Lets talk Tremolo

[Bjazzman]

So it's going to be way to expensive to upgrade my vibraphone to the Musser motorized tremolo, so im going to get a trem pedal.

I'd also like to use it on bass.

What tremolos out there get advanced in features? I'd like a unit that i can manipulate the time of the chop/waveform so i could do time stretches and triplet? patterns.

Like being able to control the rate of the trem to a certain speed and being able to manipulate the patterns of the tremolo.

the only one i can think of would be a slicer, but i don't think that's necessarily a tremolo. Maybe a gig-fx pro chop?

[Mudfuzz]

Seymour Duncan Shape Shifter is one [I'm thinking on one of these actually]
Empress effects tremolo is another
and the lightfoot labs goatkeeper if you want to go nutz

[JanusZarate]

For waveform manipulation and saw/square wave capabilities at an affordable price, I can recommend the EHX XO Pulsar. You can pull off anything from unusually spaced pulse lengths to classic tremolo sounds.

But if you're looking to create unique patterns where each "step" varies in volume... check out the Zvex Seek-Trem. It can have up to 8 steps in the sequence. I don't know how well it works on bass, but I'm sure a quick search here can dig up some helpful info.

[Bjazzman]

how come when you change the rate of the waveform, the decay doesn't last long and there is a volume drop? are all trem/vibe pedals like this?

[RCCollins]

i think the empress tremolo is probably the one to look at for those features.

[Bjazzman]

what about the zvex trem probe?

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

how come when you change the rate of the waveform, the decay doesn't last long and there is a volume drop? are all trem/vibe pedals like this?

What do you mean by volume drop, what trem are you talking about. i=If you mead the boss tr-2, the reason when kicked on there is volume drop no matter what setting is do to it has a resistor of the wrong value in it and boss wont fix it for some reason.

A trem makes you volume go up and down, that is what it does. The wave shape determines how it does so, square = on off on, triangle = ramps up and down ect.

[Bjazzman]

i don't remember specifically which pedals but i've heard some samples of tremolos that drop in volume when you change the speed

[Jimbob Jones]

well, tremolo essentially just cuts the volume from your instruments signal in a pattern, so the average volume is decreased. Therefore the maximum volume of the bass itself is only present for a period of time, not all the time as it would be if the bass was on clean.

This effect is more noticable as the rate is increased because the maximum, unaffected volume of the bass is present for even less time.

[rcubed]

I've been looking at getting a trem for awhile now and now I'm pretty sure I'm going to spring for the Empress.

[bassteban]

I just snagged an EHX Wiggler(thanks again, bigcheifbc )& really like it. It does a nice tremolo, and has a volume control that allows for a slight boost to negate the apparent volume drop. Mind you the trem is a bit limited, but it also does 4 different vibe flavors, all quite nice.

[TOOL460002]

i too like lots of knobs/options- and would only consider the guyatone ultrem or the empress for my tremoloing needs. really- check out the ultrems specs- it looks pretty cool (never used one- but the ultron is great- so im sure the tremolo is as well).

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

check out the Zvex Seek-Trem. It can have up to 8 steps in the sequence. I don't know how well it works on bass, but I'm sure a quick search here can dig up some helpful info.

works fine on bass- no loss.

[Solid Moose]

Check out the Red Witch Pentavocal, it'd probably be hard as hell to find, but its an awesome trem.
Theres a vid on the Red Witch website, its on guitar though.

[Bjazzman]

are there any tremolos that you can control the speed with an expression pedal?

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

are there any tremolos that you can control the speed with an expression pedal?

yes

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

really- check out the ultrems specs

[James Hart]

I'm in the process of ordering parts to build a Tremulus Lune... seems interesting.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

are there any tremolos that you can control the speed with an expression pedal?

I don't know if he still does but when I was considering having the knobs on my Empress updated (I had a first run), Steve said he could mod it for expression control.

Still, while I'm the first to beat the Empress drum, I think the Gig-FX might be the way to go for you.

[Bjazzman]

the only thing about the gig-fx is it's kinda weird how there is no on or off button. if i accidently move it i could be screwed. Im also still undecided if i will use my foot or hand to operate the pedal since i will be using it with instruments other than bass.

besides the gig-fx im narrowing in on:

zvex tremorama

Zvex trem probe

Empress Tremolo

Line 6 MM4(i could use more than just the tremolo function)

Guyatone Ultrem(seems a bit much)

[bigchiefbc]

Also think about the 4ms Tremulus Lune. It has knobs to control the waveform (labeled smoothness), a secondary LFO to continuously sweep the speed of the trem, and it also has an expression jack to control the speed. A very full-featured trem, although you cannot tap in a specific pattern

[TimmyDX]

i might do a shape shifter review....i really like it, although im thinking of getting a vtx tremolo it's certainly really cool