New (and improved?!) Bass Big Muff

[brendanbassist]

Originally Posted by Bakkster_Man

It sure seems to be adding noise, but does it do that in the lower ranges of the dial as well? I will be interested to see if others pedals have the same noise issues, hoping for yours to be the exception rather than the rule.

It does do it in the lower ranges, although it's less pronounced, and the camera mic doesn't pick it up well at all because the frequency is too low. I'm going to shoot EHX an email, and also try to get a replacement pedal from the dealer. Hopefully my pedal is just a dud.

[Simon Langley]

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

It does do it in the lower ranges, although it's less pronounced, and the camera mic doesn't pick it up well at all because the frequency is too low. I'm going to shoot EHX an email, and also try to get a replacement pedal from the dealer. Hopefully my pedal is just a dud.

I vote dud pedal. Just set mine the same way you have yours in the video and the noise level with the crossover in or out is about the same on mine. Was plugged into a bass with a single coil P pickup with the volume on but nothing being played. The sound with the crossover engaged was about as loud as the 60 cycle hum from the pickup with the crossover bypassed.

One thing I noticed was that you have the overall volume at 3/4 which when I tried it was a lot louder than the bypassed signal. I have been running the volume at about half.

I think you have a dud but I also think this pedal is going to be prone to noise at certain settings which is why I think they included the gate. Even with the same settings you were using I was able to quickly squash the noise by turning up he gate.

Last question is, is that where you would run the LPF control normally? Too me it made the low end sound brittle and tinny in the higher ranges of the control. I have been setting it low for an almost sub like overtone added to the fuzz tone.

Anyway, my initial five minute first impression with the pedal is good. Not as high gain as a expected it to be but I like the nice smooth tone and flexibility of it. Look forward to spending more time with it and getting "my" sound out of it. Feel free to ask any questions and ill do my best to answer them for you.

[ugly_bassplayer]

I hated my BBM, like really hated. I a/b it with a vintage bubble font muff, let me tell you I wanted to throw it in the garbage after hearing the difference,

[Simon Langley]

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

I hated my BBM, like really hated. I a/b it with a vintage bubble font muff, let me tell you I wanted to throw it in the garbage after hearing the difference,

I feel ya. The BBM was my introduction to fuzz. It was good enough until I started trying others and then on the chopping block it went. Since then i have tried many different fuzz pedals and feel my ear has grown to know the difference between a good and bad fuzz. What I can tell you is that this Muff is definitely voiced differently than the BBM and would have no trouble recommending it to anyone that was not a fan of the original BBM.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Originally Posted by Simon Langley

I feel ya. The BBM was my introduction to fuzz. It was good enough until I started trying others and then on the chopping block it went. Since then i have tried many different fuzz pedals and feel my ear has grown to know the difference between a good and bad fuzz. What I can tell you is that this Muff is definitely voiced differently than the BBM and would have no trouble recommending it to anyone that was not a fan of the original BBM.

I really like my Fuzzrocious Grey Stache for my fuzz tones. But I'm still on a OD quest.

[Flux Jetson]

We'll see how brendan's situation goes. Resonant LPFs are naturally noisy, especially when the resonance is raised. So maybe the one Brendan got was somehow put together/calibrated incorrectly which pumped the resonance up as high as it seems to be.

For me to get my synth filters to be ~that~ resonant I have to raise the resonance control up to just barely below the point of self oscillating. If the resonance were tweaked any higher the filter would sound like a HORRIBLY loud feeding-back guitar/amp. It sounds like Brendan's is a millimeter from being in that condition. Perhaps it is due to something like the wrong resistor value placed on the pcb in a critical position.

Dunno.

[Simon Langley]

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

I really like my Fuzzrocious Grey Stache for my fuzz tones. But I'm still on a OD quest.

Just shows how different strokes for different folks. Greystache was one of my least favs. Very noisy and harsh to my ears. I definitely prefer a smoother gated, synthy type fuzz and would someday love to try some mountain king stuff. Had the Devi ever SMBH and loved, loved its super gated synthy sound but was difficult to control. Now am really digging the flexibility of the iron either oxide for more gated, synthy type sounds so I am hoping this pedal will cover the wall of sound rip yer face off kinda stuff, lol.

