Quatschmacher

After playing with the Future Impact and loving the possibilities but being a bit disappointed by the feel due to latency and tracking difficulties I am on the lookout for an analogue pedal which can generate various waveforms from my bass’s signal for the purposes of creating synth tones. I’m aware of the Moogerfooger Freqbox (anyone here used it?). What else is out there? Something which could replicate the Minimoog D’s ability to switch octaves and have multiple oscillators would be great. Does such a thing exist?

Are there any pedals out there which have exactly the same controls as the filter in the Minimoog model D? Specifically, cutoff, emphasis (resonance), amount of contour (how much envelope affects the sweep), attack time, decay time, sustain level. (The last one is the one I’ve never come across on other filter pedals as a direct control; it's usually achieved in conjunction with using the envelope to sweep the filter further to lengthen the time between attack and decay.) Relatedly, are there any pedals which replicate the D’s loudness contour controls? I wonder if this could be a mission for Mr. Broughton?

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1509691229' post='3400849'] Re the Octabvre Mini - for me it’s all about the soloed octave sound with this pedal. However it’s very sensitive to what you plug into it. Some basses can sound quite flat and uninteresting, very bass heavy but not much character - but a passive P Bass sounds amazing. [/quote] Same with the Mark II for me. I’ll second the P bass view too. In fact, I’m considering selling my Sterling to maybe fund another P bass (or more pedals).

Pedal bash sounds like a great idea, I’d be up for that. Are you in London now, Cameron? Relatedly, I’m there next weekend (going to see Chris Potter at the Barbican) and maybe some other gigs; if anyone is up for meeting up for some bass frolicks then that’d be cool. I could probably bring a pedal or two.

You should still try some low pass filters for comparison to your band pass BEF.

Weirdly the OC-3 sounds way better if you plug the bass into the guitar input as opposed to the bass input.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1509655079' post='3400674'] Itch fully now scratched in relation to: Third: Emma Okto Nojs (nice additional dirt, but I guess somewhat superfluous if you already have a dirt pedal, which I do) [/quote] The difference here is that there are two dirty signals, one at pitch and one an octave lower. It gives more options than if you were adding dirt after octaver, either directly or in parallel line. It’s funny how tracking differs for different people/setups.

The Broughctave sounds very interesting, I’d certainly like to try one, though it looks like they may be hard to come by. Do you have a PDF of the manual and any video clips? I’m curious to know about the dip switch settings.

@Al There are a few pedals with a blend: Wonderlove, Qballs Enigma, Moog MF-101; the Qtrons have a “mix” mode which blends BP with clean, though at a fixed ratio (probably 50:50). A way around those that don’t is to use a Boss LS-2 in mix mode.

The filter in this Glou Glou pedal is really cool. It’s not as resonant as some other filters I have or have tried (such as the Fwonkbeta and the Moogerfooger) but all the settings are useable without spikes (and it has a level control). The thing that’s exciting me the most are the highest three (of the eleven) discrete filter sweep speeds which make it sound really fuzzy and synthy. Cameron, I am pretty sure you’ll dig this a lot just for this bit. A dry signal blend, expression pedal input and a loop would be welcome additions though. If they made the filter as a stand-alone unit I’d probably get that. The other side of the pedal is capable of some ridiculous sounds. The LFO can go into audible frequencies so can go all ring mod. When used as a straight vibrato or phaser it produces some lovely sounds. You can also use the envelope to trigger the phaser so get a kind of phase wah which is really sweet. Such a shame it’s €580. I’ve got it for two weeks so will see if I feel the need to sell a bunch of other pedals to get one. I’m looking forward to seeing what else this can do. I’m really digging the sounds on the Future Impact but the fast note triggering issues are making it a less enjoyable experience than it could be. Maybe I should try with another bass and/or try a fret wrap or foam mute to see if that helps with cleaner articulation between notes.

Yep, the MXR octave has the best tracking I’ve tried so far. The basic range of sounds is good too, though some other pedals have more tonal flexibility.

Finally got the Octabvre mark II and it is great. The switch between the two modes is definitely worth having because when it’s in normal mode the fully clockwise end of the tone control is super growly and when in Tim mode, the anti-clockwise end is fatter, especially when playing high up the neck. I’m glad I got this rather than the mini as it’s got a bigger range of sounds in it. It tracks almost as well as the MXR for me and better than the Octamizer.

Got to give a mention to the Future Impact. I got it on rental yesterday; it’s loads of fun and very versatile. Nails some Stevie Wonder tones. It struggles a bit with very fast notes; you need to play very cleanly and with a bit of space between each note to get the next to trigger properly. Sounds fantastic too and the sounds are editable on the pedal (editing via computer makes your own patch creation possible as you have access to all the oscillator settings). For octave tracking it gets down to F cleanly (open E is a bit patchy but open strings are always tricky), the response is good but not as immediate as my analogue octavers.

