Silent Fly

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='733336' date='Feb 2 2010, 07:21 PM'](...) I think what I really meant in my post is that I am having to buy something here just to get levels right and that is not terribly exciting![/quote] I entirely understand. The simpler, more transparent and cheaper way to achieve what you need is the EHX signal pad. If you want a really transparent booster I suggest you wait and buy something that doesn't compromises the sound of your basses. There are a lot of "clean" boosters on the market, unfortunately the majority of them represents a problem more than a solution. I don't know the electronics of the GB but are you sure there isn't a trim pot to control the gain?

If you can wait for another couple of weeks I may have exacly what you are looking for.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='733095' date='Feb 2 2010, 04:16 PM']Any EQ pedal should be fairly flat (if you don't touch the faders) (...)[/quote] In theory you are right; in practice things are slightly more complicated. For a 2 band EQ the difference is probably almost nothing but for a graphic equalizer, every band corresponds to a section of the circuit that processes the sound - regardless if the knob/cursor is set to cut, flat or boost. In a 7 band EQ the signal goes in (at least) 7 stages. Every stage adds a little bit of distortion and noise. It is almost nothing but multiplied by 7 it can be heard. Moreover, component tolerances move the flat position of the knob. As a result, with all the cursors at 0dB, the equalizer boosts or cuts certain frequencies.

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='733140' date='Feb 2 2010, 04:40 PM']I definitely do not want any colouration to my tone that would be really bad! (...) Now if it was another filter or something exciting then I would definitely find the money!![/quote] In my experience, it actually makes more sense spend money in a clean device than in a filter (or in a pedal that alters the tone). Total transparency is more difficult to achieve than any other effect. It requires perfect circuit and PCB design, good assembly and the best components. I use the same quality standards for everything I build but I could easily get away with simpler (and cheaper) solutions with a filter or a distortion pedal. For a clean pedal if there is something that is not perfect it can be heard – at least I can.

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='728928' date='Jan 29 2010, 04:53 PM']What price does the Blue Dragon go for?[/quote] Everything is on the [url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=order"]web site[/url]

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='728880' date='Jan 29 2010, 04:20 PM'](...) Appreciate the comment on the MXR - what would you recommend instead?[/quote] As you can imagine, it is difficult for me give you a totaly unpartial advice. I would recomend you a [url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=blue_dragon"][sfx] Blue Dragon[/url] Alternatively, you could use a [url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=micro_eq"][sfx] Micro-EQ[/url]. With the tone controls flat it is an excellent booster. You can also use it to compensate the tone difference between GB and JB. If you are not keen on [sfx] products, there are a lot of pedals that can give you clean boost - it depends if already have some preference and how much money you are ready to spend.

Unless pedals were designed to work at line level, it is not a good idea running them in the effect loop. I would suggest you use your pedalboard between bass and amp. If your bass is passive, I would also recommend a clean buffer at the pedalboard input.

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' post='728851' date='Jan 29 2010, 04:00 PM']Well I am assuming that that is the problem?? They work fine with the GB but when you switch basses it is like they are stuck in the bottom end frequencies and need more gain at the current settings to sweep through the frequencies.[/quote] Envelope filters are driven by the signal level. If you set them with with GB, the Fender JB is likely to be too weak to make the filter move. You could use the [url="http://www.ehx.com/products/signal-pad"]EHX signal pad[/url] to lower the signal of the GB to the same level of the JB. Alternatively, you could use a booster when you use the JB. In my experience the MXR Micro Amp is not entirely transparent - especially at the lower frequencies but some people like it.

[quote name='The Twickerman' post='728170' date='Jan 28 2010, 10:08 PM']The question arises I suppose because Fulltone decided to label the redesigned pedal as the "Bass Drive MOSFET". This suggested it is a selling point. I have no idea why they would (...)[/quote] I guess they did it to make pedal name unique. I don't know Fulltone production but they may have/had a Bass Drive that don’t use mosfet...? [quote name='The Twickerman' post='728170' date='Jan 28 2010, 10:08 PM'](...) all that matters is how it sounds.[/quote] +1

[quote name='Bucket Head' post='728138' date='Jan 28 2010, 09:37 PM']Thanks for the replys guys pritty informative, the reason i asked is cos i was thinking of buying a fulltone bass drive but saw some have mosfet and others dont and was worried about whether or not i would get the right one ect you know. but u recon it wont make much diffence sound wise? thanks again for the replys[/quote] Mosfet or not does make a difference sound wise but using mosfet does not necessarily make a bad pedal sound good or vice versa. I would suggest to not consider the presence (or not) of mosfet transistors when you buy a pedal. IMO, sound, connectivity, interface, construction and customer support are more important elements.

[quote name='Bucket Head' post='727719' date='Jan 28 2010, 03:52 PM']what is mosfet in relation to pedals? wat does it do ect and what difference does it make cheers[/quote] A pedal that uses mosfet is not necessarily better or worse of other pedals that use other type of transistors. Simplifying a lot and removing all the technical jargon: From the functional point of view there are (more or less) two type of Mosfet: power mosfet and small signal mosfet. Power mosfet are mainly used in power amps. Compared to standard transistors (aka BJT) offer the advantage that they self-protect against overheating. The other mosfet type behaves more or less like a standard transistor. There are some differences: mosfet clip in a more valve-like way and they need almost no current to control the output (i.e. high input impedance). In pedals they are used on the input stage to achieve high input impedance. They are also good for switching and clean amplification. They also saturate nicely. Last but not least, they can also be used as clipping diodes in TubeScreamer-type or DS1-type distortion pedals. The major drawbacks in using Mosfet are that the output impedance is relatively high and that they are very sensitive to electrostatic charges.

