subharmonic synth

If I could give you any advice, it would be to stay away from the DOD Meat Box. I owned it for a brief time, and quickly learned why I got it for so cheap. I ended up trading it for some concert tickets. Definitely not worth your time or money.

 

I've got a DBX 120XP subharmonic synth and its pretty sweet. Just be warned you need a pretty big rig to cope (15 inch speaker is a must). Dirk Lance from Incubus uses one to beef out their verse parts.

 

I own both the Meatbox and the DBX. The DBX is a hi-quality, polyphonic subharmonic effect that is unequalled IMO. DJ's used to put the entire signal through it to add frightening amounts of low end (26hz!?) You could easily toast yer speakers with that one. Make sure your system can handle it, most won't. I dial up a huge bottom on my Mesa M-2000 SS side, lots o' 30 hz with everything above 80 hz rolled completely off. I then blend some of the fullrange tube side in for clarity; works good! The DOD box is actually a ton o' fun, I'm not sure what folks think it is supposed to do for $100. It is monophonic of course and will give you some stupid-fun low air. It isn't that useful for using all the time, just as an occasional effect I'd say. It has a wickedly powerful bottom and is very different than an octaver. It doesn't track tremendously well but when used judisciously is a very cool toy. If you're hitting the dub-vibe check out my favourite dub-tool; the DOD envelope filter. A pretty terrible sounding auto-wah it is FANTASTIC as a subharmonic boost. Set it up for noon +11:00 and you will get a huge low end bloom with no top what so ever. You want it set so the filter doesn't open unless you _really_ want it too. This is the Laswell trick. Works great and the girls seem to like it.....!

 

another vote for the dbx subharmonic synth!

 

Adam Clayton of U2 used a 120XP for the Popmart and Elevation tours, but his rig included 18s for Popmart and 15" bins for Elevation, so be careful.

 

lol.

BTW, I bet that the DBX would be the best way to put the lows back in when you use envelope filters, I wonder how a bass-balls would sound going into it, anyone know how it works when used with overdrive?

 

I might be a little hesitant about that Bigfeet...that DOD filter for example has a very violent sweep and can be a bit of a speaker ripper. Add a subharmonic synth to the equation and you may end up crying a river. I guess if you were very careful. I bought my DBX in a pawnshop for $70. Am I lucky or what?

 

Yeah but I just am very tired of the major lack of lows in my signal when I stomp on a box, I don't exactly use a downhill ramp on my eq but I like my lines low and steady. Can it be used sparingly or should I just go for the aural exciter or something else?

 

Maybe you should just get yourself a better quality box.......
Yes, it can be used a judiciously as you like. I use a Mutron III and a Mutron III+ and honestly never have problems with the lows thinning out. Maybe I don't dig as deeply as yourself?

 

I would humbly suggest that adding a subharmonic synth to a 100 watt amp is an exercise in futility.

You need lots of power to reproduce super-low frequencies, you will tap out all your headroom easily. I'm not sure the Bassman 100 even has good response down in the 20Hz range.

Try before you buy!

 

Uh.....yah. 100W is going to get you nowhere fast when it comes to low end air. 600w on the other hand...

 

I only use EH effects (they're posted all over here) for now, I really like the use of fuzz with envelope filters I like that cherp but I think it would be better if it wasn't so high pitched, along with other sounds I get. I think I'd just like another toy to add more lows in my bass synth.

 

Well what do you know....this seems like a bit of a deal to me?
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1474079602

I will never sell mine.....but here's another!

 

Hmm, this subharmonic synth sounds interesting. and when John said Dirk used it, I liked it even more, because I personally envy his tone. it has to be the most beautiful low end, ever in contemporary rock like Incubus. I'm going to go check out the DBX but before I do, can someone answer me this. Will it work good with an Ampeg SVP-PRO preamp, Behringer MDX2200, Behringer UltraFlex EX3200, Carvin DCM1500 poweramp, and all to a SWR Megoliath (8x10). I hear that 15" or bigger is needed, yet I think this thing pumps out alot of low end freq that it could equal a 15".

 

I think that if you use the Sub Synth with a Megoliath it's going to sound somewhat muddy.
You really need larger speakers if you don't want the Sub Synth to sound overly boomy, like what you hear when those people who like turn up the subwoofers in their car stereo system pass by.

Dirk has two 1x18"s in his setup.

 

well, did you get the 8x10 yet, because its not in your profile. Maybe you should get a 4x10 and a 1x18 and stack them, then you would be able to handle a subharmonic synth.

Whats the deal with all this stuff? Did you buy it yet, or are you just putting all of us on?

 

hehe, well the situation is this. I'm definitely getting it. What I put in that post is the order. I just got to press the button, and its here. I'm just making final arrangements before I purchase. So, that's (the items) is the sublist of items I'm getting. I'm not bluffing you all, its coming, trust me.

Aside from that, I'm starting to doubt this subharmonc thing because my original plan, and the cab I've been coming back to after trying out others, is none other than the Megoliath. UNLESS, I am totally moved when I play a 4x10 with 1x15 or 18 stack at the last second, will I consider switching. Of course, if I do switch, I will have to go with SWR Big Ben because and the Goliath because I NEED my cool looking chrome grills.

 

and the second it comes in, I'll set up my computers camera, take a picture of it, and make a new thread. dont worry, YOU'LL DEFINETELY SEE IT!!!