Got My DOD FX25 Today

Joronamo · #1 07-30-2010, 08:46 PM

As you know this pedal is notorius for its volume drop, lack of low end and volume spikes/peaks/pops. I love this pedal though and its an all time classic so I'm willing to stick with it. I'm no expert on electronics so I wondering if anyone can help me out with this pedal and give me the best settings for it including my bass and amp. I run a Vintage Ampeg B2 Pro Bass Combo 4x10 and I am playing my Stingray for it for that funk feel.

Also is there a way to modify this pedal and give it to an EE to fix the low end sucktion and volume drop or is it possible to fix it with other pedals such as my Sansamp DI or my Marshall Guv'nor which is on the way in the post?

What is the difference between the FX25 and FX25b apart from the blend control. Does the B version fix the above problems, is it a better pedal or worse?

Thanks.

TaySte_2000 · #2 07-30-2010, 09:12 PM

FX25B is a pile of crap

FX25 is best as a dubby low pass filter, turn range and sensitivity down to nill.

Every other setting is bass and player specific and you have to listen to where the envelope opens

Joronamo · #3 07-30-2010, 09:24 PM

Hey I really figured out this pedal. Its so sensitive. ANy minor changes to your bass and amp really make a difference. But man I figured out a setting that gives you that funky sound without draining your low end or volume. IM SO HAPPY.

taurus1 · #4 07-30-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

FX25B is a pile of crap

FX25 is best as a dubby low pass filter, turn range and sensitivity down to nill.

Every other setting is bass and player specific and you have to listen to where the envelope opens

took the words right outa my mouth, that's exactly how I use mine. I use an old MXR Envelope filter that works far better as a standard envelope filter.

Bjazzman · #5 07-30-2010, 10:13 PM

i actually find mine to increase the overall volume when engaged. the low end is great for my rig but it's definitely something you should show the soundman so they know what to expect

edit: i only use mine for dub

bongomania · #6 07-31-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joronamo

Hey I really figured out this pedal. Its so sensitive. ANy minor changes to your bass and amp really make a difference. But man I figured out a setting that gives you that funky sound without draining your low end or volume. IM SO HAPPY.

That's the deal. All those comments you've seen about low end loss or whatever were from people who did not learn how to dial in this pedal along with their bass and rig. A legitimate complaint is that it's not as easy to use as it would seem.

Gotta learn its secrets, it won't give them up with no effort.

Joronamo · #7 07-31-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

That's the deal. All those comments you've seen about low end loss or whatever were from people who did not learn how to dial in this pedal along with their bass and rig. A legitimate complaint is that it's not as easy to use as it would seem.

Gotta learn its secrets, it won't give them up with no effort.

Couldnt have said it better myself!

FilterFunk · #8 08-01-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joronamo

Hey I really figured out this pedal. Its so sensitive. ANy minor changes to your bass and amp really make a difference. But man I figured out a setting that gives you that funky sound without draining your low end or volume. IM SO HAPPY.

Can you get that real nasty sweep that the FX25 is famous for without losing low end? Anytime I've seen this pedal demoed for bass, it squeezes the life out of the low end in the first part of the sweep, then the bass and volume seem to come rushing back in on the decay. Do you have to dial it back so the sweep is not so dramatic? Or do you have to use an EQ or blend pedal if you want to keep your low end and still have the more extreme sweep?

Wud · #9 08-01-2010, 02:25 PM

It's certainly an underrated pedal that takes some playing with in terms of your technique and how you voice things.
I have one of the later 90's ones as per this page -

http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/dod/fx/fx25

I've heard people suggesting there is a marked difference between the versions.
Do any TalkBass people have any first hand experience in comparing the different iterations, and is it worth trying to get an earlier version if I already have one of the later ones.
I do mainly use it in the "Bill Laswell" dub setting, as mentioned previously.

Swimming Bird · #10 08-01-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

Can you get that real nasty sweep that the FX25 is famous for without losing low end? Anytime I've seen this pedal demoed for bass, it squeezes the life out of the low end in the first part of the sweep, then the bass and volume seem to come rushing back in on the decay. Do you have to dial it back so the sweep is not so dramatic? Or do you have to use an EQ or blend pedal if you want to keep your low end and still have the more extreme sweep?

