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Synthy analog bass pedals that are designed to work together
- Thread starter moon-bass
- Start date
I have used them with OC-2s or MXR Vintage Bass Octave mostly, those are my go-to synthy octaves and the extra midrange of an OC-2 type octave IMO really works well to give the fuzz and filter more stuff to work with. I really love a down-swept filter with relatively small sweep with that trio, it can get super thick!
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chunk system brown dog clone is my favourite one at the moment. gated fuzz is always so killer so it's my go to.
Ive played around with a with a WC super russian and a eqd hizumitas but I didn't deep dive for some varying results. Tried the way huge pork and pickle fuzz section but i really did not like it at all
. I have a Origin DCX Bass incoming so might try console preamp style fuzz on it.I'm currently looking for a fat factory fuzz clone and mastotron clone if they are vertical but if i give up I'll just get regular zvex one. Also waiting on this months release on the Doom 2 because I managed to get the proton for the first time in 2 years haha.
Would like other suggestions as well.
Eventide/Third Man Hardware Knife Drop - Sub Octave Fuzz. Put a Chorus and an Envelope Filter with it and i should sound pretty cool.
For synthy stuff, in decreasing order of preference: ZVEX Mastotron in the loop of a Broughton FFXL, Hiero BEAD v3, 3Leaf Doom 2, Broughton Calamity. I guess you spotted the common denominator: I need a low-passed clean blend.
I have a DCX, but I never thought of it as fuzzy, but definitely console-clipping - could be that I've really only used it for low-gain situations. I'm gonna have to give that a shot, as I can see how a console clip would sound good in a synth type sound.
I have the Fat Fuzz Factory, and it's a beast. It works best IMO for glitchy sounds, but can also do smooth. if you need it. Lots of options, and currently my favorite fuzz. I haven't tried a Mastotron, but I'm curious as to how that will sound as compared to the FFF. The Doom 2 is superb.
Cool, I'm gonna check out that Hiero. Like I said above, I've been curious about the Mastrotron as compared to the FFF.
I guess I should have noted what fuzzes I've tried.
My favorites for synth-type sounds right now are the Fat Fuzz Factory, Brown Dog, and the Doom 2. All excel at snythy fuzz with an EF and/or octave.
I also have a Keeley Fuzz Bender and an EHX Ripped speaker. Both do okay for synth-sounds, but IMO both are better suited for "normal" fuzz. The Keeley sounds fantastic as a stand alone fuzz, but when coupled with an EF/octave, it loses some of its versatility - it's like the treble/bass controls are less responsive (definitely less responsive than the Doom 2); the bias control is cool for glitches tho, as is the bias (rip) control on the EHX; the EHX sounds great, but it's even more of a one-trick pony than the Keely when it comes to synth. Great sound, can get glitchy, but not as versatile as the others.
I have an Ezekiel 25:17 clone inbound, as well a a modded Big Muff clone, and I was looking for one (or maybe a few) more to try.
My favorites for synth-type sounds right now are the Fat Fuzz Factory, Brown Dog, and the Doom 2. All excel at snythy fuzz with an EF and/or octave.
I also have a Keeley Fuzz Bender and an EHX Ripped speaker. Both do okay for synth-sounds, but IMO both are better suited for "normal" fuzz. The Keeley sounds fantastic as a stand alone fuzz, but when coupled with an EF/octave, it loses some of its versatility - it's like the treble/bass controls are less responsive (definitely less responsive than the Doom 2); the bias control is cool for glitches tho, as is the bias (rip) control on the EHX; the EHX sounds great, but it's even more of a one-trick pony than the Keely when it comes to synth. Great sound, can get glitchy, but not as versatile as the others.
I have an Ezekiel 25:17 clone inbound, as well a a modded Big Muff clone, and I was looking for one (or maybe a few) more to try.
How is the Calamity, synth-wise? I was thinking it might be different than a gated fuzz.
It's not particularly synthy, perhaps it wasn't relevant to mention it. It's in the Big Muff category, indeed without a gate, thus it cannot do these velcro tones out of the box. But I still like it for a different kind of fuzz. It also has a wide range of sounds, including moderate overdrive.
I picked up an Iron Ether Subterrograph from a fellow TBer. Dudes, I know that I said that I wasn't chasing any particular sound, but rather that I was just looking for cool sounds? Right out of the box, without touching a knob, was one of those sounds. This is a cool, cool pedal. I had a lot of fun with it.
IE is unobtainium for me haha. I keep missing out on their drops. I've been wanting a Subterranea for ages 
Whats the current state of Foxx tone machine clones and Brassmaster clones?
I'm looking for a good example of each - might go with a twa krytical mass for the brassmaster side. Looking for options for the foxx tone machine.
Whats the current state of Foxx tone machine clones and Brassmaster clones?
I'm looking for a good example of each - might go with a twa krytical mass for the brassmaster side. Looking for options for the foxx tone machine.
There are some great synthy fuzzes that come to mind that don't have a gate - the Doom 2 being one of them!
I picked up a few octave pedals and a few more fuzz pedals, as well as a Pigtronix Envelope Phaser PE2. The EP2 is pretty wild - pair it with a fuzz and it gets some cool sounds. I have it right now running thru the effects loop of a Q-Tron+ and I gotta say - pretty neat.
