For blending experts

CallMeBlind · #1 06-01-2010, 02:56 AM

I’m still trying to solve low end issue, as I lost some using different pedals, even bass specific pedals. I was reading a lot about blenders recently, but still I can’t understand if there’s a blender that will do what I need. Perfectly would be to blend in effect into my clean sound, meaning to keep clean sound as it is, without any change of low end and blend in reasonable (noticable) amount of effect. I now there are many blenders, X-blender, radial, wounded paw, barge, sfx e.t.c. and a lot of guys build simple small blenders for something like 50 Euro. And I’m really confused with the choice. Will any blender work for me or I need something specific, like an active blender or something? Any suggestions? Thanks!

phatbass · #2 06-01-2010, 03:33 AM

Boss LS2 will do this and is relatively cheap.

fasto · #3 06-01-2010, 04:28 AM

+1 for the Boss LS-2 ... my most important pedal now.

Compared to the X-Blender and Radial BigShot Mix the LS-2 does not have a polarity (180) switch. Depends on your other pedals if you need that switch or not.

dannybuoy · #4 06-01-2010, 04:32 AM

I would check out the sfx X&M, it has a crossover so you can blend in clean lows and send just the highs to your distortion pedal. Any typical blender will do the job, eg Boss LS-2, Barge VB-Jr, Xotic X-Blender, Wounded Paw Blender, but I find that a regular blend can sound a bit artificial like 2 different sounds layered on each other. I was impressed at how the Fender Sub-Lime Bass Fuzz uses a crossover to avoid this problem, the X&M looks like it can pull off the same trick. It's not cheap or particularly small though!

CallMeBlind · #5 06-01-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasto

+1 for the Boss LS-2 ... my most important pedal now.

Compared to the X-Blender and Radial BigShot Mix the LS-2 does not have a polarity (180) switch. Depends on your other pedals if you need that switch or not.

LS-2 is a good option in terms of price. What defines whether pedals need that switch or not?

dannybuoy · #6 06-01-2010, 06:29 AM

It's trial and error really - most are ok but I have used 3 pedals that invert phase and therefore need that switch, the SFT, Musket and 442 filter.

CallMeBlind · #7 06-01-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

It's trial and error really - most are ok but I have used 3 pedals that invert phase and therefore need that switch, the SFT, Musket and 442 filter.

I have 442

Does sfx X&M come with the switch?

cheapbasslovin · #8 06-01-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallMeBlind

LS-2 is a good option in terms of price. What defines whether pedals need that switch or not?

If your pedals invert the signal, then you will probably want an inversion switch. Basically you'll need to try it out and see. My inverting pedal is a BassBalls. Really wanted to blend that, but couldn't with my blender.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallMeBlind

I have 442 Does sfx X&M come with the switch?

I don't think that it needs the phase inversion switch because it removes all the phase cancellation potential with the crossover. Inverted highs wont cancel non-inverted lows and vice versa. There are situations where this crossover method may not be desirable. If you want to run an octave pedal through a fuzz and then blend it back with your clean bass, for instance, you won't want this method. There are a lot of places where a crossover blend would be really cool though.

CallMeBlind · #9 06-01-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

If your pedals invert the signal, then you will probably want an inversion switch. Basically you'll need to try it out and see. My inverting pedal is a BassBalls. Really wanted to blend that, but couldn't with my blender.

What are my options for a blender with invert switch? X-blender, radial, anything else?

cheapbasslovin · #10 06-01-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallMeBlind

What are my options for a blender with invert switch? X-blender, radial, anything else?

Both of those. Wounded Paws Super Blender has inversion switches, but it is gigantic.

I use an early version of a Badger Schism. He didn't routinely put the inversion switch in when I bought mine, so mine doesn't have one

. It works great, though and is very versatile. The inversion switch comes standard now.

CallMeBlind · #11 06-01-2010, 07:12 AM

what about this http://www.morleypedals.com/dfxb.html ? it has the switch, any feedback?

smo · #12 06-01-2010, 07:38 AM

I had the bArge VB-Jr with the inversion switch.
I found almost half of my dirt, and a few others had a benefit from the inversion switch.
Just a more noticeable low end when flipped, but I wouldn't always say a "better" tone, just more low end.
Depends what tone you are after.

I wouldn't buy a blender without it personally.

cheapbasslovin · #13 06-01-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallMeBlind

what about this http://www.morleypedals.com/dfxb.html ? it has the switch, any feedback?

It looks like it would work for you, but I don't have any experience with it to describe how useful the sweep is, how it sounds, etc.

BassBrass · #14 06-01-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallMeBlind

what about this http://www.morleypedals.com/dfxb.html ? it has the switch, any feedback?

Tried it...because of the range of the pot (like some other Morley volume pedals), it's Very difficult to blend with precision-- 80% of it's range is in one very small sector. But for a fast shut off it would work great...

Polarity: interesting about the SFT & Musket. Add the Devi Ever Karaoke Party to the list (as I found out when pairing it in an XBlender with a Ruiner and a Cross Drive, both positive). Since it has good bass pass, I just took the KP out of the blender.
btw, Ruiner in a blend is Great.

change-jug · #15 06-10-2010, 03:36 PM

I was looking around here for just this reason! I have a Ruiner and want to blend it with my clean tone. Actually, I want to run a few FX pedals and mix blend them(with each other and with a clean) just to see what kind of tones I could be using. I like the blend option on my BB Muff and want to start looking into a blender to mess around with.

**TheMutt** · #16 06-10-2010, 04:51 PM

I'd say that the Barge Concepts VBJr with a phase inversion switch would be absolutely perfect for this application as it is also an active blender. This means that it will not have a volume drop at 50/50 output, and also that it works with pedals that output inverted signal. The only downside is, Barge Concepts seems to be on hiatus, with no word on when they are coming back. Because of this, I am holding onto my VBJr even if I am not currently using it. I'm too afraid that I might not be able to find another one.

bongomania · #17 06-10-2010, 08:20 PM

I use the X-Blender and love it. I also have an FEA 2-channel mixer pedal with variable phase adjustment, and it's fantastic--the only caveat is that it doesn't split the signal, it only mixes, so you need another device for splitting. And I fully support buying devices from [sfx] of the UK, he does really great work.

IMO the phase switch is useful with about 25% of the effects I blend. IOW it's not a critical function always, but for those few instances where it "makes or breaks" the tone of a specific pedal blend, I'm very glad I have it.

fasto · #18 06-11-2010, 08:09 AM

i own both, the Boss LS-2 and the Radial BigShot Mix, BUT both are not perfect, what i hate is:

- Boss LS-2 has no phase switch

- BigShot: when the blend knob is on its maximum you only get 50/50 of the wet/dry mix, not possible to get a 70/30 wet/dry mix. And the blend knob is "hidden" on the back of the pedal.

CallMeBlind · #19 06-11-2010, 10:15 AM

So far my choice is Wounded Paw Super Blender. I'm still hesitating to buy it due to price, shipping to my place is CAD50.00. But I guess I'll place an order by the end of the month. I really like the idea blending several fuzzes in parallel and maybe adding envelope filter or phaser or maybe flanger. Something that can't be done with any other blender.