EBS Microbass 3 Blend knob when in series.

[dave_bass5]

I can't quite understand what this knob is doing when im using the MB3 with both channels in series. I understand when using it in parallel, it's a blend of course, but in series what is it blending if everything is flowing through it? should I run it full up so its not blending back the first channel on itself?
Im obviously missing the obvious here.

Thanks for any info. Loving this preamp so far.

 

[GotGroove]

in series what is it blending if everything is flowing through

I think you're mixing up the difference between serial and parallel. In serial, a single signal flows through everything in a specific order. Think of it as running 1 bass through a single pedalboard: 1 pedal comes after the next and so on. In parallel, you have 2 signals running next to and independent of each other. That's like running 2 basses each with their own pedal board. In this case, they just happen to conveniently share the same output, which saves room.

But as to your question what happens with with the blend when you have 2 separate signals: Nothing as far as I know. The blend knob blends the 2 channels together in serial. If there's 2 different signals, aka running it in parallel mode, there's nothing to blend.
The manual says as much:
'BLEND sets the mix level between the clean channel and drive channel when the drive channel is active'. In parallel, you just have 2 inputs: 1 clean (white dials only) and 1 distorted (black dials only).

The layout scheme seems pretty clear on it too. The only place where the blend is used is when the drive switch is activated in serial.

Hope that helps.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I had one and the blend is squirrelly....I used the series mode exclusively. Per my memory and the manual, the signal runs from the clean channel (white knobs / EQ / comp / gain) > drive channel (black knobs) but the blend allows you add-in a pre-drive signal from the clean channel. Is there an audible difference when sweeping the blend knob in this series configuration?

Riis

 

[dave_bass5]

Im not sure I follow your post (although no, im not getting mixed up).
Parallel is when you have two channels running at the same time in the same direction but each having its own path, and you can blend the drive in to the clean. As you say.
Series is when one runs in to the other, so Clean runs in to Drive. As you say.
The Blend most definitely has an effect in Parallel mode, which you say its actually doing nothing.

Take a look at the diagram. The input (non Drive) also feeds the drive channel when in parallel mode. You use the blend to mix the two sides of the signal. With one bass there ate two signals traveling together, combined at the output and mixed with the Blend knob.


My question is what is the Blend knob doing at the end of the Series chain.

Thanks anyway.

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks.
There is an audial be difference, but not sure what its doing. Might just be a level difference.

I had one and the blend is squirrelly....I used the series mode exclusively. Per my memory and the manual, the signal runs from the clean channel (white knobs / EQ / comp / gain) > drive channel (black knobs) but the blend allows you add-in a pre-drive signal from the clean channel. Is there an audible difference when sweeping the blend knob in this series configuration?

Riis

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks.
There is an audial be difference, but not sure what its doing. Might just be a level difference.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's "looking back" and blending-in clean channel signal in series mode. I'm lousy with schematics. I honestly don't know what else the blend control would be doing...or blending!

Riis

 

[dave_bass5]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's "looking back" and blending-in clean channel signal in series mode. I'm lousy with schematics. I honestly don't know what else the blend control would be doing...or blending!

Riis

Whatever it is doing is not a big deal, i was just wondering if anyone knew exactly what it does in this mode. Thanks.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Whatever it is doing is not a big deal, i was just wondering if anyone knew exactly what it does in this mode. Thanks.

Here's what I remember, some of which smacks of your configuration:

*I liked the series mode far-better than parallel. To my ears, the drive channel sounded a whole lot better when "borrowing" the tone-shaping via the clean channel.

*I had a heckuva time balancing the clean and OD voicings which is where the blend came into play.

*Sold mine and bought the full-blown EBS Reidmar which kills 2 birds. Only thing it's missing is a tuner.

*Minor niggle: compressor falls AFTER the EQ I believe.

Enjoy...it's a great pedal!

Riis

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks.
Yep, i feel the same about series/parallel mode. Im happy to use either, but i find the drive channel sounds a bit dark without the clean feeding it, for me its also going to be series most of the time. I plan on using it as a small pedal board, so clean a lot of the tiem and kicking in the drive when needed, without too much level/tone change. Its just seems easier to do this is serial mode.
To my ears the low and high switches only seem to work on the clean channel, so again, having both channels on at once gives the drive channel a bit of life. I found when blending the Drive up in parallel mode the sound naturally lost some body if im using the low switch (I’ll never need the other one).

I play mostly with a pick and quite happy with the comp. I don’t normally use comp (although i do have a nice Becos comp) but it seems to do what id expect and glad i have it on board.

Ive always used a BDDI or something like that, more coloured, but really enjoying the cleaner EBS. I can finally hear what my bass sounds like.

 

[dave_bass5]

Ok, ive figured it out.
When in serial mode the Blend knob still blends. With the drive section engaged (so both Clean and drive in series), with the blend all the way to the right you get Clean-Dirve, so everything. With the knob at noon you get 50/50, and with the knob all the way to the left you get just the Clean, even if the Drive is on. That makes sense I guess.

 

[sunbeast]

Ok, ive figured it out.
When in serial mode the Blend knob still blends. With the drive section engaged (so both Clean and drive in series), with the blend all the way to the right you get Clean-Dirve, so everything. With the knob at noon you get 50/50, and with the knob all the way to the left you get just the Clean, even if the Drive is on. That makes sense I guess.

Yeah that tracks with the schematic- the Blend is tapping from the output of the Clean path (tapped from the path into the dirty channel) on one end and the output of the Dirty path on the other end and the output of the Blend is the mix of these two inputs. Pretty cool circuit from the looks of it, I wanna try one for sure!

 

[Relsom]

Ok, ive figured it out.
When in serial mode the Blend knob still blends. With the drive section engaged (so both Clean and drive in series), with the blend all the way to the right you get Clean-Dirve, so everything. With the knob at noon you get 50/50, and with the knob all the way to the left you get just the Clean, even if the Drive is on. That makes sense I guess.

I don't use the Drive channel much, but I'm finding I like to set the pedal in Series with the Blend fully clockwise, Lo Gain, Neutral Type, Tone about midway and Drive at 10~11 o'clock for just a little grit.

Looking at the block diagram back in post #2, isn't the series switch in parallel mode? Its pointing at Serial, but I'm reading that as the label of the switch, not the function that it's pointing towards. Am I right?

 

[sunbeast]

I don't use the Drive channel much, but I'm finding I like to set the pedal in Series with the Blend fully clockwise, Lo Gain, Neutral Type, Tone about midway and Drive at 10~11 o'clock for just a little grit.

Looking at the block diagram back in post #2, isn't the series switch in parallel mode? Its pointing at Serial, but I'm reading that as the label of the switch, not the function that it's pointing towards. Am I right?

Yeah the switch is in parallel in the diagram picture

 

[jcburn]

Ok, ive figured it out.
When in serial mode the Blend knob still blends. With the drive section engaged (so both Clean and drive in series), with the blend all the way to the right you get Clean-Dirve, so everything. With the knob at noon you get 50/50, and with the knob all the way to the left you get just the Clean, even if the Drive is on. That makes sense I guess.

I've been on a preamp/DI pedal quest for a few months and settle on the MB3. Mostly I really just dig the clean channel, EQ points, effects loop and I like what the compressor does regardless of where it's positioned. I run dedicated drive pedals so i don't really need the drive channel, but I was also a little confused about a few things in regards to setting this channel up but this thread has answered all that.

Bravo TB.