[brendanbassist]

Well I took the pedal apart, and didn't see anything that looked wrong. But when I put it back together, the noise was gone! However, the low pass still has a resonant peak, which I believe is part of the design, and not an issue with my particular pedal, because of comments like these:

Originally Posted by vegas532

... I did notice that the LPF gets way too thin sounding on the top half of the dial.

Originally Posted by Simon Langley

...
Last question is, is that where you would run the LPF control normally? To me it made the low end sound brittle and tinny in the higher ranges of the control. I have been setting it low for an almost sub like overtone added to the fuzz tone.
....

I think the resonant peak of the LPF is for a deep, boomy bass under the fuzz, but I wish they would have implemented that with a bass EQ knob rather than boosting the Q on the LPF.

In response to Simon, yes I was planning on running the low pass set pretty high, to get an effect similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfqWnybHEM
But about the only good use I found for the crossover was setting it low for the sub bass sound you mentioned.

In short, I'll be returning it as it doesn't suit my needs, but it seems like a pretty good fuzz pedal.

[Flux Jetson]

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

...... I was planning on running the low pass set pretty high, to get an effect similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfqWnybHEM....

AH HA! NOW I GET IT!

Ok, here we go. That's a sound I work with a lot. It can be obtained in a number of manners. As you've most likely already figured out part of that sound relies on using a resonant filter. A Low Pass Filter ain't it. That will wipe out all of the top end above the rolloff freq even though it will provide that resonant peak sound that the Hyperdrive provides.

If I were you I'd use more than one effect to get the sound. I'm going to turn you on to one of my sacred tricks. Use a wah - a regular wah for guitar. It needs to be PARALLEL to your bass sound (just like the Hyperdrive's filter is, it's in parallel with the unfiltered sound, that why there is a "mix" control).

Wahs are BAND pass filters, just like what that Hyperdrive sounds like. But see if you use something like the Hyperdrive you are stuck with whatever distortion tone it comes with. You may like it today, but what about tomorrow and the day after that?

Use something that will provide you with two parallel channels. The Boss LS-2 is one suggestion. It has an EXCELLENT buffered bypass that works great at the front end of your rig (I believe the input impedance is 1meg, which is mondo cooly). Run the wah on one of the two loops, and whatever you like (even nothing) in the other loop. Mix to suit. Add whatever type of fuzz/distortion you wish. Also mix that to suit. The LS-2 will then provide you with a plethora of switching/mixing options.

I do CRAZY parallel setups (see the thread link in my sig - go to page 12 for the most relevant information to this situation). I use many different types of filters, EQs, etc, as well as any number of distortions and such. I have a sick paralleling system for all of that, I can even switch pickup mixes with my foot.

The trick will be finding ~the~ wah. If you don't want to use a wah, then use a parametric EQ that has fully adjustable Q. The WMD PEQ comes to mind (stomp), as does the Rane PE17 (rack). Another one to try for that trick is the Line 6 M5 (it's the least expensive M-series unit). It has roughly seven adjustable band pass filters (wahs etc). That Boss LS-2 is the trick to it all.

Another paralleling system can be made pretty easily with two Rolls mixer/splitters .... ($46 each, you'll need TWO). Here's a link ....

http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=MX41b

And here's the manual ....

http://www.rolls.com/pdf/M_MX41b.pdf

And here's a retailer ...

http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=2143

They have FOUR sends and FOUR returns. They are very small (smaller than most stompboxes) and are totally passive so they require no battery. BUT they have pretty low input impedance so you'll need something in front of it from your bass.

My 1st choice would be the Boss LS-2. A Cry Baby is a good wah to start with .. NOT THE BASS MODEL. Remember you'll be running this is parallel so you'll be able to mix in all the bass you want.

I already have like a dozen wahs, and an LS-2 ... let me see if I can whip out a SoundCloud track over the next few days. If this thread goes cold I'll just PM it to you. I'll be doing the track mostly for your benefit so if you don't think this type of setup interests you let me know and I won't bother with it. But if you are interested I really don't mind at all.

