Source Audio Multiwave Bass Distortion: Normal or Pro?

Kwesi · #1 02-10-2010, 03:22 PM

So I've decided to get one of these... I just can't pick which one! The Pro version offers a 7 band EQ, a EQ level knob, 2 more distortion modes (modes 00 and 22), and 6 user customizable presets for $100 more. On one hand I love options and the Pro has them in spades but on the other hand I feel like I won't use them all or at least enough of them to make me feel like I got my money's worth.

Until now I honestly thought that I would be the last bassist on earth to want and much less, own a bass distortion pedal. I don't play rock that ever requires it and I've never heard a distorted bass sound that I like in a funk context either which is what I play most of the time so I just saw no use for it. Then I saw Will Cady's demos of the Pro (particularly the cover of Daft Punk's Short Circuit) and it blew me away how funky the pedal could sound and I knew I had to get one.

So which one do you guys think I should get?

PhatBasstard · #2 02-10-2010, 03:33 PM

New Bass Player issue (Them Crooked Vultures cover) reviews both.

Darkstrike · #3 02-10-2010, 03:37 PM

Pro is the one I'd get, for sure.

Kwesi · #4 02-10-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhatBasstard

New Bass Player issue (Them Crooked Vultures cover) reviews both.

If that's online you mind linking to it? I've got no place to check out Bass Player Mag where I am.

bongomania · #5 02-10-2010, 03:55 PM

My take: if you want to save money, get a regular old distortion pedal. If you want fancy options, then why go halfway?

PhatBasstard · #6 02-10-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

If that's online you mind linking to it? I've got no place to check out Bass Player Mag where I am.

I just got the issue today, but I get the on-line notices too. It doesn't seem to be posted on-line yet. I think they do this so the actual issue has a chance to sell first.

grovest · #7 02-10-2010, 04:10 PM

You forgot expression medal morphing, good MIDI support, the Hot Hand option, and tweak able noise gate.

You're really weighing all these against $100?

We don't know your value system. But in my opinion the patches, EQ, MIDI, etc are the sole reason to get this pedal instead of a tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion.

Kwesi · #8 02-10-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grovest

You forgot expression medal morphing, good MIDI support, the Hot Hand option, and tweak able noise gate.

You're really weighing all these against $100?

We don't know your value system. But in my opinion the patches, EQ, MIDI, etc are the sole reason to get this pedal instead of a tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion.

Hehe, when it comes to pedals my value system is based purely on it's ability to make cool sounds that I like and can use in the music I play

.

warwick.hoy · #9 02-10-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Hehe, when it comes to pedals my value system is based purely on it's ability to make cool sounds that I like and can use in the music I play

.

In that case I'd get the pro.

jrmy · #10 02-10-2010, 05:37 PM

If this is going to be your only distortion pedal, go for the pro, if only for the extra options. I find that the more I use a pedal, the more I find uses for it. If you have more options, it'll only make you love it longer... so to speak.

**kenstee** · #11 02-10-2010, 05:45 PM

Or save the extra $100 and use it to buy another pedal you want. All BS aside, are you really going to be using all or some of the additional features of the pro often enough to justify the extra $100? Only you can answer that one. You really going to buy and use the "Hot Hand?" Do you need the MIDI control?

Or if you have limited real estate on your board - then the non-pro may make more sense.

Or one option is to buy both, try them and return the one you don't want within the 30-day return period. All you lose is return postage.

Or if $100 doesn't mean all that much to you one way or another go for the Pro.

**kenstee** · #12 02-10-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grovest

But in my opinion the patches, EQ, MIDI, etc are the sole reason to get this pedal instead of a tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion.

Don't really agree with this. What it does and offers is WAY different than any tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion. A buyer needs to decide if the effects/sounds/tones that the MBD offers is what they want vs. a so-called tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion. It's truly a case of apples vs. oranges.

grovest · #13 02-10-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenstee

Don't really agree with this. What it does and offers is WAY different than any tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion. A buyer needs to decide if the effects/sounds/tones that the MBD offers is what they want vs. a so-called tasty, rare, or vintage analog distortion. It's truly a case of apples vs. oranges.

