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Alternative bass multi effect

mickebas

mickebas

Sep 7, 2008
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#1
I have rather specific wishes for a multi effect that seems hard to tick my boxes.
I’m looking for a portable unit with XLR out, volume/expression pedal and possibility to use in stomp box mode with octaver-synthbass-chorus and first in the chain I’d like to have an always on compressor and eq, preferably in a global setting that remains the same regardless of what stomp configuration I choose to use.

I’ve already gone through the HX stomp/fx, Zoom B2 four & B6 and Boss ME99b and the latest small Boss gx-1B but there is always a limitation, especially regarding having a compressor first and still have the opportunity to stomp octaver and synth.

All this without breaking the bank :)
Maybe not possible today but there are so many options around that I’m hoping to find something that I’ve missed so far.
 
#5
Nuisance said:
I think you'll find that you need separate pedals if you want everything to be "perfect". Multi-effects tend to be compromise boxes and are never perfect (i.e., they are great in some areas, and suck in others).
Click to expand...
Yes. That’s my conclusion so far.
But I’m still hoping to find something eventually, hopefully sooner than later, because I’m not a big effect nerd and to have what I mostly been using for a long time in one package would be very convenient.

But, as you say, to be really happy with all the sounds I’m using I probably have to go separate stomp boxes.
 
#11
mickebas said:
Synth sounds, XLR out as well ?
Interesting. Will look into it.
Click to expand...
It's got a balanced out TRS - I just used a short TRS to XLR cable as adapter.

Synths work best if you're a little creative. You get octave, fuzz, envelope and certain other toys to roll your own.

I've used one on a couple of shows and it worked fine for me.
I remember that for my synth patch, I added a volume pedal just before the envelope and set the range so that it lets 20% volume pass in heel position and 100% in toe position, then added heavy compression after the envelope - so the volume pedal controlled how big the filter sweeps can get but the volume stays the same. That was a lot of fun.

I did sell the unit to my student when I did not need it any more, but AFAIK, she's still using my settings to this day.
 
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#14
FightMilk said:
The me90b ain’t bad
Click to expand...
Already owned one. It’s not bad but to me, preferring to use stomp box mode, the way the effect are arranged I can’t get my basic set up to work… and unfortunately the synth bass sounds are not even close.
The chorus, octaver and overall layout is good on the ME90 though.

I guess it will always be a compromise, at least at my budget and today.
I’m hoping a new mid priced multi effect for bass will turn up soon.

The Zoom B6 also ticks a lot of boxes but have a similar problem with the effects in stomp mode.
 
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#15
mickebas said:
Yes. That’s my conclusion so far.
But I’m still hoping to find something eventually, hopefully sooner than later, because I’m not a big effect nerd and to have what I mostly been using for a long time in one package would be very convenient.

But, as you say, to be really happy with all the sounds I’m using I probably have to go separate stomp boxes.
Click to expand...

I use a mix of pedals and multieffects to keep things simple and flexible.

I tend to use the multis for less often used effects and prefer regular pedals for standard stuff like preamp, compressor, hpf.
 
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#17
PotsdamBass8 said:
Isn’t it possible to do what you want with an HX Stomp and an expression pedal and TRS-XLR cable or passive di? I get that you might want it to be all on one unit, but attaching all of those to a small board and having everything locked down nice and neat isn’t that different.
Click to expand...
Probably possible in some way.
The thing is I’d really want only one unit with expression pedal and XLR out…. and I’ve already had a HX stomp and HX fx and had my battles with them. Although a lot of people love them, I realized I just don’t, so looking for something new.
 
#18
I hope you find one. It looks like you also have a size limit and you want built in expression and an XLR and no additional things to plug in like extra foot switches correct?

I do not know about the high end Helix products like the new one now or the bigger ones than LT or Fractal or Headrush offerings, but I've never found a good synth virtual pedal inside these modelers -- it seems like something complex as a subtractive/FM or additive synth is too much work to emulate for the main CPU of the unit. So I go separate on that too.

I find many digital compressors ( and as an SA fanboy I include Atlas in this statement ) a little lacking for live use.

So I now use the Pi Stomp - a DIY Open Source version of the Mod Devices ecosystem but I have an external analog compressor (Wampler Ego 76) and a DI, tucked underneath the board . External DIs seem cleaner to me , specially if it is passive but has a proper transformer ( Jensen, Unagi or Cinemag). I actually upgraded my "el cheapo Behringer" with a Jensen -- although it was working as intended even before that with what looks like a Jensen copy anyway but I digress, you can always get a Radial. In the event of failure a passive DI and hopefully an Analog compressor will get you through.

Of course even a humble Zoom MS-60B+ can work, I have one of those too just in case in my main Double Bass gig bag with another el cheapo Behringer DI -
 
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#19
@mickebas, I do understand you want everything in ONE unit. I have gone down the same roads as well with other pieces of bass gear and I was always hoping to get the "all-in-one" solution. Unfortunately, the world of bass gear typically does not operate like that. Sometimes we get lucky, but more often than not, it's a compromise. Sometimes it requires a few pieces of gear to achieve the dream.

I suggest you save your money for something from Fractal or the various other $$$$ offerings out there. You might obtain something that gets you 90% there and a simple Expression pedal is all you need.

Form factor? What are the constraints with sizes that you are trying to meet? Is there a particular reason you are concerned about size? Is it personal preference?
 
#20
Size is for being able to bring the effect with me in the gig bag.
It’s mostly a matter of traveling light, if it wasn’t I have many other possibilities.
I’m old enough to be tired of to many things mounted together even though that may give me higher quality sounds.
The new Boss GX-1B actually is pretty close fit my needs with its size and very low weight so maybe that’s where I’ll end up in the end even though I just recently returned one I bought.
 

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