Boss ME-50B help...

[BOB_013]

I've been having a bit of problem getting the sounds i want. I play in a punk band, but in my spare time I'd play alot of prog, so it proves very handy to have all my patches setup right. So i want a treble-y Fat Mike type sound, and a smoother Geddy Lee type sound. I can get one or the other, mainly using the master controls, but when i store them, and change the master to get the other sound, it changes my stored patches.

I'm probably just being incredibly stupid, but i'm really not good with the whole multi fx thing...

Cheers
Bob

[walker rosewood]

are you in Memory Mode or Manual Mode? If your storing patches correctly, it should store all EQ and Master settings (in addition to a bazillion other things). If you edit the patch, you need to save it, either in the same slot or a new one.

I'd recommend carefully reading the manual. If you don't have it you can download it from the boss website.

[BOB_013]

I was using memory mode, but as i said, i'm probably just being stupid :L

I must reread the manual...

[walker rosewood]

but when i store them, and change the master to get the other sound

you shouldn't have to change any knobs. Just save one sound in a patch (i.e. 1-1) and the other sound in a separate patch (1-2).

If you call up a patch, you can hit the 'edit' button and make changes on the fly, but if you don't save them the patch will revert back to what was previously saved.

[BOB_013]

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

you shouldn't have to change any knobs. Just save one sound in a patch (i.e. 1-1) and the other sound in a separate patch (1-2).

If you call up a patch, you can hit the 'edit' button and make changes on the fly, but if you don't save them the patch will revert back to what was previously saved.

Yeah, makes sense...

I was wondering, what amp settings should i use? Should i set them to a sort of neutral sound?

[walker rosewood]

I used my ME-50b for effects more then tone color. So I left the EQ on it flat, and used my amp to mold my tone. For the other way around, what you're asking, short answer: I'd say it makes sense to try to get a neutral amp tone.

[walker rosewood]

Long answer: you have to see what works for you. Remember there is an insane amount of factors. 'Tone' is more or less perceived EQ. All of the following will add their own frequency curve:

-First, are you using a pick or your fingers, that will change EQ.
-Strings: Type, old v new might change EQ
-pickups, basses eternal electronics
-your cables
-whatever effect boxes, be they multi's or stomps
-the head (pre-amp, and pwr amp)
-the cab
-the mic (if mic'ing)
-how far the mic is from the cab
-the room (including furniture, people, etc)
-the humidity, wind shear, other environmental factors
-even your ear has it's own Freq. curve.


Layer all of those curves on top of each other and you get your end resulting 'tone'. In general you want to cut problem frequencies, rarely boost. You want to avoid over-manipulation. It's bad if say your pickups boost 300hz, pedal is cutting 300hz, your amp is boosting 300hz, your cab scoops it back out, the soundguy puts it back in, etc.

Also you should learn exactly what the knobs are doing. Ex. When you turn the 'low' knob on your amp, it's usually set at one frequency. Is it 40hz? 50? 100? Also how much cut/boost? If you turn it all the way down, it might be -10db, it might be -6db, or anything else. Add that the other knobs (mid, high, etc) might have completely different range of cut boost. Not to mention sweepable eq's. I know at least the ME-50b has a sweepable mid knob. This stuff can all usually be found in a devices manual under 'technical specs', as well as things like cabinet frequency responses, max db levels, etc.

Oh, and that reminds me, the Frequency curve of any of the items mentioned above might change if your playing at 60db or 100db, etc.

aren't EQ's fun? sorry for the long, irrelevant post. I have the day off and I'm bored.

[BOB_013]

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

sorry for the long, irrelevant post. I have the day off and I'm bored.

:L That's alright. It really helped