Electro-Harmonix Bass Microsynth?

Fnord Explorer · #1 02-03-2008, 05:24 PM

Two of the bands I play with are heavily-electronic and I'm finding the synth patches on my GT-6B being a little underwhelming for the types of things I'm looking for.

The samples on the EH site sound pretty awesome and I checked out the reviews on this site about it. Does anyone use one of these live? Is it easy to readjust between songs and more or less hit your target tone?

I'm getting my tax refund this week and wanted to spend some of it on some new bass gear (and a new Macbook with Logic, woot!

) so send some suggestions my way for synth tones. Thanks!

niftydog · #2 02-03-2008, 05:29 PM

sound = awesome-o
tweakability = fantasmagorical
ease of use = pants

Resetting sounds in between songs will be a headache, it can be a fickle beast and just putting the sliders where they were yesterday is no guarantee that it'll sound like it did! But, that's kind of why I like it!

Unrepresented · #3 02-03-2008, 05:34 PM

Yeah, ease of use to get a tone in a live situation can be tricky. You can probably get a ballpark, but you won't know for suuuuuure what it'll sound like until you make either a very funky synth noise, or a synth noise that wasn't what you wanted for that occasion.

But then again, I have issues with getting levels and stuff right on all my knobbed and slidered friends...

Fnord Explorer · #4 02-03-2008, 05:35 PM

I'll have to do some "test runs" in rehearsals with it. I'm going to be replicating a lot of bass sounds that I originally constructed in Reason so it should be a lot of fun trying to just pull that off. I think it'll be a good enough jumping-off point creatively that I'll actually want to record the bass parts with a bass!

markjazzbassist · #5 02-03-2008, 09:20 PM

never heard of it........

seriously though, it's a great pedal. nifty pretty much nailed it up there. great sounds, great versatility, just no presets and hard to remember settings and such.

if you are that worried about presets and live usage, look into the Korg G5. it's not the same, but also pretty versatile and has presets.

coolrunner989 · #6 02-03-2008, 09:37 PM

or you can just duct tape the sliders into your favorite sweet spot..
lol
just for a gig - rehersals and stuff just go bananas with it

bassbrad · #7 02-04-2008, 05:52 PM

I've been toying with the idea of using overlays or cutouts to remember or recall my settings on the BMS. I have been using sheets with imprecise markings to approximate my sounds. BTW my BMS does not go on the floor it is either on a table or on top of my keyboard with a mixer.

Fnord Explorer · #8 02-06-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrad

I've been toying with the idea of using overlays or cutouts to remember or recall my settings on the BMS. I have been using sheets with imprecise markings to approximate my sounds. BTW my BMS does not go on the floor it is either on a table or on top of my keyboard with a mixer.

That's a friggin' great idea, actually. Seems like the simplest thing in the world but I was figuring I'd have to make markings on the unit itself. That's way better!

cathal · #9 02-07-2008, 12:17 PM

To make sure that he has the same settings Jack White (on his POG, but it is the same idea) has a plastic cover that has holes drilled out marking the spots, when placed over the pedal it keeps the settings the same, even if knocked

Basshappi · #10 02-07-2008, 04:53 PM

What would be really cool is a digital interface that could "recall" exact settings.

RickenBoogie · #11 02-07-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

What would be really cool is a digital interface that could "recall" exact settings.

That's what I'm talkin' about. Some of my pedals, with knobs, have black marker spots around the dial, to recall certain settings. Those sliders would be tricky. The new Pigtronix synth might be a good alternative? Some day soon, I'm going to join in the synthy fun.

bassbrad · #12 02-09-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

What would be really cool is a digital interface that could "recall" exact settings.

OOOHHH automated sliders but only really cool if they had itty bitty leds on them in flashing multiple colors, AAAhhhh.
But then it would be the

DREADED DIGITAL and all the analog heads would then HATE it. And twiddlers like us could never afford one it'd go from 300 bucks to 3000.

Besides you are missing the wonderful charm of an analog synth effect, the constantly changing variability is all a part of the experience.

ehque · #13 02-09-2008, 10:50 AM

You could cut stiff card and create a kind of holder for it at the bottom of the sliders. Use the cards to mark the position of the sliders, and you could use a card for each song. Just cut the cards to the right depth, and all you need to do is, add card, set sliders all the way down until they touch the card, and youre done!

Fnord Explorer · #14 02-15-2008, 05:31 PM

I finally got this the other day and I have to say I'm completely amazed what this thing can do. I can easily cut my effects board in half with it, really. I have an EHX Q-tron+ on the way now and I bet that'll cut it down even more. I'm finally going to have to breakdown and use a multi effects loop pedal to run everything and mount the Microsynth and the Q-tron+ on a stand within easy reach of my hands so I can tweak filters mid-song and change settings quickly between songs.

This thing rules though, I'm glad I took the recommendations here!

Basshappi · #15 02-15-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You could cut stiff card and create a kind of holder for it at the bottom of the sliders. Use the cards to mark the position of the sliders, and you could use a card for each song. Just cut the cards to the right depth, and all you need to do is, add card, set sliders all the way down until they touch the card, and youre done!

Very cool idea!