DSMnoisemaker & Humboldt Electronics Simplifier Bass Station

[klattman]

Tried it to me the level drops dramatically when using the inserts and the crossover between the pre amp and the parallel channel will cause additional drop in volume. I find that if you use a boost pedal in the inserts or have a hot bass pickup, you won't find much use for it. Seems to work best with active basses as I use this device on my source audio board in which I only run actives, plus the source audio pedals can take advantage of dual channel processing....

The filtered level of the clean channel is low. It’s not a crossover just a LpF for that channel. I use a compressor in the clean loop that also gives me boost. (I have a second boost in the loop if I want to not use compression) That works well for me but I’m also running the preamp channel at a good bit of gain to get the breakup I like, so that has enough level.

I wish they had a small knob for makeup gain on the clean channel.

this thing isn’t as simple as the name implies but I still like it a lot.

 

[odarellmc]

The filtered level of the clean channel is low. It’s not a crossover just a LpF for that channel. I use a compressor in the clean loop that also gives me boost. (I have a second boost in the loop if I want to not use compression) That works well for me but I’m also running the preamp channel at a good bit of gain to get the breakup I like, so that has enough level.

I wish they had a small knob for makeup gain on the clean channel.

this thing isn’t as simple as the name implies but I still like it a lot.

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No I was told directly from DSM that it's a crossover from the parallel/pre amp dial. The crossover causes a drop in volume. Yes using a boost in the inserts can help, but that just increases the noise floor...

 

[klattman]

No I was told directly from DSM that it's a crossover from the parallel/pre amp dial. The crossover causes a drop in volume. Yes using a boost in the inserts can help, but that just increases the noise floor...

Good on you for asking. That’s not at all intuitive. Thanks for the insight.

 

[odarellmc]

Good on you for asking. That’s not at all intuitive. Thanks for the insight.

I know. we can work around it, it's still a great pedal, you just have to be mindful of it. It's still feature...

 

[Rick Penrose]

I might be able to get away with the Bass Simplifier ALONE if it had two additional features.
1. Make up gain on the parallel side
2. Ability to switch off the cabsim on the amp output (it's nice to have there and in the DI, but sometimes you want it on in the DI and off for the 1/4 out.

Maybe DSM/Humboldt will work on this for a 2.0.

Would you choose a compressor or clean boot pedal in the parallel effects loop of the Simplifier? I have both.

 

[klattman]

Would you choose a compressor or clean boot pedal in the parallel effects loop of the Simplifier? I have both.

I had both in the loop, but now just the compressor but mine has a level on it so I can basically set it to almost no compression.

I do like compressing the lows a bit and not compressing the highs at all, sort of the opposite of what many do.

 

[odarellmc]

I had both in the loop, but now just the compressor but mine has a level on it so I can basically set it to almost no compression.

I do like compressing the lows a bit and not compressing the highs at all, sort of the opposite of what many do.

I find the level in the loops a bit low, do you have to boost the compressor much. Also if it's getting it's signal from the input, you're just using compression in the insert correct?

 

[klattman]

I find the level in the loops a bit low, do you have to boost the compressor much. Also if it's getting its signal from the input, you're just using compression in the insert correct?

I’m using the Dsm compressor and it has plenty of adjustable make up gain. I do use a good bit of that for the parallel channel. The preamp channel has enough gain onboard but I run it pretty hot.

 

[Rick Penrose]

I’m using the Dsm compressor and it has plenty of adjustable make up gain. I do use a good bit of that for the parallel channel. The preamp channel has enough gain onboard but I run it pretty hot.

As I mentioned earlier, I just bought the Simplifier, and wow what a tweeker’s dream (maybe nightmare ). I ran across some really great tones...by accident, and I like the pedal a lot. Definitely a keeper, but need to spend some time with it to understand what I am doing. Any ideas, lessons learned, tricks, etc. would be appreciated!

 

[odarellmc]

As I mentioned earlier, I just bought the Simplifier, and wow what a tweeker’s dream (maybe nightmare ). I ran across some really great tones...by accident, and I like the pedal a lot. Definitely a keeper, but need to spend some time with it to understand what I am doing. Any ideas, lessons learned, tricks, etc. would be appreciated!

Well I'm in the process of either using a compressor in series or through the insert or both. I have a source audio atlas which I could run two independent compression engines. I'm thinking using a compressor in series running two engines would compress the low end twice or just compressing the low end via the insert but that would leave the top end without any compression unless I run some type of drive on the other insert.... thoughts?

 

[StayLow]

As I mentioned earlier, I just bought the Simplifier, and wow what a tweeker’s dream (maybe nightmare ). I ran across some really great tones...by accident, and I like the pedal a lot. Definitely a keeper, but need to spend some time with it to understand what I am doing. Any ideas, lessons learned, tricks, etc. would be appreciated!

