Markbass SuperSynth

xjeremiahx · #1 10-20-2010, 03:10 PM

Soooooooooo, today I come into work and it's our delivery day, and one of my co-workers pulls me aside before I could even put my nametag on to show me that we have 2 Markbass SuperSynths.

Plugged it in, and I was blown away!
These things are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They sound amazing! I just went through the presets on there & the octaves as well, but wow. This thing was incredible. The Wet/Dry knob allows you to blend your effect with your clean signal, has a true bypass as well.

Anybody own one of these? use them often? I wish I had a reason to buy one!

Jazz Ad · #2 10-20-2010, 03:14 PM

It's been my favorite toy for the last few months. Even more fun than the EHX Microsynth.
There are so many things you can do. I really love how you can trick the detuners into producing wide, phat LFOs.

kai_ski · #3 10-20-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I really love how you can trick the detuners into producing wide, phat LFOs.

pray tell, how is this done?

bassbmx · #4 10-20-2010, 04:33 PM

You're not helping!!

I've been really wanting one since they came out. I reckon OC-2/Bass Octave Deluxe, Octavius Squeezer, BMS and Super Synth as a VCO section of a modular synth board would be amazing.

jwr · #5 10-20-2010, 04:42 PM

I had one but got rid of it because it's not very practical with my style of playing. Awesome pedal though.

Grimoire · #6 10-21-2010, 03:54 AM

Got one, it's excellent. Best standalone synth pedal I've used. Buy it NOW.

Jazz Ad · #7 10-21-2010, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai_ski

pray tell, how is this done?

Detune 2 voices out of 3 with opposite values. Say, set the detuners to -.4, 0, +.4
The amount of detune adjusts the frequency.

xjeremiahx · #8 10-21-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbmx

You're not helping!!

I've been really wanting one since they came out. I reckon OC-2/Bass Octave Deluxe, Octavius Squeezer, BMS and Super Synth as a VCO section of a modular synth board would be amazing.

haha I'm sorry! but this pedal is amazing.
I'm with JWR though, I don't have a use for it, or else I'd buy it haha.

bassbmx · #9 10-21-2010, 02:32 PM

See, the problem is that I definitely do have a use for it. Kinda wish I didn 't cause it's not the cheapest pedal out there.

savinggrace · #10 10-21-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbmx

See, the problem is that I definitely do have a use for it. Kinda wish I didn 't cause it's not the cheapest pedal out there.

I have recently seen these go used for $200- $220.

Which is NOT shabby at all as $250 used has been the going rate up until late.

Explorer · #11 10-21-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savinggrace

I have recently seen these go used for $200- $220.

Which is NOT shabby at all as $250 used has been the going rate up until late.

Even at $250, the Super Synth was definitely worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbmx

I've been really wanting one since they came out. I reckon OC-2/Bass Octave Deluxe, Octavius Squeezer, BMS and Super Synth as a VCO section of a modular synth board would be amazing.

I've been thinking about this concept for a while. I finally posted a few ideas here:

Non-MIDI synthesis - some thoughts

I'd love input from all of you.

Of course, that thread is the result of my being home sick all week, and finally having time to just spread the pedals out and see how far they could go. Next week will be agony, because I've been making notes on the various combinations... but I won't be able to really dig so deeply into them again for a while. *laugh*

savinggrace · #12 10-21-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer

Even at $250, the Super Synth was definitely worth it.

+1 Absolutely! At $250 it is still a good deal used!

How is it working out for you?! I hope you are enjoying it!

savinggrace · #13 10-21-2010, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

It's been my favorite toy for the last few months. Even more fun than the EHX Microsynth.
There are so many things you can do. I really love how you can trick the detuners into producing wide, phat LFOs.

You are making me wish I didn't sell mine!!!

I choose to keep the Korg G5 over the Supersynth but not necessarily due to the sound. I adjust things a lot and using a laptop is just more more step I didn't care for. I don't have room on my board for both!

I will say I did run them both together at times and came up with some killer sounds!

Am I in regretsville?!

Explorer · #14 10-22-2010, 12:08 AM

Look at it this way... you can probably pick one up for less than you sold yours for last time. *laugh*

I go back and forth regarding needing adjustability on the fly. This is the same issue I have with the Boss GT-10. Computer editors are great for experimentation, and for seeing all the parameters at once. Do I need that when I'm actually playing, though? Well, it can be usef- *TOO BAD!* *laugh*

Hmm... let me think of a negative so you don't have to run out right away... Ah!

