New Line of Bass Pedals/Effects by Daring Audio

[kenstee]

Sounds like these could be pretty cool.......

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazin...ct_Pedals.aspx

http://www.daringaudio.com/

"Daring Audio’s first four bass pedals are the Particle Beam, a highly controllable natural overdrive with sophisticated blending and filtering capability, the Laser Cannon, a versatile distortion and fuzz with blending and texture controls, and the Edge Activator with ability to add clarity, punch and “new string” sound to all basses from upright acoustic to solidbody electric bass guitars. Also introduced is the Phat Beam, a natural sounding pure analog VCA compressor, with a blend feature and a unique side-chain option to provide sounds previously only achievable in recording studio setups. Daring Audio combines innovation, top quality components, impressive signal to noise ratios and high usability in controls and LEDs and an indestructible box with stunning design.

Bass signals and bass players are much different than guitar signals and players. The dynamic range and crest factor of typical bass signals can be 10 times higher than guitar. The range of playing techniques from finger style, picking, popping and slapping broadens the dynamic range requirements.

According to Chris Rigatuso, co-founder: “Our long time research and participation in this market revealed that professional bass players were not using pedals because of the lack of sound quality, versatility and lack of professional product design. Most players use guitar based pedals which were not designed with bass signals in mind. We wanted to design and deliver pedals that were uniquely crafted for bass, that were stage ready, rugged and easy to operate fast in the urgent live performance situations and had a strong cool factor.” This means you won’t need one hour to find your settings sweet spot.

“Daring Audio’s first priority is definitely sound quality. We have doubled the headroom by running at 18v from either a single 9v battery or a standard 9v adaptor. Our second priority was fast, flexible control with usability. We started our research with recording studio experience, interviews, and a review of mixing techniques used to create landmark bass sounds on key records. These techniques mix and match direct signals, mic'd amps with blended tracks that were processed with rack mount equipment providing overdrive with tubes. We determined a way to provide the preamp, EQ, and tube overdrive gain structure and the track blend ability in a single and simple indestructible box.”

[Jazz Ad]

I'm sure they're cool and all but seriously.
259 for an OD, 329 for an EQ/enhancer?

[gjbassist]

Not going to get a lot of mainstream users at those prices! Do we really need another line of boutique pedals?

[Smurf-o-Deth]

C'mon, guys! They put a BLEND on 'em, and those cost $$$$$$$$$$$$!

[andrew]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I'm sure they're cool and all but seriously.
259 for an OD, 329 for an EQ/enhancer?

That was what I thought too. With those prices they'd need to really be a step above most pedals out there and the sound clips on their site aren't really demonstrating that.

[bongomania]

I am frankly put off by these lines about the compressor:

...without those optical components and associated sound artifacts.

In fact, nobody before has ever said anything about optical components being something to avoid, and optical components are not associated with any unwanted artifacts.

frequency selective sidechain control without having to use external signals. A first time innovation in a pedal.

False, there have been frequency-selective sidechains in other pedals prior to this one, plus frequency-selective blends for a similar result. Seymour Duncan Doubleback, FEA Opti-FET, RPG Evangelator, and I can probably think of a few more in a little while. The specific meaning of "frequency selective sidechain" could be debated, but I don't yet see what their "first time innovation" is. Furthermore, a version of this feature is found even on some of dbx's and Behringer's cheapest rack units, so it's not much of an innovation even if it's uncommon in pedals.

It provides incredible control over the attack of each note and duration of sustain.

A switch that selects between fast and slow is "incredible control"?

Unlike most compressors, the subtle and annoying interaction between attack, release, and threshold is eliminated.

Most compressor pedals don't have all of those functions separately controllable. Among rack and pedal comps that do, their functionality has never been called "annoying" by anyone who knew how it works. Among pedals that don't have those controls separated out (again, the majority), they use the exact same method Daring does of having a single "Comp" or "Sustain" knob affecting all parameters.

I'd really like to welcome new pedal makers and especially compressor designers into the market. And I would like to review this pedal. And these have a classy "look" to them. But it's not good for the promotional copy for a new product to cause such an unpleasant taste in the mouth before it even hits the street.

[grygrx]

I'm a believer in proving your point at these kind of price levels. Unknown brands bring a little bit of hope, a lot of hype... I'll hunt for used ones

[reddi]

Bongo, please let us know if you get a chance to demo the comp.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I'm sure they're cool and all but seriously.
259 for an OD, 329 for an EQ/enhancer?

When I saw it being played on line I said interesting. But at 329 not so sure. I would have to hear it first or check out a used one.

[Kromwarp]

I would really like an Edge Activator, but hopefully I'll win one, the prices are rather steep...

[cultrvultr]

I've asked Chris to bring some pedals to demo at the Bay Area GTG next week. He sounded interested. Hopefully he'll show up so the TBFX crew can check 'em out and maybe record a few demos.

[Billy Low]

I recently tried the Edge Activator and all I could say is DAMN!!! It is one hell of a pedal! The price point leaves me a bit sour, but the pedal brought punch clarity and depth in a way that I have never heard. I would love to have one.

[bongomania]

OK, so they sent me a Phat Beam for review. Daring Audio Phat Beam
Short version: I like it! It's a very cool-sounding tool for tone sculpting. For somebody who wants pure clean compression, there are other pedals I'd recommend instead. But there really are some super fat (or) super cutting tones to be found in here, and they sound quite good.

They may be sending me an Edge Activator later on, to try out.

I will say, in spite of my earlier misgivings, these guys have made a really solid good impression on me in terms of their willingness to hear suggestions and improve anything that can be improved. Plus they're nice guys, quite likable.