Soundblox Multi-Wave Bass Dist PRO or the smaller model?

DJ.D. · #1 01-21-2011, 08:17 AM

I like the synth-like distortion Soundblox Multi-Wave Bass Distortion pedals give, as far as I can tell from clips on the web. Haven't had a chance to try one out...

A question for those who own the PRO version. I've been thinking if the morphing feature could imitate a LFO in some satisfactory way. Say if you EQ one preset by drastically cutting all the highs and then morph it with an other preset with the opposite EQ settings to get the vibe from electronic dance music when building up a musical climax. Have anyone tested this? Or do you believe it would work?

I'm mostly asking because if this doesn't work I will buy the smaller version of the pedal and save precious pedalboard space.

I'll be thankful also for any other info about the pedals so feel free to express your opinions about them :-)

warwick.hoy · #2 01-21-2011, 11:58 AM

While I've not tried since I have LFO's on other pedals (Source Audio Tri-Mod Wah and Moog MF-105B Bass MuRF) I can't say that I think that would work. I say that because LFO's just have this consistency and almost robotic feel that I don't think a treadle could duplicate. You're best bet would be to get the smaller Multiwave Bass Distortion for the synthy sounds you like and run it through a separate LFO such as the TMW.

DJ.D. · #3 01-21-2011, 01:16 PM

Sorry, I think I've mixed up the terms/expressions (sorry also for my bad english :-P). I think I mean that I want the function of a Low-pass filter like in the Moog MF-101. I want to go from a dark and muddy sound to a shrill (?) and screaming sound during a period of like eight bars. That's what I'm after if you can understand me better now :-P

I'm also planning to have the Q-tron+ on my pedalboard. Maybe that one will be able to mimic this slow growth in sound from muddy to screaming by controlling your attack from soft to hard?

Smallequestrian · #4 01-21-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ.D.

Sorry, I think I've mixed up the terms/expressions (sorry also for my bad english :-P). I think I mean that I want the function of a Low-pass filter like in the Moog MF-101. I want to go from a dark and muddy sound to a shrill (?) and screaming sound during a period of like eight bars. That's what I'm after if you can understand me better now :-P

I'm also planning to have the Q-tron+ on my pedalboard. Maybe that one will be able to mimic this slow growth in sound from muddy to screaming by controlling your attack from soft to hard?

I know you said you've listened to the clips on the web, but have you seen this video? http://www.sourceaudio.net/videos/po...-effect-types/

It gives you a clue as to how the morphing works. You can get some crazy sounding sweeps going if you want. Your foot control is the limiting factor on how it works.

warwick.hoy · #5 01-21-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ.D.

Sorry, I think I've mixed up the terms/expressions (sorry also for my bad english :-P). I think I mean that I want the function of a Low-pass filter like in the Moog MF-101. I want to go from a dark and muddy sound to a shrill (?) and screaming sound during a period of like eight bars. That's what I'm after if you can understand me better now :-P

I'm also planning to have the Q-tron+ on my pedalboard. Maybe that one will be able to mimic this slow growth in sound from muddy to screaming by controlling your attack from soft to hard?

That changes things a bit. See below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

I know you said you've listened to the clips on the web, but have you seen this video? http://www.sourceaudio.net/videos/po...-effect-types/

It gives you a clue as to how the morphing works. You can get some crazy sounding sweeps going if you want. Your foot control is the limiting factor on how it works.

I forgot that the MWPro self oscillates on dissonant intervals.

Smallequestrian · #6 01-21-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I forgot that the MWPro self oscillates on dissonant intervals.

But that would require playing more than one note at a time...do I look like a guitar player to you?

warwick.hoy · #7 01-21-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

But that would require playing more than one note at a time...do I look like a guitar player to you?

No, that just means I need to spend more time with my gear.

Smallequestrian · #8 01-21-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

No, that just means I need to spend more time with my gear.

I know what you mean, until this past weekend, I'd been using virtually the same settings since I got it this time last year. I spent a lot of time digging through it again last weekend and came up with some different sounds that I've incorporated into tonight's setlist. I'd been using it for my core pick overdrive sound and I kept that setting the same, but now I'm using a Multiband Foldback and a Singleband foldback setting for half the songs as well. Only one song is clean now.

Chrisk-K · #9 01-21-2011, 01:59 PM

Why not get a non-pro version? It's smaller and has the same engine.

echoSE7EN · #10 01-21-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

Why not get a non-pro version? It's smaller and has the same engine.

The EQ can be very helpful.

warwick.hoy · #11 01-21-2011, 02:06 PM

The versatility of the PRO version is the main selling factor. You can use it as a Clean Boost/EQ (which I do) and the 6 presets are handy for anything from leveling out the output of two different basses (clean) to saving favorite sounds and having them easily accessible. The morphing feature is something that I really need to start utilizing more.