Like most of the bass synth pedals I've used, the Super Synth stops at around C5. That's high for bass... but my instrument goes to E6, so I have more than an octave uncovered at the high end.

Of course, that's more than made up for by how well it tracks, better than anything else I've tried... whoops! I'm supposed to be making you feel better! Sorry! *laugh*

On the plus side, you have the G5, which in the past has compared favorably to the Deep Impact for me. At some point I might pick up either again, but I have something else which has to get refurbished first.

Look at it this way... If you are current living in Regretsville, you will likely find someone who will do the same kind of deal for a Super Synth as you did for me, and you can get a ticket out with just a little patience. *laugh*

Cheers!

Jazz Ad · #15 10-22-2010, 12:26 AM

For the MarkBass :
Awesome tracking, very tweakable, super silent bypass, very sturdy tone, smaller footprint. Available in shops.
Only one wave shape, must use computer for edition, no expression pedal.

For the G5 :
Very, very phat, even glitches are musical. A lot of shapes and tones available, doubles as a killer filter and wah.
Dreadful bypass, tracks strangely more than often, you are stuck with the basic tones.

None is perfect but perfect units are boring.
I just wish Markbass would come with more updates and tweaks for their unit.

savinggrace · #16 10-22-2010, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer

Look at it this way... you can probably pick one up for less than you sold yours for last time. *laugh*

I go back and forth regarding needing adjustability on the fly. This is the same issue I have with the Boss GT-10. Computer editors are great for experimentation, and for seeing all the parameters at once. Do I need that when I'm actually playing, though? Well, it can be usef- *TOO BAD!* *laugh*

Hmm... let me think of a negative so you don't have to run out right away... Ah!

Like most of the bass synth pedals I've used, the Super Synth stops at around C5. That's high for bass... but my instrument goes to E6, so I have more than an octave uncovered at the high end.

Of course, that's more than made up for by how well it tracks, better than anything else I've tried... whoops! I'm supposed to be making you feel better! Sorry! *laugh*

On the plus side, you have the G5, which in the past has compared favorably to the Deep Impact for me. At some point I might pick up either again, but I have something else which has to get refurbished first.

Look at it this way... If you are current living in Regretsville, you will likely find someone who will do the same kind of deal for a Super Synth as you did for me, and you can get a ticket out with just a little patience. *laugh*

Cheers!

ha! Thank you for the reassuring words! I am glad you are liking it. It is strange (in theory) that it does not cover your E6!

I think a lot of people got the Markbass and than a bunch just VERY recently have been for sale. The price will probably go back up. But I would be happy to grab one for $250 if I decide to ever get one again (so.. IF you ever part with yours... ha!)

savinggrace · #17 10-22-2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

For the MarkBass :
Awesome tracking, very tweakable, super silent bypass, very sturdy tone, smaller footprint. Available in shops.
Only one wave shape, must use computer for edition, no expression pedal.

For the G5 :
Very, very phat, even glitches are musical. A lot of shapes and tones available, doubles as a killer filter and wah.
Dreadful bypass, tracks strangely more than often, you are stuck with the basic tones.

None is perfect but perfect units are boring.
I just wish Markbass would come with more updates and tweaks for their unit.

Thank you for the great comparisons! Mm Korg G5 is currently out getting modded for true bypass by DanThis1smyne. Hopefully it will be shipped back to me in the next week.

syciprider · #18 10-23-2010, 03:34 PM

I <3 my MBSS. I even found a use for it in church for a "cello" effect.

Askia · #19 10-28-2010, 05:51 AM

Dear Super Synth users!
Can you tell me what can you edit in the comp program? Can you edit a simple envelope filter kind effect, if you don't use the oscillators?
aaa, and where is this C5, until the tracking works? I it the 5th fret on the G string, or the 17th fret on the G?
Thanks!

Jake of Bass · #20 10-28-2010, 09:02 AM

C4 is the 17th of on the G. So an octave above that.

I've got a SS, amazing pedal but I've barely used it. Not sure if it fits the music I'm currently playing. Can't bear to part with it though.