• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Backbeat

#42
Plaz said:
Thanks, it's interesting... do you think it gives enough sense of pitch to "feel" your mistake if you hit a note a half step off, like just missing your fret on a fretted bass?
Click to expand...
Honestly, probably not any more than having a decent amp that you can hear. It supplements the low frequencies but I personally do not think it would improve my intonation on a fretless instrument. Still need to hear the highs and mids well enough to get that clarity.

Dont get me wrong, with the BB and in-ear monitors I get a very good and clear representation of all notes. But if you only add the BB to a situation where clarity is already questionable then I dont think you'll get the outcome you want without additional adjustments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Plaz
#43
You quoted the first part of my post, but not the rest where I basically agree with you. ;)

The BB reproduces the note/pitch exactly, but it's incomplete because the mids and highs aren't there and that's where the clarity comes from.


Dub56 said:
Okay, I should have mentioned that it does give some sense of general pitch (i.e. a lower vs. higher note). I'm still not so sure on being able to use the vibrations to discern the exact pitch to the point where it'd be usable for what he asked about at all. His question was whether it could be used to verify his intonation on fretless with 100% certainty in situations where he can't hear himself, and I'm still doubtful on that. For me personally it would be pretty tough to translate exact notes and pitches from the vibrations alone, especially on the fly in a situation like that. I'm thinking playing with intonation slightly off would feel pretty close to playing with correct intonation. Maybe I'm not adept enough at translating exact pitches using vibrations through my back, but that's just my $0.02 after using one, YMMV

And don't get me wrong, I think it feels very dynamic and responsive to playing, it's great. I guess from my perspective while using it at least, it feels like most of the clarity of the note itself is still coming from the sound or my interaction with the bass, while the rumble follows along nicely and dynamically and supports it. As dynamic as it is, I'm not sure it would be as clear if it was a situation where I couldn't see/hear/feel the bass, just the rumble. Hope that makes sense
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dub56 and Plaz
#45
Has anyone used the aux input? Does it also vibrate the pack?

Considering this as a solution to replace a buttkicker platform at some of our venues. I think having the vibration from the kick drum is also key. It would be awesome to run my entire wireless pack through the aux to get the kick in there. Hopefully it wouldn't get too muddied up...
 
#46
carsonchilders said:
Has anyone used the aux input? Does it also vibrate the pack?

Considering this as a solution to replace a buttkicker platform at some of our venues. I think having the vibration from the kick drum is also key. It would be awesome to run my entire wireless pack through the aux to get the kick in there. Hopefully it wouldn't get too muddied up...
Click to expand...
Aux input does NOT rumble. The 'Thump' knob only affects the red input jack.

You absolutely can run your wireless pack directly into that red input to get that feature, that's how I run mine. You'll need an 1/8" to 1/4" cable to make it work.
 
#47
Pat C. said:
Aux input does NOT rumble. The 'Thump' knob only affects the red input jack.

You absolutely can run your wireless pack directly into that red input to get that feature, that's how I run mine. You'll need an 1/8" to 1/4" cable to make it work.
Click to expand...
I've been talking to the creator, version 2 will be stereo through the input. Currently if you run your mix through the input, it'll get summed to mono.
 
#49
Pat C. said:
Ah, I did not consider the stereo/mono issue. My band runs mono monitor mixes so that issue didn't cross my mind.

Good to hear they are updating the hardware in the next revision.
Click to expand...
I might take the opportunity to get a V1 at a discount. This weekend when I test one, I'm going to take a stereo splitter from my wireless pack. One stereo signal to my ears and one stereo signal to TRS in to the input of the backbeat. This way I'll be with a stereo mix and everything (140 hz?) and below will use the backbeat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pat C.
#50
carsonchilders said:
I might take the opportunity to get a V1 at a discount. This weekend when I test one, I'm going to take a stereo splitter from my wireless pack. One stereo signal to my ears and one stereo signal to TRS in to the input of the backbeat. This way I'll be with a stereo mix and everything (140 hz?) and below will use the backbeat.
Click to expand...
Good workaround, should sound good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: carsonchilders
#59
I recently picked up a Backbeat and I have to say, it's way more usable than I thought it would be. I get a sort of psycho-acoustic effect that makes it seem like my bass is really loud. When I played out with it, I felt like the bass in my ear mix was REALLY high, but I was using my normal preset. I actually dialed my bass back in my ear mix.

The next version with stereo capability will be the big win. Why? Because I hooked the Backbeat up to my AUX send on my mixer and put on my headphones. Then I played some bass and drum heavy music. Holy moly! That's the ticket. Instead of running just my bass through it, it was getting a mono summed AUX output from my mixer and the kick drum was thumping, the keys were thumping, the toms were booming, and the bass was rumbling....it was fantastic.

So once the stereo version is out, I'm going to take the output from my ear mixer, and run it to the backbeat, then to my IEMs. Then ALL the low end will seem louder and more defined. The Backbeat vibrates at the correct frequency. If you set it on a table or a cardboard box....you can hear the note. It's the proper frequency. When you play a low B, C, or D...it FEELS like those notes.

Will it make you sound better? No. Will it make you play better? Maybe...It caused me to play lighter. Is it fun as hell?...YES! It's really fun to feel the notes. Is that fun worth $300....that's a question you have to answer. But it works as advertised.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back