Getting in to making a synth board

ryker888 · #1 03-30-2010, 12:05 PM

I've always wanted to have a synth board and now that I've come into some extra money I think it's about time I put one together.

The pedals I currently own are
Bass Big Muff, Devi Ever Legend of Fuzz, GGG Green Ringer, MXR Phase 90, Modtone Aqua Chorus, Digitech BSW, and an EHX holy stain.

Where think I'm lacking is in the filter category and my question is where should I go from here? I have my eye on getting a BMS right now and maybe another pedal or 2. Any guidance on making a synth board would be greatly appreciated.

Din Of Win · #2 03-30-2010, 12:11 PM

POG (2)? EHX Bass Micro Synth? Moog filter? Digitech Whammy?

(synth bass is totally not my forte so i could be way off with my reccomendations)

Also... IMHO everyone needs some delay.

Double Agent · #3 03-30-2010, 12:22 PM

Are you using your BSW as an octaver? If not, you may want to look into an octave pedal. There are tons of threads on all the octavers, but from what I gather than Boss OC2 is the most synth-like. However, it can be so-so with tracking. Basically, you will have to decide how good the tracking will be vs. how synthy you want it, or compromise somewhere between the two extremes. A lot of people also like the Aguilar Octamizer and the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe as well. The EHX Micro-POG track great and does an octave up AND an octave down, but it is very "digital" sounding.

I am putting a board together myself and I went with the EHX Enigma for my filter. There are tons of good filters out there, but I wanted something that was not subtle in any way. The Enigma is definitely not subtle, and there is the chance for two tones is one pedal with the built-in distortion. So far, I have found good tones with the distortion and good tones without the distortion, but I have to change the settings to get those good sounds, so it isn't a 2-in-1 pedal for me yet, but I am still getting the hang of the controls. The 3Leaf Groove Regulator is pretty popular as a more subtle filter if that's what you're going for.

Kromwarp · #4 03-30-2010, 12:37 PM

Just run an EHX Bass Micro Synth, a Chunk Systems Octavius Squeezer and an Akai Deep Impact...ultimate synth board!

Happynoj · #5 03-30-2010, 02:06 PM

I would get a Boss OC-2. Then I would get a Boss LS-2 and split the pedals up into two groups. Each group would go into a loop of the LS-2, which would be run in parallel mode. Then you have two separate effects chains and can have two sounds at the same time. You can run wet/dry or wet/wet, depending on what you're doing.

ryker888 · #6 03-30-2010, 02:10 PM

alright thanks for the replies, and I have been using my BSW for an octaver, and when Im not running it as an octaver im using the filters it has(which arent all that great) but the envelope is alright. When I first started getting to effects I didnt know how many options I had, I just saw when my local music stores and guitar center had, now after seeing all of the boards people here have, I know just how diverse pedals can get.

I'm most likely going to get a BMS, and then I'm going to start trying out different octavers. Although after listening to demos of the Enigma, I may pick up one of those as well.

Colonel Monk · #7 03-30-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryker888

alright thanks for the replies, and I have been using my BSW for an octaver, and when Im not running it as an octaver im using the filters it has(which arent all that great) but the envelope is alright. When I first started getting to effects I didnt know how many options I had, I just saw when my local music stores and guitar center had, now after seeing all of the boards people here have, I know just how diverse pedals can get.

I'm most likely going to get a BMS, and then I'm going to start trying out different octavers. Although after listening to demos of the Enigma, I may pick up one of those as well.

BSW I agree with your comments. When I bought it years ago, it seemed fun to play with but doesn't really fit in. Horrible bypass. I thought the octaver was OK, and for awhile I thought the squarewave buzz sound after the filter opened was OK.... I'd get rid of it if I was you....

I like my BMS, though I wish the squarewave sound was different. To be honest I've never tried turning it down and putting in a fuzzed signal - maybe that could work.

I'm gassing for a HOG - the tracking is ridic and you have alot more tonal capabilities.

Other filter suggestions?

Happynoj · #8 03-30-2010, 03:33 PM

Moog LPF is really THE synth board filter. I'm buying one when I can afford it.

Colonel Monk · #9 03-30-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

Moog LPF is really THE synth board filter. I'm buying one when I can afford it.

Yeah, I have one.

There are some others out there though that are mighty interesting......

faceinbass · #10 03-30-2010, 08:05 PM

If you can find one: KORG G5 FTMFW!
add Moog lowpass filter.
add Moog bass murf.

That is my ultimate synth board.
I'm 2/3 of the way there.

Kwesi · #11 03-30-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

Moog LPF is really THE synth board filter. I'm buying one when I can afford it.

I'm hoping that Conical Johnson's LPF will do the honor of displacing it

.

Lindsay · #12 03-30-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I would get a Boss OC-2. Then I would get a Boss LS-2 and split the pedals up into two groups. Each group would go into a loop of the LS-2, which would be run in parallel mode. Then you have two separate effects chains and can have two sounds at the same time. You can run wet/dry or wet/wet, depending on what you're doing.

This is good advice. I have a synth-in-a-box (Deep Impact) in loop A and octave > synthy fuzz > filter through loop B. The variety of sounds I can get is huge.

Ron Now · #13 03-30-2010, 09:05 PM

I'm actually working on one of these too.

The part I'm really looking for is a good filter...I was looking into the WMD Fatman (have heard it can get 808 style lows) and the Subdecay Prometheus (I love S/H filters).

I actually have the Moog LPF, and it works perfectly....but it wont fit on my board, also needs it's own adapter...but the real reason is that I like using it with my actual Synth more (moog prodigy) so I was looking for a smaller replacement.

BTW I'm using a OC-2 > Fulltone Fulldrive > ?FILTER? > Delay

(the fulldrive is a weird choice I know, but it works incredible for synthy sounds far better than my fuzz pedals of which I have many)

Mudfuzz · #14 03-30-2010, 09:12 PM

Look at the chunk 00funk as well, it will do great bass drops and swells.

Lindsay · #15 03-30-2010, 09:42 PM

From my experience, the right filter is the hardest part of the equation. I like the MF101 but it's darkness and real estate needs put me off to a reasonable extent. Some filters just aren't wet enough and some are too bright. I've been running this two filter set-up for a while now (but with cables) and it has been good, just not perfect:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

Look at the chunk 00funk as well, it will do great bass drops and swells.

I think this is my next logical purchase.

Happynoj · #16 03-31-2010, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm hoping that Conical Johnson's LPF will do the honor of displacing it

.

Me too, if it's going to be cheaper and smaller! I'm waiting for clips/reviews before I get too excited though.

JohnDavisNYC · #17 03-31-2010, 10:03 AM

Conical johnson's pedal is badass. I'm going to make some clips when I get the v.2 prototype.

It's going to make people happy.

John

Omniant · #18 03-31-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

Conical johnson's pedal is badass. I'm going to make some clips when I get the v.2 prototype.

It's going to make people happy.

John

I'm dying to hear this. The fact that I can get the mp201 type control over the filter sweep and in 1 pedal is fantastic.