Good Bit Crusher for Bass

[YL_Bass]

I want to get a Bit Crusher to get some 8 bit tones and other crazy stuff going.

But I want something with good bass response.

Any ideas?

[Taylor Livingston]

AFAIK, all the "bit crushers" available in pedal form are actually sample rate reducers, so the sound is different from crunchy 8-bit Nintendo sounds - these pedals sound more like a really low quality mp3, or a square wave ring moduator. They can sound very cool, but really different from old video game synths IMO.

I'm not aware of any pedal-format bit crushers, but some people use the Alesis Bitrman with guitar and bass with good results. You have to do some modding on these because they don't have 1/4" input or output and the levels are made for record players.

There's also Doepfer and Harvestman modules, but again these aren't meant for bass and some effort/extra gear would be needed to make it work.

[kugelspot]

The WMD Geiger Counter is a good one, if you're willing to shell out $300. Another good (and cheap) bitcrusher is the Devi Ever Bit, but that will take out a lot of low end.

[jufros]

Definitely has to be a pedal? You can get much better results with software. See my last post in the software thread.

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by conical johnson

I'm not aware of any pedal-format bit crushers, but some people use the Alesis Bitrman with guitar and bass with good results. You have to do some modding on these because they don't have 1/4" input or output and the levels are made for record players.

Actually I have a Bitrman, and it does have quarter-inch inputs and outputs, and actually has an input gain knob which when you crank it up a bit, can take in instrument level just fine. I use it with my bass all the time. Great unit. The only real problems with it is that it doesn't have a stomp switch for bypass, just a plastic button (whatever, I step on it anyway), and it has funky power requirements (9VAC).

Also, +1 on the WMD Geiger Counter.

The Devi Ever Bit is actually just a really gated fuzz, but can cop the 8-bit sound pretty well.

[Taylor Livingston]

Hmm, for some reason I thought the Modfx series only had RCA i/o. In that case, it's not really a good design for either bass/guitar or DJs. Weird.

You're (both) right about the WMD. I had forgotten about that one. I have to try one of those out, it has a lot of interesting sounds to offer - though the aesthetic seems a little like it's trying to appeal to the XTREME FLAVOR-BLASTED DORITOS scene (or maybe people who want a Metasonix box that won't offend the wife). But of course looks aren't what it's all about.

[tomhanzo]

I have a suggestion. Its totally just an idea with next to no experience in it.

You could just run your signal through an octave or two up then run that through a down octave or two. Follow that up with a gated fuzz.

I have played around with octave ups and they make your tone super flat and thin.

[cybersnyder]

How about this one?

http://redpandalab.com/

Just saw it last week when I was surfing.

[Getaway Driver]

From what I understand it's a lot cheaper to build yourself a bit crusher out of some old electronic gizmo with the right components than it is to buy one. They're a new concept and the big-name pedal companies haven't developed any yet, so boutique is the only way to go.

[The Lurker]

I like the Subdecay Heliotrope. I gather it's technically a ring modulator, but it does a lot of bitcrushery things too.

[Gashaponcito]

Hexe Bitcrusher
http://www.herby.kielce.pl/~piter/he...h_e&l=efekty_e

Review
HEXE bitcrusher review and clips.

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

How about this one?

http://redpandalab.com/

Just saw it last week when I was surfing.

Nice one! there's actually a bass demo here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi1vlZuw020

[JohnDavisNYC]

my bugcrusher sounds amazing, but good luck getting one...

the heliotrope is amazing, my studio partner has one and it can do sample-redux type stuff really well.

the red panda thing looks awesome.

john

[YL_Bass]

I think I'm going to get a heliotrope that thing looks sick and there is a retailer that has them in my area.

Thx guys.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

the red panda thing looks awesome.

john

I'm thinking about giving the red panda a try. I already have a stereo tone core dock with my Echo Park pedal, so all I would need is the module.

[gastric]

BOSS VF-1 has some good, usable bit crusher/lofi effects available. Includes a lot of functionality - bit rate, sample rate, clean blend, and a resonant (but static) LP/BP/HP filter as well. Not to mention you get tons of other effects, too. 1/2 rack unit, can be controlled via MIDI or 1-2 foot switches.

[4StringsEnough]

Definitely investigate Devi Ever.

[jrmy]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I'm thinking about giving the red panda a try. I already have a stereo tone core dock with my Echo Park pedal, so all I would need is the module.

The Red Panda Labs bitcrusher is in fact awesome. I have one, and have blathered on about it at great length over at I Love Fuzz ( http://www.ilovefuzz.com/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=6986 ). It does far more than bitcrush, and can do all kinds of crazy oscillating / effect doubling things when you use a stereo dock. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to make crazy sounds.

[tomhanzo]

Dude i just found something and i cant find much on it, but i am gonna get one for sure.

EHX Germanium Overdrive

Watch the whole vid. It gets cool.

[pulse]

http://www.deathbyaudio.net/

check the ROBOT Videos on you tube

[Jazz Ad]

Get a Heliotrope.
It is a sick pedal with huge lows.
This way when you're bored playing with the bit crusher thingy (which shouldn't take but 5 minutes) you still have a lot of settings to make actual music.