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Tech 21 dUg dp-3x mix function

N

NYBassPlayer

Dec 18, 2016
99
87
#1
I’ve recently been using the dUg dp-3x pedal and I am loving the dirty tone. However,
I require being able to switch instantly between a clean and dirty tone for some songs without bending over and turning knobs to adjust EQ. My issue is that when using the mix mode with the dUg settings, if I disengage the mix function, which essentially turns off “Chunk” & “Drive”, I am left with a very dark, bassy, undefined “cleaner” tone. Conversely, if I adjust the EQ to a desirable setting with mix disengaged, I am left with a shrill, unusable, trebly tone when I do engage mix. Does anyone else have a similar experience? Has anybody discovered a way to retain a bright clean tone when mix mode is not engaged without sacrificing the dirty tone?
 
#2
The only reliable way to go between clean and dirty in my experience is to just use the bypass switch to do it! @Cuzzie has settings that work for him, but it involves some pretty extreme settings, like mids bass and comp almost maxed if IIRC (I'm sure he'll post a pic!).
 
#3
Cheers fella,

Yep works for me, but that’s just me and how I like
9D7DE4E3-0FD8-4D3F-80A2-CE780662B7E1.jpeg

There you go!
 
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#5
Those are the setting i use mix engaged or not.
The clean tone works if I want a clean tone, if I want the dirty tone- I just engage the mix - never change the dials
 
#7
Cuzzie said:
The DP3X pedal is always on in some way or form
Click to expand...
That answers my question because rather than bypass the unit, I'd prefer to use the preamp/compressor etc. for my clean tone. I'm going to copy your settings and see if the tone works for me.
Now if only you knew a way to engage the gain switch on the fly a la stomp pedal as opposed to pressing it with your finger for an extra bit of overdrive now and then...
Thank you for your quick reply.
 
Last edited:
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#8
No worries

The other thing to add for a ‘3rd’ sound is that the tone knob is your friend, even if your sound dialled in is gnarly - roll the tone off, a more organic sound.

I may add that I have fingers like spring rolls, so if you are like me, it will give a bass heavy sound, I naturally play closer to the bridge and invariably with a pick most of the time.
If you have big fingers, player finger style and nearer the neck, dial them lows and compressor back a bit
 
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#10
NYBassPlayer said:
That answers my question because rather than bypass the unit, I'd prefer to use the preamp/compressor etc. for my clean tone. I'm going to copy your settings and see if the tone works for me.
Now if only you knew a way to engage the gain switch on the fly a la stomp pedal as opposed to pressing it with your finger for an extra bit of overdrive now and then...
Thank you for your quick reply.
Click to expand...

There’s another DP-3X thread where a guy fabricated a stomp plunger over the gain switch and uses it live to engage/disengage on the fly.
 
#14
Cuzzie said:
Sweet - let me know how you get on - be interesting to see how my settings feel for you!
The key with this pedal is small tweaks make a massive difference
Click to expand...
Here’s what I’m getting right now...

Chunk 3 o’clock
High maxed
Mid 3 o’clock
Low 12 o’clock
Drive maxed
Mid shift in
Gain switch out
With mix active, tone knob on bass is COMPLETELY rolled off!
with mix inactive tone knob on bass is maxed!

In 35 years of playing I have never touched my tone knob, always maxed out!
(2 of my basses have the tone pot disabled-thanks Eddie Van Halen.)
This tone knob thing might just work out.
Next you’ll tell me the volume knobs don’t always have to be maxed out...Imagine that!

I’ll keep messing with it but this might work. Of course, when I get to a full volume band rehearsal, nothing will sound the same and I’ll have to make further adjustments.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
 
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#15
It’s a pleasure

in my own head/thinking - you want it to be almost teeth chattering fingernails on a blackboard so it sounds harsh and ugly on its own, to then give the depth and cut in a band mix.

Once you have that sound, if it’s a more sedate type song, use the tone roll off, but also when practicing at home keep the settings, roll the tone off - it sounds better and more like a good old tube thumpy amp, and it’s ready to go back to cutting through when ready
 
#16
I also had highs and chunks maxed a lot more when using it with a transparent amp, or in isolation, it’s dialled a bit back as i am running it into the dUg amp for extra juice!
 
#17
Cuzzie said:
It’s a pleasure

in my own head/thinking - you want it to be almost teeth chattering fingernails on a blackboard so it sounds harsh and ugly on its own, to then give the depth and cut in a band mix.

Once you have that sound, if it’s a more sedate type song, use the tone roll off, but also when practicing at home keep the settings, roll the tone off - it sounds better and more like a good old tube thumpy amp, and it’s ready to go back to cutting through when ready
Click to expand...


That is precisely right. I have learned over the years when it comes to bass overdrive, I need it to be cringeworthy, almost unusable on its own so that when the band kicks in, and the cymbals and GTR eat up all that sizzle off the top, you are left with a beautiful mid-range grind and growl that cuts through without being “too loud” because you simply turned up the amp. I am a tone-chaser and that means never being completely satisfied-always looking for that new pedal or tweak to the existing one.
I thank you for your suggestions and have a feeling you are a wealth of knowledge. I believe I will be reaching out to you in the future.
 
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#18
Kind of you to say.

I am just an average guy/player who really enjoys music, balance of sound, I suppose an audiophile who tries to learn and chase tone a bit!
Love pre amps, and even more so now nuances of pick ups and placements!

I have learnt a lot from others on here and in Basschat in the U.K.
It’s about paying forward

Reach away

in dUg we trust!!!
 
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#19
Cuzzie said:
No worries

The other thing to add for a ‘3rd’ sound is that the tone knob is your friend, even if your sound dialled in is gnarly - roll the tone off, a more organic sound.

I may add that I have fingers like spring rolls, so if you are like me, it will give a bass heavy sound, I naturally play closer to the bridge and invariably with a pick most of the time.
If you have big fingers, player finger style and nearer the neck, dial them lows and compressor back a bit
Click to expand...

This!

And please come over to the DP-3X thread and start wishing for an updated new version with presets or two channels. There‘s so many guys like you and I hoping for that!

As for now:Tone knob or buying two of them.
 
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#20
SteveFromBerlin said:
This!

And please come over to the DP-3X thread and start wishing for an updated new version with presets or two channels. There‘s so many guys like you and I hoping for that!

As for now:Tone knob or buying two of them.
Click to expand...
I was unable to get a good tone with the mix off. If you need a second one mine is for sale in the classifieds.

For Sale - Tech 21 DP-3X dUg Pinnick pedal
 

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