DJ.D. · #12 01-21-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

I know you said you've listened to the clips on the web, but have you seen this video? http://www.sourceaudio.net/videos/po...-effect-types/

It gives you a clue as to how the morphing works. You can get some crazy sounding sweeps going if you want. Your foot control is the limiting factor on how it works.

Oh, I must have missed that video or that I didn't think of wanting that function when watching it some time ago. It certainly sounds cool! :-) It should be tweekable even more to my taste. It's already close enough on the video!

I think I can squeeze everything on my pedalboard with some planning. Would be a fun feature to have when we do cover songs from the 90's Euro disco ;-) A combination with my Aguilar Octamizer which I'm very pleased with, by the way, the Multi-wave bass dist. and perhaps the Q-tron should be a setup that will give me some killer synthy tones. Wouldn't you think?!

Hey, I'm getting all excited! As soon as I get the money I'll go for it :-) Thanks for quick but very helpful comments!

DJ.D. · #13 01-21-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

The versatility of the PRO version is the main selling factor. You can use it as a Clean Boost/EQ (which I do) and the 6 presets are handy for anything from leveling out the output of two different basses (clean) to saving favorite sounds and having them easily accessible. The morphing feature is something that I really need to start utilizing more.

Haven't thought of using it as a clean level adjuster! That's really smart and can help me on stage :-)

Smallequestrian · #14 01-21-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ.D.

I think I can squeeze everything on my pedalboard with some planning. Would be a fun feature to have when we do cover songs from the 90's Euro disco ;-) A combination with my Aguilar Octamizer which I'm very pleased with, by the way, the Multi-wave bass dist. and perhaps the Q-tron should be a setup that will give me some killer synthy tones. Wouldn't you think?!

That's very similar to what I'll be gigging tonight. I am using the Octamizer into the Multiwave, but instead of a Q-Tron, I'm also using Source Audio's Bass Envelope filter.

warwick.hoy · #15 01-21-2011, 02:49 PM

Somewhat OT:

Paul, is there any chance you'll come away from your gig tonight with a good live recording. I think it would be awesome to hear those settings you detailed; used in a live setting.

DJ.D. · #16 01-21-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

That's very similar to what I'll be gigging tonight. I am using the Octamizer into the Multiwave, but instead of a Q-Tron, I'm also using Source Audio's Bass Envelope filter.

Beautiful Smallequestrian (Paul :-)! Are you pleased with the setup? Flaws?

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Somewhat OT:

Paul, is there any chance you'll come away from your gig tonight with a good live recording. I think it would be awesome to hear those settings you detailed; used in a live setting.

Good idea warwick.hoy! And while you're at it Smallequestrian, plug in an expression pedal and let me hear how some morphing with the Octamizer and Enveloper there would sound :-D Have fun at the gig!

Smallequestrian · #17 01-21-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Somewhat OT:

Paul, is there any chance you'll come away from your gig tonight with a good live recording. I think it would be awesome to hear those settings you detailed; used in a live setting.

I plan on recording using my ZOOM H2 tonight, I've used it at this place before and haven't been extremely happy with the results, even though its probably my favorite place we play. Hopefully I'll sound good. I'll be interested to see how these setting come off live.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ.D.

Beautiful Smallequestrian (Paul :-)! Are you pleased with the setup? Flaws?

For the most part yeah, the only weak link to me is the Octamizer...its one of the better analog Octavers out there, but they all have their idiosyncrasies that annoy me in one way or another.

cultrvultr · #18 01-21-2011, 03:24 PM

Get the Pro. I bought and sold the regular one wishing it had more control over the EQ.

warwick.hoy · #19 01-21-2011, 03:25 PM

A buddy of mine used a small Tascam for live recording. It's all about finding a good place to put it. That said I prefer that to most board tapes from smaller bands playing tiny venues. I'd rather hear what the audience hears with stage volume and FOH combined than a poorly mixed FOH sound because stage volume is competing.

DJ.D. · #20 01-21-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

I plan on recording using my ZOOM H2 tonight, I've used it at this place before and haven't been extremely happy with the results, even though its probably my favorite place we play. Hopefully I'll sound good. I'll be interested to see how these setting come off live.

For the most part yeah, the only weak link to me is the Octamizer...its one of the better analog Octavers out there, but they all have their idiosyncrasies that annoy me in one way or another.

I would also be happy to hear those recordings if you succeed with them :-)

Haven't tried that many octavers but for me it is the best one I've heard or used. The EBS sounds dull and digital ones sound thin or plastic. I love the tone knob for the synth tone too :-) For me it's been perfect for my use so far. Maybe because I'm not after the octave down as much as I am after the synthy tone I get playing up an octave on the neck and letting more out of the octave tone than the clean. I do use it sometimes in a more Stevie Wonder kinda funky way too, and it does the job as long as I keep my playing clean, hehe :-P