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Source Audio Programmable EQ

#2
rob_thebassman said:
this pedal looks promising

‪Source Audio Programmable EQ - Summer NAMM 2011‬‏ - YouTube
Click to expand...

Yeah, I had been keeping an eye on that. I don't think it's for me though, cuz that design wouldn't work for me live:

For me, the appeal of having presets is spoiled by the non-instant access to them.

For example, say you want two presets: 1 for an all-around fingerstyle curve, and a 2nd one for a scoop-ier slap curve, you can't just switch instantly in the middle of a tune -- you have to hold down the switch for a good second to go into patch-increment mode, and _then_ you can switch. Looks like it takes under a second to advance one preset -- but you better make sure you don't pass the one you want, or you'll have to cycle around the 4 presets again. It's just too finicky for real time use.

It'd be ok if you keep it turned Off for your basic tone, and just flick it on for a different curve in the middle of a tune.
But if you use it like that, it's not much different than having a simple On/Off, no-preset EQ pedal.

I really wish they'd designed it so the switch only cycled between presets -- one of which could be a Bypass preset.
And no waiting for it to cycle; each click = one increment.
But they forgot to consult me. :^D !
 
#3
pbasswil said:
Yeah, I had been keeping an eye on that. I don't think it's for me though, cuz that design wouldn't work for me live:

For me, the appeal of having presets is spoiled by the non-instant access to them.

For example, say you want two presets: 1 for an all-around fingerstyle curve, and a 2nd one for a scoop-ier slap curve, you can't just switch instantly in the middle of a tune -- you have to hold down the switch for a good second to go into patch-increment mode, and _then_ you can switch. Looks like it takes under a second to advance one preset -- but you better make sure you don't pass the one you want, or you'll have to cycle around the 4 presets again. It's just too finicky for real time use.

It'd be ok if you keep it turned Off for your basic tone, and just flick it on for a different curve in the middle of a tune.
But if you use it like that, it's not much different than having a simple On/Off, no-preset EQ pedal.

I really wish they'd designed it so the switch only cycled between presets -- one of which could be a Bypass preset.
And no waiting for it to cycle; each click = one increment.
But they forgot to consult me. :^D !
Click to expand...

:eyebrow: Really? One second is too long for you to wait? :rollno:
 
#7
I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.
 
#8
AlvarHanso said:
I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.
Click to expand...

Let's look at one of several real world scenarios: let's say you get a bass solo. You're using preset 1 as your primary EQ and preset 2 is your solo EQ which is louder. Would you rather: a) step on a pedal right on the downbeat to begin your solo or b) attempt to hold the switch down early, anticipating how long it takes for the pedal to enter preset switching mode, and cycle to the next preset without holding it too long and overshooting to preset 3 in which case you have to cycle through the presets again before releasing the pedal, all while beginning your solo because you've missed the downbeat.

To me, that is VERY noticeable and potentially disastrous.
 
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#9
bongomania said:
Agreed, this seems like a case where the design directive to make it as small as possible outweighed the directive to make it as functional as possible.
Click to expand...

To me its highly dependent on how people use EQ pedals. I actually don't know, but I imagine some people like to use them on a per song basis and some people like to use them on a per segment basis. Seems like this will suit the prior quite well and the later not as much.
 
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#10
testing1two said:
Let's look at one of several real world scenarios: let's say you get a bass solo. You're using preset 1 as your primary EQ and preset 2 is your solo EQ which is louder. Would you rather: a) step on a pedal right on the downbeat to begin your solo or b) attempt to hold the switch down early, anticipating how long it takes for the pedal to enter preset switching mode, and cycle to the next preset without holding it too long and overshooting to preset 3 in which case you have to cycle through the presets again before releasing the pedal, all while beginning your solo because you've missed the downbeat.