Yes, if you set the sensitivity right for your setup. If it's too high you get pushed into the pedal's upper range very quickly, but if it's dialed back some you get a niiiice thwomp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wud

I've heard people suggesting there is a marked difference between the versions.
Do any TalkBass people have any first hand experience in comparing the different iterations, and is it worth trying to get an earlier version if I already have one of the later ones.
I do mainly use it in the "Bill Laswell" dub setting, as mentioned previously.

I own both a mid-80s and a late-80s model and I've tried quite a few others. I like the mid-80s version better, except that the bypass doesn't work. It seems to stay in the low region of the sweep a bit longer and seems to have a higher output in general (which is nice for the dub sounds -- the late-80s model on my board is a bit too quiet for that).

andysvec · #11 08-01-2010, 04:14 PM

I love this pedal when I hear the clips of Flea rocking it, but I've never been able to find that sweet spot with mine. Won't get rid of it though, I'm sure I just haven't messed with it enough

Joronamo · #12 08-01-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

Can you get that real nasty sweep that the FX25 is famous for without losing low end? Anytime I've seen this pedal demoed for bass, it squeezes the life out of the low end in the first part of the sweep, then the bass and volume seem to come rushing back in on the decay. Do you have to dial it back so the sweep is not so dramatic? Or do you have to use an EQ or blend pedal if you want to keep your low end and still have the more extreme sweep?

Yes you have to play around with it though. As you probably know, envelope filters are meant to have a slight volume drop and maybe some low end too thats just the physics. On the bottom string though if you hold onto a note too long that rushing peak can come back to haunt you. I have mine setup so that every string I play has that funky sweep with enough low end and volume to keep me happy aka the sweet spot. Once my Sansamp and Guv nor arrive I am going muck around and see if I can get better blends.

FilterFunk · #13 08-01-2010, 09:16 PM

Excellent! I've been wanting to try one of these for a long time. Thanks!

Joronamo · #14 09-29-2010, 05:10 PM

Is it possible to blend a DOD FX25? By myself it sounds awesome but with a band, I can barely hear it and just hear my bass farting.

Badmuthaplucka · #15 09-29-2010, 09:08 PM

I use the Boss LS-2.

Joronamo · #16 09-29-2010, 10:00 PM

I want to get one, does it prevent the DOD FX25 from dropping low end and volume? Does it make it giggable? What do you blend it with?

cheapbasslovin · #17 09-30-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

That's the deal. All those comments you've seen about low end loss or whatever were from people who did not learn how to dial in this pedal along with their bass and rig. A legitimate complaint is that it's not as easy to use as it would seem.

Gotta learn its secrets, it won't give them up with no effort.

I kinda feel that way about most envelope filters. They're usually pretty unique, with a different set of secrets locked inside. I believe a lot of people (not all, but many) dismiss really good filters early on by having expectations of operation and not having the patience to work outside that expectation. I've found that if you take on the expense of buying one, it is worth it to give it a good long run through before dismissing it.

@ Joronomo: Filters are known for inverting the signal. When blending an inverted signal with a normal signal there can be some signal cancellation, resulting in a thin, crappy sound. If you look into a LS-2, you may want to try it out in-store with your filters to make sure it will sound good with your filter.

You can blend it with your clean bass signal, or blend with some other effect. I like my filter in parallel with an octave.

Wounded Paw super blender and the Badger Schism are parallel loopers with phase inversion. Xotic Xblender is a blender with phase inversion.

Joronamo · #18 11-26-2010, 10:24 PM

I just bought an LS-2 to blend my DODfx25. I am abit confused about how to set it up. Currently I have my amp running into my DOD FX25 out, then a a cable running from to out of the LS2 and then a lead going from my LS2 in to my bass. I then have cables going from the send/recieve A back into itself and likewiase for the send/recieve B but im not sure if thats right. Can someone send me a picture or diagram telling me what to do? Thanks.

cheapbasslovin · #19 11-27-2010, 10:40 AM

Bass >LS-2 input >LS-2 output > amp
Then
Send A >FX25 input> FX25 output >Return A

You don't need any cables in loop B.

Set LS-2 to ABmix.

bassbrad · #20 11-27-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

FX25B is a pile of crap

To you perhaps but i am diggin' the one I just got. Like Bongo sez it takes some work to dial in but it's worth the effort. You do have to hit it pretty hard to do it's thing but that also makes it a bit more dynamic than my other filters.