Bass Magicstomp!!!

[Berten]

I just took it for a test drive at the local music shop, and was pretty disappointed with what it did to the tone of the bass in the 'off' position. I haven't checked the specs, but I could hear a distinct difference between the unit in the off position and going right into the amp from the bass. Even in the off position, there was a distinctly digital harshness in the high end that was enough to steer this tone snob away . I know several players though who are far beyond my skills who aren't as picky about tone as I am, so there you have it. It sounded way better to me than the Boss ME-50B, which I really didn't like. I pretty much only like really expensive analog stuff

On my brief journey through the patches, I did find some pretty nice effects that sounded good, including phase, flange, envelope, delays, reverbs, & overdrives. I'd consider putting it into an effects loop that I could bypass.

I also liked the fact that many of the patches allowed the blending of the wet & dry signals, which I want on all bass effects.

So this unit combined with a true bypass box (ala loooper) might be a cheap and goodsounding option...

 

[brake16]

Good Morning all

I just got this the other day. Was pedalless before for both cash and portability reasons. Got the demo unit from a trade show for $140. Otherwise, the cheapest I've seen them is $197, typically $200 online.

I'll try to answer a few questions I've seen pop up. Like the guitar version, it comes with 99 preset, uneditable patches. It also has 99 user-editable patches. From the factory, the two sets are identical. So you get 198 patches, 99 of which are set in stone, 99 are fully editable.

There are 63 variables for each patch that are fully editable on the computer (although I haven't tried this yet). They are also fully editable on the box, but with the limited number of buttons, and the limited display (compared to a computer) this gets complicated. While you're editing the patch on your computer, you can send it to the MS (hooked up by USB cable) in a 'test' mode (called 'monitor' in the software) that doesn't erase any of your presets. So you can make a change or two, click the 'monitor' button, and jam to check out the settings. Then make more changes and test until you get a patch you feel like saving (although save early and often still applies for computers).

You can download other patches, load patches from the CD (included with MS), and save patches to disk.

I saw an earlier comment about a delay in switching patches - enough to preclude it for live use with multiple patches in a single tune (or switching a single patch on/off)?

There was no discernible delay when switching between patches (hitting the + or - switch). Although there is a short pause when switching a patch on (from bypass to active).

can you use multiple effects at once? thats besides the patches which combine several effects in parallel/series

No. You are limited to one patch at a time.
You can program a patch to have multiple effects. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of effects that can be programmed into a single patch. I saw somewhere in this thread that someone mentioned only 2 at a time. I don't know if this is the case or not. I do know that the guitar MS has patches with multiple effects (Distortion, Amp, Tube, and Wah for example) so I would tend to expect the Bass MS to have the same functionality.

Okay, I think I know where this question comes from. I just looked at the Yamaha site at the specifications page. One of the specs says:

- Patch Select: 2 Modes​

I believe this refers to 'Performance Mode' and 'Normal Mode.' Not the number of effects that are possible in a single patch.

The manual on the web for this thing talks about 'Performance Mode'.
For those of you who haven't read it, the normal mode has an on/off button for the patch, and then a + and - button to scroll through to other patches. In Performance mode the three footswitches become on/off buttons for 3 patches (01,02,and03) and then you press and hold the + or - to move onto the next set of 3 (i.e. 04,05and06).

This seems like quite a cool idea, but what it doesn't make clear is can you have 2 or 3 effects active at once in this mode (like having 3 individual stomp boxes) or is it only ever capable of having one 'on' at a time ?

You are limited to one patch at a time. If you turn on another patch, it automatically turns off the one that was on.

Each patch has one, and only one, effect. Now, the effect itself would be a combo - e.g. distortion and delay. But if I understand it right from my time using it, you're stuck to the preset effect list.

Yes and no. You are limited to one patch at a time. But you are not limited to the preset effect list. You can use the 99 editable slots to load whatever patch your heart desires (well, whatever patch you can create/download) in whatever order your heart desires. These are, of course, available during Performance Mode.