To me, that is VERY noticeable and potentially disastrous.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense, and in the heat of the moment, you could forget the exact timing on the EQ settings. Fair enough. But without a demo of how well it works live, I think it may be jumping the gun to rule it out before trying it. For instance, the 3 demo videos of the new EHX Sitar emulator all sounded pretty bad to me (didn't help in one the guy had an Mistress on the whole time), but before I close the door on it, I want to try it out for myself. Also, I play barefoot, so I'd probably try changing it up at the top, rather than with the longer switch.
 
#11
AlvarHanso said:
:eyebrow: Really? One second is too long for you to wait? :rollno:
Click to expand...

It's around a second to get it into patch change mode, and then under a second for each patch up or down you need to increment.
Then when you're done your solo (or whatever) and want to get back to your original patch you have to do that again -- cycle back thru the patches in between, paying attention to not overshoot.

I didn't say this pedal won't make anyone happy, I said it wasn't for me.
I'm challenged enough by coordinating bass playing, backup vocals & lyrics, and locating a chart for the next tune. Not a single free neuron left in my head for paying attention to digital gizmos!
 
#12
Smallequestrian said:
To me its highly dependent on how people use EQ pedals. I actually don't know, but I imagine some people like to use them on a per song basis and some people like to use them on a per segment basis. Seems like this will suit the prior quite well and the later not as much.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but even changing patches per song requires taking a knee, holding the footswitch down with your hand to enter preset switch mode, cycle to the correct preset and then stand back up. This means that the use of the pedal will be directly proportionate to the number of beers I've had during the gig.

On the other hand if I was using a MIDI controller for other devices (like those nifty Eventide pedals) it would be very cool to have programmable EQ on tap.
 
#13
pbasswil said:
It's around a second to get it into patch change mode, and then under a second for each patch up or down you need to increment.
Then when you're done your solo (or whatever) and want to get back to your original patch you have to do that again -- cycle back thru the patches in between, paying attention to not overshoot.

I didn't say this pedal won't make anyone happy, I said it wasn't for me.
I'm challenged enough by coordinating bass playing, backup vocals & lyrics, and locating a chart for the next tune. Not a single free neuron left in my head for paying attention to digital gizmos!
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I personally would probably never use 4 preset EQ settings, would probably just have 2 and have them follow each other in order. But if you would need it, I could see the issue.
 
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#14
AlvarHanso said:
Fair enough. I personally would probably never use 4 preset EQ settings, would probably just have 2 and have them follow each other in order. But if you would need it, I could see the issue.
Click to expand...

Me too, I'd mostly need 2 presets. I thought about putting my main sound on both patches 1 and 3, and my alternate EQ on patches 2 and 4 -- so I'd only ever be incrementing by one. But nah, I still don't want to be switching modes first, every time I want to change presets.

It's just way simpler for me to get my basic, main sound through amp or other device EQ, and kick in a traditional non-digital EQ pedal for one alternate sound.

However, someone out there is going to have a blast with that thing + a MIDI foot pedal.
 
#15
AlvarHanso said:
I saw the part about mid-song switches, but I highly doubt that in one second of switching, it would be that noticeable. I could be wrong, as the video didn't demonstrate the switching while playing something. Unless it would spike your signal, I don't see the problem.
Click to expand...
in a marketing perspective, it doesn't matter if it's noticeable or not. if the player doesn't think it's going to work, then they won't buy it. So to me, that difference is noticeable (of course, I don't really want it anyways--if it was a 1u rackmount, then i'd have two already ;))
 
#16
I had high hopes for this pedal, but the way it ended up, it won't help me now. I really like the Soundblox pedal form factor and the top mount jacks. I am going to wait for the EQ Pro -- a pedal that will never happen.
 
#17
caeman said:
I had high hopes for this pedal, but the way it ended up, it won't help me now. I really like the Soundblox pedal form factor and the top mount jacks. I am going to wait for the EQ Pro -- a pedal that will never happen.
Click to expand...

You could always get a Multiwave Distortion Pro and just use the clean channel for the EQ presets (since I know you don't like distorted bass)

Thought it would be a bit big for the application...
;)
 

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