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New Origin Effects DCX Bass

#761
Maxi Funkl said:
Have you had time to give this a go with your bass yet? Results?
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It's not my favorite Origin pedal for bass, so far anyway. I need to give it a whirl through a tube head though. I like the DCX bass and Halcyon Green and Gold much more. Different pedals, for sure but I love those on any bass and amp. I need to cross the streams and try the ME-Q with a g***** rig.
 
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#762
Erithon said:
Free The Tone Black Vehicle. Like the DCX Bass, it has that organic, natural, and not overly compressed feel. The Black Vehicle uses an IC design to simulate tube saturation and it does an excellent job. It is the most tubey of all non-tube drives I've played. If you are familiar with the Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop, the Spaceman Saturn VI, or the Origin Effects DCX Bass (I know you know that one) it's like those only with a more articulate low end thanks to its mix control. You can use that to dial in the balance of your clean tone and overdriven tone. The DCX Bass as a fatter, warmer low end than the Black Vehicle which is also nice in its own way. I think that comes from the vintage studio console tone Origin Effects was aiming for. So think something like:
Black Vehicle = tube amp saturation
DCX Bass = studio console overdrive
Both are great, and they are more similar than not (compared to other the full offerings of overdrive available), but they are definitely each doing their own thing.

Like the DCX Bass, the Black Vehicle has a nice sizzle to its trebles so if you need something with a little more high-end bite, this might be a solid option. (And if you need a darker tone, that sizzle can be EQed out with the treble pot, like the adaptive voicing toggle on the DCX Bass.) And also like the DCX Bass, it has a 2-band EQ instead of a tone pot so you have that added flexibility. But while the DCX Bass is voiced to keep the drive in the upper register (I'm sure you've notice it doesn't clip the full spectrum), the Black Vehicle clips more (but not all) of the spectrum so its drive tone is a thicker than the DCX Bass's. The gain and mix knobs, of course, let you control how heavy that drive tone gets. At higher gain settings I find the Black Vehicle too farty so I want to stress this is a true overdrive. If you are looking for fuzz, then this is not the pedal for you.

The coolest and most unique feature of the Black Vehicle is its secondary stompswitch: it has a boost that you can set to be pre- or post- the drive stage so it can be a gain boost or volume boost. I set mine to be a low-gain overdrive (just past edge-of-breakup) and then have the boost turn it into a medium-gain overdrive for intensifying a bridge or second chorus. The secondary stompswitch does mean this in enclosed in a 1590BB (turned the long way) rather than a 125B so it will take up a bit more space on a board; at the same time, that boost option gives you two gain-stages in one so it might actually save you space by removing the need for a separate boost or second dirt pedal.

Ultimately, the DCX Bass and Black Vehicle are both excellent pedals and I'd be happy with either on my board. They are a little different in their features and voices, but I don't think one is vastly superior. I love the responsiveness and tubeyness of the Black Vehicle, but the warm low-end and 125B enclosure of the DCX Bass are also great. Although I like the clipping of the Black Vehicle more than that of DCX Bass, I could easily see someone else preferring the opposite. There's no right or wrong here. Just different options of excellent.
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Hmm, now I'm second-guessing my DCX gas. I love my Black Vehicle, and maybe I should just learn to be happy with it. But the DCX is smaller and the OD-du-jour, and I like samples I've heard. The B.V. does sound terrific, but agreed it's a bit bloated on the low end at higher gain, even with clean blended in. I like drives/distortions that leave the low(est) end alone like the DCX apparently, and don't want to invest in a crossover filter etc.

One other drive I'm interested in is the NRG Purrer, also with (adjustable) clean low end. At similar cost to DCX can't afford both though, so bit of a coin toss.
 
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#763
Jesuguru said:
Hmm, now I'm second-guessing my DCX gas. I love my Black Vehicle, and maybe I should just learn to be happy with it. But the DCX is smaller and the OD-du-jour, and I like samples I've heard. The B.V. does sound terrific, but agreed it's a bit bloated on the low end at higher gain, even with clean blended in. I like drives/distortions that leave the low(est) end alone like the DCX apparently, and don't want to invest in a crossover filter etc.

One other drive I'm interested in is the NRG Purrer, also with (adjustable) clean low end. At similar cost to DCX can't afford both though, so bit of a coin toss.
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Only way to know for sure is to buy or borrow a DCX Bass and A/B them. Reading TalkBass and listening to YouTube demos will only get you so far. This goes for the NRG Purrer as well. And regarding cost, remember that buying pedals is not like spending money on food or travel. Pedals can be resold and the money recouped. Be smart about it, and only do what is financially responsible. But if you know you will only keep one pedal, then sourcing the others to test and releasing two of the three when you are done should be doable.

