Tremolo Curiosity

jufros · #1 06-13-2009, 04:13 AM

I'm really intrigued by the idea of square wave tremolo on bass as a tool for creating rhythmic patterns, but I feel like I'd really need tap tempo to make it useful. I'm obsessive about my time.

The Empress clearly seems like the way to go if I want to get serious here. The thing is, I'm just not really sure how serious I want to get about tremolo as it wouldn't exactly be a staple effect. I can't seem to find any other tap tempo tremolo pedals that wouldn't constitute a serious investment besides..

The Line 6 Tonecore... I'm pretty sketched out about it. Bad reviews on harmony-central, weird tapping mechanism, daisy chain issues...

Is there someway of getting beat-synced tremolo for less than $250?

I'm thinking I would be better off using a tap tempo delay and just playing staccato. It wouldn't be anywhere near the same obviously but it would create a type of synthetic pulsing sound...

This is really too bad.

Jared Lash · #2 06-13-2009, 07:48 AM

Well, there's the Shape Shifter, for $140.

I haven't tried it myself, but I've heard good things. I believe rnilson here on TB has one.

jufros · #3 06-13-2009, 07:50 AM

And it can do triplets... awesome. Thank you I have no idea how I missed that.

RCCollins · #4 06-13-2009, 09:20 AM

the TC electronic Nova Modulator has tap tempo trem (among a zillion other things) and sells used for 180 or less

tbh the tremolo was the function i liked the LEAST on bass, but that was only because I didn't find its square wave mode choppy enough

jufros · #5 06-13-2009, 10:19 AM

That's my exact concern actually. I'd need it really choppy. What I really want to do is use tap tremolo in the same chain as the PH-3 in tap tempo step phaser mode to get stop and go arpeggiations and then run the chain into the deliciously sterile CE-5 to fatten the whole thing up.

Mudfuzz · #6 06-13-2009, 10:32 AM

I don't know it it helps but the 4mspedals tremulus is what I'm looking at and as a big trem freak this is everything I need and don't know if I need yet, which I need as well.

TimmyDX · #7 06-13-2009, 10:37 AM

i can personally vouch for the shape shifter, it has a spectacularly warm and natural bass tone. The shape knob allows for more sputtery sounds and even some reverse delay esque sounds. The waves shape allows dialing between the different wave shapes rathern then flip on, flip off which is cool.

Add in the tap temp and ratio speed controls and you've got some fantastic versatility, you wont get the stop start sounds of the goatkeeper or hollow earth, but it's still a fantastic package.

pasta4lnch · #8 06-13-2009, 10:39 AM

the bass murf looks REALLY cool - but pricey. my experience w/ moog stuff is it's worth the price though . . . (that's why I haven't taken the plunge on any of my own yet

)

Bjazzman · #9 06-13-2009, 10:40 AM

not a tremolo pedal per se but my digitech timebender will allow someone to create their own patters by strumming. whatever rhythm pattern you wanted then!!

whoatherechunk · #10 06-16-2009, 01:48 AM

Try and find a goatkeeper. The end.

ourworldisgrey · #11 06-16-2009, 02:16 AM

If your use is for rythmic patterns, you might want to look into a boss slicer. IIRC thats is pretty much its specialty.

**TheMutt** · #12 06-16-2009, 02:58 AM

The Boss Slicer was my first thought as well. If it was smaller, I'd probably have one by now.

Mr. Pickles · #13 06-16-2009, 11:28 AM

The Cusack tap a whirl often comes up on the used market for less than two bills.

Jazz Ad · #14 06-16-2009, 11:30 AM

I prefer to use a multi for this kind of stuff.
It's not an effect you're going to use everyday, most multis offer a staccato mode along with an expression pedal and/or tap tempo.
Otherwise the Boss Slicer really is great with complex rhythmic figures. So is the Korg AX-3000B in multis.