I wonder if you can purge the bad effects that you will never use.

Yep. Use the 99 editable slots to put what you want, in what order you want.

Endless routing? That sounds pretty optimistic to me. I'm guessin you cant chain more than 3 in a row and I'd be suprised if you got to choose the order.

Prepare to be surprised.

Dave, is there any way you can tame the levels b/t the various effects? I can't seem to program them so they are roughly the same.

One of the 63 programmable variables is a Master Volume (not to be confused with the Master Volume that is physically on the upper right-hand corner of the MS). So, in theory, you should be able to program patches to the same relative volume. I haven't tried this yet, although I intend to. Could be tough, from a practical standpoint.

How do you activate performance mode. I left the manual at a gig, unfortunately.

Step on any two push switches at once (for about 2 seconds).

Hope this helps.

Brake16

 

[LE_Gui]

Nice answer Brake16, thanks

I plan getting this nice stuff for a home-studio purpose, so I don't need much speed when changing patches, but I like the idea of configuring the parameters on screen, like a plug-in

Any other point of view about the bypass ? Does it really suck out the tone ? (not really important but it's still nice to know !)

However, I couldn't find any soundclip of this nice device, has someone found some or done any ?

Thanks

 

[brake16]

Any other point of view about the bypass ? Does it really suck out the tone ? (not really important but it's still nice to know !)

Not to my ear. But I don't have my dream amp yet, so I really can't say.

If money were no object...

 

[Isthwan]

Hi,
I plan getting one to. Is it possible to record thru the USB or it si only for patch editing ?

 

[sincity]

Isn't this simply a new way of marketting things like the Korg Pandora and the plethora of similar multi-FX that ultimately all sound like arse compared to individual pedals?

Looks inneresting but at the end of the day it's still a multi-FX with (probably) only a few mint-sounding patches, the rest sounding fun in the bedroom until you realise that in a band setting they really don't...

That is hilarious, but true.

 

[Isthwan]

Is it possible to record thru the USB or it si only for patch editing ?

 

[Budget Bass]

I hesitated but finally gave in and bought the Magic Stomp
bass instead of a (hardware) whammy.

Very nice-sounding piece of equipment.

It is possible to manually modify the patches, but a bit of a hassle. The software however gives you access to all the parameters and is easy to use. Patch libraries can be created and stored on the computer under different names. The USB cable uploads and downloads these libraries to and from the unit. The cable is for editing patches only.

 

[Kroy]

Would something like this or another multi-fx be a good "Junior FX set" for someone with no other pedals and very little idea of what the h*ll to do with them? Sortof a way to screw around with different effects to kindof learn how they interact with each other and some of the possibilities within the individual effects?

 

[Budget Bass]

Would something like this or another multi-fx be a good "Junior FX set" for someone with no other pedals and very little idea of what the h*ll to do with them? Sortof a way to screw around with different effects to kindof learn how they interact with each other and some of the possibilities within the individual effects?

Kroy, you've answered your own question!

Today's effects technology has become so advanced that nothing is 'Junior' anymore, except maybe your playing!

 

[Kroy]

... nothing is 'Junior' anymore, except maybe your playing!

idn't that the truth.

 

[Kroy]

Ok, here's what I'm thinking:

I want a chance to play with LOTS of different effects without dumping $100 - $300 per pedal so a multi-fx seems the most sensible solution. I teach at a music store and can get stuff through the owner at pretty good rates so here's what I was comparing what do you guys think would be a good starting point.

(I have to cut and paste from the Rocktron Website because their site is all flash so I can't link directly to the pages I'm looking at.)

The Blue Thunder:
The Blue Thunder is loaded with 128 professional Presets custom designed for bass. The Blue Thunder has a selectable Hi-Pass Effects Filter that allows you to determine the frequency range being passed through the digital effects, delivering lush effects that won’t muddy up your low end. Custom voiced bass effects including flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay and reverb.. Rocktron's Dynamic Compression is included and has also been specifically engineered for bass. If that’s not enough, Rocktron's Multi-voiced delay and chorus are again specifically voiced for bass use in live and recording situations.

