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Origin Effects DCX Bass - Headroom seems too low?

Capoo

Capoo

Oct 17, 2024
10
7
#1
Here's my setup: TC Spark Booster (FAT mode for a bass boost) -> Origin Effects DCX Bass (EQ mode and Drive at noon)

When I engage the TC Spark, my average level jumps by about +6dB in DAW, which can work on my other dist pedals like Way Huge Pork Pickle and SA Aftershock with no problem, but when I engage the DCX Bass after the Spark, I get some weird, unpleasant clipping. I think this isn't the musical drive character of the pedal itself.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is the input headroom on the DCX Bass just too low to handle a boosted bass signal? It seems strange that it can't take a booster in front of it as a dist pedal.
 
#4
Capoo said:
Here's my setup: TC Spark Booster (FAT mode for a bass boost) -> Origin Effects DCX Bass (EQ mode and Drive at noon)

When I engage the TC Spark, my average level jumps by about +6dB in DAW, which can work on my other dist pedals like Way Huge Pork Pickle and SA Aftershock with no problem, but when I engage the DCX Bass after the Spark, I get some weird, unpleasant clipping. I think this isn't the musical drive character of the pedal itself.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is the input headroom on the DCX Bass just too low to handle a boosted bass signal? It seems strange that it can't take a booster in front of it as a dist pedal.
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that's surprising. The Pork n Pickle has a pretty well known headroom issue with high output basses...even low output bases. I've owned both, and had no issues with the DCX Bass.
 
#5
Capoo said:
I get some weird, unpleasant clipping.
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I really doubt it’s a headroom issue. The DCX is a console based preamp and I’m assuming that’s why it clips differently. I will admit I don’t like the clipping sound either in headphones. It’s pretty harsh and static-y but when you put it in a mix it really shines.

 
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#6
Hard to say for sure without sound clips, but to me that sounds like it could just be the way the DCX sounds when clipped. As mentioned above, its not really an "amp-like" smooth overdrive sound like the Pork Loin or many others designed to do "tubey" warmth- it can be pretty buzzy and if you are boosting bass into it then you would accentuate the fuzzier side of its clipping. I also agree with the above that those harsh edges tend to blend into a mix really well though. When I first got my DCX I was pretty underwhelmed by the soloed drive tones, but after my first band rehearsal with it it earned a spot on my board. FWIW I have both a compressor and another drive pedal running into mine, sometimes with a pretty significant boost, and haven't experienced any strangeness with the clipping not consistent with the way it sounds when turning up the Gain with the pedal soloed by itself. Of course in EQ mode if you have the Voice set anywhere but the middle position then the dynamic tone shaping is activated so the tone will get darker as you dig in which can sound like a bit of an artifact when really pushed.
 
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#8
I just had an issue with my DCX not too long ago which sounds similar to what OP is describing. Lowered headroom, and a grainy/unpleasant style distortion. I could stomp the pedal on/off three or four times, and then it would usually engage "for real". But that was an untenable situation. So eventually, I contacted OE support, and was advised to send it back to them for some R&R; they don't have any repair or service options based in North America. Or, well... anywhere that isn't Middle England! So back to Middle England it went.

Even though I had bought it secondhand (and told them as much), and it had apparently gone out of warranty a few weeks prior to my reaching out (they ran the serial number I provided), Origin still covered the whole cost of the repair and return shipping for me! I just had to pay the $50CAD or so it cost to send it across the pond. It returned to me good as new a few weeks later! @Capoo I'd reach out to the Origin email support, and see if they can't get you sorted out.
 
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#9
sloppy_phil said:
I just had an issue with my DCX not too long ago which sounds similar to what OP is describing. Lowered headroom, and a grainy/unpleasant style distortion. I could stomp the pedal on/off three or four times, and then it would usually engage "for real". But that was an untenable situation. So eventually, I contacted OE support, and was advised to send it back to them for some R&R; they don't have any repair or service options based in North America. Or, well... anywhere that isn't Middle England! So back to Middle England it went.

Even though I had bought it secondhand (and told them as much), and it had apparently gone out of warranty a few weeks prior to my reaching out (they ran the serial number I provided), Origin still covered the whole cost of the repair and return shipping for me! I just had to pay the $50CAD or so it cost to send it across the pond. It returned to me good as new a few weeks later! @Capoo I'd reach out to the Origin email support, and see if they can't get you sorted out.
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Thanks for your information, just now I want to record some sound clips for #4 to #6, but this time I tried the same setup with no weird clipping......Maybe it is some issue with the power supply, so I would like to observe it for a longer time.
 
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#10
Hey,

Feel free to shoot us a video explaining what you're experiencing and demonstrating what you're hearing, I recommend using dropbox or wetransfer. You can reach me at [email protected]

When you reach out, it'd be helpful if you could provide some information about where you are in the world, the pedals serial number, and any purchase date and information you have.

All the best,
Jacob
 
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#11
The DCX bass was, for me, frustrating. It does two band eq OK, but it's a bit expensive for that. If you push it as on overdrive, it does almost nothing (very subtle - not something you're going to hear in a mix), and then suddenly, it's too much and very harsh - by the time I heard it doing something, it was something I didn't want.. I used mine a few times, then the honeymoon was over, and I couldn't continue to convince myself that I liked what it was doing. It got moved on.

I was in a very nice enclosure, though.
 

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