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moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 359
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 3:27 pm:   Edit Post

Diving head first into the world of stereo bass with multiple floor effects I am curious if any alumni has used effects loop pedals such as the OneControl pedals I have stumbled on recently? I am trying a different setup without using my F1-X's (one for each pickup) and the integrated effects loops. I would like to know if these effect loop pedals really make a difference vs going direct into the preamp? Waste of money/time?

for example: http://www.one-control.com/black-loop.html

I will be using 2 of these (once they arrive), one for each pickup before my 2 channel preamp (with different effects in the loop for each pickup).
moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 360
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post

Additional context: I have a compact 2 channel preamp with a single effects loop and don't want to run all effects on both pickups.
I also miss the feature of the effects loop on the F1-Xs as they sound much better than running the effects inline into the main input.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1878
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 7:11 pm:   Edit Post

The benefit from this pedal is the “true bypass” which takes the effect pedal(s) totally out of the signal chain, also you can turn on/off more than one pedal at once (if you put a chain of effects in a loop)

I use a midi switchable effects loop/signal routing magical box for this, would be the ultimate tool for Series basses but it is a bit noisy…

It has two banks with 4 effects loops, they can be used separate (each has its own input) or in A-B and B-A configuration. The signal is sent to two programmable outputs.
When used separate the A effects section is routed to output 1 and the B section to output 2
There is also a stereo effects loop, but I guess that’s not really practical for Series basses.

Also has 4 switches that can be used for amp channel switching, EQ on/off etc. and no need for external devices to program the patches. (like the Voodo lab GCX, which can’t be programmed on its own)
It does add some noise though and it’s a magnet for ground loops… I’ve figured out the ground loops and can control the noise with noisegates, but the audio section could have used some extra thoughts…
I would love to give mr. Wickersham a chance to sort it out
The midi section and the flexibility/routing options are the best I could find though, with an updated audio section it would indeed be the ultimate tool for the Series basses!
I have a couple of them, so maybe some day I’ll be able to make ‘em quiet. :-)

Front and back total:



Output/routing section on front panel:



Input section rear:

moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 361
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 6:39 am:   Edit Post

Thanks FC, that is quite an interesting set up. The concern of noise is a big one, I guess my hope is that the effects loop pedal will help control noise a little better as well?
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2243
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 5:58 pm:   Edit Post

Duplicate post deleted.

(Message edited by edwin on March 13, 2016)
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2244
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 5:59 pm:   Edit Post

I have an old Ibanez version of this box, the EPP 400. I upgraded all the chips in it. It only has 5 effect loops, but the cool thing is that the presets not only bring the loops in and out, but you can change the order. It's also super easy to program on the fly, so for improvising with crazy effects, it's the best. I did a recording session at a local studio where the engineer is an absolute fanatic about sound quality (all Cardas cable, all tweaked everything in terms of chips, resistors, caps, etc.). He was concerned about added noise from the unit so we did a comparison from my straight bass signal to that with the signal going the through the looper. Absolutely no discernible difference.

It's not as versatile as more modern units, in terms of being able to switch amp channels and other stuff, but for what it does, it's great and it can be had pretty cheaply.

I don't do a lot of effects stuff these days, but I'm looking to get back into it. Once of these days I'll put my rig back together.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1881
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post

Brian: Depends on your pedal(s) If you have a pedal that sucks tone/is noisy in bypass mode, you'll eliminate that by using this pedal. (because it takes the effect out of the signal chain)
You also shorten your signal chain in "effects bypassed mode" which is always better. :-)

That Ibanez unit looks neat! Would look nice next to my HD1500, too bad you can't use both outputs simultaneously...

I have one setting that splits the input (main input)over the effects sections and uses the A and B section separate.
I have the fuzz/wah effects in the A section and the modulation delays etc in the B section.
I send the "Dirty" sound to input 1 of my Mesa Bass 400 and the "Clean" sounds to channel 2 so I can make the preferred blend with their input controls.
With that setup I can emulate this Jason Newsted solo sound (Dirty/clean combined) Youtube link
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1882
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 6:54 pm:   Edit Post

Btw, this is the inside of the G-Arts patcher. Any suggestions on parts that could be improved are welcome :-)



Details of the audio section:



The relays are for the switching functions:

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