While the smaller size and, to a lesser extent, the audio samples, are compelling arguments for the DCX Bass, de jour is not. TalkBass is silly like this. What matters is how a pedal works for you, not what works for other people or what is popular. All three pedals you mention are solid so it really comes down to your preferences and needs.
 
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#764
DCX Bass on the way! I've been stalking this thread occasionally since the Bass The World demo of this pedal.

I'm still waffling about which pedal might lose it's spot on the board. Either the NUX MLD NBP-5, or the DG Harmonic Booster. The DG is my current "always on" preamp, purely for clarity and surgical EQ. I don't really use the "character" knob which is basically the Darkglass instant tone knob. That preamp does have a nice, subtle "special sauce. I use the NUX simply as a DI, occasional boost, and HPF, I don't use IR's.

I play mostly pop/funk top 40 covers with active EMG equipped basses (Kiesels). Doing amateur home recordings of myself and my bands has opened my eyes to vintage console colors, tape saturation, etc.

I'm looking forward to some thickening and tone sweetening. I will likely only use the pedal in EQ mode as I don't have needs or wants for distortion. Still unsure of which order for the HB or DCX. My plan is for the DCX to be the always on sauce, and the DG for solo boost. Regardless, after comp and synth. I'm thinking placing the HB before the DCX so I can play with how much volume I push into the DCX.

Unrelated pics for attention.
PXL_20220612_224110152.MP~2.jpg
IMG_20200421_203924~2.jpg
 
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#766
IvanBassist said:
Just got mine before Christmas. Really digging how it sounds!

I think it’ll “replace” the Noble on my board for my upcoming tour.
View attachment 5296393
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That's a big call Ivan - will you be doing any kind of comparison on your Youtube channel?
Even if you hadn't intended to - could you :-)?
 
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#767
jcburn said:
That's a big call Ivan - will you be doing any kind of comparison on your Youtube channel?
Even if you hadn't intended to - could you :)?
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Yes, I will :) I’m currently busy preparing/practicing the material for the tour, but I’ll try to get something done either this or next weekend :bassist:
 
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#768
IvanBassist said:
Yes, I will :) I’m currently busy preparing/practicing the material for the tour, but I’ll try to get something done either this next weekend :bassist:
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That would be awesome. I really like the way you construct your comparisons and demos. I'm really keen to pick a DCX with Xmas money, but no way to check it out in person!!! I'm thinking of running it as an always on preamp with a bit of mild overdrive.

With a P bass. With rounds.

With a pick ;-)
 
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#771
judas jedermann said:
I can testify that DCX works like a charm with JMJ Mustang (flats) and Guild Starfire I (rounds). Especially it shines with Mustang.
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i agrree, that's what i've been using lately, a JMJ w/flats into a DCX bass.
 
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#773
IvanBassist said:
Just got mine before Christmas. Really digging how it sounds!

I think it’ll “replace” the Noble on my board for my upcoming tour.
Click to expand...

Damn.. that sort of comment might make me grab one sooner rather than later. I have been eye'ing off a DCX Bass for some time now, and I tried for a 3Leaf the other night, failed, and that cash I can move over to the DCX Bass and enjoy the pedal straight away.
 
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#774
PWolverine said:
Damn.. that sort of comment might make me grab one sooner rather than later. I have been eye'ing off a DCX Bass for some time now, and I tried for a 3Leaf the other night, failed, and that cash I can move over to the DCX Bass and enjoy the pedal straight away.
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I have been thinking about “retiring” my Noble from the road for a few months already.

Gear takes a serious beating when touring and the current price and build time are pretty high to risk it getting damaged :bag:

So far, the DCX is working great as a standalone pedal and when paired with my Live preset on the Quad Cortex :bassist:
 
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#777
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#778
Is it just my perception, or does the DCX in EQ mode with slight drive *very slightly* delay the signal?

I noticed it when running into a synth pedal that the attack response time slipped slightly.
 
#780
Maxi Funkl said:
What are your thoughts on this pedal?[/QUOTE
So far, I'm not enjoying it as much as other OE's I've tried. It may be one that's better suited for guitar, might be less "universal" and I need to try on a few different basses and amps. I'm on a Stingray kick these days, so possible the pedal will pop more with a Fender.
All of this is my very subjective, non-tech opinion. :)
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