Fuzz when going direct?

[CLJMB]

I rarely use an amp in my current project - my chain is tuner - compressor - VTbass deluxe to the board. I use in-ears.

I am thinking about adding a fuzz to my chain. My understanding is that use of a fuzz with a bass cab that has a tweeter not only will sound bad but risks burning out the tweeter. My question is will sending a post-fuzz signal to the board put me at risk of damaging the tweeters in the mains and monitors?

Thanks for any responses.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

The VT has built-in cabinet simulation, which should keep the harsh high-end of a fuzzed-up signal from being sent to the FOH, presuming the VT comes after the fuzz, obviously.

[SUBass]

I could be wrong...But I think the VTBass has some sort of cab emulation in it. As such...As long as the fuzz is in front of the VTBass you should be fine.

Here's an explanation of the problem and why you do/don't have it in some situations.

When you distort a signal it generates a nearly infinite series of harmonics well past human hearing. It doesn't really matter if it's a guitar, bass, drum, keyboard...What have you...When you distort...Harmonics abound. Unfiltered...These harmonics sound "raspy" and annoying. It's all harsh and buzzy. When you run a distorted signal into speaker cab, the speakers act as a sort of filter. They act as a super-advanced equalizer that boost/cuts frequencies and rolls off at the extremes. Depending on design...a 10" speaker can get down to about 30hz and/or up to 7-8khz. This upper frequency limit will roll-off the really nasty buzziness of the distortion. When you add a tweeter into cab...It extends the top end response of the cab and any harsh harmonics from the distortion will be reproduced as well. When you go direct to a board post-distortion/fuzz pedal, you're going to have the full-spectrum of audible frequencies replicating all that nastiness.

Personally...Whenever there's a fuzz/distortion effect in use...There needs to be a cabinet and a mic. As a bass player...I struggle with this live all the time. Sound guys just can't seem to get past their DI box. I run a dual-channel setup and there's almost always some heavy distortion going on all the time. You just can't properly catch that with a "normal" DI.

I don't know if anyone has come up with one yet...But a DI box that you can load cabinet impulses to would be the best solution here. Make an impulse of your cab, download an impulse of a cab...Just something...Load it into your DI and take it with you to shows. Never worry about the mic/Di issue again.

[St Drogo]

Originally Posted by SUBass

When you distort a signal it generates a nearly infinite series of harmonics well past human hearing. It doesn't really matter if it's a guitar, bass, drum, keyboard...What have you...When you distort...Harmonics abound. Unfiltered...These harmonics sound "raspy" and annoying. It's all harsh and buzzy. When you run a distorted signal into speaker cab, the speakers act as a sort of filter. They act as a super-advanced equalizer that boost/cuts frequencies and rolls off at the extremes. Depending on design...a 10" speaker can get down to about 30hz and/or up to 7-8khz. This upper frequency limit will roll-off the really nasty buzziness of the distortion. When you add a tweeter into cab...It extends the top end response of the cab and any harsh harmonics from the distortion will be reproduced as well. When you go direct to a board post-distortion/fuzz pedal, you're going to have the full-spectrum of audible frequencies replicating all that nastiness.

Interesting! But if this is how this works, couldn't one make do with just some post EQ'ing when playing direct and with fuzz?

[SUBass]

Interesting! But if this is how this works, couldn't one make do with just some post EQ'ing when playing direct and with fuzz?

Well...Theoretically...Yes. That's assuming that the speaker is a 100% efficient motor and that you have enough EQ filters to mimic the response curve of the speaker.

In reality...No. Speakers are difficult to model. They have dynamic effects as well as frequency effects. The harder you push them...The more non-linear they get. They also change impedance as you push them harder and the voice coils start to get warm. (they increase resistance) Not to mention the phase aspects of different cone sizes/shapes at different frequencies. In short...Speakers are a bloody mess.

I think you could get close (as-in...From here to the moon) with a parametric EQ for coarse shaping followed by a 31-band graphic for some fine tuning. In the bass world that kind of close is most likely "good enough." But your tone-junkie repulsa-twanger geetar monkey ain't gonna have it.

Oh...And let's not forget about the microphone (which has many of the same quirks as the speaker), it's interaction with the mic preamp, and all sorts of other goodies.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Also, it's worth noting that most fuzzes don't sound their best when sent straight to the board.