I recently ordered and just got the Electro-Harmonix Bass Mono Synth Bass Effects Pedal and wow what a flop. I watched several YouTube videos and the pedal sounded good. There were a few comments about the tracking and that it could be better however on the videos it sounded great and it seemed like it tracked great. Well the one that I got did not track worth a flip. I cannot stand glitchy tracking and will quickly move on from pedals that do not track well. This pedal went right back in the box and called for an RA number this morning, I could really use a good synth pedal in the band I am in but I would rather do without one that have one that would be such an embarrassing disappointment live. Oh well... live and learn.
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NPD Huge disappointment and return. EHX Mono Synth
- Thread starter armybass
- Start date
I like the DigiTech Bass Synth Wah for synth sounds. It tracks well too. No longer being made but you can find them used.
Source Audio C4 or a Future Impact. Both track great.
I agree. I had the C4 Ryan.... it was just a a bit too complicated for my old set it and forget it self.
The Monosynth doesn't track too badly above the 5th fret. You MUST play cleanly, with a simple, round tone for success with any pitch tracking unit or you get a messy sound.
Technique is key and some bass types track better than others. Strings are a big contributor (flats are best), as are string noises or rather the need to eliminate string noise.
Technique is key and some bass types track better than others. Strings are a big contributor (flats are best), as are string noises or rather the need to eliminate string noise.
I should add that, the C4 is actually very user-friendly. Download the Neuro app, plug your phone into the pedal, and you’ve got access to 100’s of sounds, that are stupid simple to audition and put on the pedal.
Oops, disregard that last post. Didn’t see that you’d already owned one!
Sorry, i have to counter this. That pedal was terrible and i hope to never play through one again.
Its extra gear to lug around but, I always found that using a keyboard synth for synth bass parts was very satisfying for myself and the listener. I used a yamaha AN1X for years at gigs that I wanted synth bass sounds. When using synth bass, I found that using a little mixer and what ever bass amp I would normally use was great.
I did experiment with the axon guitar to midi processor and the tracking was somewhat good. Still, it was easier to just bring a keyboard synth.
I did experiment with the axon guitar to midi processor and the tracking was somewhat good. Still, it was easier to just bring a keyboard synth.
You’ll always get a better sound out of what you are trying to emulate.
C4
but as @armybass said you need to be willing to spend some time on the app if you want to make it your own. There are hundreds of user uploaded patches for free but still not everyone wants to do that.
but as @armybass said you need to be willing to spend some time on the app if you want to make it your own. There are hundreds of user uploaded patches for free but still not everyone wants to do that.
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Boss SY-1 is a pretty solid, easy to use option.
I feel ya. Have had the same issue with some pedals. I’m convinced some pedals just don’t like the basses I play lol. I couldn’t get along with even the oc2 and those are super popular. Kind of have a love hate thing with ehx also. Some of their pedals sound cool in demos or practicing at home and then I try them in a band context and am like this kinda sucks. Still dig the pog family though for octave up In particular
Have you looked at the SY-200? It doesn't even really have 'tracking' issues as they use a fast Fourier transform process afaik. That allows pretty complex polyphony even and even better, imho, it carries through timbral aspects better.
I didnt get on with mine and sold it . In retrospect I should have dug out some of my cleaner sounding basses and try ( I like low action dont mind with a little buzz )
If you want to use your bass as a real synth then spring for a Roland GR-55 or V-Bass paired with a Roland GK-3B divided pickup.
Synth pedals are basically just glorified filters with a sample/hold and (usually) some octave circuitry.
Synth pedals are basically just glorified filters with a sample/hold and (usually) some octave circuitry.
Maybe check out the bananana…?
Lots of very usable synth sounds and good tracking in a very small enclosure. Little pricey but super fun!
C4 is also a great option for just about any synth sound you can imagine.
Lots of very usable synth sounds and good tracking in a very small enclosure. Little pricey but super fun!
C4 is also a great option for just about any synth sound you can imagine.
Boss Sy200, much easier to get around in than the 1 but still relatively small all things considered, I really like the screen that has named presets
The Future Impact is the most expensive but it’s also got the best sounds IMO, awesome dynamic tracking that makes it a real standout
EHX Bass Micro Synth has some glitchiness to it when not played cleanly but it’s as set and forget as the come and it’s still the best bass synth EHX offers IMO, gives you all the ingredients you need for a synth on simple easy to figure out sliders!
The Future Impact is the most expensive but it’s also got the best sounds IMO, awesome dynamic tracking that makes it a real standout
EHX Bass Micro Synth has some glitchiness to it when not played cleanly but it’s as set and forget as the come and it’s still the best bass synth EHX offers IMO, gives you all the ingredients you need for a synth on simple easy to figure out sliders!
i was looking for a good bass synth and tried the source audio c4, boss sy-1 and various combinations of distortion pedals and chorus pedals. nothing sounded like what i heard in my head.
i bought the zoom b1 four for traveling and soon found i loved the modulation and time based effects and the bass synth and other synth patches are awesome. it now has a spot on my pedalboard for chorus and synth duties.
it is only $100 and has gazillion other effects, tuner and drum beats. best bang for the buck for sure!
i bought the zoom b1 four for traveling and soon found i loved the modulation and time based effects and the bass synth and other synth patches are awesome. it now has a spot on my pedalboard for chorus and synth duties.
it is only $100 and has gazillion other effects, tuner and drum beats. best bang for the buck for sure!
