Source Audio Programmable EQ

[rob_thebassman]

this pedal looks promising

‪Source Audio Programmable EQ - Summer NAMM 2011‬‏ - YouTube

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by rob_thebassman

this pedal looks promising

‪Source Audio Programmable EQ - Summer NAMM 2011‬‏ - YouTube

Yeah, I had been keeping an eye on that. I don't think it's for me though, cuz that design wouldn't work for me live:

For me, the appeal of having presets is spoiled by the non-instant access to them.

For example, say you want two presets: 1 for an all-around fingerstyle curve, and a 2nd one for a scoop-ier slap curve, you can't just switch instantly in the middle of a tune -- you have to hold down the switch for a good second to go into patch-increment mode, and _then_ you can switch. Looks like it takes under a second to advance one preset -- but you better make sure you don't pass the one you want, or you'll have to cycle around the 4 presets again. It's just too finicky for real time use.

It'd be ok if you keep it turned Off for your basic tone, and just flick it on for a different curve in the middle of a tune.
But if you use it like that, it's not much different than having a simple On/Off, no-preset EQ pedal.

I really wish they'd designed it so the switch only cycled between presets -- one of which could be a Bypass preset.
And no waiting for it to cycle; each click = one increment.
But they forgot to consult me. :^D !

[AlvarHanso]

Originally Posted by pbasswil

Yeah, I had been keeping an eye on that. I don't think it's for me though, cuz that design wouldn't work for me live:

For me, the appeal of having presets is spoiled by the non-instant access to them.

For example, say you want two presets: 1 for an all-around fingerstyle curve, and a 2nd one for a scoop-ier slap curve, you can't just switch instantly in the middle of a tune -- you have to hold down the switch for a good second to go into patch-increment mode, and _then_ you can switch. Looks like it takes under a second to advance one preset -- but you better make sure you don't pass the one you want, or you'll have to cycle around the 4 presets again. It's just too finicky for real time use.

It'd be ok if you keep it turned Off for your basic tone, and just flick it on for a different curve in the middle of a tune.
But if you use it like that, it's not much different than having a simple On/Off, no-preset EQ pedal.

I really wish they'd designed it so the switch only cycled between presets -- one of which could be a Bypass preset.
And no waiting for it to cycle; each click = one increment.
But they forgot to consult me. :^D !

Really? One second is too long for you to wait?

[relwof]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

Really? One second is too long for you to wait?

One post too much for you to read? Or did you miss the part about "can't just switch instantly in the middle of a tune"?

[testing1two]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

Really? One second is too long for you to wait?

I think you're missing the point. Instantaneous switching allows the pedal to be used mid-song. In it's current configuration you either switch presets between songs or hook up a midi controller. This seriously limits the useful application of the pedal.

[bongomania]

Agreed, this seems like a case where the design directive to make it as small as possible outweighed the directive to make it as functional as possible.

[AlvarHanso]

I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.

[testing1two]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.

Let's look at one of several real world scenarios: let's say you get a bass solo. You're using preset 1 as your primary EQ and preset 2 is your solo EQ which is louder. Would you rather: a) step on a pedal right on the downbeat to begin your solo or b) attempt to hold the switch down early, anticipating how long it takes for the pedal to enter preset switching mode, and cycle to the next preset without holding it too long and overshooting to preset 3 in which case you have to cycle through the presets again before releasing the pedal, all while beginning your solo because you've missed the downbeat.

To me, that is VERY noticeable and potentially disastrous.

[Smallequestrian]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Agreed, this seems like a case where the design directive to make it as small as possible outweighed the directive to make it as functional as possible.

To me its highly dependent on how people use EQ pedals. I actually don't know, but I imagine some people like to use them on a per song basis and some people like to use them on a per segment basis. Seems like this will suit the prior quite well and the later not as much.

[AlvarHanso]

Originally Posted by testing1two

Let's look at one of several real world scenarios: let's say you get a bass solo. You're using preset 1 as your primary EQ and preset 2 is your solo EQ which is louder. Would you rather: a) step on a pedal right on the downbeat to begin your solo or b) attempt to hold the switch down early, anticipating how long it takes for the pedal to enter preset switching mode, and cycle to the next preset without holding it too long and overshooting to preset 3 in which case you have to cycle through the presets again before releasing the pedal, all while beginning your solo because you've missed the downbeat.

