Synthy analog bass pedals that are designed to work together

[moon-bass]

Over the past few weeks or so I've been thru a ton of combinations of octavers, envelope filters, and fuzzes. A lot has been focused on the envelope filters (detailed a lot more in this thread Envelope filter/follower addict support group ), but I'm coming away with some lessons learned and IMO a stellar "synthy" bass board.

I'll post more info later, but ultimately the Chunk Systems pair and the 3 Leaf Trifecta are my favorites, with IE a strong contender. No surprise there, TBH, but this was a lot of fun!

 

[moon-bass]

So here's what I ended up with:

I ended up loving the Chunk Systems 00Funk and Brown Dog combo, that I put two synth boards together - the first is a mini board together with those two and an MXR BOD. It's portable and sounds great!

The bigger board is going to be a but much, and I expect that over the next few weeks/months I'll be whittling it down.

I'm using an EHX Switchblade Pro to create two signal paths that can be run in series or parallel. The signal starts with a Smokin' Amp Company Big Bass Fuzz, then the signal splits into two paths. Path one is the main signal path and will have a (in order) Iron Ether Subterranea, 3 Leaf Octabvre, Digitech Bass Whammy, 3 Leaf Proton, 3 Leaf Doom 2.

Second path is a Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope, Chunk Systems 00Funk clone, and an Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Fuzz. The signal then recombines and then goes to a Zvex Fat Fuzz Factory and finally an Audiolab Frequency Distiller (Alembic SF-2 in pedal format).

I realize this is overkill, but hey - it's fun!

It's also worth mentioning that I've taken a modular approach to my boards - this board will be able to hook up to a larger board if needed.

I'l post pics whrn I get the layout done, and then pics of the board once that's done, but it may be a few as I don't have the board picked out yet

 

[bassbrad]

Well you have inspired me to set up a couple of modular synth approach boards with my (too many) pedal options.
Who am I kidding there can never be too many pedals!! or basses it seems

 

[moon-bass]

Well you have inspired me to set up a couple of modular synth approach boards with my (too many) pedal options.
Who am I kidding there can never be too many pedals!! or basses it seems

These are my two main boards - my "big" board and my portable board. I have a dirt board, a fretless board, a signal split board (for adding obscene amounts of low end), and now two synth boards

 

[gonzkal]

So here's what I ended up with:

I ended up loving the Chunk Systems 00Funk and Brown Dog combo, that I put two synth boards together - the first is a mini board together with those two and an MXR BOD. It's portable and sounds great!

The bigger board is going to be a but much, and I expect that over the next few weeks/months I'll be whittling it down.

I'm using an EHX Switchblade Pro to create two signal paths that can be run in series or parallel. The signal starts with a Smokin' Amp Company Big Bass Fuzz, then the signal splits into two paths. Path one is the main signal path and will have a (in order) Iron Ether Subterranea, 3 Leaf Octabvre, Digitech Bass Whammy, 3 Leaf Proton, 3 Leaf Doom 2.

Second path is a Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope, Chunk Systems 00Funk clone, and an Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Fuzz. The signal then recombines and then goes to a Zvex Fat Fuzz Factory and finally an Audiolab Frequency Distiller (Alembic SF-2 in pedal format).

I realize this is overkill, but hey - it's fun!

It's also worth mentioning that I've taken a modular approach to my boards - this board will be able to hook up to a larger board if needed.

I'l post pics whrn I get the layout done, and then pics of the board once that's done, but it may be a few as I don't have the board picked out yet

Do I understand right that for both paths you have fuzzes after envelope filters, and then another fuzz after recombining? Why not at least one fuzz before a filter? No right or wrong of course, just curious what led you to this choice.

 

[moon-bass]

Do I understand right that for both paths you have fuzzes after envelope filters, and then another fuzz after recombining? Why not at least one fuzz before a filter? No right or wrong of course, just curious what led you to this choice.