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='724486' date='Jan 25 2010, 08:08 PM']In search of my ultimate bass distortion.overdrive, I've been contemplating a new pedal build based on my favourite guitar overdrive , the Tubescreamer 808. Made a few of these for guitar now and they are great, but high mid range boost means they are awful for Bass. There's a few posts on stompbox forums, Aaron Nelson, etc. with some info on modding tubescreamers to make them more bass frequency-frienly and I wondered if anyone had any experience with these mods and the sounds they can give. example: the tiny 51pF cap on the standard TS-808 circuit can be replaced with a 0.47uF cap, says Mr. Nelson, to extend the circuit's distortion/overdrive as low as 72Hz. there are other '(AMZ) Phat' mods bypassing a second 0.047uF cap, as well as adding a mini switch to toggle in a third assymetric diode to give a 'more tube-like' sound, a smoother cut off to the sine wave, nowhere near as harsh as a fuzz box square wave. I thought I'd have a go at putting all these mods + switch options onto one BassScreamer pedal and see how it works out, but be interested to hear from anyone else that's already explored the use of the modified ts circuit for bass.[/quote] The 51pF capacitor creates a filter that removes the top range. Increasing the value makes the pedal sound darker but it should have no impact on the mid-boost. With the + input connected to the bias voltage via a 10k resistor, I am not sure bypassing the 47nF capacitor is a good idea. You could try increasing it but I think it is better keeping it. You could also try to apply the Big Muff clipping system to the TS. In practice it is a capacitor in series to the two clipping diodes. If you look for a Big Muff schematic, you'll see what I mean. I never tried it on a TS but it should leave the low frequency go through and the high frequencies clip. You could also change the capacitor with a switch to change the frequency. Alternatively, you could put a resistor instead of the capacitor (or in series to the capacitor). The resistor will change the clipping curve making the diodes a little bit less aggressive.

[quote name='TGEvans' post='718742' date='Jan 20 2010, 09:29 AM']Am I correct in thinking that the Aguilar Tone Hammer does the same kind of thing as a Sansamp bddi and an MXR M80? Have never had the chance to try one out. What do peopl think of them? Did a bit of a search but nothing much came up. Thanks,Tim.[/quote] I am a little bit confused... what do you mean exacly with "the same kind of thing"?

[quote name='mcgraham' post='713559' date='Jan 15 2010, 11:42 AM']Fantastically thanks The headphone amp on this thing is crystal clear. Works beautifully with my q-Jays. Fantastic for both home practice with an auxiliary source (like mp3/drum machine, etc) and also at practice/gigs for use with a monitor signal. The sound engineers also love the totally continuous level control on the DI out (separate level controls for bass amp out and DI out). Love it. SFX do a product that is just the headphone amp portion - it's called the H1. Great price and very pure sound. It'll show you what your bass is really like. Mark P.S. For those multi-instrumentalists, it's also great for acoustic and electric guitar, and I imagine it'd be great for keyboards and other instruments too![/quote] Thanks for your kind words Mark - I am happy to read that you like the device. ===== For the design of the DI/Preamp section I gave Mark a few options - from a basic design to a more high-end version. He decided for the very best one and I'm glad to hear that he's happy with the choice. Before sending the box to Mark I test it, measured the frequency response and compared it to an Avalon U5. Mark's box performed extremely well on evey aspect of the tests.

[quote name='M4L666' post='714371' date='Jan 15 2010, 09:35 PM']Is that the m:system on your site? Looks useful, how much do they go for?[/quote] There are similarities but they are two different things. The [url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=m_system"]m:system[/url] is just a standard for setting up connectors. It consists in a signal connectors (m:signal) and a power supply connector (m:power) and it can be implemented in almost all pedals and audio devices. "[i]The Box[/i]" is a device that I built for myself a while ago. I built other similar devices for other people and I can make variations of it. If you are interested please send me an email - [url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=about"]the address is on my website[/url].

[quote name='plumbob' post='714167' date='Jan 15 2010, 06:53 PM'](...) I see you make some quality kit Silent Fly , do you make a Looper or were you redirecting me to somebody else in your original post? (...)[/quote] Loopers are not exactly on top of [sfx] priorities but I make them if necessary. From the photo it looks like [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71424"]this looper[/url] is well built and it costs for a very reasonable amout of money. If you need one it might be worth considering it.

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='713486' date='Jan 15 2010, 10:32 AM'](...)what's wrong with the bypass built into each of the pedals? Are you getting tone drain?(...)[/quote] I may be totaly wrong but I think plumbob is interested in the functional aspect of the looper. I think he needs to switch quickly from processed so clean sound.

If I understand correctly you are talking about a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71424"]looper[/url] - i.e. a device that removes/inserts one or more pedal in the signal chain. I wouldn't put effects in the effect loop. In the majority of amps/preamps, the effect loop is at signal level. In other words the signal is too hot to be used with standard pedals. The first option sounds the better one. In practice the looper will have 4 jack sockets: input (from bass), output (to amp), send (to the first pedal), return (from the last pedal). If you really need/want put a looper in effect loop you need a custom looper that reduces the input signal from line to instrument level, send it to the effects and re-amplify the signal from instrument to line before sending it back to the amp return jack.