A good synth for bass or this...?

gorskkr · #1 03-04-2013, 02:43 PM

Hello all,

I'd like to purchase a bass pedal which will allow me to make some cool bass synth tones and possibly add some grit to them (via distorition or overdrive perhaps). I've heard mixed reviews on bass synth pedals in general saying tracking is an issue etc.

I was on youtube and saw this pedal which is advertised as a bass distortion pedal. However, after viewing the video it seems this pedal does everything from Distortion to Synth to a distorted synth and so on, and the guy in the video makes it seem like the pedal can do no wrong (he of course works for the company

)....
Soundblox Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKEW...g3kzJw&index=2

My questions are:
-Has anyone tried or own this pedal?
-Does it seem like a legit synth/distortion pedal?
-If you don't particularly care for this pedal, then what is a good synth pedal to check out?
-Is it possible to get an all-encompassing pedal where you can make a variety of synth sounds including distorted ones? Or do I have to get a synth pedal and then use a distortion/overdrive with it?

You don't of course have to answer all those questions in order... As long as you get the overall premise of my question feel free to chime in.

some background: I bought a Boss bass synth SYB-5 and did not like it and returned it after 2 weeks of unenjoyment...

enjoi1018 · #2 03-04-2013, 04:28 PM

I looked into this pedal for the exact same reason and had it for about 6 months. It nails the different types of distortion and sort-of synth sounds, but you'll need more than just this pedal to get what you seem to want.

Also, Will Cady does work for SA, and has a great way of showing off (and selling

) their stuff!

coyote1 · #3 03-04-2013, 06:11 PM

That demo begins to get interesting after the five minute mark. Some really cool sounds.

gorskkr · #4 03-05-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjoi1018

I looked into this pedal for the exact same reason and had it for about 6 months. It nails the different types of distortion and sort-of synth sounds, but you'll need more than just this pedal to get what you seem to want.

Also, Will Cady does work for SA, and has a great way of showing off (and selling

) their stuff!

Yea I kind of got that impression too...

Did you get much sustain from that pedal? I think that was my biggest problem with the Boss SYB-5 that i picked up. You also mentioned that you got rid of that pedal after 6 months; what did you buy afterwards?

Also, I've heard that you 'ideally' want a digital synth pedal (if possible). Most bass snyth pedals I've heard are analog and don't track well.

I want to be able to create some real funky bass lines. I play all different styles. I grew up listening to 90s alternative and I love playing it. However, I like to experiment and want to tap into the bass you hear on a lot of funky electronic dance music similar to that of Pretty Lights, Gramatik, Opiuo, and others.

ZombieSpacebat · #5 03-05-2013, 09:35 AM

Rather than looking for one pedal to do it all, you might be better getting a few pedals that do one thing really well (octave, distortion etc.) and make the sound you want yourself.

gorskkr · #6 03-05-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieSpacebat

Rather than looking for one pedal to do it all, you might be better getting a few pedals that do one thing really well (octave, distortion etc.) and make the sound you want yourself.

I can't say that I disagree. Having said that, any recommendations on good bass snyth pedals are welcomed

RedMoses · #7 03-05-2013, 09:46 AM

I had one. its NOT easy to use but very powerfull and it does sound good. Its not exactly a Synth pedal though but it does produce a very wide range of distortion tones, used with an EXpresssion pedal you can really get some interesting morphing happening.

ThingsAbove · #8 03-05-2013, 09:53 AM

The best synth bass sound I ever got was from a Line6 Variax bass. It has a couple of synthbass settings with phenomenal variability. Tracking is spot on because it has independent pickups for each string.

The used ones are pretty cheap now.

As far as pedals go I had better luck with a Korg pxb than with low end synth pedals. Markbass makes a nice synth pedal one but it's pricey.

mpdd · #9 03-05-2013, 10:35 AM

i use a bass mod wmd geiger counter, but i use it with a vintage ehx envelope filter

it's extremely versatile, atari, nintendo, digital tube od, later u2 type fuzz, etc. etc.

works best with passive old school pickups though

avvie · #10 03-05-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorskkr

I can't say that I disagree. Having said that, any recommendations on good bass snyth pedals are welcomed

I can't disagree either. I've been looking for synth for quite some time, and the reality is that analogue wave generators like the SYB-5just plain suck for tracking. The Markbass supposedly tracks better, but you need a computer attached to it and it only generates one waveform. EXH Bass Micro-Synth is the least problematic, but you're gonna sound like the 70's.

It's a pretty basic formula that they all follow: Octave + Distortion+ Filter = Synth. Modulate to taste.

This geiger Counter thing sounds interesting... I haven't used a bitcrusher yet.

ZombieSpacebat · #11 03-05-2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorskkr

I can't say that I disagree. Having said that, any recommendations on good bass snyth pedals are welcomed

Well I've not given a lot of time to synth tones recently since my current band is more in the vein of Kyuss & Truckfighters so my board is quite stripped back (by my standards), but back when I used a bigger board I used these pedals to make synthy nonsense (in multiple combinations):

POG2, OC2, Boss tremolo, Team Awesome Fuzz Machine, Crowther Prunes & Custard, Digitech Bass Whammy, Geiger Counter, MXR Bass Envelope Filter and some nameless (possibly homemade) flanger i found on ebay for like £10 that actually sounded fantastic.

bassbrad · #12 03-05-2013, 05:44 PM

I've owned most of the synth pedals out there (never a Korg G5) and for the most part they are all okay but can be touchy and frustrating or one trik ponies.

The only one I kept was the EHX Bass Micro Synth and I use a Zoom B2 as my synth pedal most of the time.

dannster · #13 03-05-2013, 09:06 PM

Source Audio is supposedly releasing a synth pedal later this year. Might be worth the wait.

gorskkr · #14 03-18-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannster

Source Audio is supposedly releasing a synth pedal later this year. Might be worth the wait.

I may wait for that. I still haven't made it to a guitar store to see what bass synth pedals they have and try them out. But from my experience these stores don't have a lot of bass pedals. They only cater to the guitarist, not cool!