Easy to find great sounds at random, tough learning curve to truly grasp how to do it.

I’ve just played a lot through every switch setting, etc.

Glad it can’t save settings. That would frustrate me.

Take pics & notes when you hit a bull’s-eye.

Have fun!

 

[Rick Penrose]

Well I'm in the process of either using a compressor in series or through the insert or both. I have a source audio atlas which I could run two independent compression engines. I'm thinking using a compressor in series running two engines would compress the low end twice or just compressing the low end via the insert but that would leave the top end without any compression unless I run some type of drive on the other insert.... thoughts?

Man your in the advance class. Sounds interesting but I am not at the level to offer advice ( yet). My plan is to put a compressor and boost in the parallel loop like klattman and see what happens. Good luck and let’s us know how it goes!

 

[odarellmc]

Man your in the advance class. Sounds interesting but I am not at the level to offer advice ( yet). My plan is to put a compressor and boost in the parallel loop like klattman and see what happens. Good luck and let’s us know how it goes!

I'll report back for sure as I know most haven't contemplated use of the parallel loop. I don't think the company has. They have no videos up regarding the loops. I'm thinking primarily because the levels are so low in the inserts they don't want to highlight it. So I'm thinking when you thump it's only catching the bottom and no top in parallel. If using it in series either some type of switch the change from series to parallel of just don't use the loops which would defeat the purpose of getting this pedal.. (more like a mini mixer)

 

[klattman]

The effects loops are great because it’s like a bi amp system. Also need an effects loop for those things that need to go after the drive, especially if using the DI.

if they had one of their tiny knobs on each effects loop to add some make up gain it would be near perfect.

the other thing to perfect it would be to allow a toggle for the cabsim on the 1/4 amp out.

 

[odarellmc]

The effects loops are great because it’s like a bi amp system. Also need an effects loop for those things that need to go after the drive, especially if using the DI.

if they had one of their tiny knobs on each effects loop to add some make up gain it would be near perfect.

the other thing to perfect it would be to allow a toggle for the cabsim on the 1/4 amp out.

Any thoughts about using the loops vs running effects in series?

 

[Rick Penrose]

The effects loops are great because it’s like a bi amp system. Also need an effects loop for those things that need to go after the drive, especially if using the DI.

if they had one of their tiny knobs on each effects loop to add some make up gain it would be near perfect.

the other thing to perfect it would be to allow a toggle for the cabsim on the 1/4 amp out.

Klattman, is the gain low on both loop or just on the parallel loop? Thx

 

[klattman]

Klattman, is the gain low on both loop or just on the parallel loop? Thx

I think it may be low on both but since the preamp channel has both gain and volume control and I like it running into slight overdrive, I haven’t had trouble getting enough from the preamp channel.

I always use some form of boost on the parallel channel when using the filter so I can blend it with the preamp channel.

the pedal overall output seems low, so a make up level at the very end of the chain would work also.

Reason I suggest a make up gain for each channel is if you wanted to run the preamp side very clean you may need a boost in there also.

 

[klattman]

Any thoughts about using the loops vs running effects in series?

Depends on the effect. I generally don’t like to put anything before the gain (preamp) stage because I want the overdrive to be responsive to how hard I play on the strings.

modulation I either put in the preamp loop or after the pedal.
After the pedal sounds better because there aren’t any phasing issues with the parallel side, but then the DI doesn’t have the effect.

I do also like having chorus etc in the preamp loop so the low end is preserved on the parallel side. Just have to watch the settings so it doesn’t modulate weirdly with the clean side. (Chorus in parallel can get strange if the settings are too extreme)

 

[odarellmc]

I think it may be low on both but since the preamp channel has both gain and volume control and I like it running into slight overdrive, I haven’t had trouble getting enough from the preamp channel.

I always use some form of boost on the parallel channel when using the filter so I can blend it with the preamp channel.

the pedal overall output seems low, so a make up level at the very end of the chain would work also.

Reason I suggest a make up gain for each channel is if you wanted to run the preamp side very clean you may need a boost in there also.

Great idea.

 

[Rick Penrose]

Depends on the effect. I generally don’t like to put anything before the gain (preamp) stage because I want the overdrive to be responsive to how hard I play on the strings.

modulation I either put in the preamp loop or after the pedal.
After the pedal sounds better because there aren’t any phasing issues with the parallel side, but then the DI doesn’t have the effect.

I do also like having chorus etc in the preamp loop so the low end is preserved on the parallel side. Just have to watch the settings so it doesn’t modulate weirdly with the clean side. (Chorus in parallel can get strange if the settings are too extreme)

Thanks. klattman! I have a source audio spectrum pedal (envelop, etc.). Would you recommend putting this pedal in the parallel or preamp loop?