to pretty much everything out there.

I LOVE my Boss LS-2, I couldn't live without it. I find it's especially perfect for envelope filters, for blending in the filter tone with your other effects, and most of all for being able to send a full signal from the bass to the LS-2 to fully drive the envelope effect, but then modifying the LS-2 volume level going to the amp.

NicJimBass · #11 03-24-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guppy270

I LOVE my Boss LS-2, I couldn't live without it. I find it's especially perfect for envelope filters, for blending in the filter tone with your other effects, and most of all for being able to send a full signal from the bass to the LS-2 to fully drive the envelope effect, but then modifying the LS-2 volume level going to the amp.

I totally agree. I've always loved the sound of an envelope filter, but hated the volume spike or loss of low end... the blend works perfectly.

xikbastard · #12 03-24-2011, 10:13 PM

i am using a LS-2 + M9. but i outgrown it and getting something similar + more feature

.

but to get things going LS-2 is cheap and get the job done and also not much tone sucking.

NicJimBass · #13 03-25-2011, 07:15 AM

I just completed my pedalboard yesterday- I'm running from my bass into my Korg Pitchblack tuner, then into the LS-2. I have Channel A plugged into the M9 and Channel B plugged into a Markbass Compressore. That way, I always have a nice, fat, compressed clean signal and can add any dirt or effects I want, which sound really nasty, in a good way.

TheBogart · #14 03-25-2011, 09:58 AM

It's really easy. In the GT-10B you have the possibility to run 2 channel. So you can have one dry and the other wet. You then go to Channel mix and you can choose the amount of mix between the two channels. You can run one full volume, and the other in 80%.

You just have to read the manual.

Here you go! Just follow these instructions. One channel clean (B for example) and one Channel with effects (A for example).

TheBogart · #15 03-25-2011, 10:13 AM

Use the "Dual Mix" ou the "Freq. Divide" and decide what is best for you.

Bob C · #16 03-25-2011, 05:25 PM

I knew someone with hands-on experience would chime in. That sounds like exactly what the OP wants to do.

TheBogart · #17 03-25-2011, 07:05 PM

And it's very easy to do. Just to choose the mix mode on the channels and were you go.

This pedalboard is amazing. Very powerful. You can even send two different signals out. One wet and the other dry, using he two XLR's in the back. Driving two different head if you want.

And the power of choosing were to put effects in the effect chain it's also amazing.

But, you have to read the manual to understand all that you can do with the GT-10B!

bassplayerbob · #18 03-25-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noshtero

It's hard to explain. You know how when you're using a filter, there is a big difference between reducing your volume at the bass versus at the amp? Reducing volume at the bass reduces how much sound is available for the filter, and gives you a much more subdued filter effect. So if you want big filter sound, but lower volume, you give it full blast from the bass and turn it down at the amp.

I think the effect level on the GT-10B is similar to that. If I'm using a filter, and set the effect level to half, I don't seem to have a full range filter at 50% volume mixed with a full bass at 50% volume. I instead seem to have 50% filter at full volume.... if that makes any sense. It doesn't lower the volume or anything.

That effect setting is the same as the "level" setting on a single pedal.It's not talking about the wha effect itself, but the effect patch as a whole. I just sold my 10b.It sounds like The adjustment you want is like the ones on the octave and distortion patches. for example on the octave setting you have 2 settings, dry and octave. You can blend the 2 nicely. The post above will work great. I didnt think of that when i had mine...

TheBogart · #19 03-25-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

That effect setting is the same as the "level" setting on a single pedal.It's not talking about the wha effect itself, but the effect patch as a whole. I just sold my 10b.It sounds like The adjustment you want is like the ones on the octave and distortion patches. for example on the octave setting you have 2 settings, dry and octave. You can blend the 2 nicely. The post above will work great. I didnt think of that when i had mine...

Do you regret it?

bassplayerbob · #20 03-25-2011, 09:27 PM

Nah. I used the GT6b exclusively for years. I traded a guy for my 5 string that i never used.Figured that the 10b had to be more advanced than mine, but for what i used it for, the 6b was more than enough. In the end i realized that i was using 4 effects and so i just bought the 4 pedals and am happy with it.