So use a band pass filter:
** A fully parametric EQ will work, but it has to be FULLY parametric not semi parametric, even better if it will self ocsillate that way you know you can get that resonant peak as high as you need it which is why I suggested the WMD -- if money is tight a Cry Baby can be found on Ebay for about $50 shipped -- listen to You Toobers to select the right sounding model, they ALL sound different.

** A Boss LS-2.

** And whatever distortion creator flicks yer thrillswitch. Put the distorter on the same parallel loop as the filter. You need the 2nd loop for whatever bass sound you'll use (totally dry, or maybe some other bass processor).

** Mix it all to suit with the LS-2's controls.

The beauty of this rig is it's flexibility. You're not ~stuck~ with any one part of it. You can change/tune the system by changing the filter and/or the distorter. You can even just try changing the order and arrangement of things.

MONDO POWUH!!!!

[Bakkster_Man]

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

I think the resonant peak of the LPF is for a deep, boomy bass under the fuzz, but I wish they would have implemented that with a bass EQ knob rather than boosting the Q on the LPF.

See, I want to use it to either keep the mids for attack, or low mids for body to mix the fuzz on top of. Not sure if resonance is exactly what I was hoping for, but it might work for that I'm hoping for.

Still no sound examples from anyone?

[brendanbassist]

Originally Posted by Bakkster_Man

See, I want to use it to either keep the mids for attack, or low mids for body to mix the fuzz on top of. Not sure if resonance is exactly what I was hoping for, but it might work for that I'm hoping for.

Still no sound examples from anyone?

If you're wanting to use mostly the distorted signal, with just a little clean mixed in for body or attack, I think it will work well for you.

[Diaos]

I have a bass blogger from EH and that thing's too noisy to use even with an external gate. Does this have the same problem?

And on the slightly buzzy tone, why jump through all those hoops, just get a Sansamp Para.

[Flux Jetson]

Originally Posted by Diaos

I have a bass blogger from EH and that thing's too noisy to use even with an external gate. Does this have the same problem?

And on the slightly buzzy tone, why jump through all those hoops, just get a Sansamp Para.

Those things are one of the most under-rated, unsung heros of the bass guitar world. Wonderful gizmos!

On the other hand, the Ashdown Hyperdrive is only $150 -

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...l?src=3WWRWXGP

If that is the sound he's shooting at, why not just get it? It's a full-on SIXTY BUCKS LESS than the Tech 21 Para Driver DI.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...l?src=3WWRWXGP

Just a thought.

Myself? I prefer a more modular approach. A separate module for the drive sound, and a separate module for the resonant peak. That way I can tune/re-do/whatever with things until I get what I want. I've found the modular approach to work better for my needs. It's far more versatile. A fuzz with a parked wah and a paralleling device can provide a lot of different tones. I've been messing with the setup since I found this thread (I have the Boss LS-2, a few wahs, and a few distorters .. but not a very nice fuzz .. yet!). So I've been goofing with it. Danged-lotta-stuff going on with that setup!

[Flux Jetson]

And what ever you do ... do NOT forget to get one of these .... NO bass rig should be without at least one! It opens any and all doors to the bassist.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX1DTHY_BSo

With it, any fuzz is now viable, any distortion is now useable. Run a Tech-21 Boost Fuzz (the one for guitars) into a Cry Baby wah on chA, then your clean tone on chB. Mix the two to suit your needs. Done!

Mondo versatile. You don't ever have to worry about whether the new Bad-Ol-Fuzz by Excellento Pedals has enough low end response. This gadget lets YOU control how much of everything does ~what~ to your sound. You can put a number of dirt-pedals in one channel and turn them on or off as needed because it will work with any of them. At has has one of the finest buffered bypass circuits out there, which is perfect for use at the front of a long chain of "true bypass" stuff to prevent the dreaded "True Bypass Chain Capacitance Tone Suckage". It has a 1meg/ohm input impedance, just like all of the very best/most expensive bass amps do. So your passive J-bass/P-bass just loves loves loves it as the first gadget in the line.

