The contoured blend provides a very different feel from the full-range direct available from the octaver, and, when the sub-octave is soloed, it gives it a more natural sound overall as a cohesive, single tone.
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I do it for the same reason I use distortion pedals with clean blends in the loop, cos it sounds better with the DA clean blend. Albeit I'm using the Bloop. I put all my modulation, dirt, octave, synth through my Bloop.
I guess I just never thought of an octaver as something that needed fixing. I'm trying to decide why that is and I've identified three reasons:
- I think of dirt, modulation, and time-based effects--all of which can benefit from a parallel clean signal when used on bass--as somewhat different from an octaver
- I only use octavers soloed, never blended
- I'm satisfied with that solod sound as is
father of fires
Commercial User
Dave and I will be building pedals and bickering like old men tomorrow. Is that engaging content?
father of fires
Commercial User
Also, all of your kind words have been immensely gratifying to read. I just don't know what to say. I'm still humbled by the Bass Death group buy. I may never recover from that.
I'm considering getting the MDB currently I'm using a Broughton Scorpion and Hamstead Subspace. Any similarities and.most importantly what does a MBD do well? Pros and cons if any.
I've never played the Subspace. I have owned two Scorpions (I really tried to like it), but no longer own either (I much prefer the Sentinel, Sunray, and Quicksilver). I do own an MBD.
Similarities:
- ability to extend which frequencies are distorted via a "depth" pot
- bespoke designed and handbuilt
- designed with the bass guitar in mind
- analog signal path
- negative polarity
- the Scorpion is a built-out version of the JoshWah's drive, aiming for Blueberry responsiveness with a Fender tone stack; the MBD is MOSFET, the third generation of this circuit. So they have inherently different clipping voices.
- the Scorpion is yellow; the MBD is black
- the Scorpion is Canadian; the MBD is American
- the Scorpion has a 3-band EQ (Fender tone stack); the MBD has a single (tilt-style) tone pot
- the Scorpion gives you no control over blend; the MBD has the best blend (magically contoured) out there and you have control over it
- the Scorpion is smaller (125B); the MBD is larger (1590BB)
- the Scorpion has no boost; the MBD has a boost and let's you control the level of that boost--so you get two drives in one
- the Scorpion can be fed up to 24vDC if you need a bit more headroom; the MBD is your standard 9vDC
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Just for clarity - MBD has internal voltage conversion for high headroom. It just generates its bipolar supply from a standard 9V input to keep folks from needing to use a special power supply for those benefits.
thank you my good man. Well put.
LMAO at cork sniffing pretentiousness I haven't noticed this but I'll keep an eye out LMAO
I’ve had a couple of MBD1’s and an MBD2…best drive tones ever! When I saw this version Ltd MBD3, my salivary glands immediately activated…will there be any more of these available, or is my slobbering all for not? (…asking for a friend 
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I have a scorpion. I have an MBD1 and an MBD3. The difference for me is that the MBD(s) just sit in the mix perfectly. The scorpion didn't find its place in the mix in my band context. It may work very well for others but for me it just disappeared as soon as I kicked it on. Whereas the MBD(s) are like a landlord who is behind three months rent. It just sits there in your face demanding it’s money! It will not be denied.
I hear ya I'm not looking to replace the Scorpion it's moving to a different board. DCX will replace it will come down too using MDB as fuzz? Or does it preform better than the Subspace or even replace it if i move it to the other board as well. Heading into the studio in a few weeks Subspace shined we'll see about the Scorpion. But I don't need a massive drive tone not playing very aggressive music harder edge Funk and Funky rock mostly. But ideally to compliment octave filters and add thump grind to my Thumping.
The MBD3 definitely gets into fuzz territory in my opinion for sure. I haven’t tried it with an Octaver though. I play what my band mates lovingly call stoner pop. So I basically have dirt in various forms, some flange or phasers, and a delay.
I knew someone at the pedal event in Chicago and asked for a favor and finally this bad boy showed up today after a long wait. Good things come to those who wait.
Upon initial for science side by side testing I found the MBD2 to be heavier/harsher/meaner. As I continued to fiddle with knobs on the MBD3 it became apparent to me the awesomeness of having two distinct MDB sounds to play with and the love affair begins. The MBD2 may be more in your face and harsh but the MBD3 has the ability to from grunting and growler to screaming. I love it!!! Feel fortunate to have one of the skulls versions. It looks way better in person than in the pics.
The same exact reason I have a 2 and 3 on my board at the same time… and I agree. The skulls look better in person!