Want some distortion? The Blue Thunder rolls out built-in distortion designed specifically for bass which can be added to your dry bass signal and effect path independently as desired.

Rocktron's unique signal routing allows you to choose between an analog direct feed, or full effects routing. The Blue Thunder has a most powerful and flexible tone shaping tool with Rocktron's SIMbiotic 4-Band Parametric EQ consisting of two sections of band limited parametric EQ – "BASS" and "PRESENCE" along with two sections of FULL BASS Paremetric EQ sections – "MID" and "TREBLE". Speaker Exciter with Sonic Clarity and Sonic Boom controls allows you to record direct, but also adds a new dimension of tone to your live sound.

or...

Rocktron Xpression:
Xpress yourself with Rocktron’s exciting new Xpression™, the easy to use, yet professional, multi-Effects Processor where 100% of the processing power is dedicated to producing rich, lush effects and EQ for BOTH guitar and bass.

Pre-Loaded with 128 professional presets custom designed for guitar and bass including a combination of vintage AND modern voiced effects based on our years of experience in signal processing. The vintage effects include many classic stomp box style effects like Flanger, Phaser, Rotary and Tremolo that were modeled after actual vintage products no longer available on the market today. Rocktron's multi-voiced Delay and Chorus are designed for Guitar and Bass for BOTH live and recording situations. A Tap Button for "Delay" and "Rate" control is on the front panel and is MIDI Programmable. Reverb, Multi-Pitch Shifting, Compressor and much more are included. The Xpression is designed to maximize EFFECTS to be used WITH your favorite preamp or amplifier, thus there are no distortion presets in the Xpression.

Rocktron's SIMbiotic™ 4-Band Parametric EQ offered in the Xpression is the ultimate tool for tonal shaping of your sound and it has also been designed specifically for Guitar and Bass. Separate Input and Output Level controls to accommodate all kinds of guitars and basses with active and passive pickups.

Speaker Simulator allows youto RECORD DIRECT using your favorite preamp or amplifier OR to connect directly to a PA System using your favorite preamp or amplifier – (leave that heavy cabinet at home)! Rocktron's unique Signal Routing which allows you to choose between an Analog Direct Feed, or full Effects Routing. With a MIDI Footswitch and expression pedal you can control virtually all effects parameters. (Optional Rocktron MIDI Mate or All Access footcontrollers are available).

Other key features include: HUSH® Noise Reduction, Speaker Simulator and Speaker Modeling, Mic Position Modeling, Dynamic Tube Reactance Modeling, Hi-Pass Filter for Bass, Run up to 10 effects at once. 24-Bit Internal Processing via Motorola DSP Engine for Double precision 48 x 48-bit multiply with 96-bit result.

or... One of these Magicstomp jobbys

I can get the Rocktron stuff at about 40% off retail through my music store hookup so that would knock the price down from $449 to around $300-ish. The Blue Thunder is catagorized as a preamp but has some effects in it. I dunno, opinions?

 

[vanselus]

For those of you still on the fence:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I did a review in next month's Bass Guitar magazine as well, so find it on your newsstands!

 

[moruet]

Hi guys,
I'm looking for the bass magicstomp standard presests.
Could one of you upload them?
I've been looking so long for them and didn't find them...
I have got a magictomp II which I want to use for bass, but mine doesn't have the bass presets.
As the 3 magicstomps (bass, electric, acoustic) are identicall, I know it wll work on mine.
Please help me guys.

 

[Joe P]

For those of you still on the fence:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I did a review in next month's Bass Guitar magazine as well, so find it on your newsstands!

Nice!

I like the Envelope filter sound:

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thanks,

Joe

 

[bassguppy]

just an FYI....

