S. Duncan SFX-09 Double Back Compressor

hensonbass · #1 03-10-2009, 03:31 PM

I've got one of these on order:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...x09_double_ba/

I'm really curious how it will work with my EUB because normally when I've used a compressor on upright it makes it sound "less upright" like. I'm hoping the double-back feature will preserve some of the original tone quality while fattening up the sound.

hensonbass · #2 03-30-2009, 03:16 AM

Just got the Doubleback in the mail today. I think it sounds great. I pulled out my Demeter Compulator pedal to compare and I like the S. Duncan much better. The side chain effect knob adds back some dynamics to the fattened comp tone very well. I only tried this with my bass guitars so far and not my elec. upright bass. I'll try that on Wed.

Bongo needs to get his ears on this pedal.

hensonbass · #3 03-30-2009, 10:09 AM

Just learned the compressor itself is VCA based so its more transparent & faster then an opto.

Is this true?

4StringsEnough · #4 03-30-2009, 01:43 PM

This sounds very interesting. I prefer the tone of my bass without a compressor yet always use a compressor to even things out - maybe my technique should be better so I wouldn't need to use a compressor but I do like the way compression evens everything out and makes the bass sit better in the mix. Having the lows kept in check whilst mixing back in some of the uncompressed highs sounds perfect! GAS!

bongomania · #5 03-30-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hensonbass

Just learned the compressor itself is VCA based so its more transparent & faster then an opto.
Is this true?

It's true as a generalization, but as with most generalizations there are exceptions.

FWIW there are other "blended" compressors on the market, notably the Barber and the Guyatone ST2, but I will defo have to try out this Duncan one.

hensonbass · #6 04-02-2009, 04:14 PM

Just played a show running my Azola EUB through the SFX-09.

This pedal does exactly what I want it to do: help fatten the tone and sustain without masking the initial string attack that defines the character of the upright sound IMO.

I think the compressor function is comparable to other pedals out there. However, when you add in the adjustable "double-back" direct tone you have the complete picture. On most electric bass situations maybe it's not that important, but for me and my upright bass application it was always the achilles heel that kept me from using a compressor live.

bongomania · #7 11-09-2009, 01:17 AM

Sorry it took me so long to get on board, but a review of this pedal is now posted!
http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/duncan.shtml
I like it a lot. I'm not about to say it "slays" any of the more expensive ones, but it's a worthy contender.

hensonbass · #8 11-09-2009, 10:37 AM

That's cool. Glad you thought it was a good pedal for the money. I'm still using mine with great results.

I'm surprised it has not received more acclaim out there in the market- must be a sleeper. I felt the same way a year ago with my Line6 M13 multi effect unit and now that has blown up big time.

I hope S. Duncan keeps making these pedals.

bongomania · #9 11-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Yeah I think Duncan has to work on their marketing of pedals. They've got some neat designs that are supposedly pretty good quality all around (this is the first one I've tried though), but they get no forum love. I think the size of the pedals may be a turnoff for many. I'd like to try out their Twin Tube OD and the Shape Shifter.

Smurf-o-Deth · #10 11-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Yeah, the form factor is a major downer on the SD offerings.

4StringsEnough · #11 11-09-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

Yeah, the form factor is a major downer on the SD offerings.

The input and output jacks are on the top of the pedal though so they only need about the same space as a 'normal' width pedal with the jacks on the side.

bassbmx · #12 11-09-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'd like to try out their Twin Tube OD and the Shape Shifter.

The Shape Shifter trem is quite cool. I much prefer the trem on my Mod Factor but that's kinda to be expected. Still well worth checking out!

RickenBoogie · #13 11-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Even with the jacks on top, many of their pedals are still way too big. The Twin Tube, for example, is a great sounding overdrive/distortion, with 2 channels, but it's almost twice the size of a Fulltone BassDrive.

hensonbass · #14 11-09-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The Twin Tube, for example, is a great sounding overdrive/distortion, with 2 channels, but it's almost twice the size of a Fulltone BassDrive.

Agreed - I've got one too.

4StringsEnough · #15 11-09-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Even with the jacks on top, many of their pedals are still way too big. The Twin Tube, for example, is a great sounding overdrive/distortion, with 2 channels, but it's almost twice the size of a Fulltone BassDrive.

The Twin Tubes are real tube pedals so it's not really fair to compare them size-wise to the Bass Drive. Real tube pedals, but their nature, need to by physically bigger just to accommodate the tubes.

RickenBoogie · #16 11-09-2009, 03:37 PM

They're miniature tubes in that particular pedal. By comparison, the Trex Squeezer uses a full size 12AX7, and it's less than half the size of the twin tube. Not knockin' the pedal, just it's oversizeness.

bongomania · #17 11-09-2009, 05:06 PM

There are plenty of "real tube pedals" that are the size of the Bassdrive or smaller.

Sparrows78 · #18 10-28-2010, 03:25 PM

Just recieved my Double Back in the mail!

Is anybody else getting distortion when turning the "double back" knob past 2 o'clock?

I'm getting distortion with both my passive bass and my passive guitar, feeding the signal straight into my daw and also when feeding it to my amp.
I've checked the output gain to ensure there is no clipping going on.

Any thoughts?

(It's worth mentioning though, that the pedal sounds great in all other settings!

bongomania · #19 10-28-2010, 05:16 PM

The higher the "double back" setting, the more your uncompressed signal is mixed in. So the clipping may be coming from uncompressed spikes hitting your daw and amp, not the pedal. If you can confirm that the clipping is coming from the pedal itself, then there is something wrong with it.

Sparrows78 · #20 10-28-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

The higher the "double back" setting, the more your uncompressed signal is mixed in. So the clipping may be coming from uncompressed spikes hitting your daw and amp, not the pedal. If you can confirm that the clipping is coming from the pedal itself, then there is something wrong with it.

Thanks for your fast input!
Unfortunately, I have confirmed that there is no clipping going on after the signal has left the pedal...
It's still a little wierd though - it sounds really great all the way up to about 2 o'clock - past that distortion kicks in when I hit the strings hard. If I play really soft I can barely hear the distortion.
Well well - I guess I was unlucky on this one...