• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

source audio c4

#922
So I just got my C4 and just getting my pedal board set up from an extended break. I am wondering about the effects loop. I know that you dont want to put a compressor before the C4. What about in the effects loop? What signal path look like when using the effects loop? My idea is to feed my bass into the c4. Have my after shock and Future impact in the c4 effects loop. I want the after shock to feed the filters in the c4. Plus use one block of the c4 as input at all times that input would be for the F1. Would this work. How do I properly set it up.
 
#926
When I added my C4 to my board, I revamped my setup a bit and put my comp before the synth. Balances out the signal, and seems to be a bit more consistent than when I had my Future Impact on my board with comp after. (Obviously that's different pedals though). I've had a couple gigs & rehearsals with the comp first now and seems to be working really well.

5sg.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BurningSkies
#927
fivestringgecko said:
When I added my C4 to my board, I revamped my setup a bit and put my comp before the synth. Balances out the signal, and seems to be a bit more consistent than when I had my Future Impact on my board with comp after. (Obviously that's different pedals though). I've had a couple gigs & rehearsals with the comp first now and seems to be working really well.

5sg.
Click to expand...

Are you using any envelope filtering on the C4. I've heard that, since compressors change the envelope of the signal, they can cause problems for envelope filtering. Are you having any trouble with the voices tracking the input with the compressor first?
 
#928
fivestringgecko said:
When I added my C4 to my board, I revamped my setup a bit and put my comp before the synth. Balances out the signal, and seems to be a bit more consistent than when I had my Future Impact on my board with comp after. (Obviously that's different pedals though). I've had a couple gigs & rehearsals with the comp first now and seems to be working really well.

5sg.
Click to expand...
There's no right or wrong with compressor placement, but more guidelines and "what ever works best for you". Tony Levin for instance, used to use a pair of compressors. One at either end of his chain.
If you need a limiter for Octave tracking then yes before the C4 is a good choice. However, if you like to use filters and synths, you may find that your dynamics are being squished too. If you place your compressor after your C4, you will find that it your dynamics are left intact, but your octave tracking might be worse.

I place my compressor just after my C4, but that's because I'm using my compressor as a sound effect and not a limiter. Sometimes, I like an OC-2 sound into a heavy squished 'pressor sound. It's very 80's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulYeah, AlvarHanso, BurningSkies and 1 other person
#929
I realize that the consistency in tracking I'm finding with the C4 may just be that it tracks a little better than the Future Impact, so trying the Comp after the C4 is definitely on the list to try. It seems to be working quite well as is, but comp after the Future Impact worked really well, so I'm going to give it a couple more live sessions and then switch the order. My board update for 2020 is still pretty fresh, so I'm still experimenting a bit.

My reasoning when updating for 2020 was that the Future Impact has dedicated knobs for overall input/output, which makes balancing for different basses really easy. The C4 has input/output settings baked into each patch instead of overall (someone correct me if my thinking is off here though), so different basses with different levels can change the sound of patches. The comp in front allows me to balance signal for each bass and not have my patches sound wonky, and having to go through and adjust each patch every time I bring a different bass to a gig. I have 3-4 main players that get rotation depending on which band/group I'm playing with (and mood ;)), and a couple have hotter output.

EDIT: Consulting the C4 manual though, it looks like the Input/Output knobs may function the same as the corresponding controls on the Future Impact. @rsmith601 can you confirm? Are the Input/Output controls on the face of the C4 for overall levels, and not individual patch dependent? I'll experiment more as well, of course!

Synths aside, I've always run my comp at the beginning of my chain with somewhat low compression and don't overly squish my signal. I've found this lets me still have some good dynamics available while having a bit more consistency octavers and helps make my envelope filters behave more to personal taste. Seems to be working well with the C4 too, but... further experimentation will be taking place!

5sg.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Goatrope
#930
fivestringgecko said:
I realize that the consistency in tracking I'm finding with the C4 may just be that it tracks a little better than the Future Impact, so trying the Comp after the C4 is definitely on the list to try. It seems to be working quite well as is, but comp after the Future Impact worked really well, so I'm going to give it a couple more live sessions and then switch the order. My board update for 2020 is still pretty fresh, so I'm still experimenting a bit.

My reasoning when updating for 2020 was that the Future Impact has dedicated knobs for overall input/output, which makes balancing for different basses really easy. The C4 has input/output settings baked into each patch instead of overall (someone correct me if my thinking is off here though), so different basses with different levels can change the sound of patches. The comp in front allows me to balance signal for each bass and not have my patches sound wonky, and having to go through and adjust each patch every time I bring a different bass to a gig. I have 3-4 main players that get rotation depending on which band/group I'm playing with (and mood ;)), and a couple have hotter output.

EDIT: Consulting the C4 manual though, it looks like the Input/Output knobs may function the same as the corresponding controls on the Future Impact. @rsmith601 can you confirm? Are the Input/Output controls on the face of the C4 for overall levels, and not individual patch dependent? I'll experiment more as well, of course!

