Transparent delay for "sequencer like" 16:th bass synth notes?

[AlexanderB]

I have used my fair share of delay, doing FOH and recording projects. Still, I am not sure what pedal to use in my bass rig. One major purpose would be to convert my 8:ths to 16:ths, with more stamina and precision than I can reliably provide at a gig.
I think it would be best if I could type in the BPM, but maybe a tap function is good enough? Since I suspect I would not use it a lot (at least on stage), I would say USD 150 is the budget, preferrably lower.
All suggestions are welcome.

With my C4, a sound like this is what I have in mind. Recommend good headphones, as there is a massive low end to the song! (As often with Robyn.)

 

[sifrancis]

Something like the Zoom MS70CDR can do this well on one of it's digital delay settings. TC Nova Delay is also a good option in your budget.
It's worth noting you can also set the C4 to cover these nice arp lines too, and these can be set to preset BPMs or controlled by tap tempo (or even midi clock if you have that facility). I can publish something up on the Neuro app if that'd be of help.
As well as those two options you can also explore playing the 16th notes yourself, pick and mute for the win here.
I've had success with all of the three options, all of which offer a spectrum of balance between precision and feel.

 

[knumbskull]

Any digital delay should do it, they have minimal colouration.

your drummer (and you) will need to be really on the money to keep everything in time - speaking with years of experience plying drums in a band that featured lots of staccato delay guitar riffs!

 

[doran.dragic]

It's worth noting you can also set the C4 to cover these nice arp lines too, and these can be set to preset BPMs or controlled by tap tempo (or even midi clock if you have that facility).

This is what I was about to suggest when I first saw that you have a C4.

 

[Klangfarbe]

Another Vote for "Read the Manual of your C4".

However, if GAS is the real problem here, you might wanna check out the Boss SL-20 Slicer. It's out of Production, but you may find a used one.

 

[Snaxster]

I think it would be best if I could type in the BPM, but maybe a tap function is good enough? Since I suspect I would not use it a lot (at least on stage), I would say USD 150 is the budget, preferrably lower.
All suggestions are welcome.

Hello. My old Empress Vintage Modified Superdelay will follow your tempo with its Auto-Set mode. And it sounds really good. From the manual:

"In Auto-Set Mode the Superdelay sets the delay time by listening to the dynamics in your playing. The Superdelay is watching for volume peaks in the input signal. For this to work effectively the input passages should have relatively consistent rhythmic content."

Either version of the Superdelay will do this.

Vintage Modified Superdelay

Superdelay


A quick look on Reverb suggests that there are few for sale in the EU, and they are expensive. But there are many for sale in the US. Some of those cost so much less that even with shipping to the EU they should be much more affordable than the EU examples.

 

[monsterthompson]

Not in the OP's budget, but for anyone else interested, the Zoia will do some very clean digital delay functions, and it has a "Delay Line" effect which is essentially a copy of the source signal with no processing and patchable/controllable feedback. It's overkill for the OP, but it is one of the best I've heard for coping the source, and it can do BPM/tap sync.

 

[Real Soon]

The Alexander Quadrant Mirror is a multifunction delay with presets, tap tempo, and MIDI control. A used one could be had within that budget, and can provide pristine one-shot reproductions as well as bucket-brigade-style decaying delay repeats.

Selecting the four on-board, no-MIDI presets is enough for a lot of use, and if you need MIDI sync, it just takes a MIDI to exp/stereo adapter and someone else can tap or message the tempo remotely. It's pretty sweet.

But also yes: for really synth-style sequencers, the C4 is in fact a synthesizer and will run 8-step sequences all night. And no: we C4 owners do NOT think it's cheating to let the pedal do some work for us. We practice a lot anyway

 

[AlexanderB]

Thanks everyone! Lots of great ideas!
I googled C4 plus delay in various forms, none the wiser, but if it has an arpeggiator built in, that is probably the solution? I was looking for a solution, not GAS excuses. I promise!

I did read (most of) the manual when I bought the C4, but as I had no plans for doing arpeggiatos, I forgot any such references. Well, need to get a new phone first, so I can use the app!

The JOYO D-SEED seem to have the necessary options, but I found some negative user comments on Thomann.de, with regards to using it live.

 

[Marc valero]

I used the delay with some distortion from my Zoom B-1 to play ZZ Tops' "Legs" During the verse I would hammer on the lower octave in half-notes or quarter notes.

 

[Rib 13]

Just a reminder: No matter what you do, this is only going to work if the drummer is clocking to your sequence or if you and the drummer are synced to the same tempo source, or if you are in a band that uses tracks and the drummer and yourself are clocking to the sequences (if you are using tracks, you might as well put that bassline on the track).....Good Luck

 

[HolmeBass]

I saw an excellent bassist use the EHX Canyon, small version, as a stutter trem making perfect machine-like 16th notes. But he wasn't playing 18th notes, more like whole notes and letting the pedal do it's thing.

 

[Aidenn7]

for something like this to get it right.. ether used a click track.. or use a backing track and play along to the fundamental.. like synth track.. if you don't want to play a synth.. double tracking a bass in the studio.. the playing the basic track happens all the time especially if you can carry another effect..