• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Iron Ether Subterranea

#1,781
Thank you, I'm glad to hear it's working well for you! Always love to hear the pedals in a band context if you have a chance to share any recordings.

I don't usually post here about batches in the shop as I reckon bumping this thread with that would violate the commercial user policy. Having been a TBer longer than I've been making pedals I do take that seriously. But since I happen to be posting at the moment I think it would be OK to mention that a new batch of Subs just went up a few minutes ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BIG97BEN
#1,782
Taylor Livingston said:
Thank you, I'm glad to hear it's working well for you! Always love to hear the pedals in a band context if you have a chance to share any recordings.

I don't usually post here about batches in the shop as I reckon bumping this thread with that would violate the commercial user policy. Having been a TBer longer than I've been making pedals I do take that seriously. But since I happen to be posting at the moment I think it would be OK to mention that a new batch of Subs just went up a few minutes ago.
Click to expand...
I really like that finish. I also like the fact that my SubT and XereoD have matching finishes, but that orange/red finish is pretty awesome.
 
#1,783
Hey Taylor,
Have you guys fiddled around with the CNC lettering on the SubTs? The lettering on mine is very irregular unlike most other SubTs I've seen recently. Mine has different sizes and depths, almost hand-cut; I like it VERY much as it adds to the "earthy" aesthetic of the pedal (the pedal's color being an earthy-bronze color). To me, it's the epitome of its name :thumbsup: Just wondering if this was on purpose or you guys were just still getting used to the CNC machine. I believe it's #143.

10e343cd-0cc1-4308-981a-de9a862aabef_zpsgykiczhm.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20150417_080132.jpg
    IMG_20150417_080132.jpg
    886.1 KB · Views: 70
  • Like
Reactions: sillyfabe
#1,784
Well, when the first engraved IE pedals started coming out I did set things up to impart some random variation like that, as at the time there was some worry among some here that they would suddenly become generic and bland. I do have an aesthetic interest in strangeness and imperfection, so that end of things appeals more to me, both as a maker and consumer, than things I'd call generic. But of course one person's generic is another's "proper" or "professional" so that's why it's cool that there's a lot of variety in the pedal world. I started making pedals just as a musician who wanted certain tools which I couldn't find, so the business really came from my own peculiar tastes.

I don't think I made a conscious effort to smooth over the quirks of the engravings, but maybe I accidentally "improved" the setup in small, gradual ways to where there's not as much variation as in your pedal. I'm really glad to hear that you dig that aspect of it. It's possible that I subconsciously have thought people expect a bit more consistency. It's tough to know exactly what people like about the things you make and what directions you should focus on. I suspect there are some who are into the pedals but would think that too much variation like that looks unprofessional or sloppy in a way they don't think is cool. One reason I've moved to selling pedals after they're built and trying out different styles and techniques is that this way I can make some weird and gnarly things, then the next week make some more understated ones like the Polytopes and FrantaBits that are in the shop right now. In the past with a waiting list I wouldn't feel comfortable trying out disparate looks because the person who ordered is expecting the pedal they saw 6 months earlier.

I actually have one pedal where the engraving went completely nuts, the text fades from normal on the right to somewhat mutated on the left and the IE logo is quite twisted and cuts straight through the enclosure. Some day soon I will have an "oddities" day where I list some special things like that. I like the idea of taking unexpected accidents and celebrating them. Maybe we shouldn't always hide our mutants under the stairs. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: wes stephenson, Driven Crane, Ba55Man1ac and 7 others
#1,785
I don't think anyone could rightly describe any of your pedals as generic neither in sound nor aesthetics. The "cleaner" engravings really suit the new batches of enclosures! I was actually tempted to buy one from the vein series a few weeks back ;)

Let those monsters out! And BTW, you shouldn't give up on the Hydrangea SubT idea! Just follow your heart Taylor...follow your heart :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: eveilleu and sillyfabe
#1,788
Still stand by my IE SubT: its the only analog octaver than can truly have controllable octave tracking. Only analog octaver than can handle my EBOW and octave jumps when I want it too! The amount of versatilitiy in such a small package makes it hard to beat (have yet to find anything even remotely close........)
 
#1,792
maisbass said:
Thanks for the reply.

I'm avoiding the classifieds and waiting for a new batch because from what I understand it is supposed to have an improved circuit.... Unless I was misinformed.
Click to expand...

It was only the first batches which had the issue. I think all those pedals with the issue have the same look as the one in the second post of this thread. After that he changed the printing process. But most people have had the issue fixed, and Taylor can fix it for you as well if the previous owner didn't. Depends how much of a hurry you're in :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: sillyfabe
#1,793
Lebowsky said:
It was only the first batches which had the issue. I think all those pedals with the issue have the same look as the one in the second post of this thread. After that he changed the printing process. But most people have had the issue fixed, and Taylor can fix it for you as well if the previous owner didn't. Depends how much of a hurry you're in :)
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
#1,794
A couple weeks back, he mentioned that new SubTs would be ready in a couple months....so I guess another 6 weeks at the most...?

EDIT: I found his post on FB...
David Yasensky
July 16 at 9:08pm
Hi! I am smitten with the sound of the Subterranea (based on internet videos). Any plans to make more? What might they look like?

Iron Ether Electronics Hi David, there will be more Subterraneas coming, possibly in about 2 months. I haven't planned anything for the finish yet, but I'm always open to hearing suggestions! Anybody reading this can feel free to put in a vote as well.
Like · Reply · July 17 at 7:57pm
 
  • Like
Reactions: maisbass
#1,795
Hey guys. I was recording a song sketch when I accidentally discovered the Subterranea to be microphonic.

The "drum machine" on the following clip is me gently tapping the SubT's case with my fingers in front of a fuzz, while switching an envelope filter on and off.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#1,796
Hmm, interesting. Are you sure it's to do with the Subterranea in particular? There are no parts in this pedal that would be especially susceptible to being microphonic, like transformers or tubes. I wonder whether you'd get a pretty similar effect by connecting any other pedal to the same high-gain chain. In fact, when connected to a high-gain pedal, it's often possible to get the same kind of effect by tapping the patch cable in between.

Well, in any case, glad that you found a fun use for this effect!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BIG97BEN and sillyfabe
#1,797
eloann said:
Hey guys. I was recording a song sketch when I accidentally discovered the Subterranea to be microphonic.

The "drum machine" on the following clip is me gently tapping the SubT's case with my fingers in front of a fuzz, while switching an envelope filter on and off.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
As Taylor suggested, I would the "microphonic" element is a patch cable- mine tend to do similar things in high-gain situations when they are starting to get loose on the ends...
 
#1,798
Taylor Livingston said:
Hmm, interesting. Are you sure it's to do with the Subterranea in particular? There are no parts in this pedal that would be especially susceptible to being microphonic, like transformers or tubes. I wonder whether you'd get a pretty similar effect by connecting any other pedal to the same high-gain chain. In fact, when connected to a high-gain pedal, it's often possible to get the same kind of effect by tapping the patch cable in between.

Well, in any case, glad that you found a fun use for this effect!
Click to expand...

As a video is worth many words...



Interestingly, tapping over the "IE" logo is louder with the SubT bypassed
 
Last edited:
#1,799
I just got a subT in trade and tried it for a few minutes. Sounds great, except for two things that stand out:

1) Sounds and tracks much worse when my bass is in active mode. It's not a volume issue, my bass sounds the same in both modes. I saw some mention of this, but didn't see a resolution...?

2) The sawtooth wave on both synths creates loud crackling/popping sounds, even when I turn the bass volume way down.

Do I have a faulty unit? Can it be fixed?

Thanks!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back