• 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.

Bass Murf

#2
From the manual on the website (I don't personally own one):


THE Bass MuRF’S TAP/STEP INPUT


The Bass MuRF’s Animation can be synced to the tempo of the
music using a Moog FS-1 footswitch or equivalent plugged into
the TAP/STEP input. Tapping three times activates the tap tempo
feature of the Bass MuRF. The MF-105B calculates the time in
between taps and translates this into the rate for the pattern. It is
important to make the time between the taps as much the same as
possible to get the best results. Note that the Rate light becomes
green when the rate is set by the TAP/STEP input, and returns to
red if the RATE control is changed. The tempo of the Animation
is twice the rate that is tapped on the footswitch. In other words, if
you tap in quarter notes, the Animation will chug along in eighth
notes. If you tap eighth notes, the Animation will proceed in 16th
notes.
 
#3
subscribed... I'd like to know if this works myself.
Wait a minute, I own the BassMurf & a drum machine! I'll try to see if it works with a simple click track.

I currently use a cheap tap tempo switch to set the rate. It works well in a live situation, but for exacting studio work the tap isn't uber-accurate. I could try a better footswitch, though!
 
#5
I didn't think an audio signal would work, but I tried it anyway. No go! It has to be some sort of gated non-latching type of input. A typical audio signal (including a simple, mono click track) doesn't work.

If you plan on using the Murf with a band in an organic context (slightly fluctuating tempos), a simple footswitch works great. As the band changes "vibe" (tempo) you can easily adjust by giving the pedal a few taps.

I'm still trying to find a way to exactly match time clock code in my DAW environment. I haven't found a solution yet. I wonder if the Moog MP-201 can do it somehow?

***edit - see post #8 below - audio can work!!!***
 
#8
GOOD NEWS, it does work w/ audio!!!! :hyper:

I read through that moog forum & got a great tip. I just went back to my Pro-Tools setup & sent the click track through a standard 1/4" ts cable to the "Tap/Step" input of the BassMurf. It only works by sending a very hot signal, but it works flawlessly!!!

So, you could theoretically send your drummers kick through an aux send of a monitor board to set the tempo of the Murf. If your drummer is using click - you're good to go as well!
 
#9
If you can't get audio to work for you and you have cash to burn you could get a MIDI-CV converter that translates MIDI Clock signals to tap-tempo pulses (I believe Kenton used to make something that did such a task.) I'm just stabbing in the dark as I don't have a MURF but that should do the trick for you.

I believe this is the Kenton product I was thinking of, but I didn't read into the details that much:
Invalid Link Removed

Or if you are handy with a soldering iron I saw this as well:
http://m.bareille.free.fr/mc628/mc628.html
 
#12
I have a Bass Murf and I also bought a MIDI sync box off of eBay from a guy who goes by "digitize for less". It allows me to sync the rate to the drum machine at either 1/8 note or 1/16 note pulses.

The other side of the tap/step input is that you can use a stereo cable with two pedals, one for tap tempo and the other than can let you manually step through the steps of the animation.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back