Dealing with Levels: Octabass b4 AF-9

[LarryR]

In a Live setting, how do you guys deal with the more severe volume shifts when using certain pedal combinations?
Example: Octabass before Filter (AF-9) = cool sound. But the filter really sucks out the volume.
Individually, the settings are dialed in.
Octabass only, I'm fine. AF-9 (w/Comp following) I'm fine.
Together, vol suck.

Is a gain pedal the most common solution?

[Jared Lash]

What mode do you have the AF-9 in?

I've used the OC-2 with the AF-9 and experienced something similar. But my thought was that the added octave was making for a hotter signal and it was pegging the filter harder.

My solution was to turn down the sensitivity on the Maxon.

[JohnDavisNYC]

I just try to only keep pedals in use that I can get to work in any setting. Sometimes that means not using some pedals that I really like, but for me, I need consistent and repeatable sounds with appropriate levels.

John

[LarryR]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

What mode do you have the AF-9 in?

I've used the OC-2 with the AF-9 and experienced something similar. But my thought was that the added octave was making for a hotter signal and it was pegging the filter harder.

My solution was to turn down the sensitivity on the Maxon.

AF-9 mode/s:
Filter: HP
Drive: Up
Range: Low
I had messed with Sens, but, just tried to lower it a tad more. Helpful. Closer. Thx.

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

I just try to only keep pedals in use that I can get to work in any setting. Sometimes that means not using some pedals that I really like, but for me, I need consistent and repeatable sounds with appropriate levels.

John

John,
I hear you. So I presume you don't bother with pedals to help other pedals (ie. gain or boost). I can already see a need to get a gain pedal for solo's. For now, I'll throw a BOSS EQ at "that" problem.

[Jared Lash]

Gotcha.

Again, someone with better electronics knowledge can shed more light on things, but I think the issue is that you are using the Maxon as a high pass filter but then sending it a signal more loaded with low frequency sounds which it filters out creating a drop in the level.

I don't think a boost would do much in this case.

You may want to try using the Maxon in LP or BP mode.

[JohnDavisNYC]

I just don't want use pedal board realestate for 'bandaids'.. But thats just me.

J

[RCCollins]

I love my AF-9 but the sensitivity is really, well, sensitive. It might even be fussier than the sensitivity of the Q-tron+! And it likes a REALLY hot signal - sometimes i need to run a boost before it. Either that or the steel leather - i still plan to make some demo clips of it with filters. That might actually help in this case - it would allow you to lower your sensitivity level and activate the filter at a slightly lower level, so volume COULD be preserved. I have these pedals so I will try this tonight and get back to you.

Of course, it might also change your tone in a displeasing way.

[LarryR]

BigO: right on. xlnt advice. I'll try it and let you know.
John: I hear you again. Makes sense. I've followed your advice in the past.
I'm down to 1 loop-master micro switche to turn 2 EFX on at the same time, and down to 1 Barge loop only for my fuzz. I used to have more switchers goin'...

[RCCollins]

oh now I see you're trying to use it in highpass mode.

the highpass filter is cancelling out everything below a certain frequency when it's activated, so the suboctave you've added is effectively lost.

who uses HP for bass anyway?

[LarryR]

re: HP mode
My sound is thick enough to use it.
But, BigO's advice is a good compromise. I switched to BP mode.
That takes some "cut" away that I miss a bit - not much though.
Kicking in the Octabass, gives me a phatter tone, but I miss the edge I had when the AF-9 was in HP. However, I add more dry to the Ocabass and that's (yet another) compromise, that I believe WILL WORK! I hardly have room for another pedal, so gentlemen. As always. Grratzi!

[RCCollins]

i suspect you can find a BP setting that gives you what you're looking for

[Jared Lash]

Well, one other solution might be to get a Boss LS-2 and run the two effects in parallel.

I understand where John Davis is coming from, and I'd agree if the idea was buying one pedal to fix problems with another. But there are pedals that are useful tools to have for a variety of things.

I think a blender is one. The LS-2 (which itself can be used as a blender) is another.

Run the Octabass on one side and the AF-9 on the other and blend to taste. The downside obviously is that the Octabass signal will be clean rather than filtered, but it sounds like it is getting pretty mangled by the high pass as it stands now.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Well, one other solution might be to get a Boss LS-2 and run the two effects in parallel.

I understand where John Davis is coming from, and I'd agree if the idea was buying one pedal to fix problems with another. But there are pedals that are useful tools to have for a variety of things.

I think a blender is one. The LS-2 (which itself can be used as a blender) is another.

Run the Octabass on one side and the AF-9 on the other and blend to taste. The downside obviously is that the Octabass signal will be clean rather than filtered, but it sounds like it is getting pretty mangled by the high pass as it stands now.

I'm not sure that will do it, but honestly i think BP is a better mode to do what he's trying to acheive. There IS something backwards about running suboctave through a highpass filter.

[LarryR]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

There IS something backwards about running suboctave through a highpass filter.

I agree with you, in theory, but, from what I hear, I dig the sound. On a session it would be easy to control. Using the BP helps the volume issue but I lose 20% of the uniqueness of the tone.
I'll keep working at it.