right now im using the digitech bass synth wah, which i only use for the wah affect (i have the boss oc-3 octaver because i switch between the 2 effects so often). the problem with the digitech is that i find the bottom being completely sucked out of my sound when it is engaged. does anyone have any recommendations for a wah that will leave my bottom end the way it is and also is not too expensive? thanks.
Well - wah pedals are practically always swept band-pass filters, i.e. they cut treble and bass and pass a narrow band of frequencies. I can't think of any good suggestion except to have an external device that lets you mix in some of the original signal post-wah. There's at least one pedal that does this in production, an Australian one, but I can't remember where to find it currently. Mike
2 possible solutions - have you tried the Env. Sub. setting on the Digitech? It's setting #2 and your lows are there. Granted, it adds an octave below, which you're getting with your octave pedal, but might be the setting to eliminate a pedal. Other solution would be to switch up pedals. Maybe the Guyatone Bottom Wah Rocker (which I've never tried) or the EBS Bass IQ, which seems to really preserve low end.
2 options come to mind: - Dunlop 105Q has a built-in crossover and only 'wahs' on the highs - Earthquake Bass Wah allows you to blend the dry (bass-preserving) and wet signals They sound different from one another, I personally prefer the Earthquake but it's conisderably more expensive, so the Dunlop may be just what yer lookin' fer.
I own the EBS BassIQ and the Dunlop 105q bass wah. I have tried many envelope filters and wah wahs and these are the two that I have found best keep the low end. As mentioned, the 105q only wahs the higher frequency, so the low end remains intact. I quite like the way it sounds. The EBS BassIQ retains nearly all of your low end while still effecting the whole signal. It also has a trimpot inside it that allows you to mix the clean and effected signals. I think it's one of the best Envelope filters available for bass. Other than buying a new pedal I suggest you look at a pedal that allows you to stick your effects in an effects loop and blend it with your clean signal. I don't know the names of any off the top of my head. I'm about to make my own actually.
building on what others have said, i too have the 105q. ive always noticed that my low end was still present. it sounds awesome. plus you can adjust the size of the wave with a control knob. good stuff all around.