In addition to the above mentioned Ezekiel 25:17 clone and modded muff, inbound also are the Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk Mark II, an Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt V2, an Aguilar Octamizer, and an MXR OCtave Deluxe, and at some point, a Cog T-16 as well.
I want to pair the right octave pedal with the Chunk Systems Pair (Agent 00Funk and Brown Dog) and find the right fuzz to pair with the Subterrograph. I'll match up a random fuzz, octave, and envelope filter and compare all four (the fourth being the 3 Leaf trifecta - Octabvre, Proton, and Doom 2).
Once I get them together I'll put some recordings together and do some reviews. Oh, and have a lot of fun!
The Subterrograph plays great with the Fat Fuzz Factory, BTW. Is it the "forever fuzz" that I am looking for?
In addition to the above mentioned Ezekiel 25:17 clone and modded muff, inbound also are the Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk Mark II, an Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt V2, an Aguilar Octamizer, and an MXR OCtave Deluxe, and at some point, a Cog T-16 as well.
I want to pair the right octave pedal with the Chunk Systems Pair (Agent 00Funk and Brown Dog) and find the right fuzz to pair with the Subterrograph. I'll match up a random fuzz, octave, and envelope filter and compare all four (the fourth being the 3 Leaf trifecta - Octabvre, Proton, and Doom 2).
Once I get them together I'll put some recordings together and do some reviews. Oh, and have a lot of fun!
The Subterrograph plays great with the Fat Fuzz Factory, BTW. Is it the "forever fuzz" that I am looking for?
You can hook that EP2 up with the Brown dog the same way you hook up the Agent 00funk(the envelope trigger i believe its called?). That sounds glorious! Great combo!
Nice! TBH I like the 00Funk more than the Q-Tron+, this will be cool!
Not trying to influence you, but my experience with the TAFM was that it had great tones but was finicky to dial in. Specifically, the Clean knob was super sensitive: for high gain and high fuzz, with gate enabled ("velcro" sounds) I was never able to tune the blended clean to my liking, a tiny move on the knob was either too little or too much. Curious if you or others experience this too.
cool man, I really appreciate the advice! I'll let y'all know how I like it!
I also had issues with that pedal- there were some great punchy tones, but not as many useable ones as I’d expect given the control set. I’d love to try one again with my current synth chain pedal options though
I've had a chance to play with some of the pedals, and here are my thoughts so far:
The Aguilar Octamizer is a killer octaver octaver pedal - it's thick, it's juicy, and it has excellent tracking - it tracked the open E with no issues - but it's not what I was looking for, synth wise. The Aggie is much better suited for a stand-alone use, that is definitely it's strength. I mean, let's face it, a synth sound almost calls for something OC-2-ish.
The MXR Bass Octave Deluxe sounds killer with the 00Funk clone/Brown Dog combo. The 00Funk is so damn funky, it's like it deserves to be the star of the show, you know? So I like the octave tone to be simple, with some variation and the BOD delivers that in spades.
And what the fuzz?
The EHX Ripped Speaker is a fine fuzz - it's simple, and it has a bias control - but just not for synth.
The Keeley Fuzz Bender is an even nicer fuzz. It's got great tonal variation and a better bias control than the EHX (better, in that it gets more tonal variation and more sputter). It has the makings of a great synth fuzz as well, but it's just not my cup of tea when paired with an octaver and an EF. Great stand alone tho.
Goes to show you that a great stand alone fuzz does not necessarily make for a good synth fuzz.
So I'm mainly looking for a fuzz to pair with the Subterrograph, and right now it's down the OBNE Alpha Haunt and Zvex Fat Fuzz Factory (that's in addition to the Brown Dog and Doom 2). The best way I can describe them is that the OBNE is more of a smooth fuzz/synth sound while the FFF is dirtier and gritier.
I still have a few more fuzzes inbound, so more fun to come.
The Aguilar Octamizer is a killer octaver octaver pedal - it's thick, it's juicy, and it has excellent tracking - it tracked the open E with no issues - but it's not what I was looking for, synth wise. The Aggie is much better suited for a stand-alone use, that is definitely it's strength. I mean, let's face it, a synth sound almost calls for something OC-2-ish.
The MXR Bass Octave Deluxe sounds killer with the 00Funk clone/Brown Dog combo. The 00Funk is so damn funky, it's like it deserves to be the star of the show, you know? So I like the octave tone to be simple, with some variation and the BOD delivers that in spades.
And what the fuzz?
The EHX Ripped Speaker is a fine fuzz - it's simple, and it has a bias control - but just not for synth.
The Keeley Fuzz Bender is an even nicer fuzz. It's got great tonal variation and a better bias control than the EHX (better, in that it gets more tonal variation and more sputter). It has the makings of a great synth fuzz as well, but it's just not my cup of tea when paired with an octaver and an EF. Great stand alone tho.
Goes to show you that a great stand alone fuzz does not necessarily make for a good synth fuzz.
So I'm mainly looking for a fuzz to pair with the Subterrograph, and right now it's down the OBNE Alpha Haunt and Zvex Fat Fuzz Factory (that's in addition to the Brown Dog and Doom 2). The best way I can describe them is that the OBNE is more of a smooth fuzz/synth sound while the FFF is dirtier and gritier.
I still have a few more fuzzes inbound, so more fun to come.
