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fdecks HPF, Part II
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,079
- 9,801
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Just curious why the desire for a bypass? I have been using one for several years now, and I either have it always on (if the bass/amp/cab requires) or out of the chain if I'm not using any gear that produces all that sub-frequency. I just cant see an application for toggling it on/off during a gig.
I have mine going through the B channel of a Lehle Dloop for the purpose of toggling on or off at a gig without having to pull the unit out of the signal chain disturbing my board.
Costly but worth it. During sound check I decide if it is needed or not and go from there.
I use it with my tube amps, Fender Super Bassman and Ashdown Little Bastard. It can squeeze a little more juice out of the already loud 30 watts the LB30 produces.
Never really needed it using my Genz Benz ShuttleMax 9.2 because of the filters intergrated in that head.
So I guess it is a matter of not pulling pedals and disrupting a neatly wired board in my case. It is there if I need it and out of the signal chain if I don't.
Pic just because.
I hear you. For me, the footswitch was a lesser priority than the side jacks and face-mounted knobs, but I figured the bypass does no harm so why not.
I would probably still have my fdeck if it had come in this form. I want a toggle, as the HPF had a clearly audible (to me) effect on my sound, and I would want the ability to quickly A/B the result.
I want this and the price is really more than fair, but alas i'm in europe. Francis kindly lets us to make our own, soooo anyone has schematics?
I really want to make one for me and two for my guitarsists, because heaven knows they sound way better if i cut below 120
I really want to make one for me and two for my guitarsists, because heaven knows they sound way better if i cut below 120
I'm interested and curious about those HPF filters like the Fdeck, Thumpinator.....
I love big fat massive sounds, but through the years I've noticed the speakers of my SWR Goliath III seem to suffer a bit from this.
Could an HPF filter might be the answer?
Why not simply turning down the lows instead of using such a filter?
Which HPF is considered as the "best" on the market?
Is it possible to run it in the effect loop?
I love big fat massive sounds, but through the years I've noticed the speakers of my SWR Goliath III seem to suffer a bit from this.
Could an HPF filter might be the answer?
Why not simply turning down the lows instead of using such a filter?
Which HPF is considered as the "best" on the market?
Is it possible to run it in the effect loop?
HPFs have a much steeper cutoff slope where a bass control, even if it is a shelving type, has a gentler roll-off.
You can run the FDeck in the effects loop, but users report better success as the last pedal in the chain.
The FDeck has an adjustable roll-off point, where the Thumpinator is fixed so you'd better be happy with where it's set to.
The choice is clear.
Does that mean I can keep my big fat low without worrying about my speakers instead of using a compressor?
I don't have any pedals so I'll use it in the FX loop
I'll proably go for the FDeck then
It's getting clearer, yes
It's a bit strange to me makers don't include such a feature in their amps.
Yes
Don't be afraid to test it in both places.
I'll proably go for the FDeck then
It's getting clearer, yes
It's a bit strange to me makers don't include such a feature in their amps.
Many do have some sort of a fixed generic HPF built-in, but as you have seen, not as effective as some people would want. It's also a cost thing. Making an amp with just a lap belt is cheaper than one with a five point harness and airbags.
BTW, I have the FDeck myself.
Well well well..... Time for me to give a try I think. I might solve at the same time this XMax speaker issues I always faced whatever cabs I was using.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,079
- 9,801
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I was always reluctant to use a HPF in the past because I "dig those massive deep lows", and didnt want to gut my sound. Then I tried one and realized that it actually helps me reach that goal. by cutting the unusably low frequencies that the cab is struggling to reproduce, I was able to get more fatness and "bigness" from my rig by cutting those subsonics and boosting the bass on my instrument or preamp. This creates more energy in the usable bass range, while removing all the crap that makes your amp work so hard.
Wish I'd tried an Fdeck when I was using Acme cabs and an El Whappo. Bet it would have really whooped those cabs into shape. Both are really deep and wide and benefit from an HPF.
Wish I'd tried an Fdeck when I was using Acme cabs and an El Whappo. Bet it would have really whooped those cabs into shape. Both are really deep and wide and benefit from an HPF.
The Noble preamp/DI pedal has a "deep" toggle switch that provides this effect. Works like a champ, especially with acoustic bass guitar. I used an Fdeck for several years and it works great too. But my goal is to eliminate stuff from the chain for more simplicity so ...
I wish I would have had that device with all my previous amps. Especially the Ampeg SVT 4 Pro. I'll see how it behaves with my MEsa Titan V12 as I've always been amazed by the fact that despite crancking huge lows with that amp, I never saw the speakers moving too much. Maybe there is already a HPF in this amp?
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,079
- 9,801
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
IMO, the rigs that "need" a HPF are ones that dont have good filtering in the head/preamp, and where the cabs can take the lows even if they're not really the kinds of lows that help. So, if you have a head with no HPF, but use cabs that don't have extended lows (like me right now), I find that I dont need the HPF, as my cabs do a pretty good job of shelving those subs. I found less of a discernable impact from the Fdeck with my Berg CN210s than with previous cabs that took all those lows and tried to run with them.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
I think this device or something like it is exactly what I need for my Mesa M9 Carbine and Powerhouse 4ohm 210 rig. It can produce some excellent lows and high SPL , but I can hear the speakers starting to complain when Im trying to achieve both at the same time. Sounds like this could be the key to achieving a good high volume when necessary while still getting that nice thick low mid tone that we all hear in our heads..
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,079
- 9,801
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
thats been my experience. I get more performance out of the gear because the signal is 'optimized' for lack of a better term. Less excursion, more available power in the range where it counts. I still "feel" the notes, but the rig is definitely working smarter than harder. Not sure what the HPF situation is Mesa M9, but from my brief foray with the M6, I recall that it had a surprisingly wide and deep low end, so I bet it would help. plus with the Fdeck you can literally set the "knee" for the cutoff, and tailor how much you're carving out to fit. I usually turn it up from 35 until I can hear it cutting lows, then back it off a tad and leave it there. So its working, but not audibly. But loop some groovy line with tons of low end and toggle the Fdeck in and out, and watch your drivers and you will be surprised how hard theyre working to amplify frequencies that A: you can't hear, and B: just get in the way on stage.
I've been using an Fdeck for the last couple of years. I like to set it so I can just hear it cut my lows (I HATE boomy bass). That usually ends up being around 100hz. I'm sure you could set it below that and reap the benefits without messing with your sound.
What sold me on it, was playing with a singer/guitarist friend. He goes thru a smallish PA, we're on these two bit wooden stages in some pubs/restaurants that were never designed for live music. After using the Fdeck on a couple of gigs, I forgot to plug it in on the next. During the first set, we look at each other and both say we have no idea what we're playing; couldn't really hear each other or ourselves. Then I remember the Fdeck. Plug it in for the second set and it's like a blanket was lifted off the stage. Everything was clearer and more audible while being the same volume. Since that gig, I've never not used it.
What sold me on it, was playing with a singer/guitarist friend. He goes thru a smallish PA, we're on these two bit wooden stages in some pubs/restaurants that were never designed for live music. After using the Fdeck on a couple of gigs, I forgot to plug it in on the next. During the first set, we look at each other and both say we have no idea what we're playing; couldn't really hear each other or ourselves. Then I remember the Fdeck. Plug it in for the second set and it's like a blanket was lifted off the stage. Everything was clearer and more audible while being the same volume. Since that gig, I've never not used it.
