blend vs. dry volume control

jetofuj · #1 11-23-2009, 06:42 AM

What do you prefer in your bass fuzz: blend control or dry volume knob?

Isn't it so that dry volume control just adds dry signal, while blend replace wet signal with dry one? If so, in case of dirt box, blend control can affect and change your fuzz tone (not only add bottom end which is lost).

What do you think?

kaputsport · #2 11-23-2009, 06:53 AM

I use a Boss LS-2, and blend the 2 channels together to gain back the loss of low end, and to get some foundation for the fuzz/dirt to sit on. I consider this to be a blend control, and I think it works best, as it is the same for all mt dirt in the chain.

BassBrass · #3 11-23-2009, 07:17 AM

dry volume control: what pedal has that? Bass Big Muff has a distortion volume control against a constant dry (and it works great). All my main distortions have a blend. I use a LS-2 as a blender for a looped Gyatone FZ-2. (It's good to take the LS-2 out of the main signal path when not using)
I like stacking distortions/fuzz/overdrive et al to make different sounds...Prunes & Custard (40% wet) into a Blowtorch (50% wet) into an Attack Goat (@ 10 oclock blend) and my string attack and bass tone are still there. I use a Blogger on drive Just for the sounds it makes going into other distortions. Blogger into Blowtorch makes a Really cool synthetic buzz.

kevteop · #4 11-23-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Isn't it so that dry volume control just adds dry signal, while blend replace wet signal with dry one?

Eh?

The only way to add more dry signal without replacing wet signal is to increase your volume. And even then it would have the same effect as using a blend control and then turning the volume up.

Some proportion of your signal is going to be your dry sound either way, it doesn't matter whether you use one knob or two to set it up.

bigchiefbc · #5 11-23-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

Eh?

The only way to add more dry signal without replacing wet signal is to increase your volume. And even then it would have the same effect as using a blend control and then turning the volume up.

Some proportion of your signal is going to be your dry sound either way, it doesn't matter whether you use one knob or two to set it up.

Well, I can't speak for everyone, but having separate volume controls for the dry and wet channels is handy because I want my clean signal to stay the same level, and just add distortion on top. So what I do with my LS-2 right now at setup is turn the channel A (which has my landmine in it) down all the way, set the clean volume for unity, then add back in however much landmine I want. On pedals that just have a blend knob, I find it hard to set the level correctly so that my dry signal stays at unity.

kevteop · #6 11-23-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Well, I can't speak for everyone, but having separate volume controls for the dry and wet channels is handy because I want my clean signal to stay the same level, and just add distortion on top.

I understand that, but the O.P. is suggesting that 'blend' on a fuzz pedal somehow produces sonically different results when compared to mixing in a clean channel from elsewhere.

I was saying it doesn't matter - sonically - how you bring in the clean signal, it will sound the same. But yeah different people might prefer different controls for doing it.

jetofuj · #7 11-23-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

I understand that, but the O.P. is suggesting that 'blend' on a fuzz pedal somehow produces sonically different results when compared to mixing in a clean channel from elsewhere.

Not really suggesting, I'm just curious. When you mix two signals together different thing can happen, so for me it's not so obvious.

kevteop · #8 11-23-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Not really suggesting, I'm just curious. When you mix two signals together different thing can happen, so for me it's not so obvious.

But the difference between a fuzz with a blend control and a fuzz and your clean signal in either side of a two-channel mixer is the same as the difference between mixing hot and cold water in a basin or using a mixer tap. The result is the same - warm water.

MAMMOTHvolume · #9 11-24-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

What do you prefer in your bass fuzz: blend control or dry volume knob?

Isn't it so that dry volume control just adds dry signal, while blend replace wet signal with dry one? If so, in case of dirt box, blend control can affect and change your fuzz tone (not only add bottom end which is lost).

What do you think?

there the same thing a blend normally involves a buffer that provides unity gain and you balance the two volumes with the blend or balance knob.

kaputsport · #10 11-24-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBrass

(It's good to take the LS-2 out of the main signal path when not using)

I don't see that. I always have mine on, and see no depreciation of clean tone, as a matter of fact, I find the tone to be a little better with it on...

But that is just me.

BassBrass · #11 11-24-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

I don't see that. I always have mine on, and see no depreciation of clean tone, as a matter of fact, I find the tone to be a little better with it on...

But that is just me.

It's not bad, just different, maybe a little less bright with some extra puffiness on the near-bottom end. Less smooth signal path. Ideally, the less you have between an effect and your amp, the better; everything (cables routers loopers mixers) has some effect. I'm sure that at sub $100 Boss isn't offering then best of pre amps in the LS-2. I use mine (these days) with a Guyatone TZ-2 that has an overabundance of high end (and a similar name.)

DanFold · #12 11-24-2009, 08:13 AM

Right, I have an old hot tubes guitar pedal, Sounds great with bass... A little bass signal is lost, but still sounds ace. The problem is that the volume knob only has to be like, Just on... so when i step on the pedal it's the same volume... just the distortion is added...

This pedal sound miles better when the volume knob is full but i can't use it that way at a live gig, just too loud. So will using a blend pedal solve the problem of keeping that bass signal there AND letting me keep the hot tubes volume full?

Or would another dry volume control work better? I do imagine using the blend pedal, my volume will still boost when i turn it on, what i don't want.

Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, just helping me make sense of these 2 things!

JoshuaTSP · #13 11-24-2009, 08:34 AM

Personally, I think the LS-2 is super noisy when used with dirt pedals.

I play stoner stuff so I have it on almost all of the time, quite the hum added from the LS2 alone, then it's amplified by the fuzz pedal. yikes.

BassBrass · #14 11-24-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanFold

Right, I have an old hot tubes guitar pedal, Sounds great with bass... A little bass signal is lost, but still sounds ace. The problem is that the volume knob only has to be like, Just on... so when i step on the pedal it's the same volume... just the distortion is added...

This pedal sound miles better when the volume knob is full but i can't use it that way at a live gig, just too loud. So will using a blend pedal solve the problem of keeping that bass signal there AND letting me keep the hot tubes volume full?

Or would another dry volume control work better? I do imagine using the blend pedal, my volume will still boost when i turn it on, what i don't want.

Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, just helping me make sense of these 2 things!

I don't know how loud that pedal gets, but with the LS-2 double looper in "mix" mode you have a volume knob for the effect loop and one for the empty loop--your non-effected sound-- so you can set the effect side very low, just a crack open, and your plain side for unity (a bit to the left of noon).