Silent Fly

[quote name='DrDave' post='1099001' date='Jan 22 2011, 07:42 PM']Is it better to use the send/return for effects rather than through the effect and then into the amp?[/quote] Not necessarily. Send/return connetions are usually placed between preamplifier and power amplifier. In the majority of amps they are at line level (in orther words they are hotter than the signal of your bass). Not all pedals or multi-fx units can operate at line level. A good example are fuzz pedals , distortion units or compressors that are usually tuned at instrument level. Moreover, the return jack is a low impedance input that it is likely to overload the output of the effect connected to it. To summarise, you should use in the send/return loop effects that are designed to operate at line level. Some pedals can operate succesfully at instrument or line level (e.g. the [sfx] micro-Thumpinator) but they are exceptions. Rack units on the other side are, in the majority of cases, designed to operate at line level and not at instrument level. There are ways to connect standard [i]instrument level[/i] effects in the s/r loop but it requires an attenuator after the send jack (to reduce the signal from line to instrument) and a line level driver before the return jack (to boost the signal to line level and match the impedance). [send]-->attenuator-->(fx)-->(fx)-->(fx)-->line_level_driver-->[return] [quote name='DrDave' post='1099001' date='Jan 22 2011, 07:42 PM']I guess that the main reason is that when the effects are off then the sound should be pure, but i guess that its not as simple as that [/quote] If the pedals are true-bypass, they are connected properly and they are off if shouldn't make any difference if they are between instrument and amp or the send/return loop. The reason why processing units placed in the send/return loops operate better is that the signal is already preamplifed. If a processing unit produces noise (all of them do) the noise is amplified by the preamplifier only if it is place [i]before[/i] the preamplifier. As the s/r loop is after the preamplifier the output noise is lower. [quote name='DrDave' post='1099001' date='Jan 22 2011, 07:42 PM']Also, would you guys use your usual guitar leads for this connection?[/quote] You should use standard guitar leads for send/return connections. The only exception are balanced s/r loops that require jack TRS connections or XLR connections. It is unlikely thay you will find them unless you use separate preamp and power amp.

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1095860' date='Jan 20 2011, 12:36 AM']Is there a pedal that will allow me to merge 2 mono audio signals (well, one stereo out as 2 1/4 jacks) with individual levels & in/out switches to one mono audio out (as 1/4 jack)? (...)[/quote] If I understand correctly, you are looking for a 2 channel mixer with two footswitches to turn on / mute the two channels. I should be able to put together something for you. Essentially, it is a [sfx] S&M without the split section (the jacks on the right side) and with a switching system for the mix section (jacks on the left side). Alternatively, you can remove the EQ and use a [sfx] X&M. If you send me an email we can discuss it further.

I used to do something similar. --> Tech21 ParaDriver --> SWR SM400 return jack --> Cab In practice I bypassed the preamp of the SM400. It sounded ok but I never liked the slight high cut of the ParaDriver. Now I have a Mark Bass F1 and an Epifani UL210.

[url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=sm"][sfx] S&M[/url]?

[quote name='Anders' post='1027217' date='Nov 17 2010, 08:22 PM'](...) is the MXR 10-band EQ all i can hope for ? (...)[/quote] IMO it is a good graphic equalizer. I think a graphic equalizer is the kind of pedal every musician should keep in his toolbox. Even even if I don't use it I don't think I'll never sell it.

[quote name='Anders' post='1026484' date='Nov 16 2010, 11:41 PM'](...) How do you use it? In an effectsloop or before the signal input in the amp? (Or maybe it's very quiet)[/quote] It is part of my pedalboard (i.e. between bass and amp) but to be honest, I don't use it much. It will be the next pedal to be removed. Not unexpectedly, I use [sfx] EQs that I design and build. More specifically I use the Micro-EQ and the AY2.

I have one one. Nice graphic equalizer that looks very cool with when turned on. I like it - I am more a parametric EQ person but the M108 is a nice pedal. I prefer it to the Boss graphic EQs.

[quote name='sk8' post='1017376' date='Nov 9 2010, 01:06 PM'](...) Does the SFX handle actice basses?[/quote] No problem with active basses or any other effect before or after.

[url="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=xm"][sfx] X&M[/url] ?

[quote name='StevieD_FenderP2009' post='994299' date='Oct 20 2010, 12:01 AM']Does anyone have any idea how to build a rack multi selector? I need to build one with 4 inputs for: Wireless 1 Wireless 2 Cable Mute Also, i want to be able to have a tiny led above each selector switch so i can tell which channel is in use. If anyone can help me i'll be so greatly appreciative! I would go and buy one of the Whirlwind ones but lets face it, £300 is quite expensive Cheers Stevie[/quote] Hi Stevie, If you contact me to the address in my signature I should be able to help you.

bump

[quote name='BassBod' post='992575' date='Oct 18 2010, 06:32 PM']Only got one in my Sadowsky bass - sorry. I have got the Aguilar DB92? box - their original on-board preamp in a metal box. No DI. Allegedly designed by the same guy. Is that of any interest?[/quote] It is very kind of you BassBod. Thanks but I'm interested in the Sadowsky. Even the old model without DI would be ok. I don't know if it helps but I have no intention of disassembling the unit. I don't even want to open the box (apart from changing the batteries if necessary).

Nobody?

[quote name='E sharp' post='988554' date='Oct 14 2010, 10:36 PM'](...) I can now nail the sound with this little pedal , but when the drummer and then the band kick in , I'm completely lost in the mix . (...)[/quote] If the problem is the position in the mix I am not sure sending the same signal to the PA will address the problem effectively. There are a few options that should help: - Use a [b]blend pedal[/b] to add some of the clean tone to the signal. E.g. with the Boss LS-2 or the [sfx] S&M. - Use a [b]cross-over[/b] to process only the high frequencies. It is the same principle of the blender but frequency-based. The [sfx] X&M should do the trick. - [b]EQ[/b] pedal after the Micro-Fuzz. I would recommend the EQ. Also because the Micro-Fuzz has already a sort of frequency-based processing and I am not sure adding a further layer would be as effective as a post-processing EQ.

Hi everybody I would like to try a Sadowsky Preamp/DI and buying one just for keeping for two days it would be a little bit too much even for a gear-oriented person like me. I was wondering if someone could lend me his unit for a couple of days. I'll pay for the postage (recorded with compensation in case of damage). I'll also add a 10% discount on any [sfx] product purchased within 6 months. Thanks Max