DOD Meat Box FX32 - Settings?

[Salt on your Bass?]

Hi All,

I've just picked up one of these at a reasonable price just to see how I get on with it in my doom band. I've only used it with headphones presently but wondered what settings people run with? I've seen the manual online and tried those - hell being my favourite presently, but we'll have to see in a live band setting.

Also as an aside, if I drop the rump and flank controls (30hz/60hz) below 3pm, there seems to be a massive drop in volume - so rather than fattening the sound, it drops it. compensating with the volume and wet/dry brings a bit back, but not noticeable. I wanted to check this was normal.

Like I say, still haven't used live yet so probably need to before judging it properly.

Thank

[Salt on your Bass?]

hmmmm - maybe I should get a fresh battery....cause when full wet is on, its pretty crackly and LoFi...like mega lofi...hmmm

Edited November 24, 2013 by Salt on your Bass?

[Sibob]

Yeah make sure you're powering it properly lol
The Meatbox is real quirky, all the controls kinda affect each other!
You also won't get much of a feel for it through headphones, put it through your amp but be careful, it was nicknamed the speaker-buster for a reason!

Si

[Salt on your Bass?]

Thanks Si, yeah, basics first! I managed to coax some additional tones out of this so getting there, but yeah live will be best - just waiting for my big twin 2 to arrive to give it a run out.

[Sibob]

Remember it's got a dry out as well, running that to your amp, with the wet out to your DI (for PA if it's available) would be wisest at loud volumes.

Si

[Left Foot]

everything Si says +1.

It really rinses 9v so Id look into getting a mains power adapter sorted, positive tip.

It does change the tone but until you run it through a PA system there's no chance of feeling the benefits. Its one of my favourite pedals because it simply fattens up the experience when loud as muck, if you want to push it then there's not much musical intuition involved, it just boosts the subs, good pedal.

[Salt on your Bass?]

Thanks guys, that's most useful. Looking forward to running it

Any setting preferences are welcomed. I'm off to buy a power supply!

[Byo]

Sibob and Left Foot are totally right.

To get the full benefit of using the MeatBox you need to run it through a PA with decent subs, or run it through a separate amp with a speaker capable of delivering good subs without farting out on you. Remember it is nicknamed the Speaker-popper! LOL

Check out Juan Alderete´s (The Mars Volta) web site, on this link he talks about the MeatBox:

[url="http://pedalsandeffects.com/wmd-update-exclusive-meat-box/"]http://pedalsandeffe...usive-meat-box/[/url]

Juan Alderete and Janek Gwizdala love their MeatBoxes...

Hope it helps! Not much practical info on these around the interwebs...

[Salt on your Bass?]

Yeah, every little is useful thanks. Got a rehearsal tonight - using house kit - so not sure if I should put it anywhere near this pedal as I really don't want to wreck a cab. Next pa supported gig is in jan - interesting to try and find settings Ahead of gigging it.

Had assurance from Alex the big twin will be fine with it so see how it fairs a week Friday, if the cab arrives.

[Salt on your Bass?]

So I ran it out last night at rehearsal and wow! Even though it was only through a hartke 15 combo, it adds a mother load of punch, and loads of bass presence which is great when the guitar goes off on a solo to keep a real massive sound going. Really happy, nee to refine the settings but very impressed with it

[Left Foot]

Well for me once the red lights on it stays on and I make adjustments if needed, I play noise stuff anyway so I don't need to be delicate in the mix.
For practice its a mixture of 2 - 4 for rump and flank with the output at 8 - 11 and even then I have to adjust the setting if I'm playing somewhere new or with other gear because it sounds different to my ear. I have to be sensible, the fx32 just excites my juvenile side for loudness which some people and rigs don't appreciate.

[Salt on your Bass?]

Does anyone know how lpf/hpfs on amps would effect the output of this pedal through a rig? I assume the amp would nullify what this pedal is aiming to do for the benefit of power efficiency? Is that right??

[Sibob]

Depends what the freequency of tyour HPF is set to.
The Meatbox low end sits at around 35-30hz, the SFX thumpinator HPF, for example, cuts everything below 30hz, so you may or may not lose a little from the sound, however this may be something that works for you.
As you say, some amps already have HPF/LPF features, so play about with them.

Si

[Left Foot]

Si Bob, someones giving me there PA. How can I refuse free stuff, two active 15 speakers but the specs are:

Frequency Range: (-10 dB): 42 Hz -20 kHz
Frequency Response: (±3 dB): 53 Hz -19 kHz

This pretty much means the Meat Box subs would be knocked out of the signal right? Dang.

[Salt on your Bass?]

Hmmm, that's pretty interesting. I've got a gig in a couple of weeks - I guess it'd be sensible to have a word with the venue tech beforehand. Interested in sis response on the above.

[Left Foot]

salty, best bet is seeing if you can get into their PA and sound check it to make sure you don't muddy the vocals. That PA system was pap and has gone back btw, seems like I can refuse free stuff.

[Salt on your Bass?]

Cheers man, that was the plan, thanks for the heads up on the vox though.

Bummer about the pa.

[Salt on your Bass?]

Interestingly (to me anyway) last night when mucking around with my amp settings, I found this pedal sings when the preamp valve is bypassed. I love the valve OD, but with the meatbox in tow, it losses its punch somewhere - not sure if it maxes out the pre amp tube or something, but the gutsy punch it adds it more lacklustre.

Also noticed the cones moving a fair bit on a low B - not quite uncontrollably, but getting there! Gonna pick up a thumpinator just to clear up a bit of excess that may be hitting my amp.

Absolutely love this pedal, as do the guys in my band