Musicians Friend is selling the Magicstomp for $79.99. Must be getting rid of the stock. A lot better than the original price of $199.95.

On the LAME of things, I emailed American Musical to either price match or give a better price & they replied "the price is below our cost".

I guess guaranteed price matching isn't always guaranteed.

 

[Mrdak]

OK, I just did snag one of these for 75.00 shipped from a fellow TB'er and I've been running it through the effects loop of my Yamaha BBT500H head. This little dude helps clean up my sound quite nicely, and it doesn't clip like it did before at a higher input level. So, now I'm getting a bit more punch. I recommend using your effects send and return if you have it, rather than just plugging into it. The BBT500H has a blend control for the effects loop, which makes a bigtime difference too. I can use one preset on my amp with the stomp, and another preset without it.
That reminds me of The first major league problem I found. It doesn't have an On Off switch. ***!! You have to unplug the X-former, to turn it off, and that sucks so bad. No on off switch. I just can't get over that. I'm surprised I was the first here to mention it. That, and the fact that it doesn't use batteries, leaves a bit to be desired. The next thing I'm trying is using this along with my B2.

 

[Jim Ford]

Good Morning all

I just got this the other day. Was pedalless before for both cash and portability reasons. Got the demo unit from a trade show for $140. Otherwise, the cheapest I've seen them is $197, typically $200 online.

I'll try to answer a few questions I've seen pop up. Like the guitar version, it comes with 99 preset, uneditable patches. It also has 99 user-editable patches. From the factory, the two sets are identical. So you get 198 patches, 99 of which are set in stone, 99 are fully editable.

There are 63 variables for each patch that are fully editable on the computer (although I haven't tried this yet). They are also fully editable on the box, but with the limited number of buttons, and the limited display (compared to a computer) this gets complicated. While you're editing the patch on your computer, you can send it to the MS (hooked up by USB cable) in a 'test' mode (called 'monitor' in the software) that doesn't erase any of your presets. So you can make a change or two, click the 'monitor' button, and jam to check out the settings. Then make more changes and test until you get a patch you feel like saving (although save early and often still applies for computers).

You can download other patches, load patches from the CD (included with MS), and save patches to disk.



There was no discernible delay when switching between patches (hitting the + or - switch). Although there is a short pause when switching a patch on (from bypass to active).



No. You are limited to one patch at a time.
You can program a patch to have multiple effects. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of effects that can be programmed into a single patch. I saw somewhere in this thread that someone mentioned only 2 at a time. I don't know if this is the case or not. I do know that the guitar MS has patches with multiple effects (Distortion, Amp, Tube, and Wah for example) so I would tend to expect the Bass MS to have the same functionality.

Okay, I think I know where this question comes from. I just looked at the Yamaha site at the specifications page. One of the specs says:

- Patch Select: 2 Modes​

I believe this refers to 'Performance Mode' and 'Normal Mode.' Not the number of effects that are possible in a single patch.



You are limited to one patch at a time. If you turn on another patch, it automatically turns off the one that was on.



Yes and no. You are limited to one patch at a time. But you are not limited to the preset effect list. You can use the 99 editable slots to load whatever patch your heart desires (well, whatever patch you can create/download) in whatever order your heart desires. These are, of course, available during Performance Mode.



Yep. Use the 99 editable slots to put what you want, in what order you want.



Prepare to be surprised.



One of the 63 programmable variables is a Master Volume (not to be confused with the Master Volume that is physically on the upper right-hand corner of the MS). So, in theory, you should be able to program patches to the same relative volume. I haven't tried this yet, although I intend to. Could be tough, from a practical standpoint.



Step on any two push switches at once (for about 2 seconds).

Hope this helps.

Brake16

There are ways to choose reverb and delay and distortion all in the same patch.

 

[warrplayer]

There are ways to choose reverb and delay and distortion all in the same patch.

that was 17 years ago. He’s probably moved on.