Moog MF-101 bypass

Grimoire · #1 03-03-2009, 02:48 AM

I am looking at getting a Moog low pass filter, but have read that the bypass is pretty poor. I have a Freqbox on my board, and it's fine - normal buffered bypass, but apparently the drive control still effects the signal when the LPF is bypassed (unlike the Freqbox) - is this true?

JohnDavisNYC · #2 03-03-2009, 05:41 AM

yes, that is true... kinda sucks... for me it is fine when i am playing all electronic stuff, but for stuff that requires both synth sounds AND clean bass, i don't like it... gotta mod mine for true bypass or get a bypass strip.

john

Ely · #3 03-03-2009, 07:35 AM

I personally find the small amount of grit it adds to my tone to be an integral part of "my sound."

Grimoire · #4 03-03-2009, 08:08 AM

I've never had anything modded to be TB, is it a difficult process with a 'fooger? I don't really want another bypass looper...space is an issue. I will try it anyway, see how it is without a mod, seems to be a superb filter.

Projectile · #5 03-03-2009, 08:23 AM

Kind of ridiculous that a company like Moog would sell a $300 pedal that doesn't even have a proper bypass or even a buffer. In this day and age I find that unacceptable. Are they just lazy or are their engineers a bunch of high school drop outs these days?

bigchiefbc · #6 03-03-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

Kind of ridiculous that a company like Moog would sell a $300 pedal that doesn't even have a proper bypass or even a buffer. In this day and age I find that unacceptable. Are they just lazy or are their engineers a bunch of high school drop outs these days?

I think the real reason is that, even though they are built to look like stompboxes, they were originally intended for primarily studio use. Especially with all of the CV ins and outs, and the amount of tweaking you can do. And bypass is an afterthought in the studio

Grimoire · #7 03-03-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I think the real reason is that, even though they are built to look like stompboxes, they were originally intended for primarily studio use. Especially with all of the CV ins and outs, and the amount of tweaking you can do. And bypass is an afterthought in the studio

Exactly. The MF-101 was the first, over ten years ago, but they have changed to a buffered bypass - at least with the Murf and Freqbox (and probably others I think), mainly due to their increasing popularity with bassists/guitarists.

If anyone can offer advice on modding the bypass it would be appreciated.

MakiSupaStar · #8 03-03-2009, 11:30 AM

I have my LPF in my fx loop which is put through my dirty channel. It's only an issue when I turn on my dirty channel. If I turn on my dirty channel, and I have no effects turned on, the amount of sound it contributes, when you factor in my clean blend, and the overdrive distortion native to that channel, it's barely noticeable if not welcomed.

The Lurker · #9 03-03-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimoire

I've never had anything modded to be TB, is it a difficult process with a 'fooger? I don't really want another bypass looper...space is an issue. I will try it anyway, see how it is without a mod, seems to be a superb filter.

You can get very small bypass boxes now, in the 'bantam box' size... which is about 1"x3" (e.g. Catalinabread Valcoder)

Ely · #10 03-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

Kind of ridiculous that a company like Moog would sell a $300 pedal that doesn't even have a proper bypass or even a buffer. In this day and age I find that unacceptable. Are they just lazy or are their engineers a bunch of high school drop outs these days?

Moogerfoogers weren't designed with nitpicky bassists in mind (and I say that because I've never heard any other kind of musician complain about the bypass on an effect) and they weren't even designed to be an effect pedal. They're a synth module. You usually don't bypass the filter on a synth.

moosapotamus · #11 03-03-2009, 02:12 PM

I think the bypass on the MF101 sounds awesome. It's like the best sounding preamp I've heard that's not in a rack enclosure.

~ Charlie

lotsolowend · #12 03-03-2009, 06:48 PM

the sound that the mf produces comes from how high you have the drive. i used to have a big problem with it b/c it mine sounded best with the drive really high.

after i raised my bass's pickups and the output of my bass was hot enough to drop the drive of the mf i have no sound problems coming from that... but i also quit caring about small amounts of noise. if you put some kind of boost before the mf and you can lower the pedal's bypassed drive you should be okay

harrythehatchet · #13 03-03-2009, 07:44 PM

i love the drive on the 101.it gives a little punch i think.

Bassist30 · #14 03-03-2009, 08:13 PM

I know what you mean about the Non bypass non proper buffer effect from the 101 mooger fooger. I have said that many times before. Unfortunately if you want a clean signal when the unit is turned off you are out of luck. It is not going to happen unless you like the signal sound you get when it is off. I personally don't. But I really love the sound when turned on. I have one and I also have a looper for it. Yes it does take up space (looper) but to me its worth it. In fact I had written letters regarding this issue to the company. They responded with a link to a site that sells loopers. I guess they are aware of it. I think the price for this unit is well worth the money and if they were to modify it I would believe the price will increase. There are micro loopers http://www.loop-master.com/product_i...roducts_id=151
try that for a small space looper which won't take up too much room on your system.

icarussmicarus · #15 03-03-2009, 10:57 PM

This might be a weird request. But could someone post a clip of their clean tone and then a clip of their tone running through the Moog when turned off. I am intruiged as to this drive character it adds.

Grimoire · #16 03-04-2009, 02:28 AM

Thanks for the comments. I am aware of the micro loopers - I already have one on my board for my G5. Some of the comments make me think I wont mind the bypass...guess there's only one way to find out.

almix12 · #17 03-04-2009, 02:02 PM

with all said and done, is still find it frustrating for lack of a better word, that the used to have good bypass and now dont and are noisy...
how can you distinguish the old from the new?

fightthepower · #18 03-04-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almix12

with all said and done, is still find it frustrating for lack of a better word, that the used to have good bypass and now dont and are noisy...
how can you distinguish the old from the new?

I'm pretty sure they're all the same.. afaik the only thing that might be different slightly is the enclosure and/or the presence Bob Moog's signature.

Bassist30 · #19 03-04-2009, 11:28 PM

I have mine about 6 years now. Maybe 7 maybe 8 not sure but it was never true bypass. But a great pedal as an envelope filter type of sound. I use an expression pedal on it to control the filter. I use to use 2 but it was taking alot of room. But it is very versatile. Unfortunately again it does not have true bypass or ever did as when I had purchased it. I know you have limited anount of space for a looper which I use a 4 looper on my pedalboard. Wish I had more. But maybe you are expanding to a larger board. You stated you have one on your G5. Maybe you would want to group them together. But thats switching more than you need, maybe. Good Luck with the pedal. Its a great one but it does have minor flaws like any pedal out there.

OrangeSun · #20 03-29-2009, 01:14 AM

I have a a MF101 and it was definitely designed for a HOT signal. For awhile I wondered why I was having issues with it running my passive bass into it. Then I tried my active bass and it had MUCH less noise. I'm actually planning on selling some things to get a radial Bassbone and sticking it in the effects loop on there with some distortion pedals to create a Lead filter sound that I can switch on and off with one switch. Plus that loop on the bassbone can also function simultaneously as a boost, so it will really solve a bunch of problems for me. Not to mention fixing my issues with having a passive fretted and active fretless bass with drastically different volume levels and EQ needs.

Man, I really need to sell some **** and just buy that damn thing already