Question about Phasers and parallel effects loops

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by SpectorDetector, Jun 28, 2008.

  1. [​IMG]

    I posted my newly revamped board yesterday and I have a question. I am running an Xotic BB preamp pedal, a Red Witch Deluxe Moon Phaser and an old Boss CE-2 in the blendable bypass loop of an Xotic X-Blender. There is mention in the manual about a phase issue on older effects if you use the parallel blend function, there is a phase in/out toggle on the X-Blender. My problem is that if I run the BB Pre alone in the blend loop, not problem, same for the oldest effect the BOSS CE-2, but when I run the Moon Phaser by itself the sound almost goes away but will come back if I hit the phase toggle on the X-Blender. Is that just the fact that it is a "phaser" and it's out of phase because that 's the way it works? It's funny though, if I run the BB for dirt then switch on the Moon Phaser it sounds great! No BB and the sound goes real low. Any ideas? Should I just take the Moon Phaser out of that loop? Any ideas? Oh yeah, if I just use the X-Blender as a bypass loop everything is fine, it's only in the blend mode that I have the issue. :help:

    Thanks!
     
  2. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    You're exactly right that it's because you are flipping the phase on a phaser. The reason it works while you're also using the dirt pedal is because the dirt pedal also changes the phase around considerably. The Xotic's phase switch is 180 deg., but all other phase changes inherent/within the various pedals are random degrees.
     
  3. Thanks for the insight! What would you do? Would you change the way it's all hooked up? Here is the signal path:

    Korg Pitckblack-->Keeley Compressor-->Xotic Tri-Logic Pre amp-->Xotic X-Blender (in blend loop-->Xotic BB Preamp (dirt)-->Red Witch Deluxe Moon Phaser-->Boss CE-2)
     
  4. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    The only pedal there that might "need" the X-Blender is the Boss. And I don't know if the Boss benefits from the phase switch (that would be subjective, to your taste). The Xotic BB I would think would not need a clean blend?

    Anyway, all that is up to what you find appealing; in the short term I would just take the phaser out of the loop.
     
  5. I really like the blended sound of the Xotic BB's dirt with the clean signal. I am not a huge fan of dirt, but I like to mix it in to taste so I maintain the low end. I just got the BB last night and I have to say it really does preserve the low end. The sound i was getting last night was pretty awesome when running the BB and Moon Phaser together!