I have a fuzz first in the chain It's the Smokin' Amp Co. modified Big Muff Pi clone - it's a great synthy fuzz! And I'm actually thinking of picking up another so I can separate that out so both signal paths have a seperate fuzz for more flexibility

And after playing thru this last night, I realized that I'm not going to need that last fuzz, and the FFF really is too chaotic for what I am looking for .. I like the BMP fuzz because it leaves a lot of the dynamics intact, so I am thinking of picking up another variant and putting the Smoking Amp fuzz first in one chain and another fuzz first in the other chain.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I have a fuzz first in the chain It's the Smokin' Amp Co. modified Big Muff Pi clone - it's a great synthy fuzz! And I'm actually thinking of picking up another so I can separate that out so both signal paths have a seperate fuzz for more flexibility

And after playing thru this last night, I realized that I'm not going to need that last fuzz, and the FFF really is too chaotic for what I am looking for .. I like the BMP fuzz because it leaves a lot of the dynamics intact, so I am thinking of picking up another variant and putting the Smoking Amp fuzz first in one chain and another fuzz first in the other chain.

MAD SCIENTIST at work go on witcha bad self. LOL

 

[moon-bass]

 

[moon-bass]

I ended up making a few changes - I'm going to add a Broughton Calamity first in line on signal path one (the one with the Octavers) and an Iron Ether Oxide on signal path 2 (with the envelope phaser), and move the Smokin' Amps Bass Fuzz to the clean blend (I find that adding a bit of fuzz helps the clean to blend in a touch better). I'll post pics when they arrive.

I also picked up a 3 Leaf Wonderlove, and thinking about swapping the Proton out for that. The resonance control is nice for synthy sounds.

Once I get that all figured out and hooked up, I'll need to find the appropriate board, then I will be done .. for awhile.

 

[moon-bass]

I got the Chunk Systems based mini synth board set up today. It has the MXR BOD, the Chunk Systems Brown Dog Fuzz, the Agent 00Funk, and a Anderton Super Filter (the build is @davelowell2 , the paint job is me). Great sounding litte board, portable, and just plain super cool!




The big synth board is completed pedal-wise, but still in a deconstructed phase. I'll be fixing that soon!

EXH Switchblade, signal path 1 - Iron Ether Oxide, Iron Ether Subterannea, 3 Leaf Octabvre 3.33, Digitech BAss Whammy, 3 Leaf Proton IV (or the 3 Leaf Wonderlove pictured), 3 Leaf Doom2.

Signal path 2 (can be run in series or parallel, and I can use pedals from each chain alternately - as in, path 2 is in the effects loop of path 1 kind of thing) - Broughton Calamity, Pigtronix EP-2 envelope Phaser, Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk clone, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt Fuzz.

Both signal paths converge onto an Audiofab Frequency Distiller (Alembic SF-2 clone in a pedal).



Overkill? Sure!! A lot of fun? You betcha!

 

[sunbeast]

I got the Chunk Systems based mini synth board set up today. It has the MXR BOD, the Chunk Systems Brown Dog Fuzz, the Agent 00Funk, and a Anderton Super Filter (the build is @davelowell2 , the paint job is me). Great sounding litte board, portable, and just plain super cool!


View attachment 7271535

The big synth board is completed pedal-wise, but still in a deconstructed phase. I'll be fixing that soon!

EXH Switchblade, signal path 1 - Iron Ether Oxide, Iron Ether Subterannea, 3 Leaf Octabvre 3.33, Digitech BAss Whammy, 3 Leaf Proton IV (or the 3 Leaf Wonderlove pictured), 3 Leaf Doom2.

Signal path 2 (can be run in series or parallel, and I can use pedals from each chain alternately - as in, path 2 is in the effects loop of path 1 kind of thing) - Broughton Calamity, Pigtronix EP-2 envelope Phaser, Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk clone, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Alpha Haunt Fuzz.

Both signal paths converge onto an Audiofab Frequency Distiller (Alembic SF-2 clone in a pedal).

View attachment 7271536

Overkill? Sure!! A lot of fun? You betcha!

That Chunk combo really is something special (well mine are clones, but I can only assume the originals are comparable)! It's interesting because the Brown Dog is really not my favorite fuzz when paired with other pedals, but when linked with the Agent it is right on. I hope to one day find a reasonably priced Chunk Octavius Squeezer to mess around with

 

[moon-bass]

That Chunk combo really is something special (well mine are clones, but I can only assume the originals are comparable)! It's interesting because the Brown Dog is really not my favorite fuzz when paired with other pedals, but when linked with the Agent it is right on. I hope to one day find a reasonably priced Chunk Octavius Squeezer to mess around with

I found that the Agent 00Funk clone that I have is pretty close, but it's not 100% exact. Close enough IMO, and sounds great!