That's why I prefaced it with 'in my opinion...', because for me the sounds themselves aren't what excite me about the pedal as much as the versatility (afforded by the pro version).

**kenstee** · #14 02-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grovest

That's why I prefaced it with 'in my opinion...', because for me the sounds themselves aren't what excite me about the pedal as much as the versatility (afforded by the pro version).

Different strokes for different folks..........I feel the exact opposite. It's the core of the product - the sounds - that I find exciting. The added versatility of the Pro is just icing on the "sound" cake.

RacerX1492 · #15 02-10-2010, 06:34 PM

I just picked up the Pro model myself for the MIDI connection.

Source Audio website says the Soundblox Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion is currently sold out in the U.S. until mid to late April.

Kwesi · #16 02-10-2010, 07:08 PM

Honestly, there are only 3 reasons that I'm considering the Pro, the EQ, the 2 extra modes, and the 6 presets. All of which, to me, equate to more tonal options. I'm not getting a Hot Hand, nor do I expect to use the MIDI input, I might get and expression pedal but that would be later on. Like I said after after sounds and quality ones at that. I'm leaning towards the Pro because it seems like it really does have quite a bit to offer over the normal one in terms of tone alone...

rsmith601 · #17 02-10-2010, 09:42 PM

In the old days there was no Pro. The artists who helped us develop the Bass Multiwave loved it in its simple form and some use it still. Victor used it for at least one year, and loved it. I sometimes feel like the simple pedal, which did all the heavy lifting early on, is not getting its fair due. The simple guy is small, light weight, and does most of that the big guy does. I am sticking up for the little guy!!! He kicks you know what too.

warwick.hoy · #18 02-10-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Honestly, there are only 3 reasons that I'm considering the Pro, the EQ, the 2 extra modes, and the 6 presets. All of which, to me, equate to more tonal options. I'm not getting a Hot Hand, nor do I expect to use the MIDI input, I might get and expression pedal but that would be later on. Like I said after after sounds and quality ones at that. I'm leaning towards the Pro because it seems like it really does have quite a bit to offer over the normal one in terms of tone alone...

I think those three features alone are worth the extra bill.

What I've done with mine so far is setup the 1st bank with multiband settings and the second bank with single band settings. I like the single band normal setting so much that I have a low gain and a hi gain setting with roughly the same eq a distortion mix. I believe I have the low gain setting with and higher clean mix (on of the multiwaves best features) and the high gain has a lower clean mix.

The Pro is really worth it even if you aren't after the HH or midi connectivity.

I'd be interested (okay I'm a midi dunce) in how a MBDP could interact with the Moog MidiMuRF; if it could at all aside from a "traditional" standpoint.

grovest · #19 02-10-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I'd be interested (okay I'm a midi dunce) in how a MBDP could interact with the Moog MidiMuRF; if it could at all aside from a "traditional" standpoint.

Neither of them have a MIDI out, let alone transmit MIDI, so you couldn't do anything with just the two of them and one MIDI cable. But certainly, if you have a keyboard or foot controller, you could modify multiple parameters on each pedal with a single mod wheel or knob turn.

The MIDI in is super handy for me on the Pro pedal. I can change the program on my Modfactor and simultaneously change the distortion patch on the Source pedal. And I have a couple patches that, when I move the expression pedal on the Modfactor, not only does it affect the modulation clean / dry mix, but it encodes a CC message to adjust the drive amount on the Source pedal. Cool!

Smallequestrian · #20 02-11-2010, 12:20 AM

I love it, can't imagine using it without the preset abilities. Would not be nearly as useful for me. I just got back from a gig where I used 4 different presets over the set and used the morph function to get a couple in between values. Out side of my bass the Pro is the most essential part of my rig right now.