Detune / Harmonize Options

[mikeyjm2]

A recent lineup change in one band I'm in has me exploring some options: we went from a 5 piece with rhythm guitar to 4 piece with just one guitar. I already have a Digitech Drop which I use on a few songs where I need to play a half or whole step down without carrying around an extra bass.

The Drop works great but now I'm looking to add in the ability to do that plus play my dry signal + an octave up to thicken up our sound a bit in some places since we no longer have a second guitar. So I short-term borrowed my guitarist's Digitech Whammy which does both and that does the job pretty nicely, but I'm also considering an EHX Pitchfork, which I believe does both as well.

The downside to the Whammy is the price. Reading some reviews on the Pitchfork I've seen some concerns about the latency on it. So I'll hand it over to you folks who have had experience with either or both pedals to make recommendations based on pros and cons of each. Or if there is another, better option please throw that out there as well. Thanks.

 

[J Posega]

Bass Whammy. Tracks better than a regular Whammy on bass.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I was looking at the Bass Whammy but couldn't figure out if it would just do a half step drop. If it does that I would be sold on that option pretty easily.

 

[J Posega]

I was looking at the Bass Whammy but couldn't figure out if it would just do a half step drop. If it does that I would be sold on that option pretty easily.

No half step down, only full. Are you planning on getting rid of the Drop?

I'd just keep the Drop on your board and add the Bass Whammy for harmonizing. My Bass Whammy has been on my board longer than even my tuner.

 

[dgrizzly]

I got the Earthquaker Devices Pitch Bay for this, but I didn't like the results. The notes kinda "warble" a bit and sound very unnatural IMO.

If you don't mind keeping The Drop on the board, there are plenty of options that you can run it into for dry + octave up (Micro POG being pretty popular).

 

[mikeyjm2]

Are you planning on getting rid of the Drop?

Initially thinking of selling off the Drop if I could replace it with a single device but I guess there's no reason I couldn't keep the Drop and just add the Bass Whammy. Liking that idea.

 

[mikeyjm2]

If you don't mind keeping The Drop on the board, there are plenty of options that you can run it into for dry + octave up (Micro POG being pretty popular).

Was looking at the Nano POG also, good suggestion there.

 

[veryvery]

One cheap alternative to the micro POG is the Mooer Tender Octaver, which you can order via aliexpress.com for <$60. Though word has it they're going to release a Tender Octaver Pro soon, so you may want to wait for that one.

 

[Blaargh]

Another vote for the Bass Whammy. It's one pedal I really couldn't live without anymore, it's amazing. if the price is an issue then I guess looking for a secondhand one might be a good idea- The whole treadle thing is a pretty unorthodox sound that some people really don't get on with, and flip them pretty quickly for not much money. POGs are similarly expensive and sound a little shriller and harsher to my ear.

I've not tried the Mooer, but on the Pedalboard group I'm in, I've only ever heard good things.

 

[mikeyjm2]

OK, just got the Bass Whammy today and after only playing around with it for a few minutes this clearly is going to work for me - and keeping the Drop on board too. Thanks for the input y'all!

 

[Darknut]

I use 2 EHX Pitch forks. One I use to drop a full step & the other I use for octave up or down depending on song. The Pitchfork tracks great & never warbles & sounds pretty natural at a 1/2 or full step down in "Band" mode. Sounds synthetic if you go more than a full step but still tracks great.

 

[Pacodelivery]

I've got the Mooer tender octaver and I'm very happy with it. The tracking is great, the sound isn't too harsh, it's super small, and I got it for cheap.

There's a small amount of latency but that is unavoidable with digital synthesis.

 

[gregmon79]

I was looking at the Bass Whammy but couldn't figure out if it would just do a half step drop. If it does that I would be sold on that option pretty easily.

It can do a half step drop. The problem is you'd need to hear or be able to measure it accurately. You just put it to the right and 1 down from the middle (sorry don't have it in front of me) and adjust the treadle to a half step. But it's not ideal that way.

I would go with the drop or the ehx pithcfork. @XXL uses it and could tell you much more about it.

 

[mikeyjm2]

But it's not ideal that way.

I ended up keeping the Drop also, so the half step part is covered. Good advice from @TheEmptyCell on that because I was actually happy with the Drop as-is.