Does the Oscillator Devices Hydra4x Matrix Loop Switcher work with bass (no filtering, tone suck, etc.)?

[bass.slinger]

Love my MC8 Pro.

 

[sunbeast]

I happen to have a ML10X here and I did the frequency response measurement yesterday. I initially didn't want to post it, because I think it's bad business practice to bash a competitor (more like a David/Goliath situation, though). Anyway, we now have a statement of Morningstar that the ML10X doesn't have a flat frequency response as well as a measurement of another user, so I guess it's ok to complete the picture with measurements with different input impedances, to show that this isn't the issue here.
This is the ML10X with line level:
View attachment 7538047
This is the ML10X with instrument level:
View attachment 7538048
Besides the 6dB boost of my audio interface there is no difference. This shows that while the low cut on the HYDRA4X happens with the output stage interacting with the following input, the low cut in the ML10X happens on a deeper level. This corresponds with the statement of Morningstar that it is because of the buffer design around the crosspoint switch.

Please note that I have all the love and respect for Morningstar. I use a MC6 on my board and the ML10X is an outstanding piece of gear. I also recommend Morningstar products to every client that is asking for advice on MIDI controllers. They did groundbreaking work in the field of MIDI for guitar and bass players and without them Oscillator Devices probably wouldn't exist.

So strange IMO to use a bandwidth-limited buffer in this application, but I guess there must be some technical reasoning behind it (maybe to decrease switching noise transients or something?). I'm really surprised I can't find a single mention of this in the Morningstar forums- I realize the main market is standard-tuned guitarists who probably don't notice a little roll-off of the fundamental on their lowest notes, but surely there are a number of extended-range guitarists, bass and synth players using the ML10X who would be more obviously affected by this and a lot of guitarists are tone purists to a fault too (I kinda suspect there'd be a little scandal over there if there was a thread about this even though most users would likely never hear much difference).

 

[Derek Williams]

So strange IMO to use a bandwidth-limited buffer in this application, but I guess there must be some technical reasoning behind it (maybe to decrease switching noise transients or something?). I'm really surprised I can't find a single mention of this in the Morningstar forums- I realize the main market is standard-tuned guitarists who probably don't notice a little roll-off of the fundamental on their lowest notes, but surely there are a number of extended-range guitarists, bass and synth players using the ML10X who would be more obviously affected by this and a lot of guitarists are tone purists to a fault too (I kinda suspect there'd be a little scandal over there if there was a thread about this even though most users would likely never hear much difference).

I was so convinced that I had done something wrong in my testing, or mine was faulty. No way I could have been the first to notice, but I never did find any other mention. And I love Morningstar gear, everything else I've used has been wonder. Using the ML10X was wonderful too, if I was fooling around with crazy effect routing.