Markbass Super Synth

[Unrepresented]

Thanks for the replies!

I might look into getting an octaver and the bef. I have fuzz, chorus, delay and reverb so I'm not looking for an all-in-one pedal, just a way to achieve synthy tones and good envelope controll. Can you achieve that detuned oscillater type bass sound with this sort of combo?

As a person who does a fair amount of "pad" and ambient tones, a delay with some detuning can add a lot to your sound. I really like my T-Rex Reptile pedal, but there are others out there that have similar features.

 

[Phagor]

Can you achieve that detuned oscillater type bass sound

Yep, a chorus pedal can give you something close to oscillator detuning. Check out Talkbass user Marc Sterling's video, where he uses an Iron Ether Polytope (something like a chorus) with fuzz - octave - filter:

 

[jchan75]

Does anyone know where the presets are saved at on pc? can't find them anywhere on my computer. They show up in the markbass software, but i have some i've downloaded that i'd like to load onto the pedal

 

[StereoPlayer]

Does anyone know where the presets are saved at on pc? can't find them anywhere on my computer. They show up in the markbass software, but i have some i've downloaded that i'd like to load onto the pedal

it seems this was posted early in this thread, or later.
it's a long thread... I haven
't used my MB pedals in a long time.

 

[Adamixoye]

Does anyone know where the presets are saved at on pc? can't find them anywhere on my computer. They show up in the markbass software, but i have some i've downloaded that i'd like to load onto the pedal

Can't you search by folder name or something? If it were a Mac I could help you, but not a Windows machine.

 

[Phagor]

C:\ProgramData\Markbass\Markbass Pedal Controller\Presets\

I haven't used the editor for a long time, and am on a Mac now, but I think you can just drag and drop a file onto the editor window to load it. If it was saved from the editor in the first place.

TB user Gastric has a good page of info here:

http://www.cgraham.com/chris/music/bass/super_synth/

 

[savinggrace]

For those that might be interested, I have a Markbass SuperSynth in mint / near mint condition (minus the hook and loop velcro) with manual up in the classifieds section.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f213/...h-pedigree-pedals-let-stampede-begin-1053071/

 

[Pbassred]

I just took delivery of one of these to replace a EHX Microsynth ( Too variable on a gig.) My priority is to get the Beegees "Jive Talkin" sound. On the EHX The filter has a Start Frequency, Stop frequency and a RATE. I don't seem to be able to find a way to mimic any of these. Especially the rate. THE MB seems to always go at the same speed Whatever you do.

 

[Jazz Ad]

It's really a pity that they only used one wave shape for oscillators.

 

[Adamixoye]

It's really a pity that they only used one wave shape for oscillators.

So many things about this pedal are amazing (tracking, tone, having multiple oscillators), and so many things are a pity (size, power requirements, necessity for a computer editor, wave shapes).

I just took delivery of one of these to replace a EHX Microsynth ( Too variable on a gig.) My priority is to get the Beegees "Jive Talkin" sound. On the EHX The filter has a Start Frequency, Stop frequency and a RATE. I don't seem to be able to find a way to mimic any of these. Especially the rate. THE MB seems to always go at the same speed Whatever you do.

Are you hooked up to the computer or just editing with the four knobs? It doesn't have the same controls as the Microsynth, but you can definitely alter the filter rate/envelope opening using the software.

 

[Pbassred]

Are you hooked up to the computer or just editing with the four knobs? It doesn't have the same controls as the Microsynth, but you can definitely alter the filter rate/envelope opening using the software.

Yes I'm using the software But there is no "rate" knob, or a "sweep width" knob, so if its possible, I'd really like to know how. The only way to use this thing (for me) is to write my own manual. The MB manuals are sketchy at best.