If you plug no other FX into it, you can even use it as TWO BOOSTS. Just set the channel volumes to whatever boost levels you require and then set the mode switch to whichever switching mode for the footswitch works out best for you ... rawk!. Each channel volume offers 20db of boost. So you can have unity (bypass), and two separate levels of super clean boost .. without buying anything but that one pedal!

I'm actually using TWO of them with my 2-channel modded J-bass now. One for each pickup!

2 channel modification on a J (many pictures).

So check out that video. Then your choices for fuzz pedals just opens up as wide as the setting Sun's horizon.

[Pandafist]

Why are you posting videos of yourself basically lecturing on the merits of a boss line selector (which is neither the simplest or cheapest T/B looper btw) in a thread about a pedal with a clean blend?

[Diaos]

Originally Posted by Pandafist

Why are you posting videos of yourself basically lecturing on the merits of a boss line selector (which is neither the simplest or cheapest T/B looper btw) in a thread about a pedal with a clean blend?

I know, I was about an hour and a half into the video before I remembered that I set out to research the deluxe big muff.

[ThunderBunny]

Not another "bass" muff.....almost everything electro-harmonix makes is garbage...don't believe me? Then why is their name abbreviated just eh? Sovtek did their muffs best. Big clunky housings and crappy bypass switches.

[andrew]

Originally Posted by ThunderBunny

Not another "bass" muff.....almost everything electro-harmonix makes is garbage...don't believe me?

Since you're asking, no, I don't believe you.

[Flux Jetson]

Originally Posted by Pandafist

Why are you posting videos of yourself basically lecturing on the merits of a boss line selector (which is neither the simplest or cheapest T/B looper btw) in a thread about a pedal with a clean blend?

You're horribly mistaken. Those aren't videos of myself, there isn't a video of ~me~ anywhere on the internet. It's a video of the Boss that I found. What on Earth made you assume that was a video of me? That was a pretty knee-jerk conclusion on your part.

Why did I post it? Because this thread is about using a fuzz that has a tuneable filter and a blend control. One particular poster said he was looking for a particular sound that the EHX didn't end up delivering for him and he is now returning the BMP that he bought because of it's failings. He posted a video of something that he'd found which was an example of what he wanted (that Ashdown unit). When I heard what it did in that video, it rang a bell with me of another way to obtain that same sound that he wanted that the EHX unit didn't deliver, so I posted the method (which includes the use of the Boss LS-2).

Originally Posted by Pandafist

Why are you posting videos of yourself basically lecturing on the merits of a boss line selector (which is neither the simplest or cheapest T/B looper btw) in a thread about a pedal with a clean blend?

Good lord, it's called DISCUSSION and ADVICE. It's all very relevant, actually it's quite relevant. The Boss LS-2 is a parallel A/B router, it's nothing even close to a True Bypass looper (it's not true bypass at all anyway, it's a buffered bypass parallel A/B router, something I was very clear about, as was the video that "I" was in, as is the press in the Musicians Friend ad that I linked). Boy, for complaining about my "lecturing" you sure didn't pay much attention to it! Haahaa!

"Video of myself" .... haahaa! That's just hilarious!!!

And by the way ... I never said the Boss was simple or cheap. I said it was GOOD! Sometimes to get good results you have to use a little more money at first. You want cheap crap, often times you're gonna get cheap results.

If "simple and cheap" are what makes something "good" in your mind, look elsewhere. No-one ever said you had to read my postings, or view the video that I linked. If you don't like it, don't click on it. The method I posted is an alternaive method of using ANY fuzz with ANY filter to acheive BETTER results than what this particular EHX pedal seems to be offering. If my comments bother you, there's an ignore button you may find useful.

I'm just trying to help those that are less than impressed with this unit, and offered an alternative method of creating those same families of sounds with far greater flexibility. In the end, my "expensive and complicated" method is actually less expensive than buying pedal after pedal and being disappointed time and again.

Read the "lecture" again, you may actually learn something about processing your sound with greater success. Or, continue to throw money at "cool" stuff.

[Flux Jetson]

Originally Posted by Diaos

I know, I was about an hour and a half into the video before I remembered that I set out to research the deluxe big muff.

How can you be an hour and a half into a video that is nine minutes and twenty four seconds long?