To me, that is VERY noticeable and potentially disastrous.

That makes a lot of sense, and in the heat of the moment, you could forget the exact timing on the EQ settings. Fair enough. But without a demo of how well it works live, I think it may be jumping the gun to rule it out before trying it. For instance, the 3 demo videos of the new EHX Sitar emulator all sounded pretty bad to me (didn't help in one the guy had an Mistress on the whole time), but before I close the door on it, I want to try it out for myself. Also, I play barefoot, so I'd probably try changing it up at the top, rather than with the longer switch.

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

Really? One second is too long for you to wait?

It's around a second to get it into patch change mode, and then under a second for each patch up or down you need to increment.
Then when you're done your solo (or whatever) and want to get back to your original patch you have to do that again -- cycle back thru the patches in between, paying attention to not overshoot.

I didn't say this pedal won't make anyone happy, I said it wasn't for me.
I'm challenged enough by coordinating bass playing, backup vocals & lyrics, and locating a chart for the next tune. Not a single free neuron left in my head for paying attention to digital gizmos!

[testing1two]

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

To me its highly dependent on how people use EQ pedals. I actually don't know, but I imagine some people like to use them on a per song basis and some people like to use them on a per segment basis. Seems like this will suit the prior quite well and the later not as much.

Agreed, but even changing patches per song requires taking a knee, holding the footswitch down with your hand to enter preset switch mode, cycle to the correct preset and then stand back up. This means that the use of the pedal will be directly proportionate to the number of beers I've had during the gig.

On the other hand if I was using a MIDI controller for other devices (like those nifty Eventide pedals) it would be very cool to have programmable EQ on tap.

[AlvarHanso]

Originally Posted by pbasswil

It's around a second to get it into patch change mode, and then under a second for each patch up or down you need to increment.
Then when you're done your solo (or whatever) and want to get back to your original patch you have to do that again -- cycle back thru the patches in between, paying attention to not overshoot.

I didn't say this pedal won't make anyone happy, I said it wasn't for me.
I'm challenged enough by coordinating bass playing, backup vocals & lyrics, and locating a chart for the next tune. Not a single free neuron left in my head for paying attention to digital gizmos!

Fair enough. I personally would probably never use 4 preset EQ settings, would probably just have 2 and have them follow each other in order. But if you would need it, I could see the issue.

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

Fair enough. I personally would probably never use 4 preset EQ settings, would probably just have 2 and have them follow each other in order. But if you would need it, I could see the issue.

Me too, I'd mostly need 2 presets. I thought about putting my main sound on both patches 1 and 3, and my alternate EQ on patches 2 and 4 -- so I'd only ever be incrementing by one. But nah, I still don't want to be switching modes first, every time I want to change presets.

It's just way simpler for me to get my basic, main sound through amp or other device EQ, and kick in a traditional non-digital EQ pedal for one alternate sound.

However, someone out there is going to have a blast with that thing + a MIDI foot pedal.

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by AlvarHanso

I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.

in a marketing perspective, it doesn't matter if it's noticeable or not. if the player doesn't think it's going to work, then they won't buy it. So to me, that difference is noticeable (of course, I don't really want it anyways--if it was a 1u rackmount, then i'd have two already )

[caeman]

I had high hopes for this pedal, but the way it ended up, it won't help me now. I really like the Soundblox pedal form factor and the top mount jacks. I am going to wait for the EQ Pro -- a pedal that will never happen.

[Smallequestrian]

Originally Posted by caeman

I had high hopes for this pedal, but the way it ended up, it won't help me now. I really like the Soundblox pedal form factor and the top mount jacks. I am going to wait for the EQ Pro -- a pedal that will never happen.

You could always get a Multiwave Distortion Pro and just use the clean channel for the EQ presets (since I know you don't like distorted bass)

Thought it would be a bit big for the application...

[caeman]

That thought has crossed my mind, SmEQ.

[itswac]

You can adjust the speed of how fast the Programmable EQ switches between presets.

[stflbn]

I'm excited about the small size option with presets.