Fender Downtown Express

[RSey716]

I like the simplicity of this pedal. YouTube vids are informative as well. I have read a few posts about live applications but has anyone taken this into the studio and show did this work out for you? I like the pedal and incorporating this into my board would clean it up some as well. The OD I could really do without but all in all seems like a product definitely worth investigating.

 

[jcbofa]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

 

[Leglau Bass]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

I have not had any trouble with this at all, there are a lot of options for configuring the pedal perhaps you need to spend some time with the FOH guy and try some different options.

 

[MynameisMe]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

Do you have the correct power supply? Is it the isolated kind? Is there other signal noise from other pedals in your line?
Do you have bad un-grounded electricity to anything your plugged in to?

 

[G-Dog]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

Wow! You got 9 of these? What a fan!

Sounds like you may have had the Master turned down, if FOH wasn't getting enough signal. Maybe?

Hope this helps.
.

 

[Nunovsky]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

You can try some troubleshooting:

1. Try maximizing the Master volume and see if it helps.
2. See if the D.I. switch is not in the pre setting. Set it on Fx+Eq.
3. See if the power supply you're using gives you the full amperage requirements. This pedal takes 400ma.
4. Try a diferent xlr cable.
5. If any of these options don't work, maybe you have a malfunctioning unit.

 

[mmbass21]

I’ve picked up 9ne of these and have been trying it on my weekly board. I like the sound, but my FOH guy tells me that this pedal is short on signal level, requiring a lot of make-up gain at the board, introducing noise on the channel. Anybody else experiencing this?

Definitely try what @Nunovsky stated. You also may have a pedal with a bad DI and you should replace it from the warranty. Not poking blame towards the sound guy because their equipment or cables are never at fault, but what did they trouble shoot?

 

[joellay]

I recently purchased this pedal and so far I am quite pleased. I running my tuner off of the tuner out which is awesome because it does not effect the signal through my board and allows me to leave it on if I wish. I am using the DI out to send a clean signal to the front of house and then the 1/4” out through my other pedals and ending at the sans amp. I use the di out on the sans amp to send my effected signal to front of house which allows them to blend in my clean to suit the room and keep the low end from being lost. I like the way the sansamp smooths our the overall sound and works great for when I am playing a silent stage. I am still running this through it’s paces but so far I am very happy overall!

Confused. It seems a big part of this is the pre amp, yet you have a Sans Amp. What is your reason for adding this in the chain? The compressor? Otherwise it seems redundant.

 

[Leglau Bass]

The Downtown is more of a multi function pedal to me than a pre amp, the features are great but the Sansamp feels more like playing through an amp to me, the best part is I have lots of options at my feet and changing tones is a snap.

 

[joellay]

Curious as to the review on the compressor feature. I have some extra cash and was debating getting a new compressor. I saw this had one built in. Thoughts on that specific feature?

Also, is the pre-amp good enough that I could run this direct through the effects return of my amp essentially using my main amp as a power amp only. Is there enough tone shaping on it's own? I find that there is too much with the on board preamp in the bass, plus a preamp in front of the head and then the pre-amp in the head.

 

[3wavylines]

Curious as to the review on the compressor feature. I have some extra cash and was debating getting a new compressor. I saw this had one built in. Thoughts on that specific feature?

Also, is the pre-amp good enough that I could run this direct through the effects return of my amp essentially using my main amp as a power amp only. Is there enough tone shaping on it's own? I find that there is too much with the on board preamp in the bass, plus a preamp in front of the head and then the pre-amp in the head.

I like the DE compressor, but I don’t really feel qualified to be judging compressors. I use it for fairly light blended compression, and it gives a little more fullness to the tone of my bass.

I’ve been surprised how much I like the EQ. I feel like it’s one of those “sounds good wherever you set the knobs” EQs. I don’t have to think a lot about how to use it, I just turn the knobs where I think I need to add more or less, and I’m usually happy with the result.

I think you could use it instead of an amp EQ, as long as you don’t feel a strong need for 4-bands or parametric mids.

 

[joellay]

I like the DE compressor, but I don’t really feel qualified to be judging compressors. I use it for fairly light blended compression, and it gives a little more fullness to the tone of my bass.

