nottswarwick Posted January 24, 2008 Posted January 24, 2008 Hi Just got my spanking new multicomp (EBS) pedal from the Bass Centre. However, I think I might unfortunately have a faulty one. Basically, on loud notes and finger pops I get a buzzing as if the input is overloading or something. I have set it to "active" mode, but even in this mode when I "dig in" or slap I get this buzzing distortion on the peaks. I am using a Stinrgray 5 and an GandL 2500. Admittedly these are fairly high output basses, but this has never been a problem with either bass with any other effects unit/amp/desk/rack unit etc. FYI, this is with basses on full volume and EQ set "flat". It happens in all 3 compression modes, irrespective of the knob setting, so I am pretty sure it cannot be right? I wonder anyone could suggest where I might be going wrong (I dont think I am, to be honest)? I am using it in line with the bass direct into the multicomp. Mains and battery - same on both If they all do this, then the unit is clearly "not for me", but I suspect that if they all do this then they would not sell many and it would not achieve the reviews it does, as it is basically unusable. So, anyone who uses one got any input for me. I have emailed Nick at the BC to get it sorted, so it is not a problem as it is new and under warranty, but I thought I would ask on here too. Cheers Chris Quote
Dood Posted January 24, 2008 Posted January 24, 2008 Hey Chris.. sounds like something is a bit wonky! I have EMG pups and EQ and it only distorts on my multi' when I dig in, in passive mode.. yeh, I'd get it swapped out mate. Nicks a good chap.. spoke to him just t'other day.. they sort ya out! Quote
Muppet Posted January 24, 2008 Posted January 24, 2008 Chris Have you tried adjusting the sensitivity trimpots inside the pedal to suit your basses (there's two - one for high one for low)? They're set at halfway as default but you could try winding them anticlockwise a touch to see if that helped. cheers Steve Quote
nottswarwick Posted January 24, 2008 Author Posted January 24, 2008 thanks dood. Nick has been great actually - we had a bit of a delay on delivery to them also, and all has been good so I am sure we will sort it. Like I say, I think it just cannot be right - hope not, as I will have to find another compressor and I like this one (barring the "issue") Cheers C Quote
nottswarwick Posted January 24, 2008 Author Posted January 24, 2008 thanks steve. I thought the trim pots are for the threshold of the multiband compressin mode - this is what the manual says in any case. It happens in all 3 modes, and regardless of the compression I dial in.... Quote
Muppet Posted January 24, 2008 Posted January 24, 2008 [quote name='nottswarwick' post='127434' date='Jan 24 2008, 11:25 PM']thanks steve. I thought the trim pots are for the threshold of the multiband compressin mode - this is what the manual says in any case. It happens in all 3 modes, and regardless of the compression I dial in....[/quote] Ah bollox, I've not got a manual and rather hoped they were for the input gain. Oh well, if it's not the usual suspects of cables, batteries or bass then back it should go. I never had any problems with mine such as you describe, but I was only using passive basses. Best of luck, it's really really annoying when you get something new only for it not to work as you'd hoped! Steve Quote
nottswarwick Posted January 24, 2008 Author Posted January 24, 2008 [quote name='Muppet' post='127441' date='Jan 24 2008, 11:32 PM']Ah bollox, I've not got a manual and rather hoped they were for the input gain. Oh well, if it's not the usual suspects of cables, batteries or bass then back it should go. I never had any problems with mine such as you describe, but I was only using passive basses. Best of luck, it's really really annoying when you get something new only for it not to work as you'd hoped! Steve[/quote] yep, it sure is. Defo not cables, batteries or anything else. Bugger, will dig the jiffy bag out of the bin! Quote
Mokl Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 [quote name='nottswarwick' post='127444' date='Jan 24 2008, 11:34 PM']yep, it sure is. Defo not cables, batteries or anything else. Bugger, will dig the jiffy bag out of the bin![/quote] May not be this, but my multicomp will drive the front end of my amp pretty easilly if the gain is set much over 12 o' clock. Quote
dannybuoy Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 (edited) Don't know if you ever solved your problem, but I got a multicomp the other day with the same issue and solved it by turning the trimpots anticlockwise. They DO work for the other modes too, it's just the left/low one that affects normal/tubesim modes. They appear to work like an input gain control. Because the unit has a max of 5:1 compression, if you dig in really hard with a high output bass, it goes over the max headroom that the device can handle and produces distortion. Once you start fiddling with the trimpots you'll be amazed at how well you can fine tune your sound, I recommend every multicomp owner start fiddling with theirs. If you're not sure what you're doing and scared to mess with it, remember it's easy to set it back to normal! Edited February 7, 2008 by dannybuoy Quote
tayste_2000 Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 you know it's at unity volume with the vol rolled all the way back right? Quote
dannybuoy Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 Yes, that's how I had it. The distortion was coming from the pedal not my amp. But my seymour duncan quarter pounder p-bass pup was just too much for it at default settings and got distortion on the heavy notes, backing off the pots a bit fixed it! Quote
Toasted Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 [quote name='tayste_2000' post='135634' date='Feb 7 2008, 12:06 PM']you know it's at unity volume with the vol rolled all the way back right?[/quote] +1. They should print this in big letters on the front of the pedal. It's all about unity gain. Quote
GreeneKing Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 Just checking on the meaning here, a bit like the only one in class asking the question I hope. Unity gain, do you mean restoring the volume in for out after compression? Peter Quote
Toasted Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 Correct. When I use unity gain I use it to refer to setting the output level of the pedal so that there is no cut or boost in volume when the effect is engaged or disengaged. So, if I'm playing a passage from clean to distortion to clean, then the only thing that changes when I turn the distortion on is the tone, not the volume. Quote
GreeneKing Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 Brilliant, thanks for the quick answer. Quote
nottswarwick Posted February 7, 2008 Author Posted February 7, 2008 nice replies, thanks Mine is in fact faulty. Bass centre sent me another, and it is fine, so I now do not have a prob at all. Quote
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