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New "organ" pedal - EHX B9

#201
nshuman said:
You should see my company's software manuals.... Manuals are surprisingly hard to make. When I did my obligatory engineering technical writing course at uni, it all looked so simple and straightforward, I was so wrong. FWIW, you need someone who is really good at it, and engineers who have 5-6 hours to spare to sit down with the Tech Writter...
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+1
Software manuals are nigh impossible to make. I freelanced to one telecom-software company for six months, endless aggravation of trying to herd cats. If you can get one techie to sit with you, there's five more that are revising the software code at their computers that makes null & void your present meeting with that one techie you miraculously cornered. Same thing happened when I was editing another telecom's proposal/tender to gov't for a new type of license...

I'd love to write a manual for an FX pedal, something that actually has a solid shipping date and a physicality that can't be revised between the morning's coffee break and lunch-time.

OT
Admittedly I'd mostly want to have good tracking, but I'd also love to stick the Benign B9 well deep in the FX chain and see what sort of sonic mayhem ensues!
 
#209
Could only squeeze in 10 minutes to test it this afternoon, but the verdict is a thumbs up!

There are a few mild tracking issues, I only tested with a 4-string passive P and for some reason a low A generated a slight warbling sound in the low end yet the top end of the organ was still nice and clean. It's as if there is a POG-like digital octave up which is stable but with a tiny bit of latency, mixed with a less stable but instant traditional octave down going on. Low E to G were perfectly fine though. I have a feeling a brighter bass with more attack like a stingray would suit this pedal more, that'll be the next test, as well as the 5-string BB.

Playing dry droning root notes, then kicking on the pedal and chucking in some upper chord notes was a lot fun!

Favorite modes were the first, 'fat and full', and the last, 'bell organ', which was a surprise as that was the model I liked least on the demo video. The 'bottom end' mode is very bassy, but sounds much better played with a pick, somehow the sharper attack triggers the sound better and make the organ sound much fuller.

And before anyone asks, sorry, too busy to do clips!
 
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#210
I just found one on ebay. I want to compare this to my Strymon Lex and EQD Organizer combo. If it sounds as good or better I can replace two pedals with one. Looks like it will be here in about a week with the holiday. I will let you know how it sounds.
 
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#212
Well, it's arrived and I've played it for maybe 30 mins.

My objectives for this pedal are probably a lot different to everyone elses here ... I want to do B3 style bass lines, I've wanted to for a long time. I have no need for a full-on B3 sound.

That said, I have mixed feelings about this pedal right now, I'm not very convinced by the sound I'm getting, but I haven't really played with EQ yet.

Tracking is problematic low down. For sustained notes, your low playable limit is about C (above open E). Below that you get a bit of warbling or stuttering. For a quick walking line you might get down to D (above open B) but it has to be quick and you may need a compressor to even out the weak lows.

It doesn't really like flats. I guess it's using the harmonic content of the input signal, you get a richer sound with rounds.

Preset 9 ('Bell') is weird. The bell or piano note added seems to be a major third interval, and I think it's flat. I really need to revisit that ... maybe get audacity to zero in on the exact frequency.

CAVEAT: as I said I've only played with it for 30 mins or so, my opinions may change when I settle down with it, find the bass it likes the best and tweak the EQ some.
 
#213
I did notice some funny sounding intervals as well, although tracking low E to G was perfect for me, just G# and A were a bit flaky - must depend on the bass. Haven't had another chance to test it yet - definitely some usable tones in there though!
 
#215
Had another little play today - definitely a keeper. The first 3 modes are the most useable IMHO, turn the click right down, the dry bass all the way up, and just kick on a bit of organ to fill things out - then when you want a big brash organ chord just strum with a pick or fingernails!
 
#217
dannybuoy said:
Had another little play today - definitely a keeper. The first 3 modes are the most useable IMHO, turn the click right down, the dry bass all the way up, and just kick on a bit of organ to fill things out - then when you want a big brash organ chord just strum with a pick or fingernails!
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Was this done with the passive P again? What type of strings?
 
#218
Saw some replies from EHX on Facebook to folks asking about how this worked for bass, and they mirror pretty much what has been said here about it working best in the middle to high register of the bass and being voiced specifically for guitar. Not a big surprise there- still excited to try one when I get a chance!
 
#219
Ok just got mine and gave it about a 45 minute trial. I think the tracking on the lower register is pretty good. What I don't like is the click that I hear on every setting except number one which is the fat and full sound. After messing around for half the time by itself I then did a comparison with my EQD Organizer. The B9 IMO was better. Here's the kicker. Since I have the luxury of also having the Stymon Lex I compared each with it. Tracking and sound again IMO very good and actually better than Organizer. Bottom line to me is without the Lex either pedal is ok. With the Lex you get a very good and realistic organ sound. I won't have anymore time to mess with around until Sunday. I will try to add to this quick review.
 
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#220
mam1862 said:
Ok just got mine and gave it about a 45 minute trial. I think the tracking on the lower register is pretty good. What I don't like is the click that I hear on every setting except number one which is the fat and full sound. After messing around for half the time by itself I then did a comparison with my EQD Organizer. The B9 IMO was better. Here's the kicker. Since I have the luxury of also having the Stymon Lex I compared each with it. Tracking and sound again IMO very good and actually better than Organizer. Bottom line to me is without the Lex either pedal is ok. With the Lex you get a very good and realistic organ sound. I won't have anymore time to mess with around until Sunday. I will try to add to this quick review.
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Would be good to hear what the Lex brought to the party.

I hate posts like this because they mean that I am going to end up spending almost twice the amount of money that I would have spent otherwise!
 

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