• 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.

C4, Future Impact, BOSS SY-1, Digitech BSW, and then what?

A

AlexanderB

Feb 25, 2007
4,204
2,183
Sweden
#1
So I have the above (and other) pedals, unfortunately not used in a band context at the moment.
I am in 3 active bands, where there is limited or no place for these synth/filter effects. However, in the 4:th band, currently dormant (that would be a band name; "Currently Dormant"!), there is definitely room for creativity in the pedal selection when we restart.

Still, just running the pedals at home, I think it is great fun to play along modern EDM and pop, and find new sounds "outside the box". But what could I add more, that is meaningful? (I have fuzz, OD, a crappy reverb pedals available.)

I am not so much into the drone/noise/looping thing, but just to expand the range of tonal expression?
Maybe a flexible envelope pedal? Flanger?
 
  • Like
Reactions: scott sinner
#3
AlexanderB said:
So I have the above (and other) pedals, unfortunately not used in a band context at the moment.
I am in 3 active bands, where there is limited or no place for these synth/filter effects. However, in the 4:th band, currently dormant (that would be a band name; "Currently Dormant"!), there is definitely room for creativity in the pedal selection when we restart.

Still, just running the pedals at home, I think it is great fun to play along modern EDM and pop, and find new sounds "outside the box". But what could I add more, that is meaningful? (I have fuzz, OD, a crappy reverb pedals available.)

I am not so much into the drone/noise/looping thing, but just to expand the range of tonal expression?
Maybe a flexible envelope pedal? Flanger?
Click to expand...
Have you tried using your existing pedals with an expression pedal?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Killing Floor, AlexanderB and el murdoque
#5
Thanks guys!
Forgot to say: No midi implementation, please. I see that as a HUGE waste of energy and creativity for me. I have dabbled a little bit with it, and the clunkiness and inconsistencies drive me nuts. (And I otherwise LIKE programming and logics!)

I have no envelope pedal, beside the patches in the above.
 
#7
I found I could use my synth pedal way more once I got more control over how it was mixed in with bass. There are just too many parts where you need that low fundamental and controlled rhythm to keep things steady and full. Often, for example, adding synth stuff an octave up and high passing to really separate that from the natural harmonics. Or adding a pad but cutting into where it gets muddy. Or adding a low subtle pad and focusing the clean bass steep into the mids to let its frequency pocket sit on top of the pad. Or putting delay only on a narrow band.

I do that with something maybe more complex than you want to get into (Zoia) if MIDI seems a step too far, but even a EHX Tri Mixer and maybe another EQ could get you some ability to sculpt things. Something like Helix or Zoia can do way way more sculpting, but there is lots of complexity in that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ugly_bassplayer and AlexanderB
#8
Two recommendations. An EH Superego. and an EH Attack Decay. I happen to have a Prunes and Custard harmonic envelope and Attack Decay into that sounds better than most synth pedals. The Superego (normal or Plus) has a send return so what ever note you are sustaining can be run through things. I have used Rainbow Machine, Phase 95, Oceans 11 on shimmer, and lately a Banana synth in the Superego send/return. If I want to copy something to keep playing and make a different part, I record on Jamman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#9
Special thanks to @scott sinner and @BassBrass for the deep and informative replies!
I will look into your suggested signal paths. Much appreciated! It would be great if you could suggest a youtube clip where strong points are shown.

Edit: I do not mind complex parameters, deep programming etc, it is just MIDI that I avoid, whenever possible.
 
Last edited:
#16
AlexanderB said:
Edit: I do not mind complex parameters, deep programming etc, it is just MIDI that I avoid, whenever possible.
Click to expand...

prowla said:
If you don't do MIDI you will find synth pedals like the C4 & FI have you doing a fast-shoe shuffle to change sounds.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about why you're as adverse to MIDI as it sounds, if you're okay with complex programming? Programming patches on the C4 or Impact is much more in depth than MIDI is.

+1 to @prowla - MIDI is the only way to really unlock the potential of pedals like the C4 and FI. MIDI would also allow for implementing an expression pedal that could unlock even more sounds. And you'd have to do quite a tap dance without MIDI to control multiple things at once and pull off the coolest sounds.







Check my board below... C4, Future Impact, and Stomp are all controlled via MIDI with the MC6. And the expression pedal is routed through the MC6, so it can control one parameter on one device, or can be used for multiple parameters on multiple devices simultaneously.

If you're in a professional gigging band and need to change patches fast, MIDI is the only way to go. I sit in with an 80's band that counts off the next tune before the last note of the current one is done, and getting a MIDI signal from their setup is literally the ONLY way to call up the proper sounds fast enough, even with the MC6 on my board. Makes life easy. I don't even have to touch my board at all during their show, which is entirely controlled via MIDI... all the patches for keys, guitar, bass, even the click track and light show. I'd be holding up the show otherwise.

That said, check out an Ottobit Jr. Lots of synthy sounds and a great filter, and adding an expression pedal once again unlocks a ton of potential. And you don't need MIDI for it. But you could. ;);)

5sg.

Board shot 5-21-22.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Randy Ward, progjeff, AlexanderB and 2 others
#17
I should also mention again the huge potential that Zoom pedals have for synth sounds, electronic and ambient textures from the B2 series to the B3 and MS60b or MS100bt to MS70cdr.
I have a B2 filled with synth 40 sounds as well as a number in my other units that have saved sounds.
 
#18
I had the sy1 as I wanted a filtered synth and realistically found almost bone of them useful in my band context. It was a fun toy but if I wanted a synthy wah sound I have found an octave up fuzz and a wah/ filter pedal so that better. I did love that for the kangra fuzz filter but I kept stepping on. The wrong side of the pedal so I've gone to a octave up fuzz and the Dunlop mini bass wah… the kangra filter is awesome though, sounded exactly like a synth filter with controllable peak
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#19
Thanks for the recent reflections.
A little update on my part:
Recently I brought my SY-1 to its first real gig. At home, I have liked the organ and bell sounds in it the most, especially the Hammond sounds, and the sequencer effects.
With this band (drums, two guitars, and me on passive MIM Mustang PJ, or passive Jazz fiver), I used the SY-1 in two songs; California dreamin' and Hallelujah. It worked great, and I had some audience members coming up to the stage to ask where the organ sound came from, as we obviously have no keyboard player!
Fellow musicians liked it too. I am very happy with it!

As I wrote, I have the C4, the Future Impact, Digitech Bass Synth Wah etc for synthier sounds. However, for organ, sequenser and some other odd tricks, the SY-1 is the best pedal in my drawer, by no small margin.
 
  • Like
Reactions: progjeff

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back