Synths aside, I've always run my comp at the beginning of my chain with somewhat low compression and don't overly squish my signal. I've found this lets me still have some good dynamics available while having a bit more consistency octavers and helps make my envelope filters behave more to personal taste. Seems to be working well with the C4 too, but... further experimentation will be taking place!

5sg.
Click to expand...
It depends on what mode you are using

Three Different Preset Modes Connecting the C4 Synth to the Neuro Desktop or Neuro Mobile App (See the Neuro Section for more info) allows you to select between three different Preset Modes: Standard (Default), Preset, and WYSIWYG (“What You See Is What You Get”). To select which mode your C4 operates under, go the C4’s Hardware Options Menu (the C4 gear icon in the Connection section) and use the Preset / WYSIWYG menu. Each mode is universal applies to all six presets available in the green and red preset banks.
Standard (Default) Mode
In Standard Mode each preset engages with a pre-programmed preset, meaning the physical positions of the knobs do not affect the sound of the preset. It is, however, possible to reach down and make knob adjustments on the fly. If, after making a knob adjustment, the pedal is bypassed then reengaged without moving the toggle switch, the sound will continue to reflect the new knob positions. If the toggle switch is moved (regardless of whether the effect is engaged or engaged), the pedal will revert to the parameter settings of the saved preset.
Preset Mode Preset Mode works similar to the Standard (Default) Mode with one key difference, it allows you to re-save the preset after making knob adjustments. So upon the initial engagement of a preset the knob parameters will instantly jump to their saved values, regardless of the physical position of the knobs. However, if you do make a knob adjustment, the center LED will start to blink, indicating that edits have been made. After making an adjustment you can save the new settings by pressing and holding the footswitch until the center LED stops blinking (around five seconds).
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Mode In WYSIWYG Mode the C4 functions much like a traditional effects pedal. It is a” What You See Is What You Get” experience, meaning that the current physical positions of the knobs will indicate the settings of the primary knob functions. Note: If you move the toggle switch to a new position all the primary knob parameters will maintain the settings of the physical knob positions, but the secondary knob functions (SENSITIVITY and VOL) will revert to their default settings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlvarHanso
#931
Eh. I run two compressors before my C4. The tracking with them is fine. Though I'm less concerned with synth tracking (as long as you have decent level, it shouldn't be an issue) and more concerned about having consistent signal to hit sensitivity driven dynamics related aspects of the C4. Most compressors have an output control that makes it pretty darned easy to match the input functionality of the C4.
 
#932
rsmith601 said:
It depends on what mode you are using

Three Different Preset Modes Connecting the C4 Synth to the Neuro Desktop or Neuro Mobile App (See the Neuro Section for more info) allows you to select between three different Preset Modes: Standard (Default), Preset, and WYSIWYG (“What You See Is What You Get”). To select which mode your C4 operates under, go the C4’s Hardware Options Menu (the C4 gear icon in the Connection section) and use the Preset / WYSIWYG menu. Each mode is universal applies to all six presets available in the green and red preset banks.
Standard (Default) Mode
In Standard Mode each preset engages with a pre-programmed preset, meaning the physical positions of the knobs do not affect the sound of the preset. It is, however, possible to reach down and make knob adjustments on the fly. If, after making a knob adjustment, the pedal is bypassed then reengaged without moving the toggle switch, the sound will continue to reflect the new knob positions. If the toggle switch is moved (regardless of whether the effect is engaged or engaged), the pedal will revert to the parameter settings of the saved preset.
Preset Mode Preset Mode works similar to the Standard (Default) Mode with one key difference, it allows you to re-save the preset after making knob adjustments. So upon the initial engagement of a preset the knob parameters will instantly jump to their saved values, regardless of the physical position of the knobs. However, if you do make a knob adjustment, the center LED will start to blink, indicating that edits have been made. After making an adjustment you can save the new settings by pressing and holding the footswitch until the center LED stops blinking (around five seconds).
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Mode In WYSIWYG Mode the C4 functions much like a traditional effects pedal. It is a” What You See Is What You Get” experience, meaning that the current physical positions of the knobs will indicate the settings of the primary knob functions. Note: If you move the toggle switch to a new position all the primary knob parameters will maintain the settings of the physical knob positions, but the secondary knob functions (SENSITIVITY and VOL) will revert to their default settings.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help, @rsmith601 ... Top responsiveness as usual!

That all makes sense, and I caught that when I went through the manual (before I even got my C4! ha ha)... and jives with my thinking that the in/out volume controls are on a per preset basis, regardless of mode. I've gone through and tried to balance all my patches for volume, but I have a couple basses that have a higher output than others, so different basses trigger the C4 differently.

Regarding the compressor discussion:
That's that's why I'm currently trying the compressor first, so I can adjust the compressor output to compensate for different bass outputs... adjust there instead of on each C4 patch. (But I won't lie, it might be the excuse I've needed to try a Dr. Scientist Boost Bot at the beginning of the chain and the comp after the synth. lol)

5sg.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rsmith601

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back