 

[moon-bass]

That Chunk combo really is something special (well mine are clones, but I can only assume the originals are comparable)! It's interesting because the Brown Dog is really not my favorite fuzz when paired with other pedals, but when linked with the Agent it is right on. I hope to one day find a reasonably priced Chunk Octavius Squeezer to mess around with

These folks have a clones of the two (in one) on pre-order. It's supposed to be an exact duplicate down to the component level.

The Funky Puppy MKII

The Funky Puppy MKII is currently in the prototyping stage. If you're interested in getting updates click the "Notify Me" button above. There will be a discounted preorder offer available as we get closer to release. The original Funky Puppy was designed to be faithful to the effects circuits...

www.thereallygoodpedalco.com.au

Of course I pre-ordered one!

 

[moon-bass]

I'm also kinda digging on that MXR MB310 Bass Synth ... looks pretty cool, I'm trying to get my hands on one ... I've also been tossing around getting one of these .. anyone use one?

Synth-1 Reverse Attack Fuzz Wave Generator - Keeley Electronics Guitar Effects Pedals

The Synth-1 Reverse Attack Fuzz Wave Generator allows you to create fuzzed-out synth waves! You control the tone of the wave with the Filter Control.

robertkeeley.com

 

[AudioSlave556]

These folks have a clones of the two (in one) on pre-order. It's supposed to be an exact duplicate down to the component level.

The Funky Puppy MKII

The Funky Puppy MKII is currently in the prototyping stage. If you're interested in getting updates click the "Notify Me" button above. There will be a discounted preorder offer available as we get closer to release. The original Funky Puppy was designed to be faithful to the effects circuits...

www.thereallygoodpedalco.com.au

Of course I pre-ordered one!

Its friggin good. Only pet peeve i have with it is that the pedal has 3 switches. I think it could do with an all on/off switch instead of a link switch. Link could've been a toggle.

 

[AElfes]

These folks have a clones of the two (in one) on pre-order. It's supposed to be an exact duplicate down to the component level.

The Funky Puppy MKII

The Funky Puppy MKII is currently in the prototyping stage. If you're interested in getting updates click the "Notify Me" button above. There will be a discounted preorder offer available as we get closer to release. The original Funky Puppy was designed to be faithful to the effects circuits...

www.thereallygoodpedalco.com.au

Of course I pre-ordered one!

I have their "Silver Paw" Brown Dog clone, and damn it's good, and a near exact sound to the Brown Dog (from my memory at least). It warms my down under hear to know an Aussie pedal legend continue to exist in one form or another

 

[sunbeast]

These folks have a clones of the two (in one) on pre-order. It's supposed to be an exact duplicate down to the component level.

The Funky Puppy MKII

The Funky Puppy MKII is currently in the prototyping stage. If you're interested in getting updates click the "Notify Me" button above. There will be a discounted preorder offer available as we get closer to release. The original Funky Puppy was designed to be faithful to the effects circuits...

www.thereallygoodpedalco.com.au

Of course I pre-ordered one!

That’s pretty awesome! I’m confused by the need for the center footswitch though, as with my clone pair the filter works just fine with the Brown Dog turned off but with the link cable still connected.

 

[AudioSlave556]

That’s pretty awesome! I’m confused by the need for the center footswitch though, as with my clone pair the filter works just fine with the Brown Dog turned off but with the link cable still connected.

Builder wanted an accurate repro for this pedal.

iirc original design has the issue where the link won't work if the fuzz wasnt engaged.

 

[moon-bass]

I have their "Silver Paw" Brown Dog clone, and damn it's good, and a near exact sound to the Brown Dog (from my memory at least). It warms my down under hear to know an Aussie pedal legend continue to exist in one form or another

These pedals (the originals) are the shiznit .. I definitely do not mind spending some money on a set of clones to keep my originals safe, and this builder has been GREAT to work with!

BTW, I spend a bit of time in Melbourne and the Yarrow Valley back a little over a decade ago - I still have friends there, one that visits me in the US every few years or so

 

[moon-bass]

I haven't finished the boards yet, so no pics. I'm still waiting for one of the boards, a power supply, and a few pedals, but I'm mostly done - And I've been travelling for work so less time for bass stuff.

I picked up a few synty pedals/wave generators, and I'll see how they go/if they have a place anywhere on on of the boards.


All three of these are on the way -

Pigtronix Mothership v2
Banana Effects Matryoshka
Dedalo Byte BYT-1 Bass Synth

I also picked up a stand alone Xerograph Deluxe to give it another shot with the synthy stuff .. especially since it has a very nice resonance control ..