SamIAm

On 07/10/2022 at 17:35, BigRedX said:

One of the things to consider if you are going for two tiers of footswitches would be to stagger them so that there is less chance of hitting one of the front switches whilst pressing one at the back. Have a look at the Roland FC100 Mk2 to see what I mean. For this very reason I don't use any of the top row of switches on my Helix whilst I'm actually playing and they are reserved for use between songs, which IMO reduces their effectiveness.

Great point.

The positioning of footswitches can make a huge difference.

Too close together - fail!

Too many - it weighs a ton!

Too few - not enough control when gigging.

I've built a multi-switch control unit before, Trampa, which was based on an open source project called Pedalino Mini.

It is an  amazing design, with the ability to add as many/few switches and seems to support almost every type of third party expression pedal out there!

If you scroll down the readme page you can see it's capabilities as well as a number of "I built one of these" photos from various users, which I found fascinating!

It has many pros but also some cons from my perspective (no easy USB MIDI, limited display capabilities, only configurable from a web interface) but I will be adapting a lot of similar features into my yet to be named MFX unit.

S'manth x

On 07/10/2022 at 17:12, skidder652003 said:

 A noble preamp and a cali 76 compressor!

Added to list.

edit

Check out this rather cool video (In fact he has a lot of cool videos!)

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex comes in at a not so cool ballpark of £1,600, but the idea of "capturing" a sound (A bit like IRs do) is not unique and there are ... more cost effect ways of implementing this tech approach ... definitely a feature for the list!!!

S'manth x

On 07/10/2022 at 19:24, LukeFRC said:

I think the first step in a successful project is laying out what it is you want to achieve.
Or what are you achieving that you couldn't do better another way? Are the effects pluggins you would be using any better/worse than a Zoom MS-60b or similar cheap MFX? 
What could you do that no-one else is doing, or doing well? 

Or is it an exercise in using your programming chops for something cool? I dunno, I'm skeptical of such an open brief.  

One of the cool projects/products I saw was the little Robbie pilot - essentially a pre programmed midi controller for HX stomp - but also really clever in that it made a complex bit of functionality really simple and allowed you to do things simply that previously were difficult. 

Luke, your POV is spot on.

I've played with Zooms, Mod devices, Line 6 units (Sadly none of the high end stuff, tho happy to if someone would loan me one! lol)

They all fall short (IMHO)

I feel a "dream mfx pedal" would:

• Not be be costly.  I aim to use easily available H/W and open source the software.  I'm doing this for love not dosh!  Let's spend out money on our basses etc!
• Seamless to gig with (Multi footswitches to either switch in/out settings, snapshots, presets/layouts) ... but able to integrate with state of the art  midi/ble/osc systems for those that want to, and the ability to configure via computer in advance of a gig ... best of both worlds I hope!
• As intuitive to use as a pedalboard made up of pyysical pedals, who the heck wants to have a degree in computer science to use it!?  Twist that know to get what you want, press that button to store it ... LISS!
• Robust (I feel that touchscreen is too vulnerable to the sort of things that happen at gigs, like pints of beer being dropped, feet being misplaced, etec, etc). Protected screens and twisty/pressy knobs ... I'm not sure it would survive a Hummer ... but you never know! lol
• Aimed at bass players ... most (if not all) of the MFX units do not really cater for us bass folks, we are an afterthought!
• Ability to use as many of the existing F/X plugins as possible.  I mean VST/LV2/Etc ... I am thinking to use Carla as the plugin host and it seems to deal with a wide range of plugins.

But ... these are my views and I really want to garner what the community would like to see to help shape things ... the brainstorming phase!

WHY am I doing this ... 

I love the bass and a great bmfx unit would be fab!

Mod devices is very a nice system, but it is impossible to setup new layouts without a computer and in my experience it has some nasty audio glitches, plus it only supports LV2 plugins

Line6 ... not aimed at us bass players and a rather closed proprietary system.

I cannot speak to the other high end stuff.

here

So my plan is to garner a set of desirements from the gang here on BC and look to incorporating them in the "MultiS'manth" (Better name to be determined!).

I aim to use OSS plugin hosts (I am handy with IT but not a rocket scientist!) but I expect this will cover most of what we BCer would find valuable.

To be fair, this is not a short term project (And any takers for getting involved would be very very welcome) but I think it will be a great thing for us!

S'manth x

As an ICU nurse, I can spot arrhythmia at 100 paces, tweak vent settings to near perfection and ease the terrible burden that my patients and their loved one's are under when they need the care in our unit.

BUT!!!

My memory for names is abysmal!

Would all of you who I connected with today please drop me a PM so I can reach out!?

S'manth xxx

It turns out (As I learned at the South West Bass Bash) that this bass is perhaps best kept in it's original state.

So fret-less-ness will not be in it's future!

I am so grateful to be able to learn from those who know more than me!

S'manth x

Just back home after doing over 650km in the last 36h ... why!?!?

To attend the Big Fat South West Bass Bash.

It was my very first bass bash, in fact it was (As far as I am aware) the first time I'd been in close proximity to more than a couple of musicians who play bass ever!  And every millimetre of the drive was more than worth it!

Are you tired S'manth: Totally Exhausted!

Was it worth the epic journey: Without a shadow of a doubt!

It was delightful to meet so many folks I've only "known" here on BC and in person they are just as lovely (Maybe even 117% more lovely)!

Such a a vast array of instruments, cabs, amps, and other goodies ... the GAS was strong but I was able to resist (Well mostly lol).