I’ve been surprised how much I like the EQ. I feel like it’s one of those “sounds good wherever you set the knobs” EQs. I don’t have to think a lot about how to use it, I just turn the knobs where I think I need to add more or less, and I’m usually happy with the result.

I think you could use it instead of an amp EQ, as long as you don’t feel a strong need for 4-bands or parametric mids.

yes, i was a little confused why they didn't do a 4 band. I'm most intrigued with this option because Aguilar designed the circuit. If the compressor is good I'd probably go for this unit. I have a couple of options right now with some money to spend. Trying to decide whether to add this into my chain, or get a Rumble 800 head.

 

[soong]

With overdrive disengaged, does the XLR output still apply a cab sim LPF-style roll off, or does the built-in cab sim only engage with OD on?

 

[Le beau JP]

just bought this a month ago.

How do you guys manage the pedal in order not to loose low end when engaging the overdrive? Feels like I always need to engage the EQ with a bass boost at the same time.
And the compressor pops badly on the first plucked note.

The pedals has a really nice overdrive, a beefy compressor and a nice EQ but I get really disappointed by its shortcomings.

And I didnt even mention the fact that we have to mess constently with the Master knob if its not used as an always on preamp

Anyone can help out?

 

[SmhBass0710]

Reportedly it’s designed by Alex Aguilar too……

 

[Bright Midnight]

I'm thinking of getting one. I currently use an L2000 into an Aguilar AG500 dual channel and it's a fantastic pair. With the Downtown I would have a compressor, EQ and overdrive all in one. I wouldn't use it as a preamp though as I find the Aguilar a sonic beast all by itself, but rather as an always on comp, an extra drive if needed (the AG500 has a second saturation channel) and a good EQ just for the extra.

 

[Seratone1]

I rented a Downtown (Suzy Brown ...sorry) this weekend. I was really surprised. It's definitely a keeper. The overdrive is king! It apparently engages a cab sim and it sounds like it! It's fluttery and wonderful. I like it a bit more scooped so I added a Boss GEB7 to the end of it reducing 120 and 800 hz after turning the Midrange knob off - and a tile reverb just to rattle the walls a bit more. My previous preamp was a Dark Glass MicroTubes Ultra into an HX Stomp with an SVT patch. The overdrive also cleans up nicely to the point of being subtle grit - for clean tones I don't think I'll even engage the compressor (it does clip a little bit), currently I have the compressor controls almost off. It's a really nice sounding unit, I honestly thought the overdrive was going to be a novelty, but it's so musical. It's only $299 Canadian - I'm putting my $500 Dark Glass pedal away for a while (it sounds too 'fizzy' after this)

 

[Pilonggoy]

Hi everyone, i just bought this Fender DE and i'm loving it. I previously use MXR Bass Di and this Fender DE replaced it. One thing i would like to ask you, can someone explain to me how the signal path works? Thanks in advance

 

[Michael Vee]

can someone explain to me how the signal path works?

Here is the manual: Downtown Express Bass Multi-Effect Pedal It does not have a signal path diagram. It only explains the controls, and on a basic level.

You have the top switch that controls the OD/Compression order. That's pretty straightforward.

Then you have the rear panel switch that controls what gets sent to the DI out. I think that's what you are asking about. Here are the settings and what they do. In order, left to right:

• FX sends after compression and overdrive are applied but with no EQ.
• FX&EQ sends the signal after the compression, overdrive and EQ have been applied.
• Pre-FX sends pre-everything from the input jack. No effects, no EQ.

 

[Pilonggoy]

Here is the manual: Downtown Express Bass Multi-Effect Pedal It does not have a signal path diagram. It only explains the controls, and on a basic level.

You have the top switch that controls the OD/Compression order. That's pretty straightforward.

Then you have the rear panel switch that controls what gets sent to the DI out. I think that's what you are asking about. Here are the settings and what they do. In order, left to right:

• FX sends after compression and overdrive are applied but with no EQ.
• FX&EQ sends the signal after the compression, overdrive and EQ have been applied.
• Pre-FX sends pre-everything from the input jack. No effects, no EQ.

Thank you so much! I will try and test these using an xlr.