I’ll be trying the Glou Glou Rendez Vous tonight…

Got to give a mention to the Future Impact. I got it on rental yesterday; it’s loads of fun and very versatile. Nails some Stevie Wonder tones. It struggles a bit with very fast notes; you need to play very cleanly and with a bit of space between each note to get the next to trigger properly. Sounds fantastic too and the sounds are editable on the pedal (editing via computer makes your own patch creation possible as you have access to all the oscillator settings).

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1509269381' post='3397630'] I've still to find the filter for me! I'm currently using an early coloured/etched 3 Leaf wonderlove,I love it mixed with fuzz and octave, (especially when they are in its loop) but struggling to find a tone I like on its own, it's just not squelchy enough. My favourite was the original big box Qtron I owned! Buts it's massive a PITA to power and sucks tone bypassed! I've had the EBS IQ, digitech BSW, Tone factor bottom Feeder, Bass balls and various multi fx and haven't found "the one" yet. tones I love are "back to love" Brand new heavies, "fell n love with a boy" Joss Stone ( guy used a Moog Murf I believe) and anything by Bootsy:) got my eye on the Emma Discombobulator at the mo! [/quote] Yup, the loop on the Wonderlove is great, but I’m with you about it not being squelchy enough on its own. The Q-Tron+ I just picked up has the squelch and the loop (and is true bypass, unlike the older big box version). Sadly there’s no blend knob like on the Wonderlove but this might be up your street, Lee. (Also, try the Q balls enigma.)

[quote name='MGBrown' timestamp='1509182812' post='3397154'] I had a similar issue with my T65: A sort of fluffy distortion even when on 'clean' only. It wasn't overly loud but it drove me mad. In addition the octave up seemed to be a distorted version of the main signal - not an octave up at all. Sent it back but it apparently tested fine. Using an EBS now - works great with the Le Bass pre. [/quote] About the octave up being a distorted version of the main signal - that is intentional and is explicitly stated in the Cog advertising copy: “The octave up is a bit dirty and helps add some presence back in to your sound when in a live band mix. It is by no means a clean reproduction of your sound an octave higher, and it isn't designed to be used as a standalone octave up on bass, but instead as an integrated part in this octave machine.”

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1509203053' post='3397313'] Check these out Al: https://www.banananaeffects.com/products/matryoshka http://www.dedalofx.com.ar/byte1 [/quote] I need to stop reading this thread. That banana thing is cool!

https://youtu.be/sRLpifLuLQg

[quote name='CameronJ' timestamp='1509196725' post='3397265'] Bingo. This is what you’re after. Octave, Filter, Fuzz all in one. You’ll need to spend a little time “learning” the controls as there are a lot of options on deck, but it’s a fun process from what I remember. Really need to buy one myself. [/quote] The bonus here is that the filter can be either sweeping or it can be static (by setting the start and stop frequency to the same value), at least from my understanding, not having actually played one. There are others on here who have and who’ll be able to confirm or refute my claim.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1509192088' post='3397234'] You're right I did overlook that - but hey I guess I get the benefits of buying new, for once (in terms of warranty and ability to return) - for just an extra £12 as Andertons are currently selling at a [url="https://www.andertons.co.uk/tc-electronic-mojomojo-overdrive"]ridiculous discount[/url] (just 5 left in stock). Also means someone else can capitalise on my oversight and get the one in the FS section So Mr C is there a single compact pedal that can do both excellent octave down and excellent filter to get 90% of the way there to what I can get with my COG T16 and Aggie FT? The COG certainly doesn't quite get there by itself (its filter is nothing like as good as the Aggie FT's) and I suspect the 3Leaf Octavbre Mini may not quite either. [/quote] EHX bass microsynth maybe? By “filter” do you mean “envelope filter” (a la FT) or do you mean “(static) lowpass filter” (a la T16/Octamizer)?

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1509050631' post='3396369'] Ok so I know how much this costs now (euros 289, thanks to DB) Forward sweep only or reverse sweep also. Low pass and not band pass? And how low and how well does it track as an octaver?!...I wonder if there's a decent / reliable review out there on the net as I suspect Quatsthingy will be the first in the UK to buy before the rest of us try! [/quote] Not at the moment. I’ve spent a small fortune these past two weeks. I wonder if I can persuade Darren at fxpedalrentals.com to get one in though.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1509045591' post='3396321'] Hey - that looks really good / fun! All analogue How low / well does the octave track? (As you've posted this on the octave thread! ) How much and where from? [/quote] I have no idea, Al, I just came across it by accident when browsing a YouTube clip of a pedal which has the same name (but is very different). This one is much more interesting. I’m guessing meridian basses would be the place to look. http://www.meridianguitars.com/product-category/pedals/ Was €160 back in 2014 for the original version; €289 for this one.