I cannot rain down adequate superlatives on all that went on (Post drive brain drain) but ... if you can go next time

S'manth xxx

1 hour ago, stevie said:

What a fantastic day! Great organisation by @scrumpymike and excellent lunch that everyone has come to expect. I enoyed listening to @fiatcoupe432 on the six string bass and @TheRev on double bass. Thanks to @Phil Starr for a fascinating cab shootout and @Chienmortbb for his free amp measuring service. The lovely atmosphere at these SW bashes makes them a pleasure to attend. The high spot for me was when @Pea Turgh's son - who has been playing bass for six months by borrowing his dad's bass - won the P.Bass in the raffle.

I thought that was so delightful too!

S'manth x

9 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said:

 

I’ve also got a Harley Benton Shorty for sale that I’ll bring along.

Oooooo ... I'm a confirmed lover of short scales, and have managed to salvage an EMG Geezer Butler passive P pickup from my fire that sounded amazing in my first bass, a Greg Bennett Corsair MC-1 short scale (Which the fire ate!)

S'manth xx

Another option @whizzzy ... I anticipate having access to a semi-industrial CNC in the next month or so (We've one at my makerspace that we are in the process of upgrading) and I will be using it extensively in the production of Phoenix.

I'd be happy to draw up a design and craft one for you, if you supplied the raw material (And possibly the cost of a suitable router bit if I don't already have one that would work) and covered postage.  I could do it in aluminium or brass, but sadly have no means to give it a black coating.

S'manth x

4 hours ago, stewblack said:

Looking forward to seeing you again. What are you bringing?

So here was the staging pile

and now in Ruby (my back hurts! Lol)

my sister helped me sort a Travelodge in Taunton so I’m driving down now, I’ll be able to arrive at the bash at the start 😊

S’manth x

I cannot wait to see some of the short scales that are listed as coming along!

Im also bringing some stuff to sell or trade (if that is allowed?)

And if anyone has any spare Velcro for pedalboards I’d be happy to bung you a few quid as I need a some. Ditto for a gig bag for a four string bass, 14 inch wide lower bout and 46 inches from tip to top.

S’manth x

10 minutes ago, stewblack said:

Looking forward to seeing you again. What are you bringing?

It will be great to see you again too!

Everything I can fit it in Ruby … which is a lot!

Three different basses, each with a different signal chain and a different cab.  I suspect some is gear folks may not have tried before so it’ll be nice to let them have a go.

All but the TC you donated are battery powered.

Im also going to bring the parts I’ve got for Phoenix as I am hoping to get some advice about her build and setup.

S’manth x

19 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

Final appeal, don't forget to bring any socket reels or plug extensions you have. Don't say I didn't warn you...

 

Most of my gear uses things like this 😊

tho in a pinch I can always try this 🤣

 It I will bring the sockets and reel I have 😊

S’manth x

7 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

 

The Bash is tomorrow, Sunday 9th

 

I blame my irregular nursing shifts for my body clock being all over the place! (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)

So I’ve an extra day to plan and pack and can arrive a bit earlier.

when does it run from/to?

S’manth x

Having read this thread, despite the awful puns and the distance I’m decided it sounds too good to miss and so I’m going to come along, so many folks I’m looking forward to meeting and learning from.

So … shower and then loading up Ruby (my red mini) … hopefully arrive before noon (when does it run till?).

S’manth xxx

Been there with a UBASS, it’s intonation is a mare and it needs retuning every other minute and this with thunder gut strings!

On 05/11/2021 at 12:34, stewblack said:

Appears simple enough (Tongue firmly in cheek)

S;manth x

On 05/11/2021 at 12:34, stewblack said:

 

On 04/11/2021 at 09:15, eude said:

Wow!

That is crazy!

It looks like the control desk that got the first man on the moon.

Enjoy

Perhaps even more sophisticated!

S'manth x

1 hour ago, pn_day said:

Surely the dream bass multi-effect is just the next one that you buy, and then shortly thereafter sell on the marketplace here?
I'm looking at you @stewblack!

 

But yes - open source, build your own is a very nice idea. 

 

For me, decent preamp, compressor, tuner, some modulation, and then ideally some spare digital processing for future proofing/loading other processing. It's beginning to sound like the MOD Dwarf (or whatever that project was called). 

Phil

 

 

 

Mod devices built a good system, I hope to build an exceptional system! (Of course I might be deluded, but I do have the requisite skills)

S'manth xx

That looks amazing ... thank you for sharing!

I'd planned to use a Rock PI SE, partly as it is more powerful than a Pi 4b but mostly because it is available for a not insane price.  I am fortunate to have access to a maker-space with CNC and lasercutter so I could achieve something in the same space.

But a very generous BCer @Frank Blank has allowed me to obtain his HX Stomp XL on terms I can afford.  And so my multi-fx pedal needs are sorted!

As such I am putting this project on hold so I can focus on Phoenix, my next bass build.

S'manth x

Might be worth contacting this fellow

S'manth x

2 hours ago, Bigwan said:

I wish I had the time for that!!!

OMG, this is an amazing bit of kit.

I've met @stewblackand he is a saint of a fellow!

I hope that someone realises this incredible deal and snaps it up ... quickly!

S'manth xx

I cannot speak to the J pickup, but pre-fire I installed a P set in my first bass and they were amazing!

If I was still a 4 string player I'd fight folks for these!

GLWTS

S'manth x

Frank is an Angel!

I was drooling over an HX Stomp XL he was selling, but I could not afford (A recent fire in my flat wiped out most of my possessions and I am slowly needing to replace them).

I'd had a HX Stomp previously, but sold it (pre-fire) as it did not have enough footswitches for my gigging (Giggling!?) style.  But the Stomp XL is perfect!

In a totally unsolicited way, Frank reached out to me and we have reached an arrangement that works for us both.

A true gent!

Thank you @Frank Blank

S'manth xxx