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Effects That Don't Exist, But Might Sound Cool

caeman

caeman

The Root Master
Sep 17, 2008
7,334
345
Ohio
#1
After my question about a dual-band flanger that flanged both bass and treble at possibly different rates and depths, I got to thinking.

We know about octave fuzz pedals, and many people like them.

Would the various modulations sound good with bass if the octave up was the signal being processed and then blended into the clean -- Octave Flanger, Octave Phaser, Octave Tremolo, Octave Vibrato?

What about Octave Delay?

These are the sort of thoughts that plague my brain on a daily basis.
 
#2
These are important questions.

It sounds like it's time for hours of joyful experimentation with lots of tone 'toys'.

I only have a Zoom multi effects pedal. I like being able to add effects but it's never enough. Turns out Wah and fuzz and OD sounds nasty in a nice way. Kinda like a personal insult in tone form. :bassist:
 
#4
I'd like to see effects that change different parameters based on the intensity played. For instance, an envelope filter is a Low-pass filter with the frequency of the cut off that varies with the intensity or volume that you play.

While I've come across some Zoom and ART multieffects units that can assign an expression pedal to change a different parameter, I haven't found one that does it based on the intensity played. Also, the multieffect processors tend to have very lousy quality effects anyway.

So here are some thoughts for stuff I haven't come across or seen how to put together with different controllers, loops or effects:

- A flanger where the speed and/or width change with the volume or intensity played
- An envelope filter where there's both a low pass as well as a bandpass (although not a true bandpass as to not loose the bottom end) that sweeps in the opposite frequency direction as the lowpass frequency direction. Maybe this is what the Bassballs twin filter does? I don't know...
- Also, an envelope filter that can be triggered by an outside instrument. You could put it on the bass, but have it controlled by the kick drum, for example. What I have done in the past in the studio/ProTools is have an envelope filter that's triggered by the snare placed in a parallel effects loop for the snare with delay, distortion and a high-pass filter on it. It sounds cool . However, this was only possible in ProTools, and I don't think it'd be possible live without some big old rack effects. I think that's what I did on the snare in the following track: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I've had a few other ideas along these lines, but those are the only ones that come to mind off hand.
 
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#6
I would like a pedal with a sweepable crossover; a optical compressor on the low band adjustable to about 10:1, with attack/release controls; and a noise gate on the upper band. Each band should have its own output level control and there should be a combined output, and also separate outputs for each band.

Basically, I want a Rane DC24 in a pedal, but with only the features I use. :)
 
#7
CrewsControl said:
I would like a pedal with a sweepable crossover; a optical compressor on the low band adjustable to about 10:1, with attack/release controls; and a noise gate on the upper band. Each band should have its own output level control and there should be a combined output, and also separate outputs for each band.

Basically, I want a Rane DC24 in a pedal, but with only the features I use. :)
Click to expand...

So, the high-band would NOT be compressed?
 
#8
Ubershiest, the Line 6 M series multis have a number of effects that have envelope controlled parameters. I really dig tremolo that speeds up as I dig in. Pig tonic also makes something called Tremvelope. If I understand correctly, Axe FX can do this kind of thing as well but their stuff is really expensive.
 
#9
I've always wanted a delay pedal in a wah shell or with an expression input that control the delay time, but once an echo's already started, it stays at that delay time. So, like, you hit a note with a 300ms echo, and while that's still fading out, you adjust the treadle to say, a 500ms echo, and hit a note and it will layer over the previous echoes.
 
#10
I wish I had the money to get all of my ideas built into real pedals, just so I could have whatever weird idea came to mind. Like, for example, getting Toadworks to build the Enveloope again.
 
#11
The Yamaha MagicStomp has several dynamic effects like phaser and flanger.

Eric! said:
I've always wanted a delay pedal in a wah shell or with an expression input that control the delay time, but once an echo's already started, it stays at that delay time. So, like, you hit a note with a 300ms echo, and while that's still fading out, you adjust the treadle to say, a 500ms echo, and hit a note and it will layer over the previous echoes.
Click to expand...
I would think the TimeLine could do this, with its twin delays. Set one at 500ms with the level controlled by the exp pedal.
 