 

[jasonmitsch]

I just took delivery of one of these to replace a EHX Microsynth ( Too variable on a gig.) My priority is to get the Beegees "Jive Talkin" sound. On the EHX The filter has a Start Frequency, Stop frequency and a RATE. I don't seem to be able to find a way to mimic any of these. Especially the rate. THE MB seems to always go at the same speed Whatever you do.

I've found that altering my bass' volume knob has the most drastic effect with pedals like this. I haven't ever used a MBSS, but envelope controlled effects typically respond better to lower inputs in my experience.

 

[Phagor]

I don't seem to be able to find a way to mimic any of these.

If you're not already, you'll need to use the Pedal Controller software to get more control over the pedal.

There's no direct equivalent to the Microsynth knobs, but you can start by setting the Cutoff to the Stop Frequency, then use the Envelope knob to set the Start Frequency. The Release knob is like the Rate. I would use a low Attack and medium Release for Jive Talking.

THE MB seems to always go at the same speed Whatever you do.

This is probably because of the Filter Dynamic knob. It 'overrides' the Attack and Release envelope. Turn the Filter Dynamic all the way down (and the Amp Dynamic too). Then set the Attack and Release times, and set the Envelope knob to taste. Then you can turn the Dynamic knobs back up a little bit to allow some of your playing volume to affect the synth sound.

 

[Adamixoye]

I no longer own this pedal but my recollection of the software is that you should follow Phagor's advice. There are definitely ways to get a slow sweep.

 

[Driven Crane]

MB SS + Timeline + Wet (MXR Micro Chorus and EBS Digiphaser - a bit)
Invalid Link Removed
This one is called The Jericho's Pipe.

 

[raelalt]

Where are you guys putting this thing in your signal chain? I know the standard try it everywhere response, I'm just curious what you are doing.

I haven't been using any effects lately, but I'm going to put a little gigging board back together with a tuner, the SS, Musket Fuzz, BF-2, and a comp. Just not in that order. Possibly more depending on how much room I've got once that is on the board (PT Jr.)

(I know I'm kinda late to the party and apologize if this has been answered ad nauseam)

I've been told that in general all effects that require tracking of the original signal should get the cleanest signal possible, so mine (EHX B8 and the MB-SS) go at the beginning of the chain. Though I think that compressors are the exception and should go before all effects.

 

[raelalt]

I've come to love a looper in front so I can literally feed the fx the exact 100% same playing over and over. It's so totally excellent for fx tweaking as you can sit there and play with the parameters with both hands. Great for testing, learning, and eventual setup.

What a great idea! As soon as I am done here I am trying that out. I see it saving a lot of time in not having to go through the same bass pattern over and over to try out different settings. I feel so stupid for not figuring this out on my own.

 

[Dave W]

(I know I'm kinda late to the party and apologize if this has been answered ad nauseam)

I've been told that in general all effects that require tracking of the original signal should get the cleanest signal possible, so mine (EHX B8 and the MB-SS) go at the beginning of the chain. Though I think that compressors are the exception and should go before all effects.

How old is that post of mine? It's got to be a few years at least. I sold my Super Synth a long while back.

What's funny is I said I'm not using effects whenever that was. In my entire playing career I can't remember a time when I didn't use effects. Weird.

 

[OhulahanBass]

I think the preference is up to you. You may benefit from the controlled attach into your MBSS if you want it to act consistently for every note. It may even tame initial glitches. I think typical rule of thumb for most is after all of your dynamic and especially dynamic tracking pedals.

If you want the synth to react the same every time you pluck, thump, spank a string then it will sound more like a conventional synth, if you want it to sound like you (dynamically) than put it after to fatten it up. It will squish the amplitude dynamics but the filter frequency envelop will still fallow your dynamics and give you some expression with even amplitude.

I'm kind of curious and would be interested to here you report how both set ups work.

 

[Blu bro]

I got a Boss Compressor sustainer that i set really heavily so my markbass s/s has as consistent sound as possible. the idea so it sounds more like synth then a bass. It is working for and i'm happy.