#12
I wanted a blender pedal that was completely controlled by MIDI. This would let you control the blend with an expression pedal, save multiple wet/dry settings that could be cycled through, etc. One didn't exist, so Max from SFX Sound built me one :)

Swift713 said:
If I understand correctly, Axe FX can do this kind of thing as well but their stuff is really expensive.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it can, but yeah- it's expensive :D You can assign envelopes, LFOs, etc. to control many different parameters of different effects.
 
#14
A while ago, my band was toying with the idea of covering "Legs" (ZZ Top) and I found a way to reproduce the sequencer by using a Digitech BSW, Boss BF-3 and a Small Stone phaser looped through a LS-2 to insure low-end. We don't play that song anymore, but I sorta liked the sound and its possibilities (even if it's a bit eighties-ish). Does this already exist in a single-pedal format ? Can it even be done ?
 
#15
caeman said:
Would the various modulations sound good with bass if the octave up was the signal being processed and then blended into the clean -- Octave Flanger, Octave Phaser, Octave Tremolo, Octave Vibrato?

What about Octave Delay?

These are the sort of thoughts that plague my brain on a daily basis.
Click to expand...


Spend twenty minutes with any Eventide Ultra-Harmonizer (H3000 or newer) and all your questions will be answered.
 
#16
My personal Effects That Don't Exist But Would Sound Cool wish-list includes a multi-pole filter with realtime proportional pitch-tracking to modulate cutoff frequency.

So, for example, you could set it up as a low-pass filter that only allows the fundamental and first couple partials through (for that super deep, dubby, throbbing sphincter sound) but as you move up the neck the filter cutoff frequency moves higher with your notes so that it's still passing the fundamental and first couple partials (only), regardless of what register you're playing in.
 
#17
Ubersheist said:
- Also, an envelope filter that can be triggered by an outside instrument. You could put it on the bass, but have it controlled by the kick drum, for example. What I have done in the past in the studio/ProTools is have an envelope filter that's triggered by the snare placed in a parallel effects loop for the snare with delay, distortion and a high-pass filter on it. It sounds cool . However, this was only possible in ProTools, and I don't think it'd be possible live without some big old rack effects. I think that's what I did on the snare in the following track: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

The 3Leaf Groove Regulators (and I suppose the new Wonderlove or whatever) can do this. There is a video of Jonathan Herrera, I believe, from Bass Player magazine using a drum machine/sequencer to trigger the envelope for his a bass.

It in YouTube.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#19
metalinthenight said:
The 3Leaf Groove Regulators (and I suppose the new Wonderlove or whatever) can do this. There is a video of Jonathan Herrera, I believe, from Bass Player magazine using a drum machine/sequencer to trigger the envelope for his a bass.

It in YouTube.
Click to expand...
^This. Some filter pedals have a dedicated sidechain input, but any filter with an effects loop can do it you set it up right.
 
#20
Ubersheist said:
I'd like to see effects that change different parameters based on the intensity played. For instance, an envelope filter is a Low-pass filter with the frequency of the cut off that varies with the intensity or volume that you play.

While I've come across some Zoom and ART multieffects units that can assign an expression pedal to change a different parameter, I haven't found one that does it based on the intensity played. Also, the multieffect processors tend to have very lousy quality effects anyway.

So here are some thoughts for stuff I haven't come across or seen how to put together with different controllers, loops or effects:

- A flanger where the speed and/or width change with the volume or intensity played
- An envelope filter where there's both a low pass as well as a bandpass (although not a true bandpass as to not loose the bottom end) that sweeps in the opposite frequency direction as the lowpass frequency direction. Maybe this is what the Bassballs twin filter does? I don't know...
- Also, an envelope filter that can be triggered by an outside instrument. You could put it on the bass, but have it controlled by the kick drum, for example. What I have done in the past in the studio/ProTools is have an envelope filter that's triggered by the snare placed in a parallel effects loop for the snare with delay, distortion and a high-pass filter on it. It sounds cool . However, this was only possible in ProTools, and I don't think it'd be possible live without some big old rack effects. I think that's what I did on the snare in the following track: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I've had a few other ideas along these lines, but those are the only ones that come to mind off hand.
Click to expand...

I would LOVE an envelope filter that could be triggered by parts of a drum kit. That would be so awesome.. I've been loving the idea of effects on kits lately anyway. Tap delays and envelope filters sound awesome to me.

That new alairex halo pedal is triggered by playing intensity I think. It's an OD pedal and I've yet to hear it on bass. Has anyone ever gotten to try one?

